After leaving the far south west tip of England the journey north begins, or to be factually correct, you'll be travelling for most of the day in a northeasterly direction.
Cornwall's vibrant identity has evolved from history going back 3000 years and a rich traditional culture much of which still lives and breathes through the sites and scenery found throughout the region today. Mining has played a big part in Cornish history and although most of the mines are now shut, there is still evidence on the surface of where they were. Much of the first part of this route is in a world heritage site recognising the importance of Cornwall's industrial heritage.
The Cornish Engine House is a distinctive structure erected over the past 200 years to house the water pumping engines or winding engines serving the mines below. ... Many of the engine houses were also used as target practice after the second world war and blown up by the Canadians or Americans (with permission sadly). This route travels past good examples of engine houses, namely Wheal Hearle and Carn Galver and then through the ports used for exporting the valuable ore.
Following the coast, the route visits Port Isaac where the TV series Doc Martin was filmed. Port Isaac, was a busy coastal port from the Middle Ages to the mid 19th. Century when it was an active harbour where cargoes like stone, coal, timber and pottery were loaded and unloaded. Fishing and fish-processing were also important and today there are still fishermen working from here although tourism plays an increasingly important role.
There are now several Cornish coastal villages to see,
Tintagel is just a few minutes further north. Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel has dramatic sea views both from the castle ruins on the headland and island. This is a spectacular place, steeped in myths and mystery, and has inspired artists and writers throughout history who have associated it with the legend of King Arthur.
The picturesque harbour of Boscastle is one of Cornwall’s most romantic places. The long narrow valley runs down to a steep and rocky entrance to the raging sea beyond. It is a place steeped in history, associated with authors and artists who have been inspired by its remoteness and rugged beauty, but it's also been a working harbour, both for fishermen and stone workers over the years.
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Crackington Haven is a small village with a cove dominated by majestic cliffs. Once a small harbour importing coal and limestone from Wales, it narrowly escaped industrial development in the 1800s and is now a small unspoiled, almost secret, cove.
A coffee stop at Widemouth Bay Cafe is a must. The wide bay, hence it's name has long been a surfers paradise with the Atlantic rollers creating the perfect wave. Park your bikes right next to the cafe and enjoy a coffee alfresco. Widemouth Bay is also the landing point for many important communications cables which link the UK to other countries. It is said that one of these is the 'Trans-Atlantic hotline' connecting Downing Street with the White House! The next attraction bears witness to this.
G.C.H.Q. Bude is an array of satellite dishes located on the clifftops just north of Bude. Believe it or not, this set of buildings at Cleave Common is home to some of the most high-tech digital security and intelligence operations in the world and regularly performs tasks which prevent terrorism, combat organised crime and keep our country safe. It is operated by the British signals intelligence service, officially known as the Government Communications Headquarters, commonly abbreviated GCHQ. It is located on part of the site of the former World War II airfield, RAF Cleave. In 1963, TAT-3, an undersea cable linking the United Kingdom to the United States, was laid just south of the site at Cleave Common. The British General Post Office (GPO) routinely monitored all communications passing along the TAT-3 cable, forwarding any messages they felt were relevant to the security services.
From G.C.H.Q. the route joins the A39, often regarded as the best motorcycling road in the south west, I would go one further and suggest that sections of the A39 are some of the best motorcycling roads in the whole of the UK.
Lunch stop is at the award winning Pelican Fish and Chip shop in Barnstaple. If you leave Lands End at 08:00 you should arrive here around 13:00. There's plenty of parking and tables outside or inside.
The A39 will now take you through some beautiful Devon countryside and into Exmoor National Park. At just 693 square kilometres, Exmoor is one of the UK's smallest National Parks. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in beauty and variety of landscapes. None more so than the Valley of Rocks at Lynton. The Valley of Rocks is a dramatic section of coastline on the northern edge of Exmoor. Arriving in the deep valley floor, steep craggy cliffs on either side of you climb up to point skyward. Whether you are there under crystal clear blue skies or stormy atmospheric clouds, this is a great place to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Back down through Lynton to it's sister town of Lynmouth with its picturesque harbour and funicular railway. The multi-award winning and famous Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world! The Cliff Railway connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth providing stunning coastal views that will be the highlight of any visit. This working heritage railway is grade II listed, the UK's only fully water powered railway and one of just three examples left in the World!
From here you'll stay on the A39 and travel east, firstly by climbing Countisbury Hill that has some of the best coastal views in the south west. This section of the A39 is great for motorcycles with plenty of twists as you head along the north coast of Exmoor. There's normally an ice cream van parked in a gravel car park at the top of Porlock Hill, even if you don't want an ice cream it's worth stopping for the views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
Porlock Hill at 25%, is reputably the steepest A road in England, take it easy on the way down as there are some sharp bends.
I have suggested turning off of the A39 to visit Minehead for a coffee, you'll be about an hour away from the end of the route at Bridgewater. Nestled between Exmoor National Park on one side and the Quantock Hills on the other, Minehead has long attracted visitors to its coastal location.
The route leaves the A39 at Williton to head into The Quantock Hills, an area of wilderness and tranquillity. The Quantock Hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which means that its distinctive character, natural beauty and cultural heritage are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. The area received its protected status in 1956.
The end of the route is at the Premier Inn, Bridgewater. There are many hotels and B&Bs; around Bridgewater I have included a link for this one below this review.
So there you have it, day one of your LeJog complete. Why take the quick and easy route when there is so much to see en route to the final destination.