Experience South West Tours

15/06/2024

A little breezy on Dartmoor today, between the showers.

Guests from Bovey Castle enjoyed the ancient history as well as the areas on the high moor to 'tuck out the wind' and enjoy the clouds racing by.

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14/06/2024

Well rested after a week long tour that has taken us from the Cotswolds to Exeter via Dorset & Somerset, Dartmoor, the Jurassic Coastline, Cornwall, grand estates & historic houses, gardens & beaches.
Now for the push back to central London.
Currently enjoying the peace of the Roseland Peninsula before we head east.

*Quick edit. 1000 miles in five days. They may be a new record for this season, (1002 to be precise...!)

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10/06/2024

I do have the opportunity to collect my guests from some rather spectacular venues.
Today was exceptional.

Ditchley Park Estate in the southern Cotswolds area.

Amazing building, fascinating history & lovely, welcoming estate staff.

Once board I whisked my new guests off through the rolling Cotswold landscape.
Stopping off at some classic Cotswolds locations in our journey to the South West including Burford, Bibury & Lacock before drifting down to Exeter.
Here's to a week of adventure throughout Devon & Cornwall.

Experience South West Tours transfer tours just make your journey far more interesting.

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09/06/2024

When you pull up to take some sea air on route to collect your guests and there is the historic stable mate on the waterfront doing the same.

My Galaxy and a classic Ford Granada 3.0 Ghia is alongside.





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07/06/2024

The space ship is enjoying the spring & summer sunshine of late.
7000 miles in less than 8wks.
All corners of the South West visited, many times!
Guests from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Europe & even Japan have all been wowed by the wonders of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset & Somerset also.

Transfers to and from London & LHR. Showcasing the West Country hotspots & the secret locations we don't share with the guide books!

Experience South West Tours has been thankful for the interest in this current touring season.
If you, or your clients are interested in an inspiring tour throughout July & August in 2024, please do get in touch.
We have some availability in these months as well as a few days in the middle of September too.




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04/06/2024

June 6th 2024.

Cast your mind back and try to imagine June 6th 1944...

It has been 80yrs since the most significant allied military action day in modern history.

D-Day (Day-Day - "D" was code shortened for Day)

-A day that took years to plan and that saw the whole of the South coast of England transform into a secret fortified Army, Navy and Air-force camp.

-A day that had already seen thousands of sacrifices of life during live practice exercises, reconnaissance and enemy positioning intelligence.

-A day where over 2 million allied troops left the shores of the UK to storm the Normandy beaches and break into an enemy occupied France.

-A day that witnessed the largest Army, Navy and Air-force operation in human history.

-A day that witnessed the horrors of war as well as the joys of success.

-A day that sadly many honorable serviceman are leaving behind as fewer of these brave men are left for us to salute and thank for their wartime service.

-A day my own hero, my dear Grandfather, was involved in and survived.

Operation Neptune & Overlord was the turning point of WW2.
It provided the essential breakthrough into France, liberation and advancement into occupied Europe.
A chance to make the in roads and turn the tide of history.

I, we, all of us, salute you.

25/05/2024

When on multi day tours, it's essential I stay close to where I've recommended accommodation for my guests.
This last three weeks I've been all over the place!
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & beyond.
I try to find places that have the bare essentials in a quiet setting.
So far, this season, this little Green Cabin in Penryn will take some beating...
My own private tropical garden with what feels like a cabin in a secluded jungle paradise!
Ideal for solo travellers or couples wanting a simplistic base with dawn chorus bird song wake up & a secluded garden setting, with a car parking spot too.

Highly recommended & just search Green Cabin in Penryn on AirB&B.

Thank you Arawan for allowing me to stay at your tropical retreat!

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1143378788334696702?c=.pi80.pkYm9va2luZy92Ml9taWdyYXRpb24vcmVzZXJ2YXRpb25fZ3Vlc3RfcmVtaW5kZXI%3D&euid=a8506a70-f92d-274c-5ce1-f8e49020d857&source_impression_id=p3_1716620069_V2gsiaiHefihlo3x

21/05/2024

Locked up & the key thrown far.....
The trials and tribulations of a tour guide.
Devon & Cornwall have so many historic buildings where dungeons & gaols featured as common place rooms in the depths of the castle.

Maybe I deserved it, I'll have a word with the keeper of the keys when they pass next....

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19/05/2024

Another great day, first of a seven multi day tour for my guests.

Classic English Riviera scenery from Babbacombe Downs to the sweeping Torbay coastline, followed by a Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company trip from Paignton to Kingswear (added bonus and included in their tour with me!) & the ferry crossing into Dartmouth where the music festival was in full swing across the town.

Fantastic lunch in Rockfish - Dartmouth before drifting along the coast road to Torcross & Slapton Sands where a clotted cream ice cream awaited whilst taking in the sea air and watching the waves.

Sunny skies, great company & a fab start to their week with Experience South West Tours

Get in touch to book your bespoke tour and experience what the South West has to offer.

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18/05/2024

No guesses where....

Early start in North Cornwall.
A midday guest drop off in central London.
Some down time recharging off the Ley line energies on my way home before I start another week long round of tours tomorrow.
A guides life for me....

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17/05/2024

It's been a very busy month of tour delivery this far.
All over Devon & Cornwall, into Somerset & Dorset as well as central London too.

Late Spring sunshine has graced my tour guests most days & I think we've had just one day of morning rain that cleared up by midday anyway!

Locations visited with various tour guests have included,
The Minack Theatre
St. Michael's Mount
Hotel Endsleigh
Cape Cornwall
Lands End
Mousehole
Botallack tin mine ruins
St Ives
St Just in Roseland Church
St Mawes
Falmouth
Port Isaac
Pastor
Bath & Wells
Glastonbury & Street
Dartmoor & Bodmin Moor
Buckfast Abbey
Devon's North & South Coast
The Jurassic Coast
And possibly some more I cannot recall....it's been a busy month!

Thanks to all guests & agents that put their faith in me & Experience South West Tours to deliver your special trips in this area.
Hopefully, many more to come.

Nice to meet the guides as well as a few others dockside yesterday on Falmouth.

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12/05/2024

No repeat of the previous nights northern lights in the skies over the South West.
However, any excuse to take a sunset into darkness walk down around St Agnes headland & it's heritage tin mine trails on the cliffs.
A sky full of stars.

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11/05/2024

Sometimes, you witness events that leave you pondering your existence.

Sat on my front porch, sipping a cup of tea at midnight, watching aurora borealis slinking across the skies.....
In Paignton, South Devon!
D.e.v.o.n!

Never thought I'd ever see this so far south.
I've witnessed it in Iceland, Norway many times, but in Devon, at home!
Literally, handheld smartphone shots too.
Not sure if I was dreaming?!

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06/05/2024

When someone asks how local I am.....
I show them this.
Our family name old brewery advert in local press at what was Brewery Lane, Brixham.

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03/05/2024

When I get some reading time, a couple of interesting books bought in Burley, New Forest witch central....
Maybe during the autumn/winter after the busy tour season.
After Halloween, or around the Solstice.
Seems right....

29/04/2024

Bolderwood
New Forest
Hampshire.

Thought it would be nice to try & find some deer....
Found some!

We're not just touring Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset.
Occasionally we venture further afield into other special areas of the UK.

Contact Experience South West Tours to discuss your tour itinerary & travel plans.
Let's make it happen with added wow factor.

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23/04/2024

Well Cornwall, thank you. You've provided one of the best early spring tours I've ever had the pleasure of delivering.
Sunshine, light sea breezes, beautiful skies & coastal views with summer like conditions & picture postcard scenes.

Locations hit list has included,
St Agnes, Wheal Coates.
St Michaels Mount,
Mousehole,
Porthcurno beach,
The Minack Theatre
Cape Cornwall,
Botallack & Levant mines,
Fistral & Pentire,
Watergate Bay,
Bedruthan Steps,
Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor,
Before we crossed into Devon and plan more adventures in the next few days.

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22/04/2024

The far West of Cornwall totally delivered the wow moments today on a thoroughly enjoyable first day of a tour for two lovely ladies from New England, USA.

When the The Minack Theatre has been on your bucket list for years, and for them to get to visit the inspirational outdoor theatre in conditions like these, I'd say it surpassed expectations.

Other locations visited today included Mousehole, Porthcurno, Cape Cornwall, Botallack & of course the Minack.

I hear the rest of the UK has had rain & a biting cold wind....
We were in t-shirts & feeling the spring sunshine all day.

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21/04/2024

Heading South West, stopping off at St Agnes tin mine ruins to take in the weather.

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20/04/2024

Good fun in the sun with Devon Clay Shooting / Sporting & Simulated Game
on a sim day with a great group of guys from North Devon.

Jason at Devon Clay Shooting is one of the regions best shooting coaches & we used to deliver clay shoot sessions at Bovey Castle in recent years.
His clay shoot experience is one of the great 'Experience Extras' I have listed as tour add ons.
A morning or afternoon shooting is a great way to experience the country life & test your skill with a 12 bore!

The blue skies & warming spring sunshine always helps too....

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13/04/2024

*New Tour Alert*
Just in time for the Spring season to unfold ESW Tours has just launched another inspiring tour option, a Villages, Cottages & Market Towns of Dartmoor Tour.
Immerse yourself in village life, peruse the markets of the Stannary towns and marvel at the craftsmanship of thatched cottages.
Picture postcard and quintessential villages, cottages that belong in fairy tales and grand market halls full of local artisan crafts and antiques.
A proper local perspective on Dartmoor life.
Come and take a look me-ansum and you'll be truly charmed by the locations on this tour.

https://experiencesouthwesttours.weebly.com/dartmoor-villages--cottages.html


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Devon is a county that is steeped in history that dates back to the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. As settlements began to become more permanent village life was soon established. There is nothing...

12/04/2024

Rather splendid St Mawes and the river Fal this afternoon.

Hotel Tresanton & The Idle Rocks are exceptional hotels overlooking this view of the south Cornwall waterside.

09/04/2024

Shiny new wheels.
The new Ford Galaxy Titanium Lux is ready to deliver bespoke tours to overseas guests & staycation folks alike.

7 seater with more tech than I'm used to.
Very comfy seats & apparently even parks itself.....not sure I'll be partaking in that tech....

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05/04/2024

Some of the photos snapped on today's Dartmoor Experience Tour.
Legends, folklore, tales & stories as well as classic moorland landscape as the inspirational backdrop.

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05/04/2024

Great to be involved with such fantastic business promotion folk. Shouting loudly from the Devon rooftops.

Are you visiting South Devon for the Easter School Holidays? 🤩 Check out our BRAND NEW visitor guide! 📖

Filled with tons of great information about South Devon towns, cities and villages to visit alongside our best beaches and top things to do; it'll be your perfect tour guide! 🥾

Check it out on our website and download the pdf so you can take it on the go with you! 👇
https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/information/guide

05/04/2024

Dartmoor Experience with a Hound of the Baskerville's theme in very misty and atmospheric weather today for guests from Kent, the garden of England.

A visit to Buckfast Abbey on the way back to Gidleigh Park was an inspiring stop.

Great location, especially when their young organist was tuning the mighty pipes ready for the weekend services.

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03/04/2024

Find Experience South West Tours on GetYourGuide
One of the world's biggest tour guide operations.

Great to be involved with such renowned tourism industry established businesses.

https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=supplier:267986