Experiences in West Cornwall are surprisingly well-connected by public transport. You could hop on a train in Penzance to see the famous beaches and galleries of St Ives or take the Land’s End Coaster to the Telegraph Museum or Minack Theatre. Transport for Cornwall even has a special offer to help you explore more of the area. Make the most of the public transport on offer and let someone else navigate the narrow Cornish roads.
Explore by bus and train
West Cornwall
Sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
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- Explore by bus and train
- Activity level: Easy
- Duration: 4-5 days
You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.
Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.
Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.
Create your own inspiring itinerary
If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.
Things to do
Ports of Penzance
Explore the historic harbours that surround Penzance. The MOUS bus route takes you from Penzance station to Newlyn and Mousehole. You could spend the morning discovering Newlyn’s art galleries before heading to Mousehole and hopping off the bus for lunch at the Old Coastguard. See this timetable and more here.
Beaches of St Ives
The beaches in St Ives are world-famous, and in the winter months, you get to explore the coast without the crowds. The number 17 bus from Penzance station takes you into the heart of St Ives, with the Malakoff bus station just moments from Porthminster beach. See this timetable and more here.
Theatre and garden visit
There’s nowhere quite like the Minack Theatre. Carved into a cliffside, with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s an incredible setting in which to see a play. You could watch a performance, take part in a workshop or book a ‘Theatre Visit’ to discover the fascinating story of Rowena Cade. Find out more here.
Scenic railway
The beaches, art galleries and restaurants of St Ives are just a short train journey from Penzance. Board at Penzance station, sit back and relax as the spectacular St Michael’s Mount rolls past your window. At St Erth, join the St Ives Bay Line for a scenic journey along the coast, through Carbis Bay to St Ives. Find out more about the journey here.
Mousehole heritage walks
Spend the morning or afternoon exploring the charming village of Mousehole and learning about its history. Mousehole local Elaine will show you around, guiding you through the key landmarks in the village and sharing stories and folklore. If you’re keen to learn more about this quaint Cornish village, book your tour here.
Museum of global communications
There’s more to Porthcurno than its beautiful white-sand beach – it was once home to the world’s most important telegraph station and the beating heart of global communications. At PK Porthcurno, you can learn more about this fascinating story, visit the cable hut and even explore a secret World War II bunker. Plan your visit here.
Walk the causeway
On a crisp and bright day, St Michael’s Mount is a sight to behold. As the tide lowers, the causeway is revealed – and this is your entry point to the famous landmark. The castle itself is a National Trust site, which is open to visitors daily during the summer, but only on selected dates from the 1st November-31st March, so it’s definitely worth planning your day here first.
Places to Eat
Harbourside feasts
New for 2023 – the Barbican Bistro has opened in Penzance. This fish-focused restaurant can be found on Barbican Lane, close to the harbour. Join them for small plates, a casual dining atmosphere and fresh fish landed at Newlyn harbour. See their menu and opening times here.
Essential Information
Places to Stay
Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.
More inspiration?
Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.
Accessibility
Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.
Local knowledge
Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.
Getting around
Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.
Positive impact
We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.
Itinerary last updated on
This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.
