captainsjewel

Hi Everyone! We are trying to plan a trip to Cornwall for next year 2013 sometime in the fall. Preferably after tourist/school season. I'm usually a pretty good trip planner but I am having a very hard time with this one. People are scaring me off of driving, wrong side of the road etc. however it's only caution and common sense. My husband is a retired cop so he is cautious anyway. BUT would it be best to take a train from London to our Cornwall and rent a car or rent a car in London and drive the whole way OR take trains while there. We like the freedom of being able to hop in a car and go when we feel like it. I have no idea of what to see or do. Any help would be appreciated.

Also, if we were to get say an 8 day rail pass could we wander into Scotland or Ireland with it?

Thanks,

Julie

Sara_Sikes

Hi,
Toured Devon and Cornwall mid-September 2010; wonderful trip. We rented a car in Bournemouth, spent 7 days touring and then drove to Heathrow for flight. Cornwall is totally unspoiled, little highway driving so it takes a lot of time on narrow but scenic roads. We never made it to St. Ives, ran out of time. Especially loved Port Isaac, despite hordes of tourists come to see where "Doc Martin" is set. We had no reservations, traveling European style, i.e. stopping at small hotels and seeing room before bargaining on price. Loved the Long Cross hotel in Trelights.
You won't have time to do Ireland or Scotland, distance is too far. Perhaps a day or two in London?

ron

»» I have no idea of what to see or do.««

Then why are you going? Wouldn't it be better to go someplace that you are interested in?

Nonconformist

I think having a car is advisable in Cornwall. I guess it's up to you whether you drive down (it's a long way but you could have a stop halfway) or get the train and hire a car there.

There's a lot of interest in Cornwall, but what are you keen on? Natural beauty, walking, history, gardens, museums? A starting point might be to look at the official tourism webiste www.visitcornwall.com to get an idea of what you might like to see while you're there.

annhig

Hi Julie,

really there's no need to be scared, most of the roads are fine and on the narrow ones if you take it slowly you'll be fine - just look out for us locals having a chat with our friends in the middle of the road! or the odd tractor or passing herd of cows of course.

seriously, I would suggest getting the train to Truro and renting a car from there, after which the world is your oyster [literally if you are here at the time of the oyster festival in October]. IMO the ideal is to base yourselves in one, possibly two different places, and use those as bases for touring. Falmouth, Penzance and St. Ives work well, and/or possibly Fowey in the east.

how long do you have, and is your intention only to see Cornwall, or are you wanting to go on somewhere else afterwards?

DickieG

I agree with Annhig, remember "we" have to drive on the "wrong" side nearly every time we step out of our country. After an hour or so it really is quite straight forward. The idea of a tran to Truro is perfect then hire a car.

Unfortunately, Scotland by train will effectively be a ay each way.

I love Falmouth as a base, lots of small creeks and great pubs.

captainsjewel

Ron it's my boyfriends heritage and he has always wanted to visit Cornwall. I do have interest in it. Just looking for ideas. Thanks for your imput.

captainsjewel

Thanks everybody else! You've given me some great tips!

annhig

don't hesitate to come back, CJ, if you'd like to know more, or to run some itinerary ideas past us. I love helping people plan trips to Cornwall.

bellini

The train journey from London Paddington via Exeter to Penzance is a lovely journey- the train goes right along by the sea at Dawlish.
www.nationalrail.co.uk

You can stop off in Plymouth or Truro and pick up a hire car as you'll see much more of the countryside by car. There are bus services but in rural areas these can be few and far between.
I like Fowey, Falmouth, Mousehole and St Ives amongst many others.