St Mawes

[52user52]

I’ve booked a trip this summer going to St Mawes, we will be staying at The Tresanton for three nights. We’re not in the UK, and will be flying to London (Heathrow) and then not sure yet how to get from there. I know there is a train, it was over £600 (first class). So I was thinking if it would be worth renting a car (perhaps a bit outside of London?) and drive there. Would it be a hassle?
Really greatful for tips, never been in that area before.

I can’t believe how much help I’ve received on this thread. Thank you everyone who has taken the time, I’ve read all replies several times already. It’s a sort of surprise birthday trip, so don’t really have anyone else to ask.

Just going to quote my own post… the sleeper will be close to or more than the £600 first class fare the OP didn’t want, and will likely already be full.

It is a mad price. It also seems like all tickets are nonrefundable, which makes it way too expensive ir you need to change the times slightly because of delays in connecting flights etc.

We need to leave early Sunday morning to get there afternoon as check-in is at three.

So sleeper train not practical and also, as you say, probably fully booked.

I think I wrote it upthread, but in case not ask the hotel if they can book the train or if they have recommendations for train tickets with flexibility. Though wouldn’t travel/airline insurance cover a new ticket if the delay is more than four hours?

I have family in the area so drive there often. As long as you avoid Friday afternoon and Saturday morning driving will not be an issue. You can take the M4 / M5 to Exeter which will be about 3hrs, or nip round the M25 / M3 to join the A303 and then you will pass Stonehenge. You could stop in Exeter, Darts Farm is just off the motorway and nice for some food....although expect to queue a bit.

Then take the A38 and then the A390 which will be another 2 hrs. The last bit is lanes but so pretty. The Roseland is stunning.

If you decide to extend your trip, the Chapel House Hotel in Penzance is exceptional and you could also visit 45 Queen Street (restaurant/bar), the Minack theatre and the stunning beaches of West Penwith (the best in Cornwall IMHO!) 🌞

@52user52 Leave where on the Sunday? You don’t have to check in at 3. Driving on a Sunday morning isn’t that difficult so maybe hire the car from Heathrow? Going into London and out again does eat up time! The A303 can have traffic jams! Everyone slows down for Stonehenge. The M4/M5 is much easier!

Leave London on the Sunday morning. If driving it’s more driving out of London I’m worried about.

Hello - you've had lots of helpful responses on here already. I think the main thing I'd add is that if you're extending your stay, I'd personally go further afield than Falmouth (though Falmouth and the Star and Garter are indeed both lovely!). The north and south coasts of Cornwall are very different, and I'd try to see both. Especially if you fly to Newquay, finishing your stay with a few days on the north coast could definitely work. (The Scarlet hotel is supposed to be fantastic - out of budget for us so I have never been, though its cheaper sister hotel the Bedruthan is very good.) I'd also recommend the St Moritz - from which you can easily access Rock and Padstow.
I agree with the people who've said that Penwith and the Scillies are also worth visiting. Scilly in June will be perfect! It does add on a whole layer of travel though.

@thewalrus thank you, I will actually look it up.

Yes, this. I love St Ives, so that’s where I’d stay, even given the parking complications.

@52user52 I’m confused. Heathrow isn’t in London. You get the car from Heathrow and you then have the M4 motorway handy and you need to drive West. I cannot quite see why you would go East into London.

Did you mean to tag me? We’re staying in London for a couple of days before.

You could drive via Stonehenge, on to Bath for a night? Then onto Cornwall

Ah. I see. So why not get the train part if the way (say to Exeter) and hire a car? It’s not that difficult. I thought you were travelling after your flight arrived.

The A303 is a nightmare at times. Very very long queues.

Yes that is what I thought of doing at first, to miss the worst of the traffic. Or may not be as much on a very early Sunday morning..!? We’ve driven to Wales from London before, but it was such a long time ago I can hardly remember.. 😅

It sounds like we need to come back next year.. 🤣

But I would like to go to both Bath and Stonehenge! 😬

@MeetMeOnTheCorner we were supposed to but I changed the flights so that we also could stay in London. Flying in from Copenhagen airport, so a short flight! (and driving to Copenhagen from another country 😅)

@52user52Sunday morning, driving to Cornwall is fine. However I’d definitely book a rental car from, say, Exeter but you should check where rental cars are located. Then you won’t have a long drive to St Mawes. Returning, drop car off, get train back to Paddington and then get train out to Heathrow. You could also get the Elizabeth line to Reading and check out car hire there. Reading is also on the M4 which you need - just more driving and less train. St Mawes without a car is limiting though.

Thanks. I’m thinking there may be a lot more traffic on the way back? Leaving on a Wednesday around 11 am.

Chapel House in Penzance and the Gurnard's Head both characterful and stunning. Halzephron in Gunwalloe (self catering so may not work). Enjoy your trip!

I know exactly where that would have happened 😆

If you want to see a lot of Cornwall without tackling the lanes yourself, there are various small tour companies who will pick you up and drop you off from your hotel.

www.kernowtours.co.uk is one I know. They're certainly good if you want to see a lot in a short time! They also do airport/ station transfers.

If you do decide to stay in Cornwall a bit longer I’d recommend staying in the south and am seconding a previous suggestion of Fowey. If you’re active there is fabulous walking (eg walk along the cliffs to Polkerris, have lunch there and head back via land to Fowey or over by ferry to Polruan and walk up to Boddinick and back to Fowey by the ferry there) or there’s excellent kayaking (head upriver for a couple of hours, have lunch at the pub & head back!). I agree train to Exeter and hiring a car from there may be quite good - it’s a lovely city if you wanted to stop for brunch/explore. The narrow lanes in Cornwall are fine - just stay calm, keep an eye out so you know when you last passed a passing place and be prepared to reverse!