Geographically beautiful, Cornwall is characterised by glorious seascapes and quintessential fishing towns, but is also home to its own distinct character and culture.
Destination Guide to Cornwall
Lying in the most South Westerly point of the British Isles on a peninsula reaching in to the Celtic Sea, Cornwall is not only geographically beautiful, characterised by glorious seascapes and quintessential fishing towns, but is also home to its own distinct character and culture.
Perranporth Beach – Driving Tour Cornwall
Sitting on a Peninsula sandwiched between the English and Irish Channels and looking out to the Atlantic
Ocean, Cornwall is synonymous with beautiful coastlines of sweeping golden bays, craggy cliff-tops and traditional fishing villages. Located in the South of England, Cornwall enjoys a mild climate and is associated with traditional English Summer holidays. As a remote and undiscovered region brimming with history and legend, in recent years Cornwall has become increasingly popular with the international visitor and a tour of Cornwall makes an excellent vacation in itself, or an integral part of a longer trip exploring England.
Touring Cornwall you’ll travel from the River Tamar in the East to the famous Land’s End in the West which is also the most southerly point of mainland Britain. Culturally, Cornwall is quite distinct from the rest of Britain; historically the region, once known as Kernow, was almost autonomous from England with its own Celtic language and heritage and close trade ties with other Celtic regions such as Wales and Brittany in Northern France. This Celtic heritage lives on today in place-names and signage, which you’ll encounter on a driving tour through Cornwall, and the Cornish language which has seen a revival in recent years. More recently the Cornish region benefitted the now defunct tin-mining industry before developing its economy around the flourishing fishing and tourism sectors.
Port Isaac, better known as Port Wen from televisions’s Doc Martin – Cornwall Driving Tours
Steeped legend, the county of Cornwall has been the setting or inspiration of ancient myth, historic literature and more recently, popular television productions. Arthurian legend pervades with King Arthur’s birthplace and Merlin’s cave said to be located at the cliff-side Tintagel Castle on Cornwall’s north coast, whilst Arthur’s sword Excalibur is linked to Dozmary Pool in Bodmin Moor. The coastlines are awash with legends of the pirates of Penzance and secret smuggler’s coves which inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s novel Jamaica Inn. More recently, Rosamunde Pilcher had a series of best-selling novels set in the region whilst the television adaptation of the Cornwall-set Poldark novels has become a major hit for the BBC since 2015. The archetypal Cornish fishing village is also depicted in the genteel television comedy-drama series of Doc Martin which has become an international success; set in the fictional town of Port Wen, the real-life village of Port Isaac is rapidly becoming major visitor destination for fans of the programme.
Food and drink is extremely important in this area of England, Cornwall is the ultimate of home of one of England’s national dishes, a traditional fish ‘n’ chip supper of fried battered fish with chunky fries to be covered in salt and vinegar and eaten out of a wrapping of newspaper best enjoyed on a bench overlooking the ocean, but watch out for swooping seagulls. Meat and pastry Cornish pasties are a local delicacy whilst for those with a sweet tooth a traditional Cornish clotted ice cream or an afternoon tea of jam and scones should not be missed. More sophisticated Cornish dining is available in Padstow home to Rick Stein’s renowned seafood restaurant.
Tintagel Castle, associated with King Arthur’s Legend – Cornweall Tours
On any driving tour of Cornwall, St Austell Bay, known as the Cornish Riviera is an area not to be missed; on the south coast of Cornwall it is a hugely popular visitor destination with a series of attractive seaside towns and villages including those at Fowey, Polperro, and Looe. These charming fishing villages are characterised by boats bobbing in natural harbours, tiny fisherman’s cottages nestling in sheltered coves and tangles of narrow cobbled streets waiting to be explored. To the south explore the sweeping bays and medieval fort at Falmouth whilst on Cornwall’s West coast you’ll find the pretty 17th century village of St Ives, home to a vibrant arts and crafts scene and one of just two Tate Galleries outside of London.
When touring Cornwall you’ll come across a rich and diverse range of historic sites and heritage visitor attractions including the National Trust’s Llanhydrock House and Gardens, the off-shore island and monastery at St Michael’s Mount, the intriguing Minack Theatre whose amphitheatre is carved in to the cliff-side over-looking Porthcurno Bay and the reclaimed tin-mine at The Eden Project which now homes the largest indoor rainforest in the world.
Home to a wealth of culture, heritage and historic sites, stunning natural beauty along its coastlines and a plethora of picturesque fishing towns, Cornwall is a unique and captivating little corner of England which should be an must-see destination on any tour of England.
Relevant Tours
Classic Favourites
A Small Group Tour of England and Scotland – From the southernmost tip of the Cornish Peninsular to the remote wilderness of the Isle of Skye, enjoy an epic small-group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England and Scotland. Discover the quaint fishing towns of Cornwall, the rolling hills and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, the ruggedly beautiful landscapes of the English Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, and finally the barren moorlands of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way we’ll visit the heritage cities of Bath, Oxford, York, Chester, Inverness and Edinburgh, and experience regional food, drink and hospitality. South Coast to Skye is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and panoramas of England and Scotland.
A small group tour of England’s West Country – Treasures of The West Country takes you on a leisurely journey through the charming counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, a region of unique Celtic heritage and beguiling natural landscapes. Arriving in Devon by rail, we’ll explore the barren uplands of Dartmoor and the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall before returning to the elegant Georgian city of Bath. Along the way we’ll sample local specialities, unearth Arthurian Legends, discover cliff-side castles, hear smugglers tales, explore rambling fishing villages and visit a very famous stone circle! The South West of England’s many treasures are just waiting to be discovered.
Visit England’s West Country including Devon and Cornwall. This region is an ancient land shrouded in legend and myth from King Arthur and Merlin to the Pirates of Penzance. The sunny West Country gave England our beloved cider, fish and chips and jam and scones. The Road to Cornwall tour takes you from London through the majestic city of Bath over the Devonshire Moors to the fishing towns of the Cornish coast, returning to Salisbury and Stonehenge via the English Riviera.
A small group tour of Wales and Cornwall – A perfect combination of Celtic cultures discover the beauty of England’s West Country and the beguiling landscapes of Wales. Your journey will take you over the barren moors and along the rugged coastlines of Devon and Cornwall before passing in to the undiscovered nation of Wales, home to towering mountains and ancient castles. This journey is a combination of our "Treasures of Cornwall" and "Enchanting Wales" tours.
A small group tour of Wales and England’s West Country – A perfect combination of Celtic cultures discover the beauty of England’s West Country and the beguiling landscapes of Wales. Your journey will take you over the barren moors and along the rugged coastlines of Devon and Cornwall before passing in to the undiscovered nation of Wales, home to towering mountains and ancient castles. This journey is a combination of our Treasures of Cornwall and Enchanting Wales tours.
A Small Group Tour of England and Scotland – From the southernmost tip of the Cornish Peninsular to the remote wilderness of the Isle of Skye, enjoy an epic small-group journey through the diverse cultures and landscapes of England and Scotland. Discover the quaint fishing towns of Cornwall, the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, the rustic dales of Yorkshire and the barren moorlands of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way we’ll visit the heritage cities of Bath, York, Chester and Edinburgh and experience regional food, drink and hospitality. South Coast to Skye is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture and panoramas of England and Scotland.
A Small Group Tour of England – Discover the rich history and rustic landscapes of England on this diverse journey from the far South West to England’s Northern territories. England’s Coastline and Countryside takes you from the golden bays and craggy cliffs of Cornwall through the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds to the rugged landscapes of Yorkshire and the Lake District. Along the way we’ll visit the elegant cities of Bath, Salisbury, Oxford and York and enjoy a host of local visits and experiences to truly immerse ourselves in England’s unique charm and heritage.
A small group tour of Cornwall – Treasures of Cornwall takes you on a leisurely journey through England’s enchanting West Country. This region is home to a unique Celtic heritage and beguiling landscapes; we’ll travel from London over the Salisbury Plain to the barren moors of Devon and the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall beyond. Along the way we’ll visit ancient stone-circles, taste local specialities, unearth Arthurian Legends, discover cliff-side castles, hear smugglers tales and explore rambling fishing villages. Cornwall’s many treasures are just waiting to be discovered.
A Small Group Tour of England – Discover the rich history and rustic landscapes of England on this diverse journey from the far South West to England’s Northern territories. England’s Coastline and Countryside takes you from the golden bays and craggy cliffs of Cornwall through the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds to the rugged landscapes of Yorkshire and the Lake District. Along the way we’ll visit the elegant cities of Bath, Oxford and York and enjoy a host of local visits and experiences to truly immerse ourselves in England’s unique charm and heritage.
