Top Newquay Historical Tours

West Cornwall has more history per mile than almost anywhere else in Britain. On this self-guided audio driving tour, you’ll trace the deep roots of Kernow, a Celtic kingdom with its own language, legends, and hard-won identity. You’ll make your way through coastal villages, prehistoric monuments, and the ruins of an industry that once powered the world. The tour starts at Penzance – a working port that gave the world both a famous opera and Humphry Davy, the scientist who discovered laughing gas and its possible use as an anaesthetic. You’ll drive through Poldark country at Porthgwarra Cove and arrive at Land’s End, where legend says a drowned kingdom called Lyonesse once stretched toward the Isles of Scilly. The tour ends at Lanyon Quoit, a Neolithic chambered tomb on the open West Penwith moorland, with wide views across the peninsula.

A natural harbor, Cornwall’s Padstow has thousands of years of history, but guidebooks don’t explore it in any depth. Join a Padstow local to unpick this beautiful town’s long story—from St. Petroc to smugglers, sailors, fishermen, and traders—on a gentle walking tour. As it’s a small group, there’s a relaxed pace and a mellow vibe, with plenty of time for questions as you stroll.

Go behind the scenes of the British TV drama series “Doc Martin” on a walking tour of Port Isaac in Cornwall. Along the way, enjoy stories about the show and its actors from your guide and get taken to filming locations from the show that you might have missed if exploring the area alone.

Cornwall’s north coast has always been shaped by its relationship with the Atlantic. On this self-guided coastal audio tour, you’ll discover how Newquay became Cornwall’s premier surfing destination – and how it still maintains deep connections to its ancient past. You’ll explore cliff-top paths where Bronze Age settlers once traded tin across Europe, and learn how smugglers, saints, and surfers have all left their mark on these golden shores. You’ll learn how Celtic saints arrived by boat in the 5th century, bringing Christianity to these pagan shores, and how pilchards once fueled Cornwall’s economy before modern fishing practices changed everything. You’ll also find out how local fishermen once resisted the hotel’s construction, even pushing the foreman’s hut into the Atlantic during its controversial beginnings. The tour ends at the Barrowfields, ancient burial mounds dating back over 3,000 years, where Bronze Age traders once gazed out at the same ocean you’ll be admiring.

Port Isaac is one of Cornwall's most photographed fishing villages, and it's easy to see why television came calling. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll follow in the footsteps of the famously grumpy Dr. Martin Ellingham through the real streets of Portwenn, discovering how this working harbour village became one of Britain's best-loved TV locations. The tour starts near the South West Coast Path entrance, where you'll head down Fore Street Hill into the heart of the village. Along the way, you'll spot Louisa's various houses from different series, Mrs Tishell's pharmacy, which relocated several times across the show's 10 series, and the Victorian schoolhouse where Louisa taught, with its sweeping views across the harbour to the Doc's surgery beyond. The tour ends at Fern Cottage, the iconic surgery exterior that launched a thousand photographs – a private residence, so you'll want to stay on the road, but unmistakable from the moment you see it.

More than a myth or legend, King Arthur’s legacy is an adventure to be explored. Visit places in Bodmin and the rest of Cornwall that are central to stories about his life, and learn about where he lived and died. Visit Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s cave, and see the waterfalls at Nectan Glen where the knights of the round table were blessed before their quest for the holy grail.

Discover the captivating landscapes and rich history of Cornwall on a private full-day tour. Visit iconic sites like Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, and explore charming coastal towns such as Port Isaac and St Ives. Enjoy the flexibility of a custom itinerary in a premium, air-conditioned vehicle as you journey through stunning coastal scenery. With a knowledgeable guide fluent in German and English, immerse yourself in Cornwall's unique culture and stories. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone eager to explore at their own pace. - Full-day private tour (8 hours) with a custom itinerary - Visit legendary sites including Tintagel Castle and St Ives - Travel in comfort with a premium 7-seater vehicle - Expert guide available in German and English for insider knowledge