Kernow Tours is small, home-grown private touring business covering the whole of Cornwall.
Run by a passionate Cornish local tour guide, the experiences on offer weave a magical combination of iconic Cornish landmarks, majestic and expansive beaches and idyllic fishing villages and harbours.
But that's not the whole story…
We are driven by wanting to share with visitors some of the harder to access and 'off the beaten path' locations that make Cornwall so unique.
Neolithic stone circles and underground burial chambers, medieval churches that contain ancient wooden carvings within, engine houses signifying tin mines underneath - and parts of the 'hidden Cornwall' that many locals never get to see...
Our mission is to deliver completely unique Private Tours of Cornwall - vehicle based but with plenty of opportunity to get out and immerse yourselves in the sights and sounds of the 'real' Cornwall. You'll even have the opportunity to walk little stretches of the Cornish coastal path if you wish!
You’ll be led by Conrad - a professional Tour Guide and historian, who will use his skillset as a former teacher to bring the past alive in the places you visit.
Choose from six, uniquely curated Private Tours from the 'menu' OR contact us directly to begin the conversation about planning a bespoke touring experience (1 or multi-day) of Cornwall for you and your loved ones.
On the day of your private tour, we'll have a comfortable vehicle waiting outside your accommodation ready to take you on a journey of discovery. There is so much history to impart and Cornwall's culture and customs will intertwine with tales of piracy, invasions, shipwrecks, battles and witchcraft!
Ancient hillforts, Cornish scientific endeavour and stories of heartbreaking disasters will all mingle to give you a meaningful insight into the identity of the Cornish people and Cornwall's place in the world. Packed with historical context, you’ll enjoy a lively, engaging and fun experience-with so much to see and take in. However, we also understand that you're on holiday, so the day will feel relaxed and unhurried.
We're confident that a 'Kernow Tour' will be the highlight of your holiday...
(Please note- with our private hire license, we can pick you up from anywhere in the UK and transfer you to anywhere in Cornwall!)
OUR BESPOKE PRIVATE TOURS
We love creating Cornish private touring experiences for our clients! Your journey starts by getting in touch to arrange a tailor-made itinerary.
Remember- Kernow Tours can pick you up for a private tour of Cornwall from ANYWHERE in Cornwall!
Maybe you’re based at a hotel in Looe but want to see St. Michael's Mount and surrounding areas? You could be in an Airbnb in St. Ives but want a day exploring the North coast with a trip to Tintagel? or perhaps you’re camping 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, caves and harbours.
- Optional Short coastal path walks.
- National Trust Gardens.
- Major landmarks and hotspots,
- Neolithic stones and ancient wonders.
- Churches, tin mines and quaint country pubs.
(we’re excited for you…)
OUR UNIQUE 'MENU' OF PRIVATE TOURS
Choose from six, uniquely curated private touring experiences from the website.
Our great tours include:
THE 'BEST OF THE WEST' TOUR (5 HOURS)
One of our most popular tours!
Let us delight you with a highly varied Cornish tour package that is steeped in Cornish history. In this private Cornish tour you will gain a deep insight into Cornish culture and Cornwall’s heritage. North Coast, South Coast AND the wild Atlantic! Cornwall’s history and culture examined in a lively way with SO much to see and learn…
- St. Michael's Mount & Marazion.
- Penzance & the Mount's Bay.
- Newlyn fishing port.
- Mousehole village & harbour.
- Merry Maidens Neolithic stone circle.
- St. Buriana's Church & Medieval rood carving.
- Land’s End.
- Sennen Cove.
- The dramatic North Coast & ‘tin mine country’.
- Botallack Mine & 'Crowns' engine houses.
- Zennor village & the mermaid!
- Home - or drop off location of your choice.
PLUS very many points of interest en route – some visible from vehicle, others just moments from the car. There is so much to take in on this circular, West Cornwall tour. An absorbing journey that gives a true flavour of this part of the world in a relatively short space of time.
THE 'STONES & BONES' TOUR (4 HOURS)
A magical tour of Neolithic ancient stones, Iron age dwellings and sacred burial sites in West Cornwall!
This route is chosen for minimal walking to the stones. Most of the ancient monuments will be easily accessible and only moments from the vehicle.
Ancient stone circles, standing stones, portal tombs and burial chambers. (We may even pay a visit to a Cornish 'fogou'!)
- ‘Merry Maidens’ Neolithic stone circle.
- Tregiffian burial chamber.
- Medieval churches & celtic wayside crosses.
- St Buryan & the 'Witch’s Cross’
- The Ballowal Barrow - Bronze age burial cairn.
- Cape Cornwall.
- Botallack Mine & engine houses.
- Lanyon Quoit Neolithic portal tomb.
PLUS wayside crosses, burial mounds, landmarks, mining setts and engine houses, menhirs, barrows and more are identified and key historical context given.
THE 'NORTH CORNWALL' TOUR (8 HOURS)
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 Beach at Newquay - surfer’s paradise.
- Watergate Bay.
- St Mawgan village, church & convent.
- Bedruthan Steps – ‘Poldark’ scenes venue.
- Padstow's medieval fishing port.
- 'Round the Camel estuary.
- Port Isaac - home of ‘Doc Martin'.
- Dramatic North Cornish cliffs en route to…
- Tintagel & Arthurian legend!
- Boscastle harbour.
PLUS : very many points of interest – 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!
Remember: you can choose one of our 'off the menu' tours from the website OR go bespoke.
With Kernow Tours YOU are in the driving seat!
ABOUT US
Kernow Tours is run by Conrad Savage - Cornish born and bred and focused on sharing his love of Cornwall with others.
A former youth worker and teacher with a passion for history, Conrad uses this skillset to create engaging and informative private guided tours which cover the whole of Cornwall.
Your journey with Kernow Tours begins with the initial email or phone call. Either book one of our 6 pre planned private tours, or let us know what's on your mind; we'll listen to your requirements and interests and adapt our itineraries to make a truly personalised Cornish touring experience!
Our mission is to leave our clients feeling that they have a real sense of Cornwall - it's people, history and culture.
We aim to enable people to experience a true connection with the County and a feeling of having had meaningful insight to the Cornish way of life when they take a private tour with us...
Put simply - we want to share our love of Cornwall with you...
TESTIMONIALS
"Conrad gave me and my two friends a fantastic whirlwind tour of western Cornwall. Starting with prompt and clear responses to my email inquiry about taking around our group of history and literature needs to dropping us off at the doorstep of our Airbnb, Conrad was a wonderful guide. His passion for the area is only matched by his big-hearted personality. He’s knowledgeable and kind, and a terrific driver. We saw the Merry maidens, Lands End, St. Buryans, and encountered a beautiful ancient landscape that spoke to us thanks to Conrad’s mediation. He showed us the tin mine country, the Poldark filming locations, and a lovely farm store. He was open to questions and constantly checking in to make sure we were enjoying the journey. Just a lovely experience! Strongly recommend for an intimate, personally tailored trip."
(Jayashree K June 2024)
"TAKE THIS TOUR! Reserve it right now!
If you want to see the most beautiful sights and travel in comfort with a knowledgeable, thoughtful guide, Conrad is the best! We did the Wild West circuit and visited locations we never would've discovered on our own. We visited a beautiful, unique medieval church with an extant rood screen, Merry Maidens stone circle, and Celtic wayside crosses, plus we saw the more recent (18th century to today) history of the area in the engine houses and mining sites. Conrad made sure we had opportunities to grab a bite to eat and use the toilet, and he consistently checked in to make sure we were doing well. He is an asset to his community and to any tourist seeking a comprehensive introduction to the area."
((Kristen H June 2024)
"Loved the Stones and Bones tour that we did with Conrad. He's jovial, cares about what his clients want, and passionate about what he does. He is a Cornwall native and clearly loves where he's from and sharing it with others. I'm very glad that we chose him and that he's offering this service. Having a native Cornishman take us to these sites made it personal and meaningful. It wasn't just a guide showing us history. It was hospitality. It was someone sharing his history, culture, and home."
(Laura G May 2024)