Penzance

[qwertyasdfgzxcv]

Im thinking of taking my two children to Penzance this summer. I won't have a car as we are going on the train. Once I get to Penzance, will I be able to use local buses to get to a few nice beaches? I also plan to do a night in Scilly.

I would appreciate any local advice. Thank you.

Hayle might also work better if I'm not doing the sleeper train.

I think just be prepared. Perhaps negotiate an early check in with a hotel that you plan to stay at? At least to drop off your bags. There was a little cafe outside the station when we went, so we had breakfast and killed some time there.

We stayed at the Hotel Penzance which was really nice. If I'd have thought it through I'd have booked the night I travelled and just told them that I wasn't coming until 7am if possible. Probably cheaper than booking the extra adult berth on the train.

Honestly, there really isn't a lot to Hayle, so unless you are planning a 90% beach holiday i would choose Pz.

Yes, you can do a day trip on the Scillonian, and it's relatively cheap. It's famously bad for seasickness, so pick a calm day!

Both the Night Riviera and the day trains stop at both Hayle and PZ. If you wanted to get off the Night Riviera at Hayle, the staff would wake you up in time.

The trouble seems to be the return on the night from hayle as it was only included on the drop off and not the pick up return journey. But I've actually decided NOT to do the night train now anyway!! So that gives more freedom. Arriving early and leaving late doesn't work with small children so a normal train will
Probably be better and more fun.

Oh, another thought....if you DID want to take the Night Riviera, I wonder if you could take a sleeping mat and bedding and make up a nest for the 3 year old on the compartment floor? The berths are very, very narrow (and yes, I have tested their full potential with a couple of boyfriends* and it was definitely a challenge 😆) This has worked for us (1 adult, 2 children, 2 berth cabin) on ferries before.

*not both at the same time, now that would be ambitious 😄

Definitely get the train to St Ives. It rounded a corner, and I was absolutely blown away buy the view. It could have been the Caribbean.

I think I've decided Penzance for transport links, cafes etc

Are there easy to walk to supermarkets?

I'm going to book a cottage/apartment in the centre so we can walk from the train.

Thanks so much for thoughts and ideas. It really helps.

Yes, there's a good Lidl just off the prom, and a Co Op in the middle of town. Other than Lidl, all the big supermarkets are about a mile outside town.

We had this rubbish with them
It's a standard train key

The train manager was lovely, said booking were rubbish, and of course he had the key to open the upper bed. And then found us sheets.

Plenty of food shop options in central Pz.

As others have said, for the Isles of Scilly a day trip is massively cheaper than the Scillonian costs if you stay there, so people don’t tend to go for one night. If you do want one night try Longstone Lodge for accommodation on St Mary’s.

Train Pz to St Ives involves a change at St Erth. It’s a pretty train ride but bus is direct so potentially easier.

Great wildlife watching boat trips from Pz.

Mousehole is gorgeous for a day out, a bus goes there from Pz too.

Marazion a great day out too, you can go to St Michaels Mount.

The bus around the coast road is a good tip too.

I wouldn’t bother trying to get to Eden or Lost Gardens of Heligan from Pz. Too far and faffy by public transport.

Oh and Jubilee Pool (seawater lido) is fab. But under 5yr olds weren’t allowed in the geothermal heated section last year, only in the main pool and toddler pool.

Hi OP, me again . I’m from Hayle so obviously bias so if a town with more to do is your thing , stick to Penzance. I used to work there every day so I guess I forget there are actually some really lovely areas of it that I just stopped visiting. The Jubilee pool is indeed lovely . There’s a cinema too for wet days . If you fancy a stunning beach then Hayle and St Ives are a short train journey away . I do agree with others about not getting the sleeper . I did the train journey between Paddington and Penzance regularly in the 90’s and the scenery is stunning from about half way down so plenty to see out of the window and you can arrive without having to mooch about with your bags then . Enjoy your time away ! Xxx

I stayed here here which is serviced accommodation in Penzance. It is about a mile's walk from the station but there is a Lidl just around the corner.

There are great open top buses in Cornwall, we stayed in St Ives and even if you're in queues there's usually loads to look at.

@qwertyasdfgzxcv Just researching a similar trip. How did your travels
go?