One of the U.K.’s largest fishing ports-not in terms of size as it’s a relatively small port but in the tonnage of catch : Newlyn really punches above its weight in the story of fishing in Cornwall. We'll have the opportunity to drive right amongst the beam trawlers and learn of the fishing history of Cornwall and the industry involved to put food on people's tables. As with any location that we pass through on this 'Best of the West' Tour, there is so much history all around us and your Tour Guide will ensure that you have a true insight into the character of the area and a selection of fun facts and anecdotes to take home with you!

Penzance - (Cornish : Pen Sans - the 'Holy headland') so much history to learn of and so little time! The arrival of the London bound train station in 1859 enabled the wealthy Victorians to visit the 'English Riviera' and Penzance is a fine old town steep in history with piratical tales and Maritime connections aplenty! Your guide will point out smuggling haunts, wonderful pieces of Georgian architecture with literary connections, as well as marvelling at the promenade (Cornwall's only one) and the art deco open air Lido-geothermally heated and the largest in the UK... While stepping out onto the promenade with one another, we will consider the art history of the area generally and the Newlyn School of art in particular before moving on with purpose!

This late Stone/early Bronze Age (2500 BC approx.) stone circle is renowned for both its beauty and the stories connected to it. It lies in a gently sloping and easily accessible field near Lamorna, a stone’s throw from Tregiffian burial chamber (which your guide would also be happy to show you) and a number of other ancient sites which will be spoken of, their significance discussed and images shown to you via the guide's 'Ancient sites of Cornwall' file... The 'Merry Maidens' is a truly remarkable site – 19 stones in a near perfect circle with an entrance point facing the rising of the Midsummer solstice Sun. The stones themselves seem to go down in height and then ascend with the curvature of the circle which surely mirrors the lunar cycle and the waxing and waning of the moon. A Remarkable monument and one that most visitors to Cornwall will never experience - it will be an honour to show them to you...

Here we have an iconic location which is quintessentially Cornish in character. it is reputedly where the last Cornish speaker lived and died in 1777. Famed for the harbour Christmas lights and a popular destination to anyone wanting to mooch around a wonderfully traditional harbour , Mousehole really is a must see location here in West Cornwall. Perhaps you’d like to take a wander around the narrow streets and pick up a gift or two- or stop at one of the delicatessens for a little sustenance... We will reconvene and learn of several aspects of note in this beautifully quaint fishing village. (including the Spanish invasion of 1595-gulp!)

Our first location is the ancient market town of Marazion ('Marghas -Yow' in the Cornish language which means Thursday’s market) We'll leave the vehicle, get our bearings and will also see the Lizard Point - Britain’s most southerly spot - in the distance. We will learn something of the history of St. Michaels Mount and you will be reminded of the itinerary and given a choice of locations where we can stop, have comfort breaks, take on board refreshments etc. in the next seven hours, we will see the North Coast, the south Coast AND the wild Atlantic Ocean...how exciting! There is so much to see and learn about, but we are aware that you're on holiday, so we will deliver this private tour in a relaxed and hurried way for you...

On our way to the far, Wild West', of the County we will pass through the ancient hamlet of St. Buryan - named after a 6th century Christian Missionary from Ireland named “Beriana”. King Althensan made a stop here completing his conquest of Cornwall and In gratitude he endowed a Church in honour of Beriana in 930AD, which formed the 1st monastery in Cornwall. On this site there now stands a remarkable 12th century church (with the addition of a 15th century belltower). We will enter the church and the architecture and significance of many features within will be explained. The splendour of the church is the mediaeval 'Rood Screen' carving that runs the length of the church which is truly astonishing, with decorative tracery and painted themes including unicorns, birds, serpents, grotesque demons and dragons! A beautiful old building with a deep history and a really good example of the kind of village churches that we will be passing on our continuing journey throughout West Cornwall...

Sennen is a really beautiful example of a golden sandy beach here in West Cornwall. Ever-popular for surfers (a really good swell comes in off the Atlantic in the right conditions), and the scene of many thousands of happy memories from holiday makers spending time down here. Golden Sands, azure blue sea and hopefully a bit of sunshine make this a picture perfect location and well worth a stop off. You may even wish to have an ice cream on the beach!

We've never understood why so many visitors are dissuaded from making a trip to this magnificent location! You don’t have to buy a fridge magnet! (your guide will have souvenirs and little Cornish gifts for you at the end of your touring experience anyway). The scene of literally hundreds of shipwrecks over the years, Lands End has the most wonderful, edge of the worldly feel to it. On a good day we will be able to see the Isles Of Scilly 28 miles in the distance - sadly we won’t be able to see New York which is 3147 miles away! Land's End is in our opinion the best place in the UK to witness the setting sun, and is surely one of the most dramatic sections of cliffs to be found anywhere in the country. Your Guide for this private tour used to work here as a teenager and so will be able to share some unique insights into the area!

We are on the North Coast now and firmly in tin mining territory. Part of the UNESCO world heritage site – Botallack was a large and thriving mine back in the day. Your guide will explain the significance of both ancient mining and modern mining (and then, subsequently, both pre-and post industrial revolution). (from this location, we will even pass by Ross Poldark's 'Nampara' home and 'Wheal Leisure' mine - both used as filming locations for the hit TV series). We will take a stroll along the coastal path in order to gain a commanding view of the Crown's engine houses which are perched right on the edge of the cliffs and always illicit gasps of 'wow' from every visitor that we bring here. The significance to the Cornish economy of copper mining and then tin mining will be talked about and tales of hardships, mining disasters and ingenious inventions will abound. In such a location you can’t help but feel moved by peoples dedication to forge out a living in such harsh conditions...

One of only two capes in the UK-Cape Cornwall is a really stunning location which is not on the bus route and many visitors never make it down there. But, boy is it worth the journey! Technically this is where the wild Atlantic Ocean bleeds into the Celtic Sea. A very special place and with luck we may even see some Cornish Choughs wheeling around in the sky above us! (these birds are an emblem of Cornwall and had disappeared from Cornish soil but, due to a reintroduction program there are now several mating pairs around - including in this location).

Zennor really is a tranquil and beautiful place. The churchtown area itself is wonderfully sleepy and visitors here can't help but fall in love with the village. There's an ancient folk tale called 'The Mermaid of Zennor' which your guide will relate to you before leading you to the beautiful 12th century church where there is a 600 year old carving of a mermaid in one of the pews. Just beautiful. The 'Tinner's Arms' pub is very special with an amazing beer garden - and who would we be to complain if you fancied resting here with a pint of local ale or a traditional Cornish cream tea?

The ever popular tourist hotspot that is St. Ives! (Luckily you won’t need to find a parking spot all by yourself!) Your guide will get you right into the heart of the action with a trip around the harbour and the opportunity to get out and have a little wander if you wish... St. Ives really is a stunning looking town and a fitting end to this guided, private tour of the West of Cornwall!