Where can I go in Cornwall by train?

  • Tamar Valley Line. Plymouth - Gunnislake. Looe Valley Line. Liskeard - Looe. St Ives Bay Line. St Erth (P&R) - St Ives. Maritime Line. Truro - Falmouth Docks. Atlantic Coast Line. ...
  • Dartmoor Line. Exeter - Okehampton. Tarka Line. Exeter - Barnstaple. Riviera Line. Exeter - Paignton. Avocet Line. Exeter St Davids - Exmouth.




Cornwall is exceptionally well-connected by the Great Western Railway (GWR) "main line" that runs all the way from London Paddington to Penzance. Major stops along this route include Bodmin Parkway, St Austell, Truro, and Redruth. A supportive peer "scenic" recommendation: don't miss the famous branch lines. You can change at Liskeard for the Looe Valley Line, at Par for the Atlantic Coast Line to Newquay, and at St Erth for the world-famous scenic short trip to St Ives. In 2026, the "Night Riviera" sleeper train remains a popular way to arrive in Penzance refreshed by 8:00 AM. For a luxury experience, the new "Britannic Explorer" also offers curated Cornish rail tours. Most of these destinations are "walking distance" friendly once you step off the platform, making Cornwall one of the best UK counties to explore without a car.

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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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6 places to visit in Cornwall without using your car
  • Penzance. How to get there? The most glamorous way is to book at a cabin on the sleeper from Paddington. ...
  • Carbis Bay. How to get there? ...
  • Kingsand, Cawsand and Rame. How to get there? ...
  • Newquay. How to get there? ...
  • Falmouth. How to get there? ...
  • Isles of Scilly. How to get there?


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Public transport 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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You can travel on Brittany Ferries as a foot passenger or with a car. One of the cheapest ways to come to Cornwall is to travel by coach. The main coach provider providing long distance coach travel to Cornwall is National Express. Megabus generally provide the cheapest coach travel in the UK.

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The Maritime Line From the cathedral city of Truro – home to the Royal Cornwall Museum and Lemon Street's splendid Georgian architecture – take the train to Falmouth and visit its excellent beaches, public gardens, picturesque shopping streets and magnificent natural harbour.

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Penzance. One of the main towns of Cornwall – famed for pirates – the sheltered bay of Penzance is a dreamy base with all the amenities (and pubs) you could wish for, including pretty gardens, history and galleries. For a quirky and historic stay, consider making 'The Chocolate House'your Cornwall base.

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The verdict If you prefer forests, hills and moorlands over the coast, go to Devon. If you're more of a beach bum than a country bumpkin, Cornwall is a better shout. And if you're 50/50, Devon offers the best of both worlds.

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For all their popularity, Cornish seaside resorts rank among the most expensive British holiday destinations. Falmouth, Newquay and Bude are notably pricy, but it will come as little surprise to learn that it's St Ives that comes out as the costliest place in the county for a summer holiday.

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Filled with secret beaches, plenty of ancient fishing villages, and oodles of history, it's always worth a visit on any British adventure. After all, there's a reason that many national and international visitors choose to make this there go-to holiday destination year-in, year-out.

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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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