Devon & Cornwall
Places of Interest - Days Out in and around Cornwall
Whilst in Cornwall...
In the last decade Cornwall has emerged as one of the world’s most iconic destinations. From the dramatic coastline of the north to the sheltered bays in the south, from ancient moorland to soft river estuaries, surfers, walkers, sailing buffs, gastronauts and visitors simply seeking a break from a hectic world have discovered a fascinating, vibrant culture, food to die for and a naturally thrilling adventure playground.
Eden Project
The Eden Project is one of the UK’s top gardens and conservation tourist attractions located just outside of St Austell. The Eden Project is one of the UK’s top gardens and conservation tourist attractions located in Cornwall. A living theatre of plants and people, the Eden Project is wholly owned by the Eden Trust, an educational charity. The Eden complex comprises of a number of magnificent domes that house plant species from around the world, with each emulating a natural biome. The first dome emulates a tropical environment, the second a warm temperate, Mediterranean environment. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: First operate a dedicated Eden Project service, 101, which operates regular journeys between St Austell Train Station and the Eden Project.
www.edenproject.com (opens in a new window)
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo has a total of 130 different species including African Lions, Siberian Lynx and a Red Panda. Set in lush sub-tropical lakeside gardens. From the amazing open rainforest exhibit to the beautiful oriental garden there is something for all ages and abilities with large new exhibits, such as the African Savannah featuring many species including Ostriches, Wildebeest and Zebras, opening in Easter 2009. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: Newquay Zoo is located just off Edgcumbe Road and is just a ten minute walk from Newquay Town Centre where most local buses stop. If travelling from Truro take our service 89/90 which operates an hourly service from Monday to Saturday during the daytime (there are also connections from Falmouth via the 88/88B which often use the same bus) From 17th May to 4th September 2009 Service 305 also serves Newquay via Newquay Rail Station, Porth Four, Tregustick Holiday Camp and Trevelgue Holiday Park.
www.newquayzoo.org.uk (opens in a new window).
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Housed in an award winning building on the Falmouth harbour side, the museum transports visitors into the world of small boats and Cornish maritime history. The Museum has many fun and educational activities for all the family including collections of maritime objects, boats, art and books plus interactive exhibits that give visitors an insight into the art of navigation and meteorology. In the Tidal Zone visitors can go underwater and look out into the harbour through two large windows. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: Take service 41 from Troon to Falmouth via Camborne and Redruth which stops right outside the museum. The service operates up to every half an hour from Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays and Public Holidays (please check the timetable for route variations on Sundays and Public Holidays) For those travelling from Truro service 88/88B operates 4 journeys an hour during the day time from Monday to Saturday and an hourly service on Sundays and public holidays. The Falmouth Moor stop is a short walk from the harbour side.
www.nmmc.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
Blue Reef Aquarium offers visitors a dazzling undersea safari through the oceans of the world.
From the hidden world of UK waters, Blue Reef transports visitors to the spectacular 'underwater gardens' of the Mediterranean and the stunning beauty of tropical waters – home to everything from seahorses and stingrays to living corals and tropical sharks.
The centrepiece of the aquarium is the spectacular coral reef housed within a gigantic ocean display.
The reef is home to exotic species like graceful angelfish, puffer fish and hundreds of dazzlingly beautiful fish that use the reef like a bustling undersea city.
Enjoy the closest of undersea encounters in an underwater walk-through tunnel through the reef and via bubble-helmet viewing points.
More than 40 other naturally-themed displays reveal the sheer variety of life in the deep from crabs and lobsters to the amazing octopus and the bizarre shape-shifting cuttlefish!
Blue Reef is a great place for visitors of all ages to find out more about the wonders of the deep. There’s a full programme of entertaining and informative talks, feeding displays and rockpool encounters throughout the day.
Blue Reef also has a busy calendar of events to keep the whole family entertained. Among the 2009 programme you an follow a treasure trail during Pirates Weekend, learn more about protecting seahorses, sign up to save sharks, take part in a beach clean or create a piece of fishy-themed artwork for October’s Big Draw.
Blue Reef Aquarium is a spectacular visit whatever the weather and is open daily from 10am.
How to get there: Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay is located in the Centre of Newquay where most local buses stop. If travelling from Truro take our service 89/90 which operates an hourly service from Monday to Saturday during the daytime (there are also connections from Falmouth via the 88/88B which often use the same bus) From 17th May to 4th September 2009 Service 305 also serves Newquay via Newquay Rail Station, Porth Four, Tregustick Holiday Camp and Trevelgue Holiday Park.
Find Blue Reef Aquariums at:
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, E. Sussex TN34 3DW. Tel: 01424 718776
Towan Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1DU Tel: 01637 878134
Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3PB Tel: 023 9287 5222
Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, NE30 4JF Tel: 0191 258 1031
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk (opens in a new window)
Flambards
The Flambards Experience is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the South West of England. With unique undercover exhibitions boasting the Flambards Victorian Village, Britain in The Blitz and Memory Lane exhibitions. There is a fabulous undercover soft play area for young children - The Cool Zone, which is now open separately during the winter season Flambards offers a great value day out for the whole family, whatever the weather. There is a fantastic variety of rides for all ages and entertainment for all the family during the Main Season including the Extreme Force, which boasts a 360 degree spin, the ultra speedy Hornet Rollercoaster and Thunderbolt, which has thrilling speed and awesome G force high above the ground. And for those who don’t mind a little splash the Canyon River Log Flume is not to be missed. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: From Sunday 17th May 2009 for the Summer season First service 2/2A/2B operates an hourly day time service from Monday to Saturday between Penzance, Helston and Flambards and a two hourly service on Sundays and Public Holidays
www.flambards.co.uk (opens in a new window)
Tate St Ives
Situated on the South Western tip of Cornwall, St Ives is surrounded by idyllic white sand beaches and with arguably the best natural light in the UK has been a home for many top artists for near on 100 years. The Tate St Ives, which in itself is a work of art is at the centre of Cornish Art. Home to regular exhibitions the Tate St Ives presents modern and contemporary art, often created in or associated with Cornwall.
Overlooking the spectacular Porthmeor Beach to the West of the main St Ives town the gallery is just a few minutes walk from the bus stops in St Ives. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: There are several First services operating to St Ives for the Tate: Service 17/17A operates up to a half hourly service between St Just, Penzance, St Erth and St Ives. Service 14 offers up to an hourly service between Truro, Redruth, Camborne and St Ives, During the summer months (From 1st May to 3rd October 2009) the service 300 Cornwall Explorer links St Ives with Marazion, Penzance, Land's End and Sennen (this is usually operated by open top buses, weather permitting). From Sunday 17th May for the Summer season service 301 will operate an hourly day time service between St Ives Holiday Village and St Ives.
www.tate.org.uk/stives (opens in a new window).
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
This unique historical open air theatre has a stunning ocean back drop. Visit during the day or attend a performance in the evening. First run a late service in the summer months back to Penzance so you can relax and enjoy the fine performances. The box office can be contacted on 01736 810181 or visit the website for full details of the 2009 programme.
How to get there: Take service 1/1A from Penzance to Porthcurno for the Theatre - the last 1A bus departs from Porthcurno at 2300hrs during the summer season from 17th May until 26th September 2009 (Mon - Sat) From 17th May - 31st August 2009 the service 300 Cornwall Explorer links Porthcurno with Land’s End, Marazion, Penzance, and St Ives (this is usually operated by open top buses, weather permitting).
www.minack.com (opens in a new window).
Land’s End
A dramatic cliff top setting for mainland Britain’s most westerly point, Land’s End is home to numerous attractions. Visit the Return to the Last Labyrinth a multi sensory theatre show that recounts many of the myths and legends associated with the Land’s End peninsular, including those of wreckers, smugglers and witches. Or in 2009 get up close to all things Doctor Who including many of the actual props, costumes and monsters used in the hit TV series - including a number of the Doctor’s famous enemies such as the Cybermen and even the Daleks! Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: Service 1/1A operates between Penzance, Newlyn, Sennen and Land’s End and during the summer months from 1st May to 3rd October the service 300 Cornwall Explorer links Land’s End with Marazion, Penzance, and St Ives (this is usually operated by open top buses, weather permitting).
www.landsend-landmark.co.uk (opens in a new window).
St Michael’s Mount, Marazion
Cornwall’s oldest charter town Marazion overlooks Mount’s Bay where you will see the splendour of St Michael’s Mount dominating the bay. St Michael’s Mount is truly unique; a tiny, rocky island filled with astonishing history and natural beauty, yet still a living, working community of people. The castle lies 200 yards off shore and at low tide can be reached by walking across the sandy causeway (at high tide boats can ferry visitors to and from the island). The island Mount has a harbour, shops and a restaurant. The castle and gardens are open to the public. Please visit the website for opening hours and more details.
How to get there: Service 2/2A links Marazion with Penzance and Helston (certain journeys continue on to Falmouth as well) During the summer months from 1st May to 3rd October the service 300 Cornwall Explorer links Marazion with Penzance Land’s End and St Ives (this is usually operated by open top buses, weather permitting).
www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Hall For Cornwall Theatre, Truro
The Hall for Cornwall is the largest theatre in Cornwall offering a mix of live theatre shows from musicals, children’s shows, gigs, drama, plays and music shows. Situated in the heart of Truro performances scheduled for 2009 include The Birmingham Royal Ballet (May), One Night of Queen (June), Jimmy Carr (August), Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat (August) and Bloc Party (October). Please visit the website for full details of the 2009 programme.
How to get there: The Hall for Cornwall is located in the centre of Truro City Centre and is easily accessible (less than a minutes walk) from Truro Bus Station and the bus stops on Boscawen Street where most services operating to and from Truro stop. Services operating to Truro include the 14/18 which operates up to every 10 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday between Camborne, Redruth and Truro. Those coming from St Austell can take the 27/27B which operates an hourly service from Monday - Saturday during the day and a two hourly service on Sundays and Public Holidays. Those travelling from Falmouth can catch the 88/88B which operates 4 journeys an hour from Monday to Saturday during the day and an hourly service in the evening and on Sundays and Public Holidays.
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Fistral Beach, Newquay
Probably Newquay’s most famous beach Fistral is 750 metres long and is popular with surfers for its high exposure to swells, ensuring consistent waves. Fistral is a site for major international surfing competitions and the British Surfing Association is based at the north end of the bay, alongside the Newquay Surf Life Saving Club and the Newquay Boardrider Club. The bay is also overlooked by the famous Headland Hotel which was used in the film The Witches. Fistral is also home to a surf museum, surf shops and daily board and wetsuit hire facilities so there is plenty to see and do!
How to get there: Fistral Beach is situated to the west of Newquay Town Centre where the Bus Station is located and is approximately a 15 minute walk from there. Newquay is served by First service 89/90 which operates an hourly service between Truro, Quintrell Downs and Newquay Rail Station from Monday to Saturday. A through journey between Truro and Falmouth on service 88/88B is also available (often on the same bus). From 17th May to 4th September 2009 First service 305 also operates between Newquay and the Trevelgue Holiday Camp and Tregustick Holiday Park via Porth Beach and Porth Four Turns. During July and August this service also operates some ultra late night journeys until 3am!
www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/Fistral-beach.htm (opens in a new window).
Fowey Harbour
This small historic Cornish town has much to offer the visitor. You could join one of the guided walks leaving the Town Quay every Tuesday morning, or visit St Catherine’s Point where you can see the ruins of St Catherine’s castle - a medieval fort. Or you could call into the Daphne du Maurier literacy centre to learn more about the town’s association with the famous novelist. For those who like to shop Fowey is also home to some lovely little stores from galleries selling the work of local artists to shoe and craft shops. Or if all this sounds like too much hard work, just enjoy an ice-cream while looking over the beautiful harbour.
How to get there: Fowey is served by First service 25 from St Austell and Par offering an hourly service during the day from Monday to Saturday. In the evening and on Sundays this is replaced by the 26B which also links Fowey with Mevagissey also offering an hourly service.
www.fowey.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
This fascinating museum tells the story of the 'Victorian Internet' the forerunner to modern the history behind telecommunications, including learning how to use Morse Code, there is also an interesting exhibition dedicated to Brunel’s Great Eastern ship.
How to get there: From 17th May - 31st August 2009 the 300 Cornwall Explorer Open Top service stops just a short walk from the museum. Service 1/1A also operates a Monday - Sunday service to Porthcurno from Penzance and Land’s End.
www.porthcurno.org.uk (opens in a new window).
Bude
Bude is Cornwall’s special unspoilt place "where coast meets countryside". The Bude area offers its visitors a spectacular heritage coastline, designated areas of outstanding beauty, and a unique sea-lock and canal with easy disabled access. Bude has a friendly town centre with mostly locally owned shops.
How to get there: Service X9 links Bude with Holsworthy, Okehampton and Exeter Train Station and has ultra modern Enviro 400 double deckers on the route offering extra leg room and luggage space, air conditioning and leather seats.
www.visitbude.info (opens in a new window).
