Kernow Tours

31/07/2024

We were asked last week upon taking a booking whether we might consider picking up 4 clients up from Heathrow Airport and transferring them down to Cornwall for the start of the holiday in the UK.
Of course the response was in the affirmative!

Let’s be clear: private tours of Cornwall are our thing.
There’s nothing we like more than to spend a day in the company of inquisitive visitors showing them some of the best bits of Cornwall ; wonderful beaches, quaint fishing villages and breathtaking coastline, as well as some of the more hidden treasires that are also on offer here such as ancient standing stones, mediaeval churches and teeny tiny harbours...

That being said, with our private hire vehicle license, we’re happy to cover :-

✨AIRPORTS
✨EVENTS
✨TRANSFERS

For a super comfy ride, a professional and reliable on-time service, as well as the best rates around - why not give us a call the next time you need a private hire vehicle and driver?

(We're based in Penzance but with our private tours we pick up from anywhere in Cornwall and with our transfer service we will pick up from anywhere in the UK)

27/07/2024

Saturday nights used to be spent having a bit of mead or scrumpy then heading out...demelzas nightclub in Penzance. Isobar or shire over St. Ives way? Penmare in Hayle? How about the Penventon over Redruth? Then...could always go for a big one up at the Tall trees Newquay! 3 floors of dance floor action! On very rare nights we'd even take a trip up to the big city...Plymouth and the nigjtclubbin' delights of Union Street! Phew!

These days it's a beetroot latte at home while prepping some new display stands for Kernow Tours...we know how to live! 😂

If you have a business/ guest house / Airbnb / cafe and could see your way to finding a little old space for this smart looking stand with flyers please message me and I'd love to come over with one.

There's a unique, exclusive hand-made Kernow gift in it for you if you do 😉

27/07/2024

And then… Some other times we just don’t want to leave the vehicle!

While pulling over and talking of the history of things we were passing we snapped one of our all clients taking a photo of a Celtic Wayside cross – specifically the Boskenna Cross.

A wheel-headed wayside cross on the road coming from Lamorna towards St. Buryan. It was discovered in a hedge 1869 - Such deliberate hiding/ burial of crosses was common at the time of the Reformation (c.1540)

The face of the cross displays a figure of Christ with his arms outstretched and feet pointing outwards. The reverse shows a four-limbed cross with expanded ends formed by cutting away at each end 4 triangular areas. The support is composite and the cross and shaft were fixed to an old granite roller with a millstone and the base of a cider press.

Generally, these crosses purpose is to mark the junctions (now roads but once muddy, dirty tracks) to and from villages and hamlets.

This is one of several crosses marking the various radial routes to the Celtic monastery founded by the Anglo Saxon King Athelstan in the early tenth century AD and now the site of St. Buryan Church...(and that’s another story-you’ll just have to book a Kernow Tours for yourself to learn all about it 😇)

These crosses date to the late ninth or early tenth century and provided a major design inspiration for
the mid tenth century development of a highly elaborate series of west Cornish decorated crosses.

it really is a beauty...

27/07/2024

The St Buryan Rally!

Our passengers today were intrigued by the hand painted signs advertising this annual steam-powered shindig on the approach to this lovely old village - and so we found ourselves wandering around (ice cream in hand) taking in the sights, smells and sounds!

Tractors, stationary engines, classic cars and commercials, classic motorcycles, horses & rare breeds, models and crafts marquee, ring events with birds of prey display, novelty dog show, steam powered threshing machines, human 'fruit machines' (well done ), hog roasts and gert bags of sweets were all on offer - and our clients took full advantage!
One of them even spent *hic* a little too long in the cider tent which is probably where the (yours truly) Tour Guide would like to have been if he hadn’t had to be back at the wheel to continue with the private tour of West Cornwall!

With our uniquely curated Private Tours you can sometimes expect the unexpected! Often, as we’re driving around, if a client expresses an interest in lingering a little longer in a particular location or detouring the planned route in order to spend a little time at somewhere that has piqued the interest - then you know what? Who are we to argue!

With Kernow Tours YOU are in the driving seat...

14/07/2024

We've just taken a booking for our 'North Cornwall Tour' and are very stoked about showing a family - new to the area - the highlights of the North Coast of Cornwall...

Why not book one for yourself? It's a full day’s touring experience of some of the most beautiful areas in North Cornwall. As always with a ‘Kernow Tour’ there is so much to see and learn about – Beaches, ancient harbours, monasteries, Cornish customs and folklore. You’ll even have the optional opportunity to walk along small sections of the South West Coast Path to take in some truly spectacular views…

✨Fistral Bay at Newquay. Surfer’s paradise!
✨Watergate Bay
✨St Mawgan village. 13th century church & convent.
✨Bedruthan Steps – ‘Poldark’ opening scenes venue.
✨Padstow. Medieval fishing port (optional opportunity for lunch at ‘Rick Steins’ then a walk around the old harbour).
✨'Round the Camel Estuary.
✨Port Isaac. Home of ‘Doc Martin’ & ‘Fishermen’s Friends’.
✨Dramatic North Cornish Cliffs on the route to…
✨Tintagel & Arthurian Legend! St. Materiana’s Norman Church and views of Tintagel Castle.
✨Boscastle and the museum of witchcraft
✨Bodmin Moor's 'Jamaica Inn'
✨Home

PLUS : very many points of interest en route – some visible from vehicle, others just moments from the car. Fun, facts and folklore aplenty – with a sprinkling of Cornish witchcraft at the end of the tour!

It's a full on day, but great fun and as always with a 'Kernow Tour' delivered in a relaxed and unhurried manner...

Get in touch if you want to 'tweak' the itinerary in any way and / or stop off for lunch at a venue that we can arrange for you.

Looking forward to your enquiry...

13/07/2024

Kernow Tours can pick you up for a Private Tour of Cornwall from ANYWHERE in Cornwall!

Maybe you're chilling in Looe but want to see and surrounding areas.

You could be in St. Ives but want a day exploring the North Coast with a fish and chip lunch at in Padstow.

Or perhaps you're at one of our multitudinous camping / caravan parks and want an experienced local guide and driver to take the hassle out of getting around the country lanes to visit the best bits of Cornwall.

Wherever you are in Cornwall - we've got you...

Contact us today to start planning your bespoke private guided vehicle tour of Cornwall!

✨Beautiful beaches, coves and harbours.
✨short coastal path walks with breathtaking scenery
✨National Trust Gardens
✨Major landmarks and hot spots
✨Neolithic stones & ancient wonders
✨Churches, tin mines & cute country pubs

We're excited for you...x

(PS… You don’t HAVE to go bespoke... Simply head over to our website and select one of the six private guided tours on offer from our Tours Menu😉)

12/07/2024

SUCH good company today from these 3 - thank you!

A 5 hour guided private tour based on our ever popular 'Stones & Bones' experience - but with adaptations to suit their interests...and the opportunity to stop off briefly at the wonderful for a pasty - rich!

if you’re wondering what kind of Kernow Tour would suit you and your loved ones then a good first step is to look at our website and choose one of the six guided tours on offer - but be aware that we are always open to mixing and matching or adding stopoffs to an itinerary made just for you...✨🙏✨

12/07/2024

A spur of the moment phone call to us from visitors to Cornwall that have heard good things about our private tours… and a pick up the next day from at the magnificent

The folk today wanted a bespoke touring experience based on ancient sites in the area, with a visit also to several medieval churches! Always happy to oblige and plan a tailor- made guided private vehicle tour of Cornwall...

PS - it might be at the end of the land today but we are happy to arrange pick ups from anywhere in Cornwall 😉

07/07/2024

So...you're on holiday in Cornwall and it's raining?

Blustery walks in the rain on Cornwall are obviously beautiful in their own way BUT if you want to not get wet and you (and your children?) want to have fun then head to Cornwall's capital City, Truro.

3 fun things to do in Truro:-
✨Truro museum
✨Axe Throwing
✨Escape rooms

Truro is home to an amazing museum and if you’ve never visited it you really should. At the Royal Cornwall Museum, you will be able to have a small foray into their extensive collection and get inspired with stories of Cornish heritage and links to the world beyond the Tamar. They even have a real, live (well... you know what I mean!) Egyptian Mummy!

Fancy a bit of axe throwing action? The good folks at the Celtic Tossers will look after you by giving you great training and then setting you up for a (competitive if you like) session of adrenaline and sharp edges! (prepare to be humiliated by your children)😳

If escape rooms are your thing then the one in Truro is top-notch with a couple of different room to choose from.
Again, be prepared for your children to utterly humiliate you and your lack of thinking outside the box skills 🙄

Boom! Three things to do - rain or no- in this fine old city and you could even have a mooch around the wonderful cathedral afterwards 🙏

07/07/2024

A lovely sunny day today on Penzance Promenade - and a classic car show to mooch around...

Fish and chips from and cake from lovely job.
And a Silver band!

07/07/2024

03/07/2024

it is only a minority of clients who leave reviews – and when they do take the time to write about their experience with Kernow Tours it really is meaningful to us.

Thank you so much...🙏

03/07/2024

Outside the local fishmongers...

03/07/2024

Part of our job at Kernow Tours is to tell visitors of some of the quirkier aspects of life here in Cornwall...
and things don’t get a lot more leftfield than the history behind Knills Steeple behind Carbis Bay near St. Ives.

This curious looking 50ft / 15 metrehigh granite obelisk sits atop Worras Hill and can be seen for miles around.
Originally intended as a mausoleum to it’s eccentric creator, John Knill, the structure remains empty as Knill was actually buried where he died, in Holborn, London.

John Knill led a fairly exceptional life. Never married, his positions and occupations include Mayor of St Ives, private secretary to the Earl of Buckingham, Bencher of Gray’s Inn and Collector of Customs. Knill was also reputedly a very successful smuggler which goes some way to explaining his wealth. In fact one theory as to the existence of the Knill is that it was a daymark providing ships a useful point of reference for Knill’s contraband operations!

On it’s four faces are various inscriptions and the Knill family coat of arms. One of the inscriptions reads ‘Nil Desperandum’, reflecting the sense of humour of a man also responsible for leaving the sum of £5 to the parents of the greatest number of children raised to the age of ten without the assistance of the parish!
On one side of the monument there is what appears to be a blocked up doorway at the head of a small set of steps. This presumably leads to the chamber where Knill intended to have himself interred.

As one last parting gift to the St Ives community Knill left a behind a rather bizarre legacy. It was set in his will that every fifth year, on St James’ Day (25th July), ten young girls dressed in white dance through the streets and up to the Monument. Here they would be joined by two widows and the mayor who dance around the monument with the girls, while spectators sing the 100th psalm. And to this day the Knill Ceremony continues with the last one held in 2021 - the 45th.

We stumbled upon this on our pilgrims walk yesterday (see previous posts) and it really is a remarkable if bizarre piece of architecture - the next ceremony (it's quinquennial) is next June and we’ve got a front row seats!

03/07/2024

This fine group of Explorers completed The micro pilgrimage Coast to Coast 'Saint Michaels walk' with us yesterday!

The pilgrimage offers diverse holy places, from ancient Irish Saints at its start, to Giants on hilltops and their stones, to flowing holy water.

We started from St. Ives, although for purists the true route could start at Carbis Bay church.

Starting from St Ives saves half a mile, making the total route just over 10 miles – a very reasonable day’s distance. You’ll feel it, but it’s really not that far…

But distance is not the main reason to consider this route. St Ives was traditionally less important than Lelant, but today this has reversed, and St Ives is a major destination for Cornish tourism. A pilgrimage from here is more accessible for more people. It gives the newly resurrected St Michael’s Way a far better start in life.

We’re glad we started from St. Ives-and a highlight was catching a glimpse of Saint Michael’s Mount way over in the distance when we were at a peculiar monument named Knills Steeple (post to follow)...
As the walk progressed we saw St Michaels Mount come closer and closer into view and the feeling when we reached Marazion Beach was one of elation and a real sense of having journeyed far.

Special thanks to for their box of amazing Cornish goodies and also to for the opportunity to munch on these pasties in the sunshine and enjoy a well deserved cold beer (these guys wanted a walking tour of Penzance after Penzance, but that’s another story)

Perhaps you’ve never walked this ancient pilgrims route, but are thinking you would like to? Perhaps you’ve never heard of it and would like to learn more of the history of Cornwall on a guided walk through this area from the North coast to the South?

Whatever your reasons, with Kernow Tours you can be assured of an exhilarating experience with a witty, lively and informative guide who will pay attention to your needs and offer timely and key information and historical information all the way along the route from start to finish.

Thinking of booking a guided walking tour with us? Get in touch to check availability...

02/07/2024

We did it!

Kernow Tours have been in the planning stage for some weeks and today was the day.
Conducting a walking Tour for 9 witty, engaging and lively Aussies - new to Cornwall but after today connected to this place in a subtle yet meaningful way for life.

Essentially, we went on a 'micro pilgrimage' across Cornwall from St. Ives on the North Coast to St Michaels Mount on the South Coast...

The St Michael’s Way (also known as the Cornish Camino or Celtic Way) is the only pilgrimage route in Britain that is officially part of a European Cultural Route, and it is a genuine British leg of the Camino to Santiago. It is only about 12 miles long but it connects five churches, four holy wells, two hill-forts, two standing stones, and two disappeared chapels, and is set in incredible scenery and unique countryside deep in the heart of Cornwall.

The route, which originally dates back to pre-historic times is thought to have been used by 4th and 5th century pilgrims and missionaries who arrived from Ireland or Wales and chose to abandon their ships and walk across the peninsula from Lelant to Marazion, rather than navigating the treacherous waters around Land’s End. These early missionaries, who are now commemorated as saints in place names throughout the county, are thought to have been instrumental in Cornwall’s rapid conversion to the Christian faith.

So much history to give out and the walk / route completed in 5 hours with good opportunity to stop and take a breather and feel connected to the utterly beautiful landscape

We earned our pasties by the time we reached Marazion and the sun shone as we ate and contemplated the journey we had undertaken - each of us moved by the beauty and wonder of this part of Cornwall...

Would you like to be guided for a day on this walking 'Kernow Tour' of Cornwal?

living

01/07/2024

Great things come in 3's this week at Kernow Tours...

Had THE. BEST. TIME. with this triumvirate of fine human beings!

They selected our 'Wild West' Touring experience - A heady mixture of touring some of West Cornwall’s beautiful coastline, as well as heading inland to take a tour of some of Cornwall’s ancient stones. ALL IN 4 HOURS!!

✨Newlyn port and harbour.
✨Mousehole fishing village.
✨Merry Maidens Neolithic stone circle.
✨Medieval churches & Celtic wayside crosses.
✨Land’s End.
✨Cape Cornwall.
✨Dramatic north coast and tin mine country.
✨Lanyon Quoit portal tomb.
✨back to their air Bnb...

PLUS we visited a Pirate's Grave and had tea and cake at a wonderful local eatery en route...

Go on...get in touch for a personalised private tour for you and your loved ones...

mining

01/07/2024

Big thanks to thos fine trio who spent the day touring around Cornwall! Lots of laughter along the way and so thirsty for knowledge about the areas we visited...

Harbours, surfing beaches, rocky coves, inland ancient stones, medieval churches, coastal tin mines and more.

We even had time to stop for a farm shop pasty before walking a little stretch of the Cornish coastal path...

Good luck on your future travels ladies and come back to Cornwall soon ❤️❤️❤️

29/06/2024

Kernow Tours takes the business of private tours of Cornwall seriously (having said that we also have serious fun on our guided tours - check the Google reviews)...

As such, when we embark on a new offering we extensively research in order to give our clients the best possible experience.

St Michael’s Way is a one-day coast-to-coast Micro-Pilgrimage in Cornwall. It traverses the north-south line between Penwith and the world. It offers a pilgrimage of ancient stones, lost miracles, and holy wells – through a land of Saints and Giants.

Even for a Cornish local with a voracious interest in local history, there is still so much to learn in order to deliver this information to our paying customers in a timely manner.
This makes the experience one that they will never forget, whilst also making them feel as if they have a true understanding of the area and a sound historical context around the places that we are passing through...

So, dear Instagram followers, we would like you to know that approximately 20 hours have been spent (so far) planning this route and collating information to make this unique, guided Walking Tour one that people will never forget...

Well - it's all part of the service!

Would YOU like to follow the path of ancient pilgrims while gaining a unique perspective of Cornwall's links to the wider world?

(BTW - Visitors or locals ; it's an eye-opener for all concerned).

29/06/2024

Kernow Tours are steadily building an unrivalled reputation for high-quality, educational, informative (and fun!) guided, vehicle tours of Cornwall...

BUT, next week we are going to extend our offering to visitors and locals alike by trying something out of the ordinary and new for us!

The St Michael’s Way (also known as the Cornish Camino or Celtic Way) is the only pilgrimage route in Britain that is officially part of a European Cultural Route, and it is a genuine British leg of the Camino to Santiago. It is only about 12 miles long but it connects five churches, four holy wells, two hill-forts, two standing stones, and two disappeared chapels, and is set in incredible scenery and unique countryside deep in the heart of Cornwall.

The trail crosses Penwith, an area of rugged Moorland and Rocky Granite outcrops – it connects holy Wells and churches, neolithic sites and scattered ancient monuments…
The St Michael’s Way isn’t just for modern-day pilgrims: it’s for anyone that loves treading in the footsteps of the people that shaped this dramatic landscape. (As well as anyone that loves the myths and legends built up around it)

It follows an extensively researched ancient pilgrimage route from Ireland to Santiago Cathedral in Spain, and the St Michael’s Way meant the pilgrims could avoid the treacherous seas off Lands End by crossing Cornwall on foot.

To test the (holy) waters will be guiding a party of nine Australian visitors to Cornwall across this ancient route Coast to Coast in a baptism of fire, stone and water – Excelsior!

29/06/2024

It's Mazey Day today and the good folk in the fine old market town of Penzance are letting their Cornish hair down - yeeehaaaaaa! 🪅🪅🪅

Mazey day, along with Quay fair day tomorrow, is the culmination of the Gowan festival- Golowan 2024, in short, is a 10-day festival of arts, culture, parades and performances.
Fun fact: It’s the UK’s second largest street festival!

Golowan (sometimes also Goluan) is the Cornish language word for the Midsummer celebrations in Cornwall.
They were widespread prior to the late 19th century and most popular in the Penwith area and in particular in Penzance. The celebrations began on St John’s Eve (23rd June) with bonfires, fireworks, dancing and music, followed by a fair around the town quay on Midsummer Day (feast of St John the Baptist, 24th June) and were repeated on St Peter’s Eve (28th June) and St Peter’s Day

For Penzance , Golowan 2024 is all about traditional celebration and friendly, welcoming vibes.
There’s always plenty of energy flowing around this beautiful town and Mazey Day in particular is a wonderfully upbeat and colourful affair which has, as the organisers say, ‘something for everyone to enjoy’, whatever the weather.

Expect spectacular parades and mesmerising performances today - and of course, all of those wonderful school processions - as well as music by the Golowan Band, traditional ‘serpent dances’, an incredible array of workshops, Cornish dancing, activities for the kids, a marquee featuring local musical acts, bands and DJs, and, well, just lots more besides.

If you're in the area, get on down – if not today then come and join us for a pint at quay fair day tomorrow!

Beauty!!

28/06/2024

Beauty...❤️

27/06/2024

Today we remember:-
Michael Joseph (died 27 June 1497) - better known as Michael An Gof.
One of the leaders of the Cornish rebellion of 1497, along with Thomas Flamank.

"Michael Joseph An Gof o gov dhyworth Lannaghevran. Ev a hembronkas lu dhe Loundres rag protestya erbynn tollow ha degeans Senedh Stenek Kernow. Michael o an ledyer yn batel vras erbynn lu Myghtern Henry VII a Bow Sows. Pan gollas, ev a veu synsys ha ledhys."

Michael Joseph An Gof was a blacksmith from St Keverne. He led an army to London to protest against taxes. Michael fought a large battle against the army of King Henry VII of England. When he lost, he was captured and killed.

The Cornish uprising was a result of taxes levied by the English government to finance a war against the Scots. The Cornish felt this was nothing to do with them and it became just another of their grievances against the English rulers.
In Bodmin Thomas Flamank followed the lead of An Gof, urging the people to march with them and take their grievances to the King. They began to march peacefully to London, picking up supporters on the way. The Cornish became a disciplined army of around 15,000 men, effectively led by the powerful blacksmith, a natural leader, and the plausible lawyer.

On reaching Blackheath, just outside London, Flamank and his followers were forced into battle against the King’s army in the Battle of Deptford Bridge. They were soundly defeated, captured and taken to the Tower of London.
King Henry decided that they should both be executed for leading the Cornish army. Both he and An Gof were hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn Hill for their part in the Cornish Rebellion. In 1997, a statue of Flamank and An Gof was laid in St. Keverne to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the rebellion.

Records describe Michael as being brave, believing that he had done the right thing. Before he was killed, he told people that he would “have a name perpetual and a fame permanent and immortal”.

God rest their souls...