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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

St Mawes

84 replies

52user52 · 27/04/2026 14:17

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.

OP posts:
Totalmayhem · 01/05/2026 10:57

Leaving on a Wednesday should be fine - it’s Fridays & Saturdays that are mostly a nightmare! Are you going during UK school holiday time or before? That will also make a difference!

Mankini · 01/05/2026 14:52

I'd still definitely try and take the train to Exeter or Truro then get a car as driving in and out of London and along the M4 / M5 can be torture. One accident and you are stuck for hours.

The Gurnard's Head is fantastic, and convenient for Penwith and St Ives - though drive to St Erth and take the train to St Ives as St Ives it NOT car friendly and the train ride is cheap and stunning.

52user52 · 09/05/2026 16:29

Ok just an update. We decided to fly to Newquay and rent a car. I extended the holiday with 3 days, so are now looking for another hotel to stay at maybe in a different area as we have a car..?

I will read through this thread again for recommendations. 😅

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Lordofmyflies · 09/05/2026 17:20

Hi OP. I live in Cornwall. I think if you are coming end of June, you'll miss peak season.
I would hire a car at Heathrow. Heathrow to St Mawes is about 5 hrs on a good run. Killerton House near Exeter is a nice stop for lunch and a walk to break the journey.
Currently, you can only fly Gatwick or Stanstead to Newquay which means further travel. A car would be simpler imo and essential for Cornwall as public transport is limited.
I would spend the rest of your time on either the North Coast or perhaps North East Coast. The Watergate Bay, The Headland are both excellent costal hotels. The PIG at Harlyn is more inland but also great.

52user52 · 09/05/2026 17:33

I booked Haven Lodge..looked ok for the price but we’ll see. Reviews says very clean and comfortable beds, which is very important to me. 😅 Free parking too. Thanks again.

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52user52 · 12/07/2026 16:37

Ok just an update if anyone is interested. It was such a great holiday! We rented a car at the airport in Cornwall and driving was absolutely no problem at all. No traffic really, and we drove quite a lot.

Tresanton was absolutely amazing, the staff were the best! People in general were so nice, and I loved that noone really dressed up a lot going out. Just chilled. Refreshing. Spoke to a few local people that lived in those huge houses behind the pub (Rising Sun?), all so friendly.

We also stayed at Lewinnick Lodge, got upgraded to the suite by the caves.
So many lovely dogs and stunning beaches. But the tides..? Never seen anything like it.

Hidden Hut was also nice, and the boat over to Falmouth. St. Ives was too busy for us. Trelissick Garden was a nice walk.

London was crazy warm, stayed at the BoTree which is always beautiful and so incredibly quiet, and the Churchill was lovely too. Durrants hotel was shit, we checked in and checked out again immediately. Yuk. Never set my foot there again.

Stansted airport was a nightmare, so we’re thinking we might drive from London next year.

Thanks again for all advice, it helped a lot.

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52user52 · 12/07/2026 16:51

Also when we drove in to Newquay it was not what we wanted, at all. A bit of a shock.
So we nearly changed our minds and wanted to leave straight away. That town was not for us, busy and so much noise. Luckily we found the beaches and cliffs, and it was stunning. So glad we didn’t leave, but the town itself made our heads hurt. 😂

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MeetMeOnTheCorner · 13/07/2026 09:48

@52user52 Tresanton is great isn’t it! A favourite!

In terms of London, there’s now a Hoxton and a Dorsett in Shepherds Bush. Handy for Heathrow and just nice hotels that aren’t too expensive. You can easily drive out to the M4 from there and you are on your way. No congestion charge!

St Ives is too busy in the summer! You could go further north and walk the camel trail, go to Port Isaac and walk along the coastal path. There’s good farm cafes and restaurants around there. Padstow gets silly busy but can be avoided.

52user52 · 13/07/2026 10:58

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 13/07/2026 09:48

@52user52 Tresanton is great isn’t it! A favourite!

In terms of London, there’s now a Hoxton and a Dorsett in Shepherds Bush. Handy for Heathrow and just nice hotels that aren’t too expensive. You can easily drive out to the M4 from there and you are on your way. No congestion charge!

St Ives is too busy in the summer! You could go further north and walk the camel trail, go to Port Isaac and walk along the coastal path. There’s good farm cafes and restaurants around there. Padstow gets silly busy but can be avoided.

That is a great tip, thank you. I will have a look.

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