Cornwall, easy walks and attractions to walk to, town with railway station?

[Jan49]

Can anyone suggest somewhere to go for a few days or more in Cornwall which has a station and would be good for walking in countryside areas (not cliff climbing!) without needing a bus to get there? Or a town with lots of attractions (for adults) which are walking distance once you're in the town?

I'm planning to take my ds (adult) to Cornwall and he'd like some easy walks in the countryside but he has SEN and can't cope with bus/taxi journeys, just train and on foot. I was considering Penzance but most of the attractions listed for there seemed to be quite a long way from the town.

Thank you.

Looe?

No thanks, I've just been.

Will check it out but we're visiting friends in Devon first and I think Looe is one of the places we'll go to with them.

St Ives.

The train stops very close to st Ives, so there might be a short transfer, but once you are there everything is very compact.

you could walk the south west coastal path. not cliff climbing at all but lovely walks. also there is a chap based at tourist information in Looe who does guided walks and they have a walking festival in looe every year in September.

Oops, I think my attempt at a joke around Looe/toilet may have fallen flat. Sorry Arabella, I didn't mean No thanks to the idea of visiting Looe.

Thank you for the suggestions. Any more please? Does anyone know Fowey or Penzance or Newquay well?

Newquay has a bad reputation for hen/stag parties. Apparently it is the Cornish Blackpool.

This is the rail network in Cornwall. It looks like Falmouth might be a possibility, or St Ives.

Train station is a level walk into St. Ives.
Penzance station is on the harbour, slight walk into town, but not bad.
Never used Falmouth station, but it's pretty with nice general coastal walks out around St Maws.

Warning the train to St Ives is incredibly busy. It's not unknown to have to wait for the next one.

I wasn't offended!

Fowey is lovely, & some nice walks along the cliff paths & up the river estuary. However, am not sure how you would get there. The nearest train stations are St Austell or Liskeard, I would think.

Falmouth.
Not as stunning beaches/scenery as St Ives, but accesible by train - lots to do (beaches/Pendennis castle, maritime museum, cafes/shops/restaurants). There are some nice easy walks from town and if DS can cope with boats you can go to St Mawes/Truro/Trellisick gardens on the boat. (Truro also easy journey by train and connects with rest of cornwall if you want to explore further afield.)

For a few days your first thought of Penzance is good, plus it's on the main line and connections to branch lines (St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay) aren't great.

You have a long flat walk to Marazion / St Michael's Mount and an easy but non-flat walk to Mousehole in the other direction.

Truro (also main line) and Falmouth are better for indoor attractions than PZ if the weather's poor.

Hayle? Tends to be a quieter than neighbouring St Ives. It's on the mainline and has regular connections to St Ives. You would also have the beautiful Carbis Bay for walks.

Thanks everyone.

Not a lot to do in Hayle unless you like bird watching, the little egrets may be about and they are very cute.

I have spent many a happy hour staring out across the mud trying to identify ducks and waders in winter plumage. The thinks you do when you are young and in love and don't have DDs.

Another vote for Falmouth! Lots to do & there is always the Maritime Museum if it is wet. Gorgeous walk round Pendennis Point, coast walk from Gylly beach to Swanpool and Maenporth. Boat trips to St Mawes and Flushing and oh there's the castle too!

To be honest lots of attractions in Cornwall are a bit out of the way, not sure you'll find somewhere where there are many close by without a bit of travelling. Ready to be proven wrong, but live down here & trying to think of somewhere. Falmouth seems to foot your bill quite well.

St Ives high season is utterly horrendous. Whilst stunning, it is so bloody busy you can't move.