Ideas for things to do on the way back from Cornwall?

[freddie1729]

What would you do to break up the train journey between Penzance and Plymouth?

Currently my ideas are visiting St. Ives and going on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway (though currently you can't join from Bodmin Parkway - hopefully they'll stop that rule when I go in October!)

 

[D6130]

What would you do to break up the train journey between Penzance and Plymouth?

If you could plan your journey around the comparatively few trains that stop there, I would recommend a break of journey in Lostwithiel - a pleasant small historic market town with a lot of interesting buildings, a friendly laid-back atmosphere, several nice pubs and restaurants and hardly any tourists.

 

[freddie1729]

If you could plan your journey around the comparatively few trains that stop there, I would recommend a break of journey in Lostwithiel - a pleasant small historic market town with a lot of interesting buildings, a friendly laid-back atmosphere, several nice pubs and restaurants and hardly any tourists.

Thank you! That's a great idea

 

[bspahh]

How much time do you have? St Ives is well worth a few hours if the weather is right. The branch line down to Looe is worth a trip.

 

[freddie1729]

How much time do you have? St Ives is well worth a few hours if the weather is right. The branch line down to Looe is worth a trip.

Departing Penzance in the morning and then I've got to catch the 19.50 train from Plymouth to Paddington (or join it earlier along the line)

 

[bspahh]

Departing Penzance in the morning and then I've got to catch the 19.50 train from Plymouth to Paddington (or join it earlier along the line)

You can get a Cornwall Day ranger for trains from 9.00

GB RAIL ROVER GUIDE - Cornwall Ranger

How to find rail rover and ranger tickets on the national rail network. Rover and ranger tickets are cheap tickets for rail travel

www.railrover.org

This is a nice walk along the river underneath the Calstock viaduct on the Gunnislake line. There is a link to a PDF file from this link which shows the route on an Ordnance Survey map.

Devon’s Western Frontier - Explore Devon

For most of its length, Devon's western frontier with Cornwall is marked by the River Tamar. One of Devon's long-distance walking routes, the Tamar Valley

www.exploredevon.info

 

[yorksrob]

I would also recommend the branch line to Looe. Interesting operationally and also very scenic.

 

[D6130]

With a little careful planning, you could probably take in all or most of the above suggestions....depending on how relaxed or intensive you want your day to be!

 

[DelW]

The St Ives branch is a pretty standard branch line, albeit with some nice views.

But the Looe branch is a fascinating oddity. Starting off at right angles to the main line on the north side, it loops through 180° to pass under the main line heading southwest, then through another 90° or more to end up nearly back under the main line again heading north, before reversing and finally setting off southwards towards Looe.

The town itself is a pleasant little spot, and likely to be less crowded than St Ives.

 

[mrcheek]

The Gunnislake branch is an enjoyable journey, but no need to get out, just come right back.

The Looe branch is worth doing just for the novelty of the Liskeard circle.

Why not get off the train at Saltash, and walk down to the riverside to take in a view of the Tamar Bridge?

 

[bspahh]

The St Ives branch is a pretty standard branch line, albeit with some nice views.

At times, St Ives can be too busy, but I took these photos on a 4 hour visit in February

St Ives 16-17th Feb 2018

Explore this photo album by Andrew Henry on Flickr!

flic.kr

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Saint Ives is way over rated, just art shops, a crowded beach and not a lot else. Cambourne is nice, there is a big tin mining museum there with lots of other stuff. Truro is a nice city too.

 

[mrcheek]

Saint Ives is way over rated, just art shops, a crowded beach and not a lot else. Cambourne is nice, there is a big tin mining museum there with lots of other stuff. Truro is a nice city too.

The best beach is the small one near to the station itself, much quieter there!
But overall I agree. I only ever visit out of season, and its overcrowded in St Ives even then.

 

[yorksrob]

If you fancy a good walk, along the promenade at Penzance, through the fishing village of Newlyn and round the coast to Moushole is a good one.

 

[dk1]

I usually bail from the down Night Riviera at St.Erth to take breakfast in St.Ives. It’s just very civilised.

 

[Gloster]

You could always stop in Cornwall and have a cream tea and then in Devon and have another one. You might be able to settle the eternal dispute.

 

[Cowley]

You could always stop in Cornwall and have a cream tea and then in Devon and have another one. You might be able to settle the eternal dispute.

No chance!