Plymouth - Gunnislake
Explore the riverside village of Calstock. Great pubs & walks.
Liskeard - Looe
Enjoy great estuary views and Looe’s harbour and beach.
St Erth (P&R) - St Ives
One of Britain's most scenic railways. Amazing views.
Truro - Falmouth Docks
Visit Falmouth’s harbour, beaches, castles and shops.
Par - Newquay
Arrive in the heart of Newquay ready to hit the beach.
Exeter - Okehampton
Dartmoor adventures right from Okehampton station.
Exeter - Barnstaple
Take in the countryside views and explore North Devon.
Exeter - Paignton
Travel the famous Devon coast to the English Riviera.
Exeter St Davids - Exmouth
Journey along the Exe Estuary to Topsham and Exmouth.
Exeter St Davids - Axminster
Visit Honiton and Axminster with countryside views.
St Ives is one of the most picturesque towns in Cornwall.
With its mild climate, beautiful beaches of soft white sand and a famous Mediterranean light that has attracted artists for centuries, St Ives is rightly considered one of Cornwall’s gems.
The town more than lives up to expectations and the journey to St Ives on the train is where the whole experience begins.
It is only a 12-minute ride from St Erth Park & Ride to St Ives but the views from the train window are fabulous.
Sit on the right-hand side of the train if you can and you will be rewarded with panoramas of beautiful turquoise waters and sandy beaches.
When you arrive, our recommended day trip incorporates good food, beautiful beaches and art. It begins at Porthminster Beach, just metres away from the station.
It’s just a short walk across the station car park to Porthminster Beach.
It’s a beautiful crescent shaped beach with views out to Godrevy Lighthouse. With its safe waters it’s a family favourite.
The Porthminster Beach Café right on the beach is famed for its local seafood, garden grown produce and foraged sea herbs. The views from the café are stunning.
To include some culture in your day, head to Tate St Ives.
This renowned art gallery is located just above the beautiful Porthmeor Beach and is housed in a stunning modern building.
The gallery showcases the best British artists of the twentieth century including famous St Ives names such as Barbara Hepworth.
The Barbara Hepworth museum is affiliated to the Tate and there is a combined ticket that allows you to visit both. Visitors arriving by train receive £1 off the ticket price.
If the weather is too nice to be inside, then why not simply have a stroll from Porthminster beach to the harbour. It’s just a few minutes’ walk along historic narrow streets.
St Ives was once one of the foremost pilchard landing ports in Cornwall and although tourism is the main industry in the town now, the harbour is still at the heart of the town and has a small fishing fleet.
There are plenty of places to spend some more money and if you still have room maybe an ice-cream.
Watch out for seagulls if you decide to eat one out in the open as they will try and steal food.
Moomaid of Zennor serves particularly good ice-cream and has a seagull proof area in which to enjoy it.
If you are thinking about something stronger by now, then do what the locals do and head to the Sloop Inn, right by the harbour front.
The Sloop is reputed to be one of the oldest pubs in England and is believed to date from around 1312. It is full of character and at the end of a busy day there is nothing better than sitting here with a glass of something cold and watching the world go by.
Trains run late into the evening on the St Ives Bay line but give yourself plenty of time to wander back to the station before heading back on the train to St Erth.
Forgot the hassle of parking in St Ives. Instead come by train on the scenic St Ives Bay Line.
This begins at St Erth Park & Ride which is on the Cornish main line.
From St Ives station it is a 10 minute walk into town. Or visit Porthminster Beach within seconds – it’s just on the other side of the station car park.
Travel the line as much as you like for one day. Valid after the morning peak, and anytime weekends or Bank Holidays.
Approximate journey time
One of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall, Carbis Bay has very little parking so the best way to visit is by train. Get off at Carbis Bay station, just before St Ives.
There is a lovely walk on the South West Coast Path between the village of Lelant and St Ives station. As Lelant station has an infrequent service, we recommend you plan your trip carefully and take the train from St Ives to Lelant and then walk back.
St Erth is the Park & Ride station to visit St Ives by train. It’s conveniently located on the A30 (TR27 6JW) and has more than 500 spaces spread across its two car parks.
Walks from the railway
Rail Ale Trails
Beaches by train
Arts & culture
Book Trail
Vinyl Trail
Times and prices
Parking and public transport
Travelling with kids
Taking bikes
Travelling with dogs
Assisted travel
