West Cornwall Private Highly Varied Full-Day Tour from Newquay with Local Guide
by Kernow Tours
Overview
This private full-day tour from Newquay lasts about eight hours and is led by a local guide with a qualified educational background. The tour uses an air-conditioned, fully licensed vehicle that accommodates up to six passengers. Included are car parking fees, bottled mineral water, lively and informative historical commentary, free Cornish gifts, and a photo montage. Food and extra drinks are not included. The circular route covers a highly varied selection of sites across West Cornwall, including both the north and south coasts and views of the Atlantic Ocean. The tour begins in Marazion at St. Michael's Mount, where the group leaves the vehicle to explore the ancient market town, learn about the Mount’s history, and see Lizard Point in the distance. Next is Penzance, where visitors observe Georgian architecture, smuggling sites, and the UK's largest geothermally heated open-air Lido on the promenade, while learning about the Newlyn School of art. The tour then moves to Newlyn, a major fishing port, to view the working harbour and discuss Cornwall’s fishing industry. In Mousehole Harbour, guests have time to walk narrow streets, shop, or visit delicatessens, while hearing about local history including the 1595 Spanish invasion. The Merry Maidens stone circle near Lamorna is visited next, where the guide explains its Bronze Age origins, the arrangement of 19 stones in a near-perfect circle, and its alignment with the midsummer solstice sunrise. In St Buryan, the group enters a 12th-century church featuring a medieval rood screen with detailed carvings of animals and mythical creatures. Land's End follows, with time to view the cliffs and, on clear days, the Isles of Scilly 28 miles offshore. Sennen Cove Beach provides a stop at a sandy beach popular with surfers. On the north coast, Botallack Mine is visited to learn about Cornwall’s tin mining heritage and to see nearby filming locations from the television series Poldark. A walk along the coastal path offers views of engine houses perched on cliffs. Cape Cornwall, one of only two UK capes, offers views where the Atlantic meets the Celtic Sea and the chance to see Cornish choughs. The village of Zennor presents a quiet setting with a 12th-century church containing a 600-year-old carving of a mermaid linked to a local folk tale. Visitors may choose to rest at the Tinner's Arms pub. The final stop is St Ives, where guests can walk around the harbour area without needing to find parking. The guide balances detailed information with a relaxed pace throughout the tour, pointing out many sights visible from the vehicle and on foot.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St. Michael's Mount
The tour starts in Marazion, an ancient market town known in Cornish as 'Marghas-Yow', meaning Thursday’s market. Visitors leave the vehicle to explore and orient themselves while viewing Lizard Point, the southernmost tip of Britain, in the distance. The guide provides historical background on St Michael's Mount and outlines the itinerary, including options for breaks and refreshments during the day. The tour covers both north and south coasts along with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
30 min
Penzance
Penzance, called 'Pen Sans' in Cornish meaning 'Holy headland', features rich Victorian history linked to its 1859 London train connection. The guide highlights smuggling locations, Georgian architecture, and maritime connections. Visitors walk on Cornwall's only promenade, see the largest geothermally heated outdoor Lido in the UK, and hear about the area's art history, including the Newlyn School.
45 min
Newlyn
Newlyn is a significant fishing port in terms of catch tonnage. Guests drive among beam trawlers and learn about Cornwall's fishing industry history. The guide shares stories and historical insights about the port's role and character.
30 min
Mousehole Harbour
Mousehole Harbour is a traditional Cornish fishing village known as the last home of a Cornish speaker in 1777. Visitors can stroll narrow streets, shop, or visit delicatessens. The guide discusses the village’s history, including the 1595 Spanish invasion.
45 min
Merry Maidens
The Merry Maidens stone circle near Lamorna dates to around 2500 BC and consists of 19 stones arranged in a near-perfect circle with an entrance facing the midsummer solstice sunrise. The guide explains its archaeological significance and nearby ancient sites, including the Tregiffian burial chamber.
30 min
St Buryan Church
Passing through the hamlet of St Buryan, named after 6th-century missionary Beriana, visitors enter a 12th-century church with a 15th-century bell tower. The guide highlights the medieval rood screen carvings along the church’s length, featuring unicorns, birds, serpents, demons, and dragons.
45 min
Land's End
Land's End is a dramatic cliff location known for hundreds of shipwrecks over the years. Visitors can view the cliffs and, on clear days, see the Isles of Scilly 28 miles away. Although New York is 3147 miles distant, it is not visible. The guide, who worked here as a teenager, can provide unique insights into the area.
50 min
Sennen Cove Beach
Sennen Cove features a golden sandy beach popular with surfers due to Atlantic swells. Visitors can enjoy the sandy shore, sea views, and may choose to buy ice cream.
30 min
Botallack Mine
On the North Coast, Botallack was a large tin mine within the Cornwall UNESCO World Heritage site. The guide explains mining history before and after the industrial revolution. Visitors walk the coastal path to view engine houses perched on cliffs and learn about the economic importance and mining hardships. Nearby are filming locations for the TV series Poldark.
45 min
Cape Cornwall
Cape Cornwall is one of two UK capes, located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Celtic Sea. It is off the usual bus routes and less visited. Visitors may see Cornish choughs, a local bird emblem that was reintroduced after disappearing from the area.
45 min
Zennor
Zennor is a quiet village with a 12th-century church containing a 600-year-old carving of a mermaid tied to a local folk tale. The guide shares the story. The village includes the Tinner's Arms pub with a notable beer garden.
45 min
St Ives
The tour ends at St Ives, a popular tourist town. The guide brings visitors to the harbour area where they can walk and explore without parking concerns.
30 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
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