Cornwall: History and Culture
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Cornwall: History and Culture


September 11-20, 2025
Double Occupancy: $5500 per person
Single Occupancy: $6000 per person
Airfare is not included.

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If there’s one word that describes Cornwall, it’s magical. It’s full of myths and legends, including tales of mermaids, fairies, pirates, and King Arthur—all deeply intertwined with its dramatic coastline and remote landscape. Travel with us as we dive into the history and culture of this captivating region of England. We’ll learn how Cornwall played a major role in world history through mining, fishing, and its maritime legacy. You’ll have the chance to make your own Cornish pasty at a local cooking school and discover why one town became the center for modern and abstract British art.


Botallack Mine

Botallack Mine

Tour Highlights Include:

  • Take a high-speed train from London’s Paddington Station to St Ives
  • All-day Cornwall history and culture tour including a stop at St Michael’s Mount
  • Wander around beautiful and historic Port Isaac
  • Ramble though Tintagel castle ruins and learn of its link to King Arthur
  • Private cooking class making Cornish pasties
  • Private tour of historic Chavenage House in Gloucestershire
  • Spend the morning at Blenheim Palace and the afternoon exploring the beautiful Cotswolds
  • History and culture happy hour lectures
  • Luxurious accommodations along the Cornish coast
  • Transportation by private coach while in Cornwall

Daily Itinerary

Day One: Thursday September 11, 2025

Welcome to London! You’ll fly in to Heathrow and take the Piccadilly line to get to the hotel. Once you’re here and have gotten settled, we’ll meet in the lobby around 4:00 pm to take a walking tour of beautiful Kensington. We’ll walk around the area and see Mews, Kensington High Street, and the Kensington Palace grounds.

We’ll have a welcome dinner together at Orjowan and get to know each other a little better. Afterward, we’ll head back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep for our adventures tomorrow!

Hotel: The Rockwell opens a new window
Meal: D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Earl's Court
Earl's Court

Day Two: Friday September 12, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll gather our group, bid London farewell, and head to Paddington Station (the namesake of the famous bear) where we’ll take the train to St Ives. The final section of the day’s journey has been named one of the most scenic train rides in Britain.

Once you’re checked into the hotel, you can relax or explore the town on your own, which is famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant art scene. Then we’ll meet up for dinner together.

Hotel: Harbour Hotel opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

St Ives
St Ives

Day Three: Saturday September 13, 2025

We’ll have a delicious breakfast at the hotel before we head out for a historic tour of west Cornwall with our own guide. We’ll visit charming fishing villages, a pre-historic stone circle, the Minack theatre built into the side of a cliff with subtropical gardens, and end at Botallack Mines, now a UNESCO world heritage site. For lunch, we’ll stop at Logan Rock Inn—a 16th-century traditional pub!

You’re on your own for dinner in St. Ives, so you can try out one of the restaurants you saw yesterday.

Hotel: Harbour Hotel opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate

St Michael’s Mount
St Michael’s Mount

Day Four: Sunday September 14, 2025

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Tate St Ives art gallery and sculpture garden and learn why this little fishing village was considered the center of British artistic activity for a period in the 20th century. We’ll transfer to a new hotel in North Cornwall by private coach and you’ll get the afternoon free to explore our new area!

We’ll have dinner together in the hotel dining room where our amazing trip leader, Kate, will give a history lecture over drinks.

Hotel: Carlyon Bay Hotel opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate

Charlestown
Charlestown

Day Five: Monday September 15, 2025

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we’ll take a private coach to Port Isaac—a picturesque traditional fishing village. You’ll get the chance to explore the town on your own for a bit before we head to the Tintagel Castle ruins. Arguably one of the most spectacular sites in all of Britain, Tintagel Castle is full of rich history and lore as it’s believed to be where King Arthur lived.

Back at the hotel, we’ll have dinner in the hotel dining room and then it’s off to bed to dream of the Lady of the Lake and swords in stones.

Hotel: Carlyon Bay Hotel opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle

Day Six: Tuesday September 16, 2025

Breakfast at the hotel, but don’t fill up too much because today we’ll be learning how to make our own Cornish pasties before we enjoy an authentic Cornish cream tea! We’ll then board a bus to the village of St Mawes—from there (weather permitting) we’ll take a ferry trip to Falmouth where you’ll have the afternoon to explore the town on your own. Falmouth has a thriving harbor, a maritime museum, art galleries, and Pendennis Castle (a Tudor castle).

We’ll return to the hotel for dinner and you’ll be able to share your fabulous Falmouth finds with everyone!

Hotel: Carlyon Bay Hotel opens a new window
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate

Truro
Truro

Day Seven: Wednesday September 17, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to check out! We’ll board a private coach that will take us to Chavenage House for a historic tour. This historic Elizabethan manor is so beautiful that it’s often used for films and TV shows; it’s also reputed to be one of the most haunted homes in all of England! While there you’ll get to sink your teeth into more than just history as homemade tea will be provided.

Afterwards, we’ll check in to our new hotel and then you’ll be left to your own devices to explore Cirencester and find somewhere delicious for dinner. Then, once you’re back at the hotel, Kate will have another fascinating history lecture for you!

Hotel: Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester opens a new window
Meals: B, Tea
Activity Level: Moderate

Cirencester
Cirencester

Day Eight: Thursday September 18, 2025

Be sure to eat breakfast at the hotel because we have a busy day ahead of us. Our private coach will take us to Blenheim Palace where we’ll get four hours to explore! Blenheim Palace is an awe-inspiring place with a diverse and fascinating history (including being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).

After our time at Blenheim Palace is up, you’ll get to explore charming Cotswold villages. If you’re looking for quintessential English towns, these are probably what you’re envisioning! In the evening we’ll head back to Cirencester where you’ll be on your own for dinner. Make the most of it; tomorrow we head back to London!

Hotel: Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester opens a new window
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate

Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace

Day Nine: Friday September 19, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take our private coach back to London. Once there, you’ll get to have the day to yourself to explore whatever you’d like.

Our farewell dinner will be at San Pietro where we’ll get to reminisce about our adventures in England and lament that we can’t stay forever!

Hotel: The Rockwell opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate

London
London

Day Ten: Saturday September 20, 2025

It’s departure day. Whether you’re heading to the airport or continuing on another adventure on your own, this is where we part ways. We can’t wait to see you at the reunion!

Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate


Kate Jones

Kate Jones

Kate Jones, a native of England, has been at PBS Utah since 2012 as a development producer. She loves all the British programing and has a special affinity for the locations and characters they portray. Growing up in England, Kate spent her summers in Cornwall exploring its cliffs and coves and enjoying the beauty of the region. Cornwall has always been a magical place for Kate and she is excited to return and share in this magic with you. She is looking forward to bringing you special insights into the culture and history of Cornwall.



Details and What to Expect

"Cornwall is very primeval: great, black, jutting cliffs and rocks, like the original darkness, and a pale sea breaking in, like dawn. It is like the beginning of the world, wonderful…"
—D H Lawrence, Letter 1961

Pre-Departure

Like all Go Learn journeys, the adventure begins meeting everyone at home. Our Trip Leader Kate Jones, PBS Utah Development Officer, along with Go Learn, will make sure you have all the information you need before you arrive in London—we'll answer questions about what to pack, how to get around, and review our daily itinerary.

Post-Departure

A trip reunion about a month or so after returning will be the perfect conclusion to our journey. We’ll exchange pictures and stories while remembering the highlights of our tour. Go Learn expeditions are designed to be small, boutique experiences where one returns with a group of friends for life. Good food, drink, and company await us at this reunion.

About England

September is a perfect time to visit England. Summer crowds have dispersed, leaving behind a tranquil atmosphere for exploring the picturesque coastlines and quaint villages. The weather is mild with daily high temperatures from 61-65F and lows from 52-56F. However there always seems to be a chill in the air or precipitation in the forecast, so layers and a raincoat are important to pack.

We’re staying in the heart of London, Cornwall, and Gloucestershire, utilizing public transportation in the cities and enjoying luxury group transportation in the country. The days are active and filled with unique experiences. We’ll finish our days with conversations around what we learned and what is yet to come.

Activity levels and restrictions

In order to fully explore the sights on our itinerary, we’ll be walking every day. The sites we’ll visit are very walkable. Locals walk everywhere—be it to historical sites or just in everyday life—and we’ll do the same. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes! Since we’ll be waking up early with jet lag, we’ll often start our days early and continue until sundown. This is an activity Level 2 trip. Learn more about our .

Starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will need an ETIAS “visa” for many European countries and a UK ETA “visa” for travel to or through the UK, including transfers and layovers.

Cornish pasty

Cornish pasty

Dates
September 11-20, 2025

Size
Tour is limited to 20 participants

Cost
Double occupancy: $5500 per person
Single occupancy: $6000
Payment options are available upon request. Contact golearn@utah.edu for information.
See for payment and cancellation details.

Included

  • All guides, tips, and entrance fees
  • 9 nights’ accommodation in carefully chosen hotels
  • Daily breakfast, several additional hand-picked culinary highlights for lunch, traditional English tea, and dinner
  • Private Cornish cooking class
  • Highspeed train ticket from Paddington Station to the Cornish coast
  • Private coach to transport you around Cornwall and Gloucestershire
  • Trip insurance, which includes coverage for medical, accident, emergency evacuation (we encourage all travelers to get cancellation insurance)

Not included

  • Airfare to and from London
  • Meals that are not specifically noted in the itinerary
  • Cancellation and lost luggage insurance
  • Any costs outside of the itinerary

A statue of King Arthur

A statue of King Arthur