Do you need a car to see Cornwall?

Open top coaster services. Cornwall's open top coaster services run in several coastal areas, linking popular towns, beaches and attractions across the county, allowing visitors get around the country without the need of a car and soak up the scenery as they go.



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With the road network dominated by cute country roads, trains are your best bet for getting around the region. And you can travel in style, thanks to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, a steam-powered heritage railway that makes a 13-mile round trip across the lavish Cornish countryside.

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Exploring beyond St Ives is best done by car but parking spaces in town fill up quickly so a Park-and-Ride system operates during busy holiday months. Although there is no better way to enjoy the stunning coastline than onboard the St Ives branch line railway as it hugs the bay providing breathtaking views of the sea.

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There are local bus routes, including open top buses and scenic routes and St Ives ebikes are becoming a popular choice for visitors looking to take a trip further afield.

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The main and branch line train route picks up all the towns in Cornwall if you're visiting say Truro, Penzance or Falmouth. There are local bus routes, including open top buses and scenic routes and St Ives ebikes are becoming a popular choice for visitors looking to take a trip further afield.

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We'd recommend visiting Cornwall for at least three days, such as over a long weekend. However, a better amount of time would be around a week which would give you more time to see more of Cornwall's highlights.

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We look after miles of coast and footpaths for walking around Cornwall. Circular walks taking in the South West Coast Path are popular for good reason – but you'll be rewarded if you head inland too, with hilltop views and peaceful parkland.

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Cornwall is fine. Just go slow and be prepared to back up. If you come to a passing place, slow down and see if anything is coming so you can pull in easily. A lot of the roads are fine but there are definitely some narrow bits.

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The train from London to St Ives in Cornwall usually takes 9 hours and 38 minutes, but can take just 5 hours and 13 minutes on the fastest services. You'll need to make one change along the way during your journey, travelling with either CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway or Southern.

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Once in Cornwall, there's a great rail network for getting around the county, perfect for those car-free breaks.

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It would take about 7-8 hours to drive around Cornwall, depending on how many stops you make. With its rugged coastline and charming fishing villages, there are lots of places to explore and attractions to visit along the way.

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Padstow is an ideal place to base yourself for a holiday in Cornwall. It's a charming port town surrounded by beautiful beaches and offers many exciting things to discover.

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June to August is the best time to visit Cornwall for its idyllic beaches. This is also the best time for families as many of the most popular beaches and surfing beaches are patrolled by lifeguards. The weather in Cornwall in summer is fantastic and the county sees higher average temperatures than the rest of the UK.

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Many are surprised it can take around 2 hours to drive from one end of Cornwall to the other. Cornwall's major route is the A30 – a fast road made up largely of dual carriageway, travelling along the central backbone of Cornwall all the way to Penzance, with A roads spurring off to serve the north and south coast.

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