Your thoughts on Penzance and other parts of Cornwall?
Apr 29th, 2005, 05:57 AM
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Your thoughts on Penzance and other parts of Cornwall?
Hi All,
Looking to travel to Cornwall. Basically have in mind the rugged beautiful scenery, charming and historical towns, and some fun shopping. I am also using public transportation. After some investigation I determined that Penzance has a direct route from London (where I will be staying) and, at least from reading about it, it seems to fit the bill. Penzance also seems near st. Ives and Lands End which sound good--at least from reading about it. I basically am looking, by using public transportation to find towns where I can be occupied in an entertaining fashion the whole day since I will be limited by no car. Some gorgeous rugged scenery to walk around easily in and some fun shopping and some charming in town walking, boat trips, etc. are what I am hoping to find.
This is a about a 4 day trip in August. Would appreciate your advice on what you think of Penzance, and what areas I could see that are near (using public transportation) that would be worth going to. Thanks for your help!
Looking to travel to Cornwall. Basically have in mind the rugged beautiful scenery, charming and historical towns, and some fun shopping. I am also using public transportation. After some investigation I determined that Penzance has a direct route from London (where I will be staying) and, at least from reading about it, it seems to fit the bill. Penzance also seems near st. Ives and Lands End which sound good--at least from reading about it. I basically am looking, by using public transportation to find towns where I can be occupied in an entertaining fashion the whole day since I will be limited by no car. Some gorgeous rugged scenery to walk around easily in and some fun shopping and some charming in town walking, boat trips, etc. are what I am hoping to find.
This is a about a 4 day trip in August. Would appreciate your advice on what you think of Penzance, and what areas I could see that are near (using public transportation) that would be worth going to. Thanks for your help!
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:38 AM
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i have family near penzance. it's a lovely part of the country. the train from london to penzance takes a while - about 5 1/2 hours i think. but for part of it at least the scenery is nice. between exeter and plymouth a lot of the railway line runs right along the seafront. and just before the train gets to penzance, look left out to sea and you get a brilliant view of st michael's mount.
anyway. penzance. it's a nice town, nice little seafront etc, and it also has proper shops (i mean, it's a decent sized town, not a little fishing village!) and there's LOTS to do in the area. you can get to most places by bus (when you get to penzance station, go to the tourist info place and ask for a bus timetable) but be warned, some places only have one or two buses a day running to them. ok, this is all going to be too much for 4 days, but here goes:
- land's end - slightly overrated, i think... it IS nice to get the whole "furthest end of the country" feel, but when i was last there they'd turned it into a bit of a themepark and it cost a lot of money.
- st ives - everything you think it is, i would imagine. a nice seaside town, nice beach. the sea's often quite rough because it's the atlantic coast. it's a little bit 'twee' for my liking
- porthleven. this i really recommend if you want walks. there's a direct bus from penzance (either the 2 or the 2a or possibly the 2x, i can never remember which ones stop in porthleven). the town itself isn't much, i suppose, a perfectly nice fishing village with a nice beach. but you can take the coast path up towards loe bar (my geology's not too hot, but it's a sandbar formed across an old river estuary leaving a lagoon behind) and from there you can follow the cober river into helston. i think the walk is probably 3 miles roughly. from helston you can get the bus back to penzance.
- if you've got time, you could consider a trip to the isles of scilly. you can take the ferry from penzance harbour (takes about 2 1/2 hours and if you're prone to seasickness i wouldn't recommend it!) or the helicopter from penzance heliport. both take you to the main island of st mary's, which is only about 3 miles long, i think, and you can just walk all round the coast.
- nearer penzance there's marazion and st michael's mount. marazion is just about walkable from penzance, but there are buses that go there. again, a nice town, the beach there is lovely, and st michael's mount is basically a castle in the sea - reached at low tide by a footpath or at high tide by boat.
there's so much else...! a few iron age sites in the general area, lots of lovely little coves and bays (praa sands - again, one of the 2-something buses goes there! - and rinsey cove especially). the lizard peninsula (south of helston) is lovely and still relatively unspoilt - lizard point is the most southerly point in the UK. there are some good walks to do there as well, actually. slightly tricky to get to from penzance - you'd have to change buses in helston i would think (wouldn't swear by it, though), but the walks around poldhu cove, gunwalloe and mullion cove are lovely (great place names they've got too!!)
oh, i think i've gone on enough now! i think it's quite evident that i think penzance would be a great place for the sort of holiday you seem to be looking for.. if you need any more specific advice feel free to ask!
anyway. penzance. it's a nice town, nice little seafront etc, and it also has proper shops (i mean, it's a decent sized town, not a little fishing village!) and there's LOTS to do in the area. you can get to most places by bus (when you get to penzance station, go to the tourist info place and ask for a bus timetable) but be warned, some places only have one or two buses a day running to them. ok, this is all going to be too much for 4 days, but here goes:
- land's end - slightly overrated, i think... it IS nice to get the whole "furthest end of the country" feel, but when i was last there they'd turned it into a bit of a themepark and it cost a lot of money.
- st ives - everything you think it is, i would imagine. a nice seaside town, nice beach. the sea's often quite rough because it's the atlantic coast. it's a little bit 'twee' for my liking
- porthleven. this i really recommend if you want walks. there's a direct bus from penzance (either the 2 or the 2a or possibly the 2x, i can never remember which ones stop in porthleven). the town itself isn't much, i suppose, a perfectly nice fishing village with a nice beach. but you can take the coast path up towards loe bar (my geology's not too hot, but it's a sandbar formed across an old river estuary leaving a lagoon behind) and from there you can follow the cober river into helston. i think the walk is probably 3 miles roughly. from helston you can get the bus back to penzance.
- if you've got time, you could consider a trip to the isles of scilly. you can take the ferry from penzance harbour (takes about 2 1/2 hours and if you're prone to seasickness i wouldn't recommend it!) or the helicopter from penzance heliport. both take you to the main island of st mary's, which is only about 3 miles long, i think, and you can just walk all round the coast.
- nearer penzance there's marazion and st michael's mount. marazion is just about walkable from penzance, but there are buses that go there. again, a nice town, the beach there is lovely, and st michael's mount is basically a castle in the sea - reached at low tide by a footpath or at high tide by boat.
there's so much else...! a few iron age sites in the general area, lots of lovely little coves and bays (praa sands - again, one of the 2-something buses goes there! - and rinsey cove especially). the lizard peninsula (south of helston) is lovely and still relatively unspoilt - lizard point is the most southerly point in the UK. there are some good walks to do there as well, actually. slightly tricky to get to from penzance - you'd have to change buses in helston i would think (wouldn't swear by it, though), but the walks around poldhu cove, gunwalloe and mullion cove are lovely (great place names they've got too!!)
oh, i think i've gone on enough now! i think it's quite evident that i think penzance would be a great place for the sort of holiday you seem to be looking for.. if you need any more specific advice feel free to ask!
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:54 AM
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LOTRHP - Here's the good news - Penzance has the facilities of a smaller town - shops, reasonable pubs such as the Turks Head, tourist pubs such as the Admiral Benbow, interesting local restaurants such as The Waterside Meadery even a tearoom called The Buttery. Yes you can go by bus or train to St Ives, you can probably get a bus to Lands End, you can even get a helicopter day out in the Isles of Scilly and St Michaels Mount at Marazion is a short taxi ride away...
...but and it's a big but in my opinion it just lacks the charm of somewhere like St Ives which is also accessible by public transport you just cross the platform at St Erth station and a train is there waiting for you. St Ives also has the coastal cliff path to get those invigorating walks you want, cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, artists studios, Tate Gallery, cosy restaurants, unusual shops, 3 main beaches.
Penzance has an air of decaying Victorian grandeur and a sense that people staying there are only staying there because it's at the end of the train line. St Ives is a bonafide loved resort by locals and tourists from overseas. Yes it will be busy there in August but there's a reason why that's the case!
...but and it's a big but in my opinion it just lacks the charm of somewhere like St Ives which is also accessible by public transport you just cross the platform at St Erth station and a train is there waiting for you. St Ives also has the coastal cliff path to get those invigorating walks you want, cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, artists studios, Tate Gallery, cosy restaurants, unusual shops, 3 main beaches.
Penzance has an air of decaying Victorian grandeur and a sense that people staying there are only staying there because it's at the end of the train line. St Ives is a bonafide loved resort by locals and tourists from overseas. Yes it will be busy there in August but there's a reason why that's the case!
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:59 AM
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i like the decaying victorian grandeur... 
seriously, though, penzance itself doesn't have a massive amount to offer, but it is MUCH easier to get around to other places from penzance than it is from st ives. (said with feeling from a girl without a driving licence and a father (also without a driving licence) who works in st ives and lives just outside penzance!)
also, a TAXI to marazion from penzance? do you have money to burn?
seriously, though, penzance itself doesn't have a massive amount to offer, but it is MUCH easier to get around to other places from penzance than it is from st ives. (said with feeling from a girl without a driving licence and a father (also without a driving licence) who works in st ives and lives just outside penzance!)
also, a TAXI to marazion from penzance? do you have money to burn?
Apr 29th, 2005, 07:26 AM
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Vicki - on your point over going to other places I would agree with you that Penzance is better for reaching places by bus. My view though is if you are going to stay in a place especially if you are dependent on buses which may deliver you back at say 3pm it's nice to stay somewhere beautiful as well especially if you want to enjoy a view at sunset or a glass of wine in a fine restaurant.
Over the taxi I'll be honest and say I wasn't aware there was a bus to Marazion so thanks for that and no I don't have money to burn
Over the taxi I'll be honest and say I wasn't aware there was a bus to Marazion so thanks for that and no I don't have money to burn
Apr 29th, 2005, 07:56 AM
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just a thought for the OP.
bus timetables here:
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/sout...home/index.php
and here:
http://www.truronian.co.uk/
first group tend to run more frequent services. truronian, as the name would suggest, are based in truro but also run a lot of the routes around helston and the lizard peninsula. some of the buses may not sound like they're going to make it up the hills. they always do
bus timetables here:
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/sout...home/index.php
and here:
http://www.truronian.co.uk/
first group tend to run more frequent services. truronian, as the name would suggest, are based in truro but also run a lot of the routes around helston and the lizard peninsula. some of the buses may not sound like they're going to make it up the hills. they always do
Apr 29th, 2005, 03:02 PM
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If you're thinking of straying into north/east Cornwall it's worth taking a look at Western Greyhound (http://www.westerngreyhound.co.uk) - they operate many of the local services where first/western national don't
Apr 29th, 2005, 03:30 PM
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Cornwall County Council publishes a free public transport timetable which covers buses and trains. You can pick up a copy in tourist offices.
Some examples from last summer's edition: buses from Penzance to Land's End are hourly (last one back at 2245), to Mousehole they're half-hourly, to Falmouth every two hours, and to St Ives every half hour.
Some examples from last summer's edition: buses from Penzance to Land's End are hourly (last one back at 2245), to Mousehole they're half-hourly, to Falmouth every two hours, and to St Ives every half hour.
Apr 29th, 2005, 04:07 PM
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We traveled to Penzance by train from London and used public transportation during our stay there and thoroghly enjoyed it. St Michael's Mount is fascinating; the town of Penzance itself has a certain slightly worn charm.
Last year we spent a few days in Truro, again arriving by train and using public transportation during our visit, and enjoyed that as well. The Eden project and the gardens at Trellisick (sp?) were spectacular.
Apr 29th, 2005, 05:19 PM
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I enthusiastically recommend St Ives where we stayed for several days in May a few years ago. We used public transportation--the train from London. B/c we arrived on a Sunday, and the trains don't always stop in all of the weekday locales, we had to get off the train in a town whose name I don't remember,and take a taxi the (short)rest of the way. On our return we took the smaller train line from St Ives to Penzance where we caught the main train back to London. One of our days in St Ives, we took the train to Penzance just to walk around and see it. Penzance, IMO, was too much of a small city compared to St Ives. We were very grateful we had chosen to stay in St Ives, a truly charming place!!
If you do a search for Cornwall, you will find several other relatively recent posts on this same topic.
If you do a search for Cornwall, you will find several other relatively recent posts on this same topic.
Apr 30th, 2005, 01:17 AM
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I'd give Lands End a miss if I were you. There are so many beautiful places in Cornwall to visit. IMO Lands End is tawdry and commercialised.
Have a look at the National Trust website at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/placestovisit/
It's quite a complicated website. You'll first have to search by area (go for South West) and then you have to click on county (Cornwall).You can then choose the sort of place you want to visit. It's worth all the effort, because the National Trust always has details on how to get to an attraction including information about public transport.
Have a look at the National Trust website at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/placestovisit/
It's quite a complicated website. You'll first have to search by area (go for South West) and then you have to click on county (Cornwall).You can then choose the sort of place you want to visit. It's worth all the effort, because the National Trust always has details on how to get to an attraction including information about public transport.
Apr 30th, 2005, 07:18 PM
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LOTRHP, this article from The Times is titled "Can you do Cornwall without a car".
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/arti...530895,00.html
I can't remember whether you have to register but if so it is free.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/arti...530895,00.html
I can't remember whether you have to register but if so it is free.
May 1st, 2005, 07:53 PM
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As others said, you can certainly give Land's End a miss, but do go to Cornwall. I love it, and if it weren't so far from my home in Pennsylvania, we would go there much more often. We've only been twice, but long to return.
May 3rd, 2005, 05:26 PM
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What incredible, thoughtful, detailed and helpful advice! Thank you all for taking the time.
I think one of the big things Penzance has going for it is location location location. Not having ever been there I can't speak for its beauty but it has a direct train line route (very important when not traveling with a car) and also seems to have great links to other places.
I am particularly interested in the 'rugged cliff' coastal walks. Near Penzance or in Penzance, what is your favorite place for that purpose? Hopefully a walk that isn't too rough and difficult. Also, would love your input on day tours from the area as well as boat trips.
I am a bit concerned by all this 'faded grandeur' talk regarding Penzance. I do hope it is a town that, aside from St. Ives, that people like to visit. Also, surprised by the disinterest in Lands End. It looked like it had some gorgeous 'rugged cliff' vistas. I was planning on going because I am determined to see some great scenery. Do you think I will get that in Penzance itself, by the way?
That's why I appreciate these forums so much. I feel there's more trust from hearing the real story from you folks.
Appreciate your input on all of this. Thank you.
I think one of the big things Penzance has going for it is location location location. Not having ever been there I can't speak for its beauty but it has a direct train line route (very important when not traveling with a car) and also seems to have great links to other places.
I am particularly interested in the 'rugged cliff' coastal walks. Near Penzance or in Penzance, what is your favorite place for that purpose? Hopefully a walk that isn't too rough and difficult. Also, would love your input on day tours from the area as well as boat trips.
I am a bit concerned by all this 'faded grandeur' talk regarding Penzance. I do hope it is a town that, aside from St. Ives, that people like to visit. Also, surprised by the disinterest in Lands End. It looked like it had some gorgeous 'rugged cliff' vistas. I was planning on going because I am determined to see some great scenery. Do you think I will get that in Penzance itself, by the way?
That's why I appreciate these forums so much. I feel there's more trust from hearing the real story from you folks.
Appreciate your input on all of this. Thank you.
May 3rd, 2005, 07:41 PM
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HI--I hope you have a wonderful time wherever you go, but I wonder if you know that you can get to St Ives by train in only 5 hours w/one simple train change. I am sure there are nice parts in Penzance, but St Ives is one of the loveliest places we have ever been!!
May 4th, 2005, 02:28 AM
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Penzance actually isn't the best place for the cliff walks bit. It's sea level, and the coast doesn't really get rugged again until closer to lands end in one direction, and the lizard peninsula in the other. of course.
for walks etc, the scenery around land's end is lovely. it's just that when i was last there (and it might have changed now, i'm not sure) you had to pay to get to the end point because it was taken up with an eyesore of a theme park. i don't know it very well that side of penzance though. certainly the atlantic coast around st ives is more dramatic. but you can get there quite easily from penzance, and in summer the bus timetables are a bit less infuriating
london to st ives in 5 hours is optimistic. maybe there is a train that lets you do it that quickly but it's more like 5 1/2 - 6 hrs realistically (whatever the timetable might say!!). it's easy enough - one change in st erth (i think all penzance - london trains stop there, but blink and you'll miss it!). the only thing is, as i said, transport connections from st ives to places in cornwall other than penzance aren't fantastic.
penzance has probably seen better days and it doesn't have quite the scenery you're looking for, but it's perfectly nice and it does have the means of getting you to places that have the scenery you're looking for... st ives would probably be a great place to stay if you weren't planning on travelling around much once you're there. and you might not need to, really, as i'm sure there are coast walks etc to do.
for walks etc, the scenery around land's end is lovely. it's just that when i was last there (and it might have changed now, i'm not sure) you had to pay to get to the end point because it was taken up with an eyesore of a theme park. i don't know it very well that side of penzance though. certainly the atlantic coast around st ives is more dramatic. but you can get there quite easily from penzance, and in summer the bus timetables are a bit less infuriating
london to st ives in 5 hours is optimistic. maybe there is a train that lets you do it that quickly but it's more like 5 1/2 - 6 hrs realistically (whatever the timetable might say!!). it's easy enough - one change in st erth (i think all penzance - london trains stop there, but blink and you'll miss it!). the only thing is, as i said, transport connections from st ives to places in cornwall other than penzance aren't fantastic.
penzance has probably seen better days and it doesn't have quite the scenery you're looking for, but it's perfectly nice and it does have the means of getting you to places that have the scenery you're looking for... st ives would probably be a great place to stay if you weren't planning on travelling around much once you're there. and you might not need to, really, as i'm sure there are coast walks etc to do.
May 4th, 2005, 02:48 AM
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Just in my personal opinion, I found Penzance tatty and unattractive when I was there a couple of years ago. It definitely doesn't have that rugged Cornish scenery that I think you're looking for.
St Ives is touristy, but more attractive nonetheless.
I can't comment on public transport options though.
St Ives is touristy, but more attractive nonetheless.
I can't comment on public transport options though.
May 4th, 2005, 03:56 AM
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Another vote for Penzance, which I thinking is quite charming. Try to visit the Penzance Arts Club for loucheness The streets of St Ives are packed with tourists - and will be at their worst in August - but do a day trip to visit the Tate Gallery, which also has a nice open air cafe.
The streets of St Ives are packed with tourists - and will be at their worst in August - but do a day trip to visit the Tate Gallery, which also has a nice open air cafe.
May 4th, 2005, 04:38 AM
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HI--timing is everything, I guess--we were in St Ives in late May in 80 degree weather w/nary a tourist in sight. So maybe the idyllic St Ives we experienced was unrepresentative in that arena--would definitely not be the same if all those lovely narrow winding streets and breathtaking walks down to the sea were clogged w/too many people.
