Winter day trips by train

Home

Blog

Winter day trips by train

12th February, 2019

Winter day trips by train

This article is more than 5 years old.

Winter's a great time to visit Cornwall - enjoy fantastic sunsets, beaches all to yourself, cosy pubs and atmospheric coastal walks.

1. Looe

Looe's charms include its picturesque harbour and beaches, its restaurants specialising in fresh local ingredients, and its maze of narrow streets. Arrive by train on the scenic Looe Valley Line with its estuary views.

Stretch your legs with a winter coastal walk from Looe to Polperro (get directions):

Walker on the coast path from Looe next to coast path sign post

Or explore Looe's lovely beaches - with the summer crowds long gone:

Our three top Looe tips:

The Old Sail Loft - fantastic local food at this former haunt of smugglers of yesteryear!
Ye Olde Salutation Inn - the fire is always lit at this cosiest of pubs
Jolly Sailor - take the ferry to Looe's oldest pub, dating back to 1516

£6.30 from Plymouth
Off-Peak Day Return

Look up train times and fares

2. St Ives

Visit the far South West and explore St Ives' glorious beaches, harbour and cobbled streets. The final part of your train journey sees you arrive via the St Ives Bay Line (pictured at the top of this post). The scenic branch line hugs the coast offering great views.

Winter sunshine bathes the town in a gorgeous light:

Even on grey days the empty beaches and cosy harbour-side restaurants make for a great getaway:

Our three top St Ives tips:

The Sloop Inn - 14th Century pub that serves great locally sourced food
Porthgwidden Beach Cafe - right on the beach and open all year round
Walk from the railway - take the train to Carbis Bay and walk the coast back to St Ives

£11.10 from Plymouth
Off-Peak Day Return

Look up train times and fares

3. Newquay

Fantastic beaches, great restaurants and top-class surfing mean that Newquay has something for everyone. The railway station will bring you right into the heart of the town.

Morning light at Fistral Beach in Cornwall - photo by Tom Tolkien under CC BY 2.0 license - https://thomastolkien.wordpress.com

Fistral beach by Tom Tolkien (Creative Commons)

On a sunny winter's day, the beaches are unbeatable:

Our three top Newquay tips:

Great Western beach - named after the railway, it's a stone's throw from the station (map)
Newquay Zoo - From big cats to meerkats, all just 10 minutes' walk from the station
Pirate Quest - Swashbucking adventures for a family audience

£11.00 from Plymouth
Off-Peak Day Return

Look up train times and fares

4. Falmouth

Explore Falmouth's harbour, beaches, art galleries and maritime heritage. Take a boat trip on the Fal River, or try your hand at kayaking or windsurfing.

If the weather turns stormy, head to the Star & Garter for some warmth and respite:

Our three top Falmouth tips:

National Maritime Museum - Explore seafaring history, with plenty of hands-on exhibits
Rail Ale Trail - visit pubs along the Truro-Falmouth line
Penryn-Falmouth walk - take a scenic riverside walk

£11.10 from Plymouth
Off-Peak Day Return

Look up train times and fares