Hi,

My fiancé and I will be travelling to Cornwall from Manchester in June. We are planning to fly down to Newquay to maximise our time in Cornwall.

We have 7 days (inclusive) to explore Cornwall. We would like to see as much as we can and would consider staying in 2-3 different locations.

We are interested in outdoor activities, stand up paddle boarding, hiking and seeing historical sites, quaint villages and potential some islands.

We won't have a car. Where are the best places to stay, and what is the best way of travelling around?

Thanks

I'm going to be there for several days this coming summer. My first question is: why won't you have a car? How are you planning to travel to those 2-3 different locations?

I'm not saying you <B>should</B> have a car but since you've apparently never <B>been</B> there what's your plan?

We are going for about 10 days in May. Flying to Exeter, where we'll stay 3 nights, train to Penzance for a night, boat to the Iles of Scilly for 2 nights, then back to Exeter by boat/train and on northward for another 5 days or so. We may rent a car while we're in Exeter, but other than that, no.

Sorry, but the OP's words: "We would like to see as much as we can " are what prompted my question.

Fair question, Dukey. Exploring small villages without a car, for example, can be done but requires much more planning.

I also ask the question in order to determine whether or not the OP's decision not to have a car is based on any sort of what might be viewed as erroneous information about car hire/driving in Cornwall.

But there's only so much one can do to help and perhaps sometimes the best way to do so is leave it alone.

best tool http://www.traveline.info/

I'd tend to use a car, public transport is so poor that Cornwall has some very high car ownership figures.

You could focus on the train system.

https://www.visitcornwall.com/about-...-line-specials

There could be different interpretations of "see as much as we can'. Walking the coastal path, staying at a different place each night would allow you to take in so much. you will discover coves inaccessible by car, stunning views from the tops of headlands. You will walk through fishing villages, past remote chapels and abandoned tin mines. Staying in different places each night would allow you to experience a wealth of Cornish hospitality and meet more people. You will find that hikers are a friendly lot and have a great sense of camaraderie. The slower pace of travel would truly allow you time to see so much more of the part of Cornwall you choose to be in, rather than charging around in a hire car or trying to fit with bus timetables.

Less is More as they say.

Hi,

Thank you all for your replies.

We are coming over from Australia. The reason for not hiring a car is that my fiance has only just got his licence. We have read that car hire companies will not allow people to hire who have not had their full licence for less than a year. We hope this is incorrect but continued to see it on a lot of sights. (Also I am not a confident driver on small country lanes).

We had hoped to use public transport (buses/trains) to get between the different locations. Once in those locations walking around the coastal paths and exploring villages.

Are there any towns/villages that are good bases to explore from?

I will have a more detailed look at the train information on the visit Cornwall site.

Thanks

From Penzance, we went by bus to Marazion to go to St. Michael's Mount one day (my favorite), and on another day we went to St. Ives. Besides exploring Penzance, we also walked to Newlyn one afternoon.

We traveled by train to and from Penzance and loved Cornwall.

Hi Carolyn,

Thank you for your advice. We think we may stay in or near Penzance for the easier public transport options. We can't wait for our trip