If you could go to Cornwall for only 3 nights, where would you go?

[Cornishpastey]

It’s going to take you around 6.5 hours to get to Saltash by train. It’s 8/9 hours to St. Ives The train is your only option and you only have use of public transport while there. No driving licence so can’t hire a car. One adult, one 17 year old, and one 11 year old.
Where would you choose and why?

Polzeath. Incredibly beautiful, you can get a taxi there from Bodmin Parkway and then do a day trip round to Padstow on the ferry.

Polzeath is lovely and we haven’t been to Padstow.

Sleeper train - could go all the way to Penzance then

We are up north @Londonmummy66 so we’d have to travel to London to pick up the sleeper train and it would add £100s to the cost but I’d love to get the sleeper train sometime.

What’s Newquay like these days? I haven’t been since about 1980.

Wouldn’t go padstow because it’s not near any train stations and buses aren’t that frequent.

I would head to Hayle as it has beaches & surf schools and things and if you fancy a day out to St Ives it’s not that far for a day out. Also look at getting off at St Austell and head towards Carlyon Bay and around there

Or get the off the main line at Truro and Get the branch line over to Falmouth

Following

We took the sleeper train to Penzance and then the bus to St Ives. Lots of buses from St Ives - we went to various local beaches, but also St Michael's Mount, Land's End and Mousehole by bus.

When you see the side (and steepness) of some of the roads I was very thankful we hadn't thought about taking the car!

Falmouth. Train right to your door. Some lovely beaches. Interesting quirky town for you and the 17 year old. Excellent choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

If you fancy checking out Newquay there's a sort of direct rail link on the new Cornwall metro.

Book seat on the left hand side of the train down and right hand side on the way back for Dawlish.

I would book right through to Penzance, spend a day there (Jubilee Pool) or get the bus to Marazion (St Michael's Mount, but it is pricey these days even to walk across), then get the train to St Ives on one day.

This sounds like perfection to me. Why waste a day either way on the train when you can go overnight? Assuming the 17 year old is allowed to have a solo cabin.

I think the train from Falmouth to Newquay takes about 2 hours.

I’d go somewhere closer to home as it’s only for 3 nights .

Newquay has everything you want on your doorstep once you're there, no need for any public transport, so more time to enjoy your stay. Check plane costs to Newquay, it could be cheaper than the train.
Numerous great beaches, all manner of organised water sports catered for, all kinds of entertainment and dining out from street food to Michelin recommended restaurants, boat trips, riding stables
Bus journeys in Cornwall are capped at £3, but for 3 days I would just enjoy what Newquay has to offer - obviously it still has nightclubs etc but has grown into more of a family resort now.

Don’t go to Newquay. Yes the beaches are beautiful but that’s about it. I’d go to Falmouth. Great town, lovely area, lots of great restaurants and bars, lovely beach, plenty to do and you can get a local train from Truro. You can also get the ferry to St Mawes which is also beautiful. I live in Cornwall by the way.

Penzance. Just stunning there.

We’re in Newquay at the moment and enjoying it. We’re not here for eating out or nightlife, just the great beaches. We did hire a car so have been further afield to entertain our little one, but could happily have just done beaches here in Newquay if we were only here 3 days. We flew down from Manchester and it wasn’t particularly expensive compared to driving so probably cheaper than the train.

What’s your budget? If it’s healthy then Bodmin. A night in Bodmin Jail hotel then a taxi to Jamaica Inn on the moor.

Having been to Newquay a few times as a child and an adult and seen it at its worst, I would say its back on the up! The main high street can be a bit grim in places but in the town generally theres loads of great places to eat opened up, great beaches (you can walk along to Watergate Bay or Mawgan Porth too) and a fair bit to do in general! Falmouth is also a great shout.

I would go to Falmouth. It’s got everything you need. Things to do, beach and lively for kids that age.