planningtravel

Would like to go to Lands End and see some other sights in Cornwall when I'm next in the UK in October this year. I know the weather can be iffy, and it'll be the off season.

Are there any major disadvantages to travelling in the region in October.

Thanks in advance.

MissPrism

I've often been to Cornwall at that time of year and have found the weather very mild.

I'd avoid the area like the plague in high season. I'd also avoid Land's End. It's a nasty commercialised rip-off. There are so many better, more picturesque places to visit.

We have a Cornish resident on the forum. I'm sure she will have some god suggestions

Heimdall

The Scilly Isles off Cornwall are warmed by the Gulf Stream, and even have flora found nowhere else in the UK. Your chances of mild weather are good in October, as long as you aren't hit by an Atlantic storm.

planningtravel

Thank you.

What's a good itinerary for a three night/two day stay?

I'm looking at flying to Newquay and leaving by train from Penzance. My itinerary would be like this:-

Day 1, arrive Newquay, take bus to Penzance, sightsee in Penzance, overnight Penzance
Day 2, sightsee in the region, overnight Penzance
Day 3, sightsee in the region, overnight Penzance
Day 4, sightsee in the region, overnight train to London.

I am interested in seeing Lands End, Mousehole, St Ives and St Michel's Mount on days 2 and 3. I'd not thought of visiting the Scilly Isles and will read more on them.

I plan on travelling by public transportation and will not be renting a car.

How should I group the sights? Do I have enough time to see these sights?

Thanks.

planningtravel

ttt

annhig

We have a Cornish resident on the forum. I'm sure she will have some god suggestions>>

I don't claim god-like status but I will try to come up with some good suggestions, Mme P!

Hi Planningtotravel - firstly, it's a great idea to visit Cornwall in October. We can have lovely weather that time of year, particularly early in the month.

secondly, sadly you don't have time to do all you have mentioned, plus the Scilies, particularly now the helicopter service from PZ has been discontinued.

thirdly, do you positively KNOW that there is a bus from Newquay to PZ which will connect with your flight? here's a link to the network map for the "local" bus company, and so far as I can see, you'd need to get the No 57 from N'quay and change at Hayle or Lelant for a bus to PZ:

https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/m...16%20proof.pdf

another idea would be to get the bus or a cab to St Austell [or cab to Bodmin] and pick up the train there; that would I think be quicker - you could spend all day on those cross country buses and with so little time, you don't want to lose more than you have to on the bus!

As for your itinerary, there are buses from PZ to Land's End that take in most of the places you mention, though if you are reasonably fit, you could just take the bus to Mousehole and walk back along the coast to PZ via Newlyn. For St Ives, you'd need another bus in a different direction [back where you'd come from] and for St Michael's Mount, yet another.

Thinking about it, I wouldn't normally suggest a one night stand, but in this case, it might be better to go to St Ives on your first day, stay over night, then get the bus to PZ in the morning. However the bus [No 57] only starts at Newquay twice a day - at 10 am and 4pm. if that works with your flight, fine, if it doesn't, it's back to the drawing board.

There are tour companies that do day trips around Cornwall - I'll try to find the link and come back to you.

Heimdall

My comment on the Scilly Isles was more to illustrate weather patterns than a suggestion to visit, and I agree you won't have time. That would be a wonderful place for a quiet holiday, though. I love the "Isles of Scilly Police" Facebook page!

annhig

I love the "Isles of Scilly Police" Facebook page!>>

it's a favourite here too, Heimdall!

planningtravel

Thank you all for the helpful replies.

The Isles of Scilly are definitely not on the agenda. Just wondering how to organize sightseeing in the limited time I have. I'm not able to take the 10 am bus to St Ives from Newquay and the 4 pm bus will have me in town fairly late, and realistically too late for any sightseeing.

Wondering if I should stay in Penzance for the entire stay and organize sightseeing like this:-

Day 1, sightsee in Penzance.
Day 2, Lands End and Mousehole
Day 3, St Micheals Mount
Day 4, St Ives, return to Penzance for overnight train to London.

How does this look?

I did think of visiting the Eden Project but I know I don't have time for this. Is skipping the Eden project a mistake?

annhig

well, Planning, my idea of your going to St Ives for a night en route to PZ was to avoid back tracking, and complicated bus/train changes, but in the end it's up to you.

what time do you arrive at Newquay?


You do know you have to get a bus from the airport into Newquay itself, don't you? here's the timetable:

http://www.newquaycornwallairport.co.../bus-timetable

your itinerary looks fine and you're right, you haven't got time for the Eden Project. It's a shame but if you are keen on the great outdoors, I wouldn't say that it's a priority. And there are lots of other things that you are missing too - sadly you can never see everything.

planningtravel

Thank you, annhig.

The flight I'm looking at is scheduled to arrive at 11 am. I'd looked at flying to Newquay as it's closer than Exeter to Penzance.

tuscanlifeedit

Butting in here to express gratitude for the FB page of the Isles of Scilly Police.