Daceys Cornish Tours Reviews 224

On our first day in Cornwall I stood on the Headlands looking down on Port Isaac and wondered "it can't get better than this". Just wait. We moved on to St Michael's Mount, an amazing setting with a castle on an Island. Next was St Ives with spectacular beaches and a beer in a 13th century pub. Other highlights were Lands End with its rugged coastline; Minack Theatre - one woman's fantastic vision; the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project - both one man's fantastic visions; the town of Fowey with all its wartime history. My favourite, other than the brownie for 5 p, was the National Trust Property of Lanhydrock - a 17th century home. The rock hedges around Port Isaac were quite impressive on either side of the narrow roads and made me thankful for our skilled driver Jim who also added so much with his historical commentary. David and Harry were very knowledgeable about Cornwall and were always available to answer our many questions. We covered a lot on our trip though I always felt that we had lots of time and that we were never rushed. I enjoyed the guided parts of our tour immensely but also liked the free time that we were given to poke around on our own. All in all a great look at Cornwall with our great American fellow travelers.

Second time just as excellent as the first. Two years ago I went on Dacey's Cornish Tours and reviewed that I wanted to go again. Now I have gone again and went to the same places as before, but experienced them in a different and exciting way. The second time was just as enjoyable as the first. David, Harry and Jim are the terrific tour guides. Cornwall gets into your soul. Sharon Miles.

What a wonderful tour we recently experienced with Dacey's Cornish Tours! We are newbie travelers and this was just our second trip to Europe. As we very much wanted to visit Cornwall and knew this would require a tour company, we researched the Internet and found Dacey's. The reviews were all complimentary, and we took the leap of faith to book the tour. We were not disappointed in any way. From the initial meet-up in London, to the variety of sites to visit (Port Isaac, St. Ives, St. Michael's Mount, Eden Project, etc.), David and his very capable team of Harry and Jim have crafted a week of unforgettable experiences in stunning locations. Cornwall is truly a magical place, and the tour package is created to provide a fun-filled week of amazing sights with great variety of scenery, history and authenticity. The tour group was small (12 were in our group, maximum of 14 on any tour) and we very much enjoyed getting to know our fellow travelers. We're back in Oregon just over a week now, and are still daydreaming of our wonderful experiences in Cornwall, and hoping to return to this magical corner of the world someday. If you want to experience the true Cornwall, we can highly recommend Dacey's Cornish Tours. You will love the tour and the wonderful men who will take you there!

When I first decided to go on a tour of Cornwall I chose Dacey’s Tours because they provided transportation from London, they were a small group tour and they were visiting hard-to-get-to locations that I had always wanted to see. Upon joining the tour I found out that I was also getting three great guides who want to share their love of Cornwall, a wonderful group of fellow travelers, fine accommodations, delicious food, a varied and interesting itinerary and a great vacation. The best part was getting to visit the MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

Anyone close to me knows it has been on my bucket list for a very longtime to go into England and not so much explore the large city of London but to go into the back roads of England and explore the untouched beauty. London is great but to describe the southwestern coastal area is difficult. One must actually visit it to know it, feel it, and breathe it. I have never inhaled such clean fresh air in my life and taken it such beauty. Staying in ancient castles and manors is really a dream for any little girl. And for not so little girls who still have their inner child. This was one of the most splendid vacations I have ever experienced. Harry, David and Tim are English gents in the truest sense of the word.

Having had the opportunity to travel the world over the past several decades, rarely have I been so captivated by a place and its people. Daceys was the perfect platform by which to explore this spectacular and history-rich corner of England. David and his cohorts Tim and Harry couldn't have been better guides and traveling companions. Each day in Cornwall brought new sights and experiences, invigorating walks (if you're so inclined), excellent dining, and welcome lodging in historic inns. There were too many highlights to mention, but one standout was certainly the rock-cut, seaside Minack Theatre, where we saw a terrific production of "Much Ado About Nothing" while noshing on hot Cornish pasties and good red wine. For anyone interested in an upscale yet affordable, thorough, and hassle-free tour of the region, I can recommend Dacey's Cornish Tours unreservedly.

We have just recently completed a tour with David, Tim and Harry of Dacey's Cornish Tours. What an experience! We loved every moment of it! Every day something different, the beautiful scenery, history, great food, (pasties of course) and with a small group who all appeared to "click" it certainly made it more enjoyable.
Thank you David for your great organising, Tim, a great driver and a nice guy and Harry - well, Harry is Harry, a lovely man who was always there making sure everyone was OK and enjoying themselves. They all showed their love and knowledge of Cornwall which made our experience even more memorable.
Cornwall was an area we had always wanted to visit and
David, Harry and Tim made sure it surpassed our expectations.
The weather was kind, mostly when it counted, but even with what little rain we had, it did not dampen our spirits.
We would highly recommend Dacey's Cornish Tours, a wonderful experience.

Having been infected with the Cornish virus on last year's tour with Dacey's Cornish Tours I longed to see that place again all winter long. When April came and I had a chance meeting with David and Harry in London, my mind was made up to join the tour again this year. After a long wait of 4 months, my friend Rita and I travelled from Switzerland to London in mid-September to meet our tour leaders David and Harry and the rest of the group.

Early Monday morning we met our driver Jim and off we were towards Cornwall. We were rewarded for the long drive with the beautiful Longcross Hotel which stands on top of a hill above Port Isaac. The hotel's black and white cat stood outside at the ready and greeted us like old friends. The walk into and in picturesque Port Isaac - aka Port Wenn of Doc Martin fame - got us in the right mood for Cornwall, even though it was a bit rainy and windy.

Tuesday morning we said goodbye to Port Isaac. After a 10 minutes' drive one of our group claimed that she had left her mobile in her hotel room which a phone call to the Longcross Hotel confirmed. The hotel's receptionist jumped into her car and brought the mobile round. Cornish courtesy and hospitality at its best!! Later in the day we "traversed" the sea to get to St Michael's Mount, had our first Cornish ice cream (David's treat) in St Ives and spent the evening wandering up to St Nicholas Chapel, a walk around "The Island" and a great supper at "The Loft". Wednesday morning I got up very early and went down to the beach to see the sunrise. I sat on the empty beach only in the company of a few crows and sea gulls, the rolling sea and some dolphins passing by!! It was absolutely magnificent - Cornish moments I'll cherish and remember forever …

On Wednesday afternoon we were off to Land's End and (only) 3 of us went on a walk with David above the cliff tops. The other's didn't know what they were missing … I felt very small looking down to the roaring see, hearing the breaking waves … We then made our way to the "Cornish Stonehenge" - the "Merry Maidens". There we found two women lying on the ground gathering energy from this power place. We respectfully and quietly moved around the stones only to find the women in fits of laughter when they finally realised they were not alone. A visit to Porthcurno Beach (must be one of the most beautiful in the world) and a short paddle in the cold water left us with nothing to wish for on this day. But - last but not least - we went to one of my favourite places in Cornwall - The Minack Theatre! The great seating atop the cliffs, looking out to the see and down to the stage and a splendid perform¬ance of "The Mikado" compensated us for the rain after the intermission - the wetter we got the funnier it was. I am so glad that we had such good sports in our group who saw the funny side of it - after all, it was only water!

On Thursday we visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, great attractions in Cornwall - not just for garden enthusiasts. Charlestown, a new stop on the DCT list, greeted us with a sunny evening and fantastic accommodation right at the harbour. This place - whom most will know from the Poldark series - has now moved to the top of my list of places to see in Cornwall. The small village is simply beautiful, right out of a film setting. My friend Rita and I walked up a coast trail and found ourselves invited in by a coast watch volunteer at Landrion Point. He showed us his station and explained their volunteer work which was very interesting.


After a very scenic sunrise in Charlestown (yes, I did get up early again!!) we were off to Lanhydrock, a late Victorian country house to see how it was in those days of "Upstairs, downstairs". After a sad adieu to Cornwall we were on our way to Exeter, Devon's capital where we were treated to a Red Coat Guided Tour. The whole group met afterwards for a last dinner together at The Olive Tree where we reminisced about our days in Cornwall.

Saying goodbye always leaves me lost for words. We had had such a great time with great people from the US and above all with our tour leaders David, Harry and Jim, true British gentlemen. They did everything to make us feel welcome, showing us the delights of Corn¬wall and cheering us with their British humour. Having been on the tour before, it gave me great pleasure to see the all the lovely places again. You always find something new to do or to see, one can never get bored of Cornwall. Having been twice on a DCT tours I can recommend everyone who wants to see the real Cornwall to do it this way, without the hassle of driving on your own. A small group (we were 13 guests) gives you the chance to get to know everyone. I feel I have made new friends which is a great asset to this tour. And the DCT guides are so knowledgeable and fun to be with and you can understand why they want to share their love for Cornwall. Cornwall - you haven't seen the last of me!!
Isabel, Switzerland

My parents and I recently traveled to Cornwall with Dacey's Cornish Tours. We learned about Dacey's Cornish Tours from recent articles written by travelers in the "International Travel News" magazine and contacted the company to learn more.

We've visited England probably 40 times but never visited Cornwall, which is an area that does not seem to attract many non-English tourists. We are fans of the "Doc Martin" TV show, and we also enjoy historic homes and gardens. The price was very affordable and we could add on days in London after the tour on our own, so we made the decision to travel with Dacey's Cornish Tours.

We enjoyed every minute of the tour! The hotels were fantastic, offering amenities such as first-class dining, spas and pools. The towns and cities visited on the tour were interesting, and we enjoyed the mix of planned activities and free time. We've been on many group tours before, and there is often very little free time for activities on our own. We especially enjoyed having an entire free day in St. Ives to explore the Tate and Barbara Hepworth art museums and to walk on the beach.

The coastal scenery was magnificent, and there was just the right mix of history, scenery and gardens. The tour was educational but not overwhelming, and the small group size afforded flexibility at many sites. One week was the perfect tour length.

I strongly recommend this tour company to anyone who is interested in visiting Cornwall.

I knew when I arrived in Cornwall, that I would come back next year. The first impression was so overwhelming for me, that I knew immediately that once would not be enough. The tour was outstanding. It seemed there were new impressions with every turn of the road. It was obvious that David, Harry and Tim put their heart and soul in these tours. Their enthusiasm is catching. Since they are locals, the are extemely knowledgeable and have a lot of pride for their part of the country. They were very helpful with luggage, etc. and even offered a hand or an arm for those of us who are older. All the places we visited were phantastic, the accomodations were quaint, clean and had super-friendly staff. There are really only good thing to say about this tour and I would urge everyone to join David, Harry and Tim at least once (if not twice). It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you will leave England with Cornwall in your blood.

To appreciate the beauty of Cornwall--England’s hidden gem, the perfect way is with Dacey’s Cornish Tours. Each day of the tour you experience a new adventure—walking the grassy fields and narrow cobble stone streets in Port Isaac, hiking up St. Michaels Mount with spectacular views for miles, climbing the steep steps at the Minack Theatre with the waves crashing below, walking the sandy beaches. At the end of each day, we could recharge at the lovely hotels, all with outstanding sunset views. Being from Cornwall, the tour guides, David, Harry & Tim shared their local knowledge, making the trip much more personal. This is truly a magical place to visit.

Dacey's Cornish Tours is amazing. David's competent driver, Tim, tour guide, Harry, and David are Cornwall natives who enjoy sharing their knowledge and love of Cornwall. We saw stunning Cornwall ranging from the lush countryside dotted with yellow gorse and fields of grape seed that look like daffodils, to the coastal towns with their panoramic views of the ocean. The coastal town of Port Isaac, the setting for the "Doc Martin" television series, is a beauty with its narrow streets and quaint cottages bordering its harbor. St. Ives boasts lovely sand beaches. Land's End reveals the rugged power of nature with its massive granite coastline, billowing winds, and the deep blue sea. Our tour included seeing the glory of St. Michael's Mount, the lush gardens at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the unique Eden Project, the wonder of the Minack Theater, and the beauty of Lanhydrock. We enjoyed staying in beautiful hotels with lovely gardens and delicious food. David's excellent planning gave us the opportunity to enjoy the tour and relax in the beauty of Cornwall. Thank-you David, Harry, and Tim for the opportunity to enjoy this fascinating part of England. We enjoyed making new friends with our tour group and talking with the local people. Delightful! It met our expectations and much, much more.

This tour is ideal for people who want to experience the full range of what Cornwall has to offer. The small comfortable bus can take you where tour coaches cannot go and the knowledgeable guides ensure that you appreciate fully what you are experiencing.

Cornwall is very beautiful and has a diverse range of attractions. Going with Daceys Cornish Tours means your time isn't wasted negotiating the tricky roads, looking for parking spots or accommodation or queuing to gain entrance to any of the attractions.

There is plenty of flexibility built into the tour so you can tackle as much or as little of the activity as you want. This means it is suitable for the very fit and active, but also for those with some mobility issues. Being a small group of no more than 14, there is plenty of personal attention and a chance to get to know other travellers.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in this fascinating part of the United Kingdom. Sincere thanks to David, Tim and Harry for making our tour so special.

I want to go again and maybe never leave. This tour is well thought out - a bit of village life, castle life, manor life, and city life, coastal views and a dip in the ocean, gardens, green fields and hedge rows, mining ruins, theater, ecological site, churches and cathedrals, shopping ( if that is your thing - not mine), ancient stone circle of 19 dancing maidens, unique hotels, blackberry picking (Sept. tour) and so much more including Doc Martin's Port Isaac and sea glass (my thing).
A small, congenial group of travelers and very personable, knowledgeable tour guides and bus driver added to a pleasurable experience and wonderful memories.

I want to go back!! I had been to Cornwall twice before, but this tour took us to more interesting places. We stayed in sparkling, charming hotels that provided hearty breakfasts prior to our setting out on exciting adventures for each day.

PERSONNEL: Tim, the driver and main narrator, is very knowledgeable, as is Harry, who helped many of us with our luggage and other things. And, it is David who puts everything together and keeps things rolling.

I highly recommend this tour!

Our September 2014 tour with Daceys Cornish Tours surpassed all our expectations. Highly recommended for Doc Martin lovers or those who want a slower paced, smaller trip whcih focuses on the beautiful Cornish coastline and the picturesque seaside villages like Port Isaac, St Ives, Marazion and Fowey. We liked the fact that you actually stay in a couple of the seaside towns rather than the larger cities. The tour allows a generous amount of time to explore St Michaels Mount, Lands End and the Minack Theatre, the Eden Project and the wonderful Lanhydrock Estate, as well as plenty of free time to explore on your own. Accommodation is first class and the tour operators are three Cornishmen who go out of their way to make sure you enjoy every aspect of the trip. We felt very well looked after with more personalised care than offered by the larger tours, due to the fact that there are only 14 rather than 40 on each tour. Everyone mixes well, making it a great social experience. Great value for money.

Wonderful in every respect: the magical places we went to, the charming people we met, the excellent hotels, Tim's amazing driving skills, the history and atmosphere we breathed in from the moment we arrived. Now that I'm back home, I've done some thinking about what made this tour so enjoyable, and I think it was largely the people skills and intimate knowledge of the region possessed by David, Tim, and Harry. It was exactly as advertised: the annoying details of travel were invisibly taken care of for us, and we were safely escorted and looked after, but without them being obtrusive about it. There was plenty of flexibility to do whatever we wanted, whether to go along with the three of them and enjoy their expertise, or to take off on our own. Lovely group of people also; by the first stop in Port Isaac we were already good friends. Small group tours are a great idea; I would never go with a large group after this. Absolutely and wholeheartedly recommended!

I've always wanted to tour Cornwall but none of the big tour companies offered a comprehensive tour of southwest England. A google search led me to Daceys Cornish Tours. Fate was smiling on me that day. I liked their itinerary - more comprehensive than the other tours offering sights like the near inexcusable Port Issac home of Doc Martin, and an evening at the oceanfront Minack Theater. I loved it all. Way more personal and intimate than the big tour operators. Everyone in the tour came together like an extended family. Dave, Harry and Tim were outstanding - very personable and knowledgeable. The hotels were 1st rate - a very pleasant surprise, much better than the ones offered by the big tour companies. The days were well paced with a nice blend of sightseeing and time to be at ease and explore. Small customized and intimate tours are all I'll be taking in the future. Daceys has set the bar very high for all future tours.

My tour with Dacey's is the first small tour I have taken and I give it five stars. If you want flexibility, warmth, and great unique hotels with big wonderful bath towels. This is a small detail but impressed me. The team of Dave, Harry and Tim were wonderful and their love of Cornwall came shinning through. I like the small touring companies now. Cornwall rules !

The Cornish people are friendly and charming. Cornwall is charming, breathtaking, and inspiring. Land's End literally took my breath away - enjoying the vistas, thinking about the history and exactly where I was! I could move into one of the cottages in Port Isaac today and be quite content. I loved wading into the ocean at Portcornu (probably getting the name wrong but you'll know it when you see it) and feeling the freedom it delivered.

There was nothing on this trip that I did not enjoy. The accommodations were diverse, clean, and lovely. I enjoyed having time for independent touring but David, Harry, and Tim were available for questions and guidance. The knowledge they have and can retrieve to share with us is amazing. Thank you, Dacey's Cornish Tours!