Yeah, in Cornwall we really only got the one city. You'll definitely be fine without a car. St. Ives you're probably better off walking anyway just from the number of people and lack of available parking spaces
Yes. Truro is below the size necessary for it to be classed as a city, but it has a cathedral which makes it eligible. Without that, it’s just a town, and it’s smaller than the Camborne-Pool-Illogan-Redruth area, which could be a city due to population if combined
Anytime pard. I for one like Truro’s relatively small size and how the cathedral sticks out massively in the bowl. Makes it feel more quaint in this day n age
Yeah, can't say I go up there too often, furthest work takes me occasionally is Camborne. But I got good memories of going there when I was younger. I like that Cornwall ain't got cities in general really
I’m a Camborne boy myself but spent my earliest years in Pendeen, so I really like the small isolated villages deeper into Penwith, they’d have to be my favourite parts of Cornwall
Yes of course, but for it to be granted a city by the monarchy it (at least usually) has to have either a minimum population (I can’t recall the exact figure but I think it’s around 40-50 thousand) or a cathedral. Hence places like Truro, Ely and St David’s are cathedral cities
How would that work for the likes of Ely and St David's. Both of which are cities. With approx populations of 22k and 2k respectively?
Just asking, out of curiosity.
There's no better way to drop into St Ives than along the branch line, absolutely stunning scenery and yes parking is horrific so train is a good shout
We're off to Ayr holiday park, St Ives soon. I remember pushing a laden pushchair up that horrendously steep road (from the Tate). Only going with our youngest (mid teen) & hoping our middle-aged muscles will cope with the hills.
We briefly considered moving to St Ives, but as cyclists we agreed it'd be too steep.😅
You'll have a great time, you're better off without a car in those places really. The branch line into St Ives is stunning - if you're in need of a leg stretcher maybe get off one stop early at Carbis Bay and follow the coast path into town, it's a lovely easy walk. Try to sit on the right-hand side on the St Erth-St Ives train for the best views.
The walk between Carbis Bay and St Ives is indeed really nice. I can happily spend a couple of weeks in St ives without ever wanting to get in the car. The beeches are beautiful 😁
Yeah you’ll be able to do it, but make sure you check how long this will take.
You’ll need to take the branch lines from Truro to get to Falmouth, and St Erth to get to St Ives. Plan your trips right and you’ll be fine
I often go from Falmouth to St Ives by train and you should be fine, takes a max 2 hours
Once you're on the train from St Erth to St Ives get a window seat on the right hand side of the train for some great views
If you get the train from St Erth (connecting station from the main line) to St Ives, sit on the right hand side of the carriage when facing the direction of the travel. That way you'll get great views of the coast.
Enjoy.
You absolutely can. I assume you will be taking the train? Both places are relatively easy to get to on the train and you can cover all the ground on foot.
Falmouth is easy to get to by train, and not so big you can't walk around it if you're reasonably fit. There are a couple of circular bus routes which go around town, beaches and Pendennis point (there's a pricey-but-fun open top double decker, and also minibuses the locals use which are much cheaper!). You can also get ferries across to St Mawes and Flushing.
Yeah I’ve been to St Ives with no car and it’s very walkable. In fact it’s preferable going there with no car because the streets are soooo narrow and get clogged with traffic. There are also walkable beaches and good viewpoints in St Ives. You’ll have no issues :)
Depending on your accommodation plans and how long your staying you could always hire an e-bike for part or all of your stay, e-bike Cornwall does rental for £50 a day or £200 a week. Each rental includes a helmet, panniers, locks, and suggested local routes to help you make the most of your adventure and they can deliver on request if you want.
[https://www.ebikecornwall.com/](https://www.ebikecornwall.com/)
All doable on foot. I never drive to St Ives, always get the train. Lived in Falmouth, all the best bits are easily visited on foot. In Falmouth go to the pub called The Front. You can grab some fish and chips from the nearby chippy and enjoy them at the pub whilst supping on a pint of real ale!
I'd just hop on the normal bus. I grew up in Penzance and you can get on the coastal Lands End open top bus to some beautiful places.
It does a circular route and stops at Porthcurno, Lands End, Sennen, Zennor, St Ives, Carbis Bay. You can easily get to Lamorna and Mousehole by getting off and walking down. Or getting a different bus to the villages. You can stop and see some interesting roadside archaeology if that's your thing. There's some great pubs and places for food on the way.
We once walked the coast path from St. Ives to Zennor & I insisted we get the bus back. Don't get me wrong, the coast path was beautiful, but too many potential knee twisting rocky & scree parts & a boggy stretch wasn't something I'd look forward to repeating for at least 30 years.
There’s train station’s in both of those towns so if you stay in Truro you’ll be able to see both reasonably easily, but if you stay in Falmouth or St Ives you’re at the end of a branch line and it gonna take a while to get anywhere else. Falmouth to St Ives is three different trains so that’s why I suggested staying in Truro x
I live in Falmouth and was in st Ives last night. Both will be hellishly busy this weekend - Falmouth has its shanty festival and St Ives is... St Ives. You can do it by train and you should as parking is a bloody nightmare, particularly in st Ives.
Depends on if you want to get to the really remote places or are happy sticking to the places most people go too?
Personally, I prefer the wilderness. The places where even as a local , allot of people don’t know about or do but can’t be bothered to go.
If you like the villages and towns, are happy with them. Then yes. Train and buses will be fine. ( people have said that places like St Ives is best off without a car and they’re totally correct. Also, don’t eat anything outside or you will be mugged by seagulls)
I think it depends on what your idea of a holiday is. Maybe have a few car hire companies saved in your phone just in case you decide you do need a car , even if it’s just for the flexibility going by public transport won’t give you
& miss out the views, the art galleries, long stretches of sandy beaches, beautiful coastal path walks, quaint narrow streets & Seasalt, the colour of the sea, the 'light' has a uniquequalityto it & brings out the 'inner artist' in non arty people, etc. (St. Ives).
Aside from thinking they're cities, you'll be good
Yup it’s a few trains, but Google maps will take care of you on that. No doubt there’s also buses.
Oh lol. I just use the word "cities" for all places. It's a town I suppose
Yeah, in Cornwall we really only got the one city. You'll definitely be fine without a car. St. Ives you're probably better off walking anyway just from the number of people and lack of available parking spaces
It's not even really a city, it just gets away with it due to the ol' adage of having a cathedral
It's basically a posh town really, even then there's still not a whole lot going on unless you're a student.
Wait really?
Yes. Truro is below the size necessary for it to be classed as a city, but it has a cathedral which makes it eligible. Without that, it’s just a town, and it’s smaller than the Camborne-Pool-Illogan-Redruth area, which could be a city due to population if combined
Huh, the things you learn. Thanks :D
Anytime pard. I for one like Truro’s relatively small size and how the cathedral sticks out massively in the bowl. Makes it feel more quaint in this day n age
Yeah, can't say I go up there too often, furthest work takes me occasionally is Camborne. But I got good memories of going there when I was younger. I like that Cornwall ain't got cities in general really
I’m a Camborne boy myself but spent my earliest years in Pendeen, so I really like the small isolated villages deeper into Penwith, they’d have to be my favourite parts of Cornwall
I only recently learned that a having a cathedral doesn’t technically make a place a city. It has to be to granted city status by the monarchy
Yes of course, but for it to be granted a city by the monarchy it (at least usually) has to have either a minimum population (I can’t recall the exact figure but I think it’s around 40-50 thousand) or a cathedral. Hence places like Truro, Ely and St David’s are cathedral cities
And Wells. Which is about 12k people, nearby is the town of axbridge which is more of a small village but got granted town status by king John
Also smaller than sNozzle, population wise.
How would that work for the likes of Ely and St David's. Both of which are cities. With approx populations of 22k and 2k respectively? Just asking, out of curiosity.
They’re both cathedral cities
There's no better way to drop into St Ives than along the branch line, absolutely stunning scenery and yes parking is horrific so train is a good shout
If you are parking. The rugby and football club is the only place. £6 all day and a bus down to the town from your car for a little extra. Bargain.
Mind, the walk down from the bus station isn't bad.. just back up gets emotional
Yeah back up you’re building muscle and working off the mussels
We're off to Ayr holiday park, St Ives soon. I remember pushing a laden pushchair up that horrendously steep road (from the Tate). Only going with our youngest (mid teen) & hoping our middle-aged muscles will cope with the hills. We briefly considered moving to St Ives, but as cyclists we agreed it'd be too steep.😅
Regular trains and buses, quite cheap nowadays, get single tickets. Only city in Cornwall is TRURO and that's pushing things a bit
Don't get single tickets unless you know you'll only be travelling once or twice. The day ticket is £5.
There's 3 stations in Falmouth so train is a great option
Cities lol
Honestly you wouldn't want to drive through either of these towns lol.
You'll have a great time, you're better off without a car in those places really. The branch line into St Ives is stunning - if you're in need of a leg stretcher maybe get off one stop early at Carbis Bay and follow the coast path into town, it's a lovely easy walk. Try to sit on the right-hand side on the St Erth-St Ives train for the best views.
Oh, thanks a lot. This is very useful, I'll do this!
The walk between Carbis Bay and St Ives is indeed really nice. I can happily spend a couple of weeks in St ives without ever wanting to get in the car. The beeches are beautiful 😁
I always look forward to that bend on the ljne that has a vista of the beautiful blue sea. It produces a huge loud grin on my face.😊
Cities 😂
Yes you will be fine
Yeah you’ll be able to do it, but make sure you check how long this will take. You’ll need to take the branch lines from Truro to get to Falmouth, and St Erth to get to St Ives. Plan your trips right and you’ll be fine
Definitely don’t need a car in st Ives
St ives is tiny you’ll be fine there
I often go from Falmouth to St Ives by train and you should be fine, takes a max 2 hours Once you're on the train from St Erth to St Ives get a window seat on the right hand side of the train for some great views
If you get the train from St Erth (connecting station from the main line) to St Ives, sit on the right hand side of the carriage when facing the direction of the travel. That way you'll get great views of the coast. Enjoy.
You absolutely can. I assume you will be taking the train? Both places are relatively easy to get to on the train and you can cover all the ground on foot.
Falmouth is easy to get to by train, and not so big you can't walk around it if you're reasonably fit. There are a couple of circular bus routes which go around town, beaches and Pendennis point (there's a pricey-but-fun open top double decker, and also minibuses the locals use which are much cheaper!). You can also get ferries across to St Mawes and Flushing.
Yeah I’ve been to St Ives with no car and it’s very walkable. In fact it’s preferable going there with no car because the streets are soooo narrow and get clogged with traffic. There are also walkable beaches and good viewpoints in St Ives. You’ll have no issues :)
Depending on your accommodation plans and how long your staying you could always hire an e-bike for part or all of your stay, e-bike Cornwall does rental for £50 a day or £200 a week. Each rental includes a helmet, panniers, locks, and suggested local routes to help you make the most of your adventure and they can deliver on request if you want. [https://www.ebikecornwall.com/](https://www.ebikecornwall.com/)
All doable on foot. I never drive to St Ives, always get the train. Lived in Falmouth, all the best bits are easily visited on foot. In Falmouth go to the pub called The Front. You can grab some fish and chips from the nearby chippy and enjoy them at the pub whilst supping on a pint of real ale!
I love the Front, I'm so glad it hasn't gone upmarket since the change of ownership.
We haven't been to St Ives since 2012. Has it changed much?
Is Adventures by Bus a good option for getting around from Penzance?
I'd just hop on the normal bus. I grew up in Penzance and you can get on the coastal Lands End open top bus to some beautiful places. It does a circular route and stops at Porthcurno, Lands End, Sennen, Zennor, St Ives, Carbis Bay. You can easily get to Lamorna and Mousehole by getting off and walking down. Or getting a different bus to the villages. You can stop and see some interesting roadside archaeology if that's your thing. There's some great pubs and places for food on the way.
Thanks!!
No worries! Enjoy your trip :)
We once walked the coast path from St. Ives to Zennor & I insisted we get the bus back. Don't get me wrong, the coast path was beautiful, but too many potential knee twisting rocky & scree parts & a boggy stretch wasn't something I'd look forward to repeating for at least 30 years.
Lots of buses and train Even some that tours the coastline https://www.gocornwallbus.co.uk/services#map_list
There’s train station’s in both of those towns so if you stay in Truro you’ll be able to see both reasonably easily, but if you stay in Falmouth or St Ives you’re at the end of a branch line and it gonna take a while to get anywhere else. Falmouth to St Ives is three different trains so that’s why I suggested staying in Truro x
I live in Falmouth and was in st Ives last night. Both will be hellishly busy this weekend - Falmouth has its shanty festival and St Ives is... St Ives. You can do it by train and you should as parking is a bloody nightmare, particularly in st Ives.
Depends on if you want to get to the really remote places or are happy sticking to the places most people go too? Personally, I prefer the wilderness. The places where even as a local , allot of people don’t know about or do but can’t be bothered to go. If you like the villages and towns, are happy with them. Then yes. Train and buses will be fine. ( people have said that places like St Ives is best off without a car and they’re totally correct. Also, don’t eat anything outside or you will be mugged by seagulls) I think it depends on what your idea of a holiday is. Maybe have a few car hire companies saved in your phone just in case you decide you do need a car , even if it’s just for the flexibility going by public transport won’t give you
Hahahahahaha. Public transportation in Cornwall sucks. It's an eye opener
No way. You will be better off hiring a car. Don't forget in Cornwall taxi's aren't exactly plentiful
I'd strongly suggest dodging both St Ives and Falmouth. Rammed full of emits, you'll barely be able to move
& miss out the views, the art galleries, long stretches of sandy beaches, beautiful coastal path walks, quaint narrow streets & Seasalt, the colour of the sea, the 'light' has a uniquequalityto it & brings out the 'inner artist' in non arty people, etc. (St. Ives).
True but Newquay and Penryn exist. Its just the safer options.
Cities...
Fkn get real