What better way to explore Cornwall’s beautiful coast and countryside than by train? The county is criss-crossed with railway lines taking you through wooded valleys and scenic countryside, skirting gorgeous beaches and stunning estuaries as you travel to the southernmost tip of mainland England. Reaching Cornwall by train is easy from most parts of the UK, although a change of train is usually required at Bristol or Plymouth. Once you’ve settled into your chosen holiday cottage accommodation in Cornwall, the train provides a cheap and eco-friendly way to explore further afield.
As well as the mainline rail network, Cornwall has four branch lines, plus two stations on the Devon / Cornwall Tamar Valley Line. You’ll also find a handful of heritage and steam railways operating as popular tourist attractions around the county.
So hop aboard and join us as we explore the length and breadth of Cornwall by train. We’ve got all the information you need regarding stations, facilities, car parking, platform accessibility, bicycle hire, cafes and links to the best ticket prices anywhere!
- Looe Valley Line – Liskeard to Looe – 9 miles
- Atlantic Coast Line – Par to Newquay – 21 miles
- Maritime Line – Truro to Falmouth Docks – 11.75 miles
- St Ives Bay Line – St Erth to St Ives – 4.25 miles
Whether you’re a Cornwall resident (lucky you!) or a visitor, why not join us as we explore the length and breadth of Cornwall by train, starting with the bucolic Looe Valley Line.
Looe Valley Line – Liskeard to Looe – 9 miles
Operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), the Looe Valley Line is a community railway that connects the busy market town of Liskeard with the pretty fishing port of Looe. The line runs for 8.6 miles (14 km) through scenic countryside and along the banks of the East Looe River.
Departing from its own dedicated Platform 3 in Liskeard, the Looe Valley branch line has a history spanning over 160 years. The main line from Liskeard has regular train services to Plymouth and Penzance for those who want to continue their journey by rail.
Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine on the platform at Liskeard or Looe, or from the guard during the journey.
The journey from Liskeard to Looe goes beneath the Moorswater Viaduct, a lofty feat of engineering completed in 1859. The viaduct carries the main railway line to Plymouth. Initially the Looe Valley Line only transported goods, but opened to passengers in 1879.
Trains run hourly (approximately) Monday to Saturday all year round and on Sundays in summer. There are six stations along the line but most journeys only stop at three stations to allow passengers to get on and off. The total journey time is 28 to 33 minutes, depending on the number of scheduled stops.
The Looe Valley Line cuts through steep-sided cuttings and valleys before running beside the beautiful river estuary for the final two miles. Look out for wading birds such as grey herons, oystercatchers and little egrets in the shallow waters. The railway terminates at Looe Railway Station, a short walk from shops and the harbour.
Liskeard
Liskeard station has a dedicated car park for Looe Valley Line passengers which is pay and display. There is a booking office, toilets, refreshments and a waiting room near the main railway line on Platform 2.
Things to see and do from the Liskeard station
Combine a trip on the Looe Valley Line with an hour or two exploring Liskeard shops, architecture and the surrounding walking trails. Pop into the Heritage Centre in the original waiting room at Liskeard station and check out the railway’s history. The Lost and Found records are quite fascinating! You can also buy souvenirs and postcards while waiting for the train.
Liskeard town is a short walk uphill from the station and has a full range of estate agents, banks, cafes and independent shops. Check out the lively Wetherspoons King Doniert pub that serves everything from a full English breakfast to coffee and cake, lunch, dinner, and cocktail / beer buckets. It’s on the main road through the town, known as The Parade. Next door is Stuart House with a friendly cafe and gardens. It often hosts local exhibitions.
The main shopping street, Well Lane, is down the hill and is traffic-free. It has a Barnecutt’s pasty shop, Superdrug, cafes and gift shops. There’s a supermarket on the outskirts of the town.
Pop into Liskeard Museum in the Grade II listed Foresters’ Hall on Pike Street which has free admission. It is in one of several fine buildings designed by architect Henry Rice. The unusually ornate clock tower tops the Guildhall, now a landmark municipal building. There’s an ancient pipe well still trickling nearby.
There are several loop walks from Liskeard station and town. They can be downloaded online. The 17-mile Caradon Trail links the town with Bodmin Moor and offers several smaller loop walks. It passes many places of interest including The Hurlers stone circle, the 9th century King Doniert’s Stone, Trethevy Quoit, St Cleer Church and Holy Well (Grade I listed) and several old mine workings.
There’s also a self-guided Heritage Trail around Liskeard’s historic buildings which is available from Stuart House along with other useful leaflets and local information.
☀️ Check the location of Liskeard railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Liskeard in advance and save money!
Coombe Junction Halt
The first stop on the Looe Valley Line is at Coombe Junction Halt, just after a sharp curve. However, very few trains actually run as far as the platform. Most trains simply stop, the driver changes ends and then the train reverses out of the station and continues on to Looe.
Two trains stop at Coombe Junction Halt each day, allowing passengers to get on and off. There’s a single platform and defunct signal box but no facilities.
Things to see and do from Coombe Junction Halt station
Combe Junction Halt is within walking distance of the villages of Coombe and Lamellion.
☀️ Check the location of Coombe Junction Halt railway station and plan your trip from here.
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St Keyne Wishing Well Halt
Few railway stations can beat this one for its fairytale name! It is one of only two stations that officially end in the word “Halt”, the other being Combe Junction Halt.
St Keyne Wishing Well Halt station has bicycle stands but no ticket machine, toilets and facilities other than Wi-Fi. There is a ramp providing limited access to the platform.
Things to see and do from St Keyne Wishing Well Halt station
This station serves the pretty village of St Keyne (population 492). The local church is dedicated to St Keyne, daughter of King Brychan of Brycheinog.
At the top of the hill above the station you’ll find the Wishing Well which is a popular stopping point with newlyweds. St Keyne’s Holy Well is protected by a 16th century granite shelter. This sacred spring is at the junction of two minor roads. Read the plaque description which reads:
“The legend of Saint Keyne Well. Saint Keyne was a princess who lived about 600 AD. She laid on the waters of this well a spell thus described by Carew in 1602 AD – ‘The quality that man or wife whom chance or choice attains first of this sacred spring to drink thereby the mastery gains.“
St Keyne village is home to pianola player and restorer Paul Corin. His Magnificent Music Machines Museum is now closed, but the museum is still used as a wedding venue complete with 1929 Wurlitzer Organ relocated from the Regent Cinema in Brighton.
Enjoy the 1.5 mile walk from St Keyne Wishing Well Halt to Causeland passing the grand building of St Keyne Well Hotel. Be warned, the area is quite steep and hilly for walking.
☀️ Check the location of St Keyne Wishing Well Halt railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to St Keyne Wishing Well Halt in advance and save money!
Causeland
Five miles south of Liskeard is Causeland station, in the heart of the peaceful countryside in South East Cornwall. It serves the tiny hamlet of Causeland and the station is little more than a short platform with an information board and shelter. Just behind the platform you can see the remains of the canal that once hauled stone from the quarry to Liskeard where it was distributed up the line.
Causeland is a request stop on the Looe Valley Line which means you must tell the guard you want to get off at Causeland when you board the train. To board the train here, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Causeland station has bicycle parking for four bikes, a public telephone and Wi-Fi. However, that’s about it – no ticket machine or manned office, no toilets, taxis or car park. Access is difficult for those with limited mobility as there is a steep ramp to the platform.
Things to see and do from Causeland station
Causeland station is the start and end of a 20-minute walk to Duloe, a historic village with a church, local shop, primary school and St Cuby’s Well. It’s a good place to enjoy countryside walks in and around the village although there is a steep hill between the station and Duloe. The roadside pub at Duloe, The Plough, is family-run and serves quality home-cooked food.
The nearby stone circle in Duloe is made of quartzite and is the smallest in Cornwall. It has eight rugged white stones with the largest being over 12 tons. Local legend has it that a Bronze Age urn was found under one of the stones and contained ancient bones from a cremation. The site inspired the video game Barrow Hill.
☀️ Check the location of Causeland railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Causeland in advance and save money!
Sandplace
Two miles before reaching Looe, Sandplace station serves the small hamlet of the same name. It has a single platform with step-free access but it is unsuitable for wheelchairs. It offers a shelter, seat, bicycle parking, Wi-Fi and information board. There is no car park.
Sandplace has no ticket machine or staff but tickets can be purchased on-board the train. The once-busy goods siding has been derelict for many years.
Sandplace is a request stop on the Looe Valley Line which means you must tell the guard you want to get off at Sandplace when you board the train. To board the train at Sandplace, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Things to see and do from Sandplace station
Sandplace hamlet is on the banks of the East Looe River. It was once a place where sea sand was stored and then burnt in the nearby lime kilns to produce fertiliser. Polraen Country House Hotel is noteworthy and was once part of the Morval Estate.
Pleasant walks along the narrow lanes bring you to Kilminorth Woods and the West Looe River which flows down to the harbour at Looe.
☀️ Check the location of Sandplace railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Sandplace in advance and save money!
Looe
The Looe Valley Line terminates at Looe station just 200m from the town centre and riverside port. It is just north of the bridge that connects East and West Looe communities.
The sidings and original station building were removed in 1968 leaving a short platform, waiting area, benches and information boards. The station has a pay and display car park, bicycle parking with CCTV and public Wi-Fi. The ticket office is currently closed but passengers can buy a ticket online ahead of time or once on-board the train. The platform has step-free access and a ramp for train access.
Things to see and do from Looe station
It’s a short flat walk from the station into East Looe where you’ll find lots to do that can easily fill a day. Looe boasts a full range of independent shops, cafes, ice cream parlours and chippies as well as pubs, the Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol and the Fish Market.
Looe Harbour has a much diminished fishing fleet that brings in fresh fish daily. There are many pleasure boats moored in the river port and they make a picturesque sight at high tide. Take a boat trip or mackerel fishing experience from the quay or buy crab lines and bait and enjoy hauling crabs up the harbour wall and dropping them in a bucket. Catch and release is advised. Self-drive boats are also available for hire near the RNLI Lifeboat Station. From East Looe, the South West Coast Path heads off along the clifftop to Millendreath Beach and sea pool.
Fore Street and Quay Street lead to East Looe Beach, a sheltered sandy beach popular for swimming and enjoying an ice cream sitting on the wall. It is separated from the river by the seawall that ends at Banjo Pier. It’s a great spot to spot seals and watch fishing boats returning to the port at sunset.
West Looe is a smaller community on the opposite side of the river. It is easy to reach by crossing the bridge upriver or take the passenger ferry across the river. West Looe has plenty of shops, a quay, an ancient chapel dedicated to St Nicholas and some upmarket fish restaurants including The Harbour Moon.
Join the South West Coast Path that runs along the waterfront in West Looe. Walk up the steep hill to Hannafore Point where the rocky beach is ideal for sunbathing, rock pooling and fishing. There’s a popular cafe and ice cream shop opposite the tennis courts. A gate leads into a field with signposts marking the South West Coast Path that continues to Talland Bay. It continues as a longer 5.5 mile coastal path hike from Looe to the pretty traffic-free village of Polperro.
Just offshore, Looe Island is privately owned and can only be visited on a guided tour led by a resident nature warden. It is now managed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust as a marine nature reserve. Two hour tours include an exciting boat crossing and the chance to see some of the island’s birds, flora and wildlife.
☀️ Check the location of Looe railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Looe in advance and save money!
Atlantic Coast Line – Par to Newquay – 21 miles
Riding the train along the Atlantic Coast Line from Par (on Cornwall’s south coast) to Newquay (north coast) is simply amazing. The route cuts through the stunning Luxulyan Valley and over Goss Moor delivering breathtaking Atlantic views as you approach Newquay.
Altogether there are seven stations on the Atlantic Coast branch line, It’s a single line with a spur that detours off the main line at St Blazey and heads into Par station terminus. The busiest station on the Atlantic Coast Line is Newquay, which handles over 100,000 passengers every year.
The Atlantic Coast Line starts at Par station, which is on the Cornish Main Line with connections to Plymouth and Penzance. After a 180-degree curve near St Blazey station, the route then follows the original Cornwall Minerals Railway (CMR). This historic route opened in 1840 to transport goods to and from Newquay Harbour for export. Passenger services were added in 1876, but only from Newquay to Fowey. Par station was opened by GWR in 1892 to serve Fowey Consols Mine.
As you enjoy the scenery lining the Atlantic Coast Line you’ll see china clay works along with derelict mine chimneys and engine houses that make up the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. Other highlights include the steep wooded slopes lining Par River and many bridges, tunnels and viaducts including the historic Treffry Viaduct which the Atlantic Coast Line runs under. It was quite a feat of engineering in its time.
The Atlantic Coast Line runs up to 16 train services a day and the 20.75-mile journey takes about 52 minutes. The cheapest off-peak day return tickets for Par to Newquay cost £6.97 (2022 prices). Dogs (maximum two per person) are welcome on this train but must be on a lead at all times.
Newquay
Located on Station Parade, Newquay station has a manned ticket office, car park (pay and display), taxi rank, covered bicycle parking with CCTV and Wi-Fi. There is step-free access and a ramp for disabled passengers along with a coffee shop and bench seating.
Things to see and do from Newquay station
On arrival in Newquay you’ll find it bustling with locals and holidaymakers in every season. It boasts some of the best surfing in the UK and frequently hosts surf competitions on one of its 11 wave-lashed beaches and sandy coves.
Situated in the heart of Newquay’s bustling town, the station is centrally located. Arriving by train solves the problem of finding expensive parking for your car and then having to walk into the town itself. As soon as you leave the station you can browse the shops, bars and cafes that make up much of Newquay’s buzzing atmosphere.
Newquay station is a stone’s throw from Great Western Beach which was actually named after the railway! The beach is dog-friendly and breaks up into a series of smaller sandy coves at high tide. At low tide you can walk along the golden sand to Towans Beach, another Newquay gem. For a longer 5 mile walk, take the Newquay Circular Walk around the town.
Newquay Zoo and Trenance Gardens are all within walking distance from the station. The Blue Reef Aquarium is about a 10-minute walk form Newquay Station, at Towan Beach. Fistral Beach is a mecca for surfers and is 1.4 miles from the station, so easy to reach by taxi or on foot.
To see more of Newquay’s surroundings, take the 5-mile circular walk that goes past the harbour and Huer’s Hut. It takes about two hours to complete. The route joins the coast path leading to the old Tram Track, passes the famous Headland Hotel to Fistral Beach before returning along Esplanade Road / Pentire Avenue.
☀️ Check the location of Newquay railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Newquay in advance and save money!
Quintrell Downs
Quintrell Downs station is just outside the village. It’s about three miles from Newquay if you fancy a walk between stations.
Quintrell Downs village has a Premier Inn motel, a pub, garden centre and various local businesses clustered around the main crossroads.
Not all trains stop at Quintrell Downs to allow passengers on and off and it is not a request stop. You need to check the timetable and find a service that stops at Quintrell Downs if you want to use this station. However, all Par-bound train services come to a standstill near the station to allow the level crossing to be activated. Passengers are not permitted to get on and off for safety reasons.
Things to see and do from Quintrell Downs station
From Quintrell Downs station, walk up the road to Nansledan and you’ll find plenty of refreshments at the local cafe or Ladyvale Bakery. The hamlet is part of the larger community of St Columb Minor.
Nearby attractions to visit from Quintrell Down station include Trerice, a National Trust historic home and gardens, and the family-friendly Dairyland Farm Park. Lappa Valley family attraction has its own fleet of restored narrow-gauge and miniature steam locomotives that offer rides around the 35-acre site. More details can be found below under the heading “Heritage and Steam Railways in Cornwall”.
☀️ Check the location of Quintrell Downs railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Quintrell Downs in advance and save money!
St Columb Road
Located on Parka Road, St Columb Road railway station has a car park, bicycle parking and public Wi-Fi. It also is one of the few stations on the Atlantic Coast Line to have Category A step-free access to the platform.
The station is on the outskirts of St Columb village and is a request stop. This means that passengers must tell the guard if they want to get off at this station when they board the train. If you want to board the train at St Columb Road station, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Things to see and do from St Columb Road station
The station mainly serves the small local communities of Indian Queens, Fraddon and St Columb Major. It is within walking distance (1.6 miles) of Springfield Fun Park and Pony Centre for a family day out in the Cornish countryside.
The station is close to Toldish Tunnel, which was part of Treffry’s mineral tramway which opened in 1840. The Atlantic Coast Railway now bypasses this section of the track.
☀️ Check the location of St Columb Road railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to St Columb Road in advance and save money!
Roche
Roche railway station is about a mile north of Roche village. It has minimal facilities but does have bicycle parking and Wi-Fi. It has a degree of step-free access to the single platform via a steep ramp and barrow crossing.
Roche station opened in 1876 as Victoria station and later changed its name to Roche station. However, the name Victoria remains at the Victoria Inn, a former 17th century coaching inn near the A30 that serves excellent pub grub and Sunday lunches.
Roche is a request stop on the Atlantic Coast Line which means that passengers must tell the guard if you want to get off at Roche when they board the train. If you want to board the train at Roche, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Things to see and do from Roche station
The village of Roche takes its name from “The Rock”, a landmark on the outskirts of the village. The remarkable edifice is the remains of a 15th century hermitage standing on a 566-foot high quartz outcrop. From the site there are superb views of Bodmin Moor.
The ruined chapel was built in 1409 and dedicated to St Michael and St Gomondas. There are remains of a Norman font and a churchyard cross. Not surprisingly the imposing ruins are the subject of many local legends and folktales. One story is that the last residents of the Hermitage were a local family who contracted leprosy and lived here away from contact with other villagers. It’s said that on a dark and windy night you can hear a Cornish giant howling around the rock!
Roche station is convenient for those wanting to hike on neighbouring Goss Moor National Nature Reserve. The peatland and lowland heath of this 7km² is a SSSI and a Special Area of Conservation. It was shaped by drilling and dredging for alluvial tin in the early 20th century. It is now home to many rare species including yellow century, marsh clubmoss, marsh frittilary butterflies and some species of small damselflies and moths.
☀️ Check the location of Roche railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Roche in advance and save money!
Bugle
Bugle is another small request stop station on the Atlantic Coast Line. This means that passengers must tell the guard if you want to get off at Bugle when you board the train. To board the train at Bugle, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Bugle railway station opened in 1874 as the Cornwall Minerals Railway and passenger services were added two years later. It has very few facilities other than bicycle parking and Wi-Fi. Step-free access is available by arrangement with the staff. There is a drop-off point on a private road but is unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Things to see and do from Bugle station
Five minutes stroll from the station is the Bugle Inn and the Old Forge Cafe in the heart of the hamlet. There’s also a convenience store and local services.
Things to do from Bugle station including taking a walk along the lane to Roche Rock. It’s about 1.7 miles from Bugle station, near the local Cricket Club and the whitewashed Rock Inn at Roche.
Bugle is the nearest station to Wheal Martyn Clayworks and Museum. St Austell town centre and brewery are five miles away.
☀️ Check the location of Bugle railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Bugle in advance and save money!
Luxulyan
Luxulyan station is one of the request stations on the Atlantic Coast Line. This means you must tell the guard you want to get off at Luxulyan when you board the train. To board the train, stand on the platform and put your hand out when the train approaches.
Situated on Main Road, Luxulyan station has a car park, bicycle parking, shelter with seating and free Wi-Fi.
There is step-free (Category B1) access to the platform with a ramp for train access. The station has no ticket office or machine but you can purchase tickets online or from the guard once you are on-board. There is a solar-powered information point telling you when the next train will arrive.
Things to see and do from Luxulyan station
Hop off the train at Luxulyan station and explore the wooded Luxulyan Valley. You can see the main highlights of the area on the Luxulyan Mining Heritage Circular Walk. The village of Luxulyan and the King’s Arms village pub are just a 5-minute walk from the station.
Stroll across Treffry Viaduct and appreciate the engineering that created this marvel. It was the first civil engineering structure of this size to be built in Cornwall and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Built by Joseph Thomas Treffry and completed in 1844, the 204m (670-foot-long) viaduct carried a tramway and aqueduct 27 metres (90 feet) above the valley. You’ll come across Treffry’s handiwork again at Par Harbour, the canal to Ponts Mill and the incline railway that served Fowey Consols Mine on Penpillick Hill.
This is the closest railway station to the Eden Project and there’s a 2.75 mile Luxulyan to Eden walk from the station along local lanes. You can also join the Saints Way which runs from Padstow to Fowey. It is marked by a yellow arrow on a black cross waymarker.
Knightor Winery is located at Trethurgy, St Austell, just over two miles from Luxulyan village. They offer guided tours and wine tasting on limited hours or by appointment. If you like crisp white wine, their Pinot Gris is well worth sampling!
☀️ Check the location of Luxulyan railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Luxulyan in advance and save money!
St Blazey
There is no longer a station at St Blazey but the goods yard marks the start of the spur that connects to Par station.
Par
As well as being a station on the main line, Par station is the start / terminus of the Atlantic Coast branch line. It opened in 1850 and is situated on the road between Fowey and Tywardreath. Par station is also served by CrossCountry trains heading to Bristol or Falmouth.
Facilities at the station include ticket machines and a ticket office, car park, bicycle parking with CCTV, toilets and WiFi. Platform 1 southbound is the only platform suitable for passengers with limited mobility as it has step-free access. The two other platforms are accessed via a step bridge.
Things to see and do from Par station
Par is a small coastal village and former fishing port. It has a large flat sandy beach about a mile from the railway station where you can join the South West Coast Path for a coastal ramble. Par village has several cafes, pubs and shops about ten minutes walk from the station.
The Royal Inn (formerly the Station Hotel) is right next to the station making it very handy for refreshments before or after exploring the area.
Par Sands Beach is about 20 minutes stroll from the station. Nestled behind the low dunes, the south-facing beach is wide and flat. It has lovely rural views in one direction, but has less enchanting views of the china clay works and industrial Par Docks to the west. It’s a popular beach for families, windsurfers and kite-surfers when there’s a breeze. This dog-friendly beach has toilets and a cafe nearby but no lifeguard service.
☀️ Check the location of Par railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Par in advance and save money!
Maritime Line – Truro to Falmouth Docks – 11.75 miles
The Maritime Line runs Between Falmouth and Truro, Cornwall’s capital and only city. The line has six stations and runs for 11.75 miles. The busiest stations are Truro and the three stations serving Falmouth. The Maritime Line runs five trains each way Monday through Saturday and just two trains on Sunday. The journey takes 25 minutes each way.
Originally the track was part of the Cornwall Railway that opened in 1863 and ran from Plymouth to Falmouth Docks. Once the competitor’s West Cornwall Railway converted to broad gauge in 1867, the line between Truro and Falmouth became a branch line with mainline trains running from London to Penzance. Cornwall Railway later amalgamated with the Great Western Railway.
The Maritime Line is now run by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership in conjunction with GWR. It promotes the line for tourism and leisure pursuits such as walking, nature spotting and visiting country pubs via the Rail Ale Trail.
After leaving the dedicated platform at Truro station, the Maritime Line runs along the main line for half a mile to Penwithers Junction before continuing on its own track. The journey includes three tunnels, the longest being the 449m Sparnick Tunnel between Penwithers Junction and Perranwell station.
The Maritime Line also has four viaducts including the Carnon Viaduct which crosses over Restronguet Creek north of Perranwell. Ponsanooth Viaduct, between Perranwell and Penryn, is the tallest viaduct west of Truro. It is 49m high and 197m long.
Tickets for the entire scenic journey from Truro to Falmouth Docks cost £5.10 for a day return. You can pay more than that for parking in Truro or Falmouth!
Truro
Trains on the Maritime Line depart from Truro station on the bay platform which is at the left side of the main station beyond the footbridge. Truro has excellent facilities including a manned ticket office, ticket machines, waiting room, car park, bicycle parking with CCTV, toilets, taxis, cafe and WiFi.
Disabled passengers have step-free access to platforms 1 and 2 but platform 3 is reached via a footbridge and level crossing. Fortunately, the Maritime Line departs from Platform 1.
☀️ Check the location of Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids railway stations and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Exeter in advance and save money!
Things to see and do from Truro station
You can walk into Truro city centre in about ten minutes as it’s about half a mile from the station.
Truro is the UK’s southernmost city. With its Gothic cathedral spires and cobbled traffic-free streets, it’s a great place to visit for a day. You’ll find plenty of chain stores and independent shops, pavement cafes, markets, museums, art and entertainment.
Take a guided tour of Truro Cathedral or head to the Royal Cornwall Museum on River Street. It captures Cornwall’s history and mining heritage through photos, exhibits and displays. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and admission is £7.50 which is an annual pass.
The Pannier Market is on Back Quay, behind the Hall for Cornwall, and is the place for bargains. For something different, book an axe throwing session at the Celtic Tossers on Tabernacle Street.
Enjoy a pleasant walk alongside the Truro River on the quiet Malpas Road as you head out of town. It leads to Boscawen Park and Malpas Marina with cafes and bars for refreshments along the way.
☀️ Check the location of Truro railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Truro in advance and save money!
Perranwell
Perranwell station opened in 1863 and was originally known simply as Perran station. The station was renamed Perranwell in 1864 to avoid confusing it with neighbouring Penryn station.
The station has no ticket office or machines so passengers must buy tickets online ahead of time or purchase them from the guard once on-board. There is a car park, bicycle parking with CCTV, WiFi and step-free Category A access to the platform.
On either side of the station, the railway has to cross steep valleys, hence the lofty 29m high Carnan Viaduct above the Carnon River and the 17-metre-high Perran Viaducts.
Perranwell has a delightful modern shelter built in the 1990s as part of a refurbishment programme of the Maritime Line stations. The shelter is in the original Victorian style of the railway. The old goods shed remains but is no longer in use. The station always looks attractive thanks to the Friends of Perranwell Station who volunteer to keep it looking its best.
Things to see and do from Perranwell station
The station is just a short walk from the rural village of Perranarworthall. Turn right out of the station and head along St Piran’s Hill. On the way you’ll pass the Royal Oak which is a foodie hotspot. You’ll reach the village centre, parish church, cricket club and Norway Inn in about 15 minutes.
Perranwell station is a great starting point for some countryside walks. The Trafalgar Way passes the station on its 271-mile journey from London to Falmouth. It follows the old coaching route and offers Slow Ways to safely navigate 46 sections on foot.
There’s a 3-mile Perranwell circular walk around the area taking in the main houses and amenities.
☀️ Check the location of Perranwell railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Perranwell in advance and save money!
Penryn
Penryn station serves the residents of Penryn and Falmouth and is located at the northwest end of the town. Like Perranwell station, it also has a replica old-style shelter. There’s a ticket machine for purchasing tickets to Truro or Falmouth or you can purchase them online or from the guard on the train. The station has a car park and bicycle parking with CCTV. It also has WiFi and Category A step-free access to both platforms for those with limited mobility.
There’s evidence of the original double track at the station and there’s a 400m passing loop which was added on the line in 2008 for future expansion.
Things to see and do from Penryn station
Penryn is one of the oldest settlements in Cornwall with a mention in the Domesday Book in 1086AD. It now has a population of around 7,000. The station is a 15-minute walk from the centre of this market town. It is at the head of a large inlet that flows into the Fal River and is steeped in history.
The once prosperous harbour led to many fine waterfront buildings in Tudor, Georgian and Jacobean style. As well as local shops it has a local museum in the 17th century Town Hall with its more recent clock tower (1839).
The regenerated Jubilee Wharf has several businesses in regenerated warehouses overlooking the waterfront, or actually on a barge on the Jubilee Wharf, Penryn! Check out Muddy Beach Cafe which has an excellent brunch and dinner menu as well as snacks and drinks. The river views are superb.
From Penryn station there’s a 5-mile riverside walk to Falmouth via Flushing.
☀️ Check the location of Penryn railway station and plan your trip from here!
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Penmere
The Maritime Line heads inland to Penmere station on the outskirts of the sprawling harbour town of Falmouth. The station has a single platform, bicycle parking, WiFi and a car park. It is maintained by volunteers from the Friends of Penmere Station and has received awards for Best Kept Small Station in past years. The platform has Category B1 step-free access via a ramp from the car park.
You can see the remains of an old bridge at the end of the platform which was knocked down in 2009.
Things to see and do from Penmere station
Penmere station is the best place to get off if you’re visiting the The Moor, an outdoor recreation space in Falmouth. This newer residential community includes the award winning Falmouth Art Gallery, an arts and crafts market, coffee shops and the Methodist Church.
There’s a footpath down to Falmouth town centre shops and the seafront. For a longer 3-mile walk taking in three of Falmouth’s beaches and Pendennis Castle, follow the Penmere to Falmouth Docks walk.
☀️ Check the location of Penmere railway station and plan your trip from here!
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Falmouth Town
A short time later, trains arrive at the Falmouth Town railway station, once known as The Dell station. Amenities include a car park, ticket machines, bicycle parking with CCTV and WiFi. All stations have some step-free access at this Category B2 station although it may involve using the long ramp from the car park. The station was built from reclaimed materials when Perranporth Beach Halt station closed.
Things to see and do from Falmouth Town station
Falmouth Town is the best station for Falmouth University campus, the waterside, shops and places to eat. It is also the closest station to the National Maritime Museum on the seafront at Discovery Quay. The NMM is well worth a visit with multi-storey galleries and an underwater viewing window into the harbour.
If you fancy a day at the beach, beautiful sandy Gyllyngvase Beach is five minutes’ walk from the station and there’s a nice beach cafe that’s open in all seasons. Castle Beach is a similar distance from the station and is good for rock-pooling, snorkelling and diving so bring your towel! At the end of Pendennis Point there is access to Tunnels Beach but the access is cut off at high tide, so take care. Swanpool Beach is just beyond Gyllyngvase Beach and has a cafe and watersports centre with equipment rentals for kayaking and windsurfing.
From the Prince of Wales Pier at the northwestern end of Falmouth waterfront you can catch the passenger ferry across to St Mawes. It’s a genteel resort popular with boaters. Check out St Mawes Castle and the many tearooms lining the seafront.
☀️ Check the location of Falmouth Town railway station and plan your trip from here!
☀️ Buy tickets to Falmouth Town in advance and save money!
Falmouth Docks
Falmouth Docks station is the terminus of the Maritime Line. The station has a car park with limited parking, bicycle parking with CCTV, WiFi and ticket machines. Disabled passengers will appreciate the step-free Category A access to the single platform.
The station is just half a mile beyond Falmouth Town station and overlooks the old docks. You can see the railway cottages in terraces that were built to accommodate station staff. There’s also a mural panel on the wall showing the area’s maritime and railway past.
Things to see and do from Falmouth Docks station
Falmouth Docks station serves the south-easternmost shops in the town including the famous Trago Mills warehouse.
Places to visit from Falmouth Docks station include Pendennis Castle and Museum which is a 10-minute walk away. The coastal views are superb.
Castle Beach is a short stroll from the station and Gyllyngvase Beach is a 10-minute walk away.
☀️ Check the location of Falmouth Docks railway station and plan your trip from here!
☀️ Buy tickets to Falmouth Docks in advance and save money!
St Ives Bay Line – St Erth to St Ives – 4.25 miles
The St Ives Bay Line is one of the most picturesque railways in England. It runs for just over four miles along Cornwall’s northwest coast from St Erth, near Hayle, to St Ives. It opened in 1877 and converted to standard gauge in 1892. It now operates as a community railway operated by Great Western Railway (GWR).
Despite its short length, the St Ives Bay Line has five stations including the connecting junction with the Cornish Main Line at St Erth. The single track railway has no passing places and trains run twice every hour during the day and hourly in the evening, seven days a week. Dogs are welcome on the train.
The entire journey only takes 15 minutes, but every moment is packed with stunning coastal views! Day return tickets on the St Ives Bay Line are £4 for adults and £2 for children aged 5-15. You can also save money with Group Day Return tickets and Family Day Return tickets.
The best views can be enjoyed by sitting on the right side of the train as it leaves St Erth. The railway offers breathtaking scenery as it skirts the Hayle River Estuary, a popular place for migratory birds to gather and feed. West of Lelant railway station, the St Ives Bay Line heads over the sand dunes above Porth Kidney Sands and Hayle Towans with panoramic views of St Ives Bay. The railway cuts through the old cemetery of St Uny Church and passes Lelant golf course before ascending the 30m cliffs at Hawkes Point.
After navigating the headland, the sheltered waters of Carbis Bay come into view. It only developed as a resort after the railway arrived in 1877.
After crossing two cliffside viaducts, the line drops down to St Ives railway station above Porthminster Beach.
One of the main attractions of using the St Ives Bay train line is that it gets you right into St Ives without the hassle and expense of parking in this narrow harbour town.
St Erth
St Erth station is on the Cornish Main Line with regular trains heading west to Penzance and east to Truro, Plymouth and beyond. St Erth station is actually at Rose-an-Grouse, ¾ mile from St Erth village. It opened in 1852 and the branch line was added in 1877.
As the terminus of the St Ives Bay Line, the Grade II listed St Erth station has good facilities. These include three platforms, a sizeable ticket office, automatic signal box, ticket machines, toilets, WiFi, cafe and bicycle parking.
The station has step-free access to all platforms from the car park but there is a stepped footbridge if you want to go directly between platforms 1 and 2. The St Ives Bay Line exclusively uses platform 3. Wheelchairs are available for use in the station.
St Erth opened a large Park and Ride facility in 2019 making it easy to park your car and take the scenic train ride along the coast to Carbis Bay Beach or St Ives. Parking is around £3.70 per day on weekdays and £2.60 at weekends. Managed by APCOA the car park also has electric car charging points.
Things to see and do from St Erth station
The village of St Erth takes its name from St Erc who brought Christianity to Cornwall from Ireland around 500 – 600AD. The 15th century church stands on a much older building overlooking the village. The village overlooks the Hayle estuary and has a pretty Grade II coaching inn, The Star Inn.
The surrounding sands were a source of clay which was used to secure candles to miners’ helmets. The sandpits were treacherous and a causeway was eventually built to navigate them safely. As well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the area has yielded many fossils.
From the station, you can walk to the town of Hayle, 1.8 miles away, along the banks of the River Hayle estuary which is part of the RSPB reserve. As you explore the area, see if you can find the six Cornish crosses scattered around the parish. There are miles of trails and bridle paths to explore on foot along the Hayle Valley.
Paradise Park with its exotic birds and Jungle Barn is about 2 miles from the station. Coast 2 Coast Karting and Penwith Pitch and Putt are nearby.
☀️ Check the location of St Erth railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to St Erth in advance and save money!
Lelant Saltings
Lelant Saltings station is the next stop on the St Ives Bay Line and it’s worth getting off to admire the picturesque waterfront setting. The station has a limited service so check the timetable before planning your trip.
There is no ticket machine but you can purchase your tickets online or from the guard once on-board. There is a car park and bicycle parking with CCTV. It has Category B2 step-free access to the platform via a short steep ramp.
This station opened in 1978 to serve as a Park and Ride point for visitors heading to St Ives. The Park and Ride has since moved to St Erth, leaving this station somewhat redundant.
Things to see and do from Lelant Saltings station
The village of Lelant is a 5-minute walk up the steep hill from the station. There’s a pleasant walk from here to St Ives along the South West Coast Path.
☀️ Check the location of Lelant Saltings railway station and plan your trip from here.
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Lelant
Lelant station is the second stop serving the village of Lelant and is by far the busiest. In fact the platform had to be extended in 2022 to accommodate longer trains with five carriages on the popular St Ives Bay Line. It operates as a request stop so passengers must inform the guard when they get on the train if they want to get off at Lelant. To get on, stand on the platform with your hand out to stop the approaching train.
It has a car park, WiFi and step-free access to the platform. There is no ticket machine or office so you should purchase tickets online or on-board the train.
This station was the original station serving the village and it opened in 1877. The old station building is now a private residence. The level crossing once had gates and the granite pillars can still be seen next to the line.
Things to see and do from Lelant station
Lelant was once a busy seaport before the river silted up and has some interesting buildings. Check out the Grade I listed Church of St Uny which has several Cornish crosses in the churchyard. The Badger Inn on Fore Street has lots of character and is a great place to drop in for lunch or a pint.
The West Cornwall Golf Club is on the east side of the village. It is the oldest golf club in Cornwall with superb views of St Ives Bay and Godrevy Island.
The village of Lelant marks the start of the St Michael’s Way, a 12.5-mile footpath that runs from Lelant on the north coast to St Michael’s Mount on the south coast, at Marazion.
☀️ Check the location of Lelant railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Lelant in advance and save money!
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay station is a busy station on Porthrepta Road. It has a car park, CCTV and bicycle parking along with WiFi. Tickets should be purchased online or from the staff once on-board. Step-free access is Category B2 and includes a long steep ramp.
If you’re visiting Carbis Bay, there is very little parking so using the Park and Ride and arriving by train is by far the easiest way to enjoy this beautiful sandy beach. The 4-minute walk from the station is steep as you descend to the soft white sand and turquoise waters.
Things to see and do from Carbis Bay station
Carbis Bay Beach is overlooked by the Carbis Bay Hotel which has a restaurant and C-Spa. The hotel was made famous as it hosted members of the royal family and world leaders attending the G7 summit here in 2021.
You can walk along the South West Coast Path from Carbis Bay Beach to St Ives in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, there’s a lovely 1.75 mile walk from Carbis Bay station along the coast to Porthminster Beach on mostly traffic-free paths and lanes.
☀️ Check the location of Carbis Bay railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to Carbis Bay in advance and save money!
St Ives
St Ives station is located on Station Road, overlooking Porthminster Beach. The station has good facilities including a manned ticket office and ticket machines, a car park (200 spaces), bicycle parking, CCTV and Lost Luggage Office. Passengers with limited mobility have Category A step-free access to the single platform. It’s one of the busiest stations in Cornwall with over 700,000 passengers in 2019/20.
The station is just down the hill from the Tregenna Castle Estate which was purchased by the Great Western Railway in the 1870s and converted into a luxury hotel to encourage tourism.
Passengers can walk down the hill into St Ives in about eight minutes, or make use of the local bus station situated on the station car park.
Things to see and do from St Ives station
St Ives has long been an artists’ haven due to its spectacular natural light and quirky ambience. Tiny whitewashed cottages are stacked up the steep hillside from the beach, connected by narrow winding lanes, steps and alleyways. It’s not a place to visit by car!
Explore the local shops, bakeries and art studios and enjoy a pint at one of the waterfront bars overlooking beautiful Porthmeor Beach. It’s a popular beach with surfers as well as families and sun-worshippers.
St Ives is home to Tate St Ives in a beautiful purpose-built building overlooking Porthmeor Beach. It has a superb cafe on the top floor with breathtaking views. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is another must-see for visitors just a 10-minute walk from the station on Barnoon Hill.
☀️ Check the location of St Ives railway station and plan your trip from here.
☀️ Buy tickets to St Ives in advance and save money!
With so many possibilities, why not consider exploring Devon’s most scenic areas by rail?
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.