England
Cornwall: England’s Hidden Treasure
Program No. 22431RJ
Venture to the famous Falmouth Harbor to learn about Cornwall’s 4,000-year-old history, from the ancient standing stones of Bodmin Moor to medieval castles and historic mines.
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Apr 23 - May 2, 2025
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5,589May 14 - May 23, 2025
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10 days
9 nights
19 meals
8B 4L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
St Mawes Castle, Free Time
Falmouth
9
Transfer to London, Wells
London Heathrow Airport
10
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Journey to the stunning sea-swept landscapes of Cornwall, England, where the rugged coastline and surrounding moorlands are home to over 4,000 years of fascinating history as well as some of the most gorgeous landscapes in all of England. Join an expert historian as you explore Cornwall’s most interesting sites, including medieval castles, a preserved Iron Age village and a historic tin mine. Discover the geological phenomenon of Land’s End, learn the legends of Bodmin Moor and its ancient stone monuments, and try the local delicacy — the humble Cornish Pasty!
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Participants must be able to walk and stand for up to two hours at a time.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Join an expert historian to learn about Cornwall’s rich history at the Iron Age Chysauster Ancient Village and the ancient monuments of Bodmin Moor.
- Learn about the Victorian-era Geevor Mine.
- Explore two of Henry VIII’s iconic castles — the mighty fortress of Pendennis and the elaborate St Mawes.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Cornwall: England’s Hidden Treasure
Program Number: 22431
A Pair of Blue Eyes
One of Hardy's lesser-known novels -- tragic, romantic -- and set in Cornwall.
Vanishing Cornwall
Du Maurier celebrates Cornwall, the county that served as the haunting backdrop for Rebecca, exploring its legends, history and people -- and making a powerful plea for its preservation.
Lonely Planet Devon & Cornwall
This comprehensive practical guide in the hallmark Lonely Planet style includes local and regional color maps, a section of photographs, and chapters on history, culture and attractions.
England Southwest, Midlands, Wales Map
Presented in vivid color, this highly detailed road map of England and Wales reaches from Liverpool and Manchester, south to Penzance and Portsmouth. Scaled at 1:400,000.
Roman Britain, A Very Short Introduction
An excellent, brief overview of the Roman period in Britain by a leading specialist.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Conan Doyle's only full-length novel featuring the beloved Sherlock Holmes, this intrigue is set on in eerie Dartmoor.
King Arthur and His Knights
A volume of Arthurian legends directly attributable to Mallory's original tales.
No Fixed Abode, A Journey Through Homelessness from Cornwall to London
Charlie Carroll travels from Cornwall to London the old-fashioned and quaintly English way: on foot. Carroll explores ideas of homelessness as he experiences the life of a tramp firsthand. Mixing current affairs with travelogue, he interviews Boris Johnson, Jeremy Paxman and the homeless people who work with them along the way.
The Cornish Coast Murder
A classic crime novel first published in 1930s and set in a vividly depicted fishing village on the picturesque Cornish Coast. Inspector Bigswell must work with the shrewd Reverend Dodd to uncover the truth behind a mysterious murder.
Kingdom by the Sea
This time, the prolific writer recounts a coastal journey around the British Isles in 1982, displaying his occasional ill temper alongside his celebrated ability to combine social history with a good old-fashioned traveler's tale.
Seamanship, A Voyage Along the Wild Coasts of the British Isles
Nicolson offers an engrossing account of a coastal voyage from Cornwall, along the western coast of Ireland, out to the Faroes and to Orkney in this brief hymn to the sea.
Birds of Europe
Featuring 3,500 glorious paintings by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, the second edition of this exquisite guide features updated text and maps.
Wild Coast
A celebration of Britain's magnificent coast through authoritative text and oversized color photographs. Taylor not only captures the island's sheer limestone crags and rocky shores but also the coastline’s wildlife habitats, where terns and plovers bicker and wildflowers crown clifftop meadows.
Rebecca
Du Maurier's classic is a sustained, suspenseful psychological novel, memorably set on the Cornish coast. This book is a must-read for literarily inclined travelers to Du Maurier country. Our narrator is Mrs. de Winter whose husband, a widower, holds a growing obsession with his first wife.
The Cathedral Builders of the Middle Ages
This pocket-size encyclopedia of the art, architecture and culture of the Middle Ages features hundreds of drawings, color illustrations and a chronology.
Jamaica Inn
This classic, set in Cornwall, has all the elements of a guilty pleasure: piracy, murder, the High Church, a dying request and a dashing young horse thief.
Persuasion
Set in Lyme Regis and Bath, this novel is possibly Austen's most mature finished work. There's particular pleasure for Bath-goers here, as much of the final action unfolds in streets and buildings that exist in Bath to this day.
In Search of England
The much-beloved, enduring account of Morton's ramblings through the English countryside in the early days of the motorcar. Morton charmingly mixes a deep appreciation of the art, culture and history of the place with his own keen observations.
Rising Ground, A Search for the Spirit of Place
From Bodmin Moor and Tintagel to the granite tombs of the southwest, writer- journalist Philip Marsden profiles Cornwall’s most ancient sites and ritual places. At the heart of his discussion: the relationship between man and landscape.
Prehistoric Britain
An archaeological history examining the development of societies in Britain from earliest times to the Roman conquest of 43 AD.
Cornwall Map
A colorful, British produced map of Cornwall at a scale of 1:100,000.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
10 days
Program Begins
Salisbury.
Program Concludes
London Heathrow Airport
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
19
| 8B |
4L |
7D |
Activity Level
Journey to the stunning sea-swept landscapes of Cornwall, England, where the rugged coastline and surrounding moorlands are home to over 4,000 years of fascinating history as well as some of the most gorgeous landscapes in all of England. Join an expert historian as you explore Cornwall’s most interesting sites, including medieval castles, a preserved Iron Age village and a historic tin mine. Discover the geological phenomenon of Land’s End, learn the legends of Bodmin Moor and its ancient stone monuments, and try the local delicacy — the humble Cornish Pasty!)
Best of all, you'll...
- Join an expert historian to learn about Cornwall’s rich history at the Iron Age Chysauster Ancient Village and the ancient monuments of Bodmin Moor.
- Learn about the Victorian-era Geevor Mine.
- Explore two of Henry VIII’s iconic castles — the mighty fortress of Pendennis and the elaborate St Mawes.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Participants must be able to walk and stand for up to two hours at a time.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(21 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
19 meals | 8B | 4L | 7D |
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Salisbury, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Salisbury.
Meals:
L,D
Stay:
Rose and Crown Hotel.
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Lunch:
In the hotel dining room for those whose arrival time allows.
Afternoon:
Orientation, 5:00 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This Road Scholar program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. All transportation will be provided via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Transfer To Falmouth, Exeter City, Cathedral
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 2.5 hours, approximately 90 miles to Exeter, then about 2 hours, approximately 100 miles to Falmouth. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets and paths, some cobblestones.
Breakfast:
In the hotel, we will have a breakfast buffet featuring breakfast meats, a variety of eggs, baked beans, hash browns, cereals, yogurt, cheeses, pastries, toast with jams and marmalades, plus coffee, tea, juices, water.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and board a motorcoach to begin our transfer through England's south-west to Falmouth. On our way, we will stop for a field trip led by our Study Leader in the city of Exeter, a Roman fortified settlement called Isca and a stronghold of the Saxons.
Lunch:
In Exeter, we’ll have vouchers allowing us to choose food and drinks from a range of eateries.
Afternoon:
During our visit to Exeter there may be the opportunity to visit the cathedral. However, as a working cathedral, these visits may not be possible. St. Peter’s Cathedral, completed in 1375 and has the world’s longest unbroken Gothic vault ceiling in the world. One boss – a protrusion often found at the intersection of the vault – shows the murder of Thomas Becket. Within the cathedral is the Minstrel’s Gallery, twelve angels playing musical instruments, and the bishop’s throne from the early-14th century. We’ll then continue on to Falmouth by motorcoach, for a late afternoon check-in.
Dinner:
In the hotel, we’ll have a 3-course plated meal, plus coffee, tea, tap water; other drinks available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
St Mawes Castle, Free Time
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off the boat; sailing approximately 10 miles, about 1 hour. Walking approximately 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, sandy beach with rocky areas. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel, we will have a breakfast buffet featuring breakfast meats, a variety of eggs, baked beans, hash browns, cereals, yogurt, cheeses, pastries, toast with jams and marmalades, plus coffee, tea, juices, water.
Morning:
Today we will travel by boat and on foot in the Falmouth Bay area to learn about natural beauty, maritime heritage, wildlife, the Civil War, the fishing industry, shipping and commerce, great liners, and the Falmouth Packet. Falmouth is one of the three deepest natural harbors in the world, only behind Sydney, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The boat trip takes us along the Carrick Roads estuary, passing Mylor, Flushing, and Restronguet, important pilchard and herring fishing villages up until the mid-20th century. We will then land in St Mawes, an idyllic fishing village at the mouth of the Carrick Roads. We will visit the castle here, one of two guarding the approaches to Falmouth harbor.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to sample some local produce in St Mawes. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Study Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You will be given a ferry ticket to Falmouth and have the opportunity to explore the pretty town, visit English Heritage’s Pendennis Castle, or the National Maritime Museum, among others.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel on our own, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day
5
Ancient Monuments, Land’s End, Geevor Mine
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 95 miles, about 3 hours. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets, sandy beach with rocky areas, farm fields.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We’ll set off by motorcoach to West Penwith and the Land’s End peninsula, with more visible ancient monuments than the rest of England put together. As we explore this landscape, we will look into the theories revolving around these ancient villages and stone circles. Our field trip begins with a stop at Chysauster village, where the eight stone dwellings are among the finest examples of life in England 2,000 years ago. A prime example of an Iron Age and Romano-British village, it is set on southwest-facing slopes and surrounded by ancient field system, showing their agricultural way of life. It is believed that this settlement was inhabited until the Roman occupation. As we explore, be on the lookout for the “fogou,” the Cornish name for underground cave – the purposes of which is unknown. We’ll then continue by motorcoach to Penn-an-Wlas (Land’s End in Cornish), the westernmost point of the mainland, that has been held in high regard since the ancient Greeks referred to it as the “place of the sun.” We’ll discover more about the rich past of this famous area of Cornwall. The Land’s End headland is home to a Neolithic – or Stone Age – cemetery, Bronze Age burial mounds, and an Iron Age hill fort within 200 yards of our famous Cornish landmark—evidence of 10,000 years of human use and settlement. From the Penwith peninsula, we will travel by motorcoach to Lands End with its breathtaking seascape and clifftop views. We will regroup and take the motorcoach for the short ride to Geevor mine
Lunch:
A traditional Cornish Pasty lunch.
Afternoon:
Our day of exploration will continue with a field trip on foot to Geevor mine, led by a local expert. The Geevor mine is a link to Cornwall’s most famous traditional industry and part of the UNESCO Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner:
Plated Hotel Meal.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Bodmin Moor, Jamaica Inn, Boscastle, Port Isaac
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 140 miles, about 4.5 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; gravel and grass paths with some steep sections, uneven grassy and rocky areas, paved streets.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will travel by motorcoach to mysterious Bodmin Moor, where we will look at legends and superstition tied to Christian evangelism. We will stop at Jamaica Inn, which inspired Daphne Du Maurier to write a novel of the same name – later to be made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock. From there, we’ll continue to Minions to visit the Bronze Age stone circle. Minions is home to the Hurlers stone circle, the Cheesewring or natural granite tor, and several old granite quarries where a hermit lived through much of the 20th century. Afterwards, we’ll continue on to the village of Boscastle.
Lunch:
On your own to choose in Boscastle.
Afternoon:
Boscastle is a beautiful village at the head of a fjord-like natural harbor. It was scene of a terrible flood in 2004, and is a good illustration of how topography contributes to natural disasters, how communities recover, and the effects of climate change. We’ll hear tales of witchcraft associated with the village from our Study Leader, before time to explore on our own. Reconvening in central Boscastle, we will drive to Tintagel. Here we will enjoy a short walk from the town for breathtaking views of Tintagel Castle and Island. We’ll then continue by motorcoach through slate quarrying country to Port Isaac – a picturesque and ancient fishing village with an interesting history. This was also the location for the movie “Saving Grace” and comedy drama “Doc Martin.” Here, we will have another opportunity to explore a Cornish fishing village independently. Our Study Leader will provide options for exploration. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner:
Plated hotel meal.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Mevagissey, China Clay Center, Lost Gardens of Heligan
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 70 miles, about 3.5 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones, woodland and gravel paths.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Wheal Martyn China Clay Center for an expert-led field trip. The only visitor center in Cornwall dedicated to this two-century-old industry, Cornish china clay is of a particularly high quality. Then we'll continue to Mevagissey, where we will consider the fishing architecture and vernacular architecture as a group. Mevagissey is a picturesque fishing port founded in medieval times, with attractive old buildings around the harbor, narrow cobbled streets, and an excellent aquarium and local museum.
Lunch:
On your own to choose in Mevagissey. Needless to say, the pasties and the fish and chips are top class!
Afternoon:
We will have some time following lunch to explore Mevagissey independently. We will then depart for the Lost Gardens of Heligan, one of the United Kingdom’s most popular botanical gardens. A staff member will lead us through the extensive garden before we explore independently. The Lost Gardens are a faithful reconstruction of the original Georgian/Victorian garden after many of the staff members were lost in the Great War. The garden is a charitable trust and has been dedicated to the memory of those gardeners. The intrepid may wish to venture into the lower level "jungle" area. We will regroup to return to Falmouth by motorcoach late in the afternoon.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant we’ll have a 3-course plated meal with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Fowey, Poldark's Charlestown, Shipwreck Center
Location:
Falmouth
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Falmouth Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 70 miles, about 3.5 hours Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We’ll experience some spectacular views and literary associations as we travel by motorcoach to Fowey, and on to Charlestown, made famous by the BBC series “Poldark.” In each village, we’ll delve into the literary history of Cornwall while also learning about local history, geology, myths, and legends. Fowey is a beautiful harbor spectacularly located on the estuary of the same name. It was the home of Daphne Du Maurier. As well as literature, local crafts, and industry, there is a wealth of natural beauty on display too. The Fowey estuary is a deep-water anchorage and you never know what you will find anchored up – Bill Gates' yacht has been spotted here!
Lunch:
In a traditional Cornish pub on the quay, we’ll enjoy a light lunch with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue by motorcoach to Charlestown, and learn more of Cornwall's past of piracy and smuggling at the Shipwreck Heritage Centre from our Study Leader. We’ll then return to Falmouth by motorcoach.
Dinner:
Plated hotel meal.
Evening:
We will bid farewell to Cornwall as we spend our last evening at leisure here and prepare for our transfer to London in the morning.
Day
9
Transfer to London, Wells
Location:
London Heathrow Airport
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 300 miles, about 6 hours throughout the day. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets and paths, some uneven flagstones.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel for our full-day transfer to London’s Heathrow Airport. On our way, we will stop for a field trip in the cathedral city of Wells. Wells is among the smallest cities in England, earning the designation thanks to its 13th-century Cathedral Church of St. Andrew.
Lunch:
On your own in Wells for you to choose from the many central eateries.
Afternoon:
We will continue with the final portion of our transfer to the airport, checking in in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
In the hotel, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal, with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
In the hotel, we’ll have a plated 3-course meal, with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Day
10
Program Concludes
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the hotel, we will have a breakfast buffet featuring breakfast meats, a variety of eggs, baked beans, hash browns, cereals, yogurt, cheeses, pastries, toast with jams and marmalades, plus coffee, tea, juices, water. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
19 Meals
8 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
7 Dinners
LODGING
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- Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
- Apr 23, 2025 - May 02, 2025 (Salisbury. to London Heathrow Airport)
- May 14, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (Salisbury. to London Heathrow Airport)
- Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025 (Salisbury. to London Heathrow Airport)
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Participant Reviews
Based on 27 Reviews
Sort By:
I had wanted to see Cornwall ever since I read Daphe DuMaurier's "Rebecca" 60+ years ago. After all this time, I was afraid I might be disappointed but in fact the trip far exceeded my expectations. The tour had a stimulating mix of history and current life in this very distinctive corner of the UK. The study leader and all the site guides were terrific. I highly recommend this trip (and also re-reading "Rebecca," which stands the passage of time!)
— Review left September 28, 2024
THis tour takes one to a beautiful, quiet part of the U.K. rarely visited by Americans. If ancient monuments, gothic cathedrals an boat trips on lovely waters are your thing, this is the perfect trip for you.
— Review left September 20, 2024
Our 4th trip with Road Scholar was a great trip, like the previous three. We would probably take any tour led by Simon! He was always energetic, helpful, knowledgeable and very patient. Our area guide Peter was also superb and patient and seemed to know everything about the Cornwall area.
— Review left July 6, 2024
A visit to Cornwall is a timely reminder of the good things in life:
--a unique geographic setting.
--absence of billboards, guns and violence.
--charming people and historic sites.
--a place to remind ourselves on how to live a quality life.
Go there and see for yourself!
— Review left July 2, 2024
Interesting well organized program in an area of much history and great natural beauty. Very glad my wife and I made the decision to attend.
— Review left June 30, 2024
This is a fascinating tour of Britain’s Southwest. (We learned Natives of Cornwall think they are a separate country from England). The course is a great mix of beautiful scenery, archaeology, and economic history combined with lots of fish and chips and real Cornish pasties.
— Review left June 25, 2024
Our experience with ‘Cornwall: England’s Hidden Treasure’ was overwhelmingly positive. We were with a terrific group and had two wonderful guides/instructors. Even our bus drivers were fun! This was a perfect blend of education, exercise and fun. The accommodations were lovely and the food was great and plentiful. We had couples, sisters, singles and friends on our tour, and it was an exceptionally compatible group. We would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get to know Cornwall.
— Review left May 13, 2024
I was not prepared for how dramatically beautiful Cornwall is in all kinds of weather. Its many layers of history proved well worth exploring, and this program is based at a vintage seaside hotel -- a location that in itself was a delight!
— Review left May 8, 2024
This trip started on a pretty disorganized note, I had contacted the FootPath tour company which supplied the RoadScholar guide to give him my arrival information. Apparently he didn’t read it or didn’t get it because he sent his contact information to my emergency contact instead of me.
Ian was the guide, he stated that this was only his second RoadScholar trip, and I would say it showed. He really made no effort to do the activities that RoadScholar does to make the group cohesive and engaged. He remained pretty detached.
The area we were in was one of the most beautiful in England, lovely landscapes and beautiful coastlines. The trip from London to Faulmouth was long as we were on a bus in heavy traffic. It’s beyond me why we just didn’t take the train from London to Truro which is a lovely route and no traffic!
The Falmouth Hotel most have been grand at one time, the views are lovely and thankfully my room had wonderful views. The rest of ghe hotel was understaffed, and the food underwhelming to say the least.
It was unfortunate that the trip to The Lost Gardens were crammed into a very full day in which we spent way to much time on the bus. Also, stop taking us to tourist traps, there are so many beautiful places there of interest, we don’t need to be with hundreds of other tourists going to the same place.
Peter, the local guide was certainly well versed in Cornish lore and knew a lot about the area. He did have a tendency to rush around though.
It was very warm at the time and the beaches and coastal areas were inundated with tourists and a number of cruise ships also.
I actually think staying in Truro would have been better than Falmouth as there is more yo see and it’s the county seat. There were no talks in the evening or any suggestions from our guide about places to go.
I’m glad I got to see the area though, very beautiful
— Review left September 21, 2023
With good weather, this a wonderful trip with varied sights of Cornwall ranging from towns, harbors, countryside; to tin mine, china clay factory, and fantastic garden.
Adding to the experience is a 150 year old (but functional) hotel right on a beach with a beach walk as far as you wish to go; and within half mile of main streets in Falmouth.
The level of effort is almost entirely up to you. It can be a stroll, or you can add as much as you want for distance and speed.
Two days on the bus to get to and from Falmouth.
And very good guides with detailed knowledge of the area.
All in all, fantastic trip.
— Review left July 4, 2023
You couldn’t ask for better tour leaders than Peter and Anne. I’d take any future tour they were offering. They are Cornwall’s treasures!!
— Review left July 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this program. Cornwall is filled with natural beauty and interesting history.
— Review left June 17, 2023
Beautiful country. Great field trips. Good leadership. Possibly a bit too hectic for me (or those preferring more free time).
— Review left May 23, 2023
Outstanding place to visit=Cornwall with Road Scholar
— Review left May 22, 2023
My trip to Cornwall was amazing! I prefer to be immersed in one region and really learn about its history and culture, as opposed to jumping from place to place. Our group leader and guide were excellent and fun to be with.
— Review left September 12, 2022
Cornwall is experienced in a pleasant and informative manner. Historical sites and scenic vistas are everywhere.
— Review left September 10, 2022
Lovely tour. The tour guide can make or break a tour and Heather was wonderful--helpful and knowledgeable. Her tour partner was ill and couldn't make it, so that put a heavy load on her. She handled it well, including when one of our own got Covid during the tour. Pros: loved, loved, loved The Falmouth Hotel, our main stay. My single room overlooked the bay and was quite large. Also, the lounge was a wonderful place to have a glass or a cup of something and read or chat with new friends in the comfy chairs. Very British, I think! Also, I am now watching Doc Martin with greater appreciation having been to Port Isaac. Cons: We were often rushed visiting places, I think mainly because we didn't leave early enough each morning and got stuck in traffic. Overall, I recommend the tour. Road Scholar rocks! (P.S. I got Covid as I was departing UK. Probably never would have been allowed on the plane if the US rule had still been in place. I can't recommend enough that everyone should wear a mask, even be required to, on the bus. I didn't. Our guide & driver wore masks, but the rest of us were hit & miss-mostly miss. Fortunately, not a bad case, but, I'm wearing a mask in future!)
— Review left August 10, 2022
Our tour guides were superior. They interacted well with our group as well as each other. They were funny and full of facts from the history to current events of the areas that we visited. I would like to take another tour with our group leaders Neil Flather and Peter Maxted some time in the futhre.
— Review left July 8, 2022
Loved Cornwall:England's Hidden Treasures. Beautiful hotel and countryside.
— Review left July 3, 2022
If you have a chance to participate in one program in the UK, I strongly recommend the Cornwall: England's Hidden Treasure. Seeing the country side, the villages located in the various harbors and learning more about the history in this area is well worth time I spent there. The weather is a little challenging as I learned that an umbrella and a rain coat has to be
packed everyday. Staying at the Falmouth Hotel which faces Falmouth Bay was and even better reason to choose this program. The staff there were so accommodating and friendly.
— Review left July 2, 2022
Pretty good overview of SW England, but not much time in any one place and few options in the event of poor weather. Many "culture" spots turned out to be merely tourist traps.
— Review left May 21, 2022
Great opportunity to visit a part of Great Britain (don't call it part of England, we learned) that is somewhat off the beaten path. We saw familiar scenery (think Doc Martin and Poldark), visited the green but stark moors, stood on the most western point of Britain (Land's End), learned about the lives of the people who have inhabited this part of the British Isles from pre-Roman times through the age of modern tin mines, and I, personally, enjoyed eating a lot of fish and ice cream -- but not at the same time.
— Review left July 2, 2019
What a beautiful trip in every way! Cornwall was absolutely enchanting. Each and every day we experienced landscapes that literally took our breath away! Ocean and sky such a beautiful blue, fields lush and green, and flowers everywhere! So much history, seen in everything from the incredible cathedrals at Wells and Exeter, to the Stone circles, to the cities and towns with narrow streets, and old homes and buildings built in a sort of tiered fashion as viewed from below. The trips to the tin mine, china clay center, and lost gardens were very interesting and two boat rides, one in Falmouth Bay and the other in Fowey Harbor were memorable for their beauty and their fascinating history, including how they figured into the end of World War II.
We learned all these things through our two fantastic leader/guides as well as the individuals who led certain specific field trips. Heather was amazing, from her able coordination of all the logistics to her vast knowledge of England and Cornwall—history, weather, flora, fauna, (and more), sharing so many interesting facts and stories about each location. She had a positive presence and her knowledgeable narration/commentary during all our travels made even the longer bus rides (London to Cornwall and back) go by quickly. We also appreciated our other guide, Peter, who has a depth of knowledge and passion for Cornwall. We appreciated all he shared from history of the area, to poetry, to music, songs, and more. Finally, we had a great group, gorgeous weather, and a beautiful, historic hotel with ocean views! The amount of free time was great, too. It was the best RS trip we have taken, and that is saying a lot because we have enjoyed them all! We wholeheartedly recommend this trip.
— Review left June 26, 2019
This is a great program for anyone who can walk--a few weeks practice walking uphill and down, fast and slow, will help you gain confidence and ability to easily manage this trip. No need to pack evening wear--save a bit of room for souvenirs and T-shirts!
— Review left June 8, 2019
Cornwall was unknown to me – now I think I will try to return.
— Review left June 6, 2019
I was somewhat disappointed by this tour. The choice was made to go to more places superficially than we had time for: so it was necessary we should go to Jamaica Inn, Boscastle, Port Isaac all in one afternoon. There was not enough time to eat lunch and see Boscastle. Port Isaac was chosen because a TV show is filmed there; meanwhile we were said to pass by Tintagel but pointed out from the bus it was not visible to me. Two afternoons were structured this way. I had rather have gone into Michael's Mount and experienced it than stand on a nearby place so people can take photos. Either devote more days to this tour, or go fewer places but really do them. There were a number of experiences where real time was devoted: e.g., the two mines, the visit to the Hurlings; Fowey.
For "free time" luckily I was with someone so went to Pendennis Castle.
Heather Newman was conscientious, well-meaning, patient, good-tempered, but very unwilling to do the usual events to facilitate helping people to get to know one another. She claimed not to recall to have people introduce themselves the first night; when reminded did it minimally. She took a list of emails from us to hand out to all, and also a group picture but after being reminded she had not sent this material out, she said she was far from her computer and would do it the next day. To date, she has not done it. She did not know much about the literature of the places she took us to. Peter Maxted knows about Cornwall but sometimes he too was unwilling to answer any real question. He was saving that for later. His idea of explaining the Cornish language was to recite Cornish slang words: no idea that to explain a language, you begin with what family it belongs to, something of its history. His book is excellent & I used it on the bus to help me understand what we were seeing and how each place related to the other. I do not recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see Cornwall or learn about it by the trip.
— Review left June 3, 2019
This is an excellent program. Very well informed group leaders. Lots of fun things to see and do. I can't recommend this highly enough.
— Review left March 11, 2019
