Devon & Cornwall

Make the journey part of the day out with First (Open top buses back in Cornwall for the summer)

Being able to play i-spy with the kids, admire the fabulous views and avoid the hassle of finding somewhere to park the car, are just a few of the benefits of going by bus this summer. And now that the open top buses are back in Cornwall, and First has unveiled its new Cornish bus network, theres never been a better time to go out and about in the region.

From Monday 27 April to Saturday 2 May, and on Tuesday 5 May, First Devon and Cornwall will be manning a special open top information bus at Lemon Quay in Truro, offering people information and advice about the new bus network and all the fabulous places you can go by bus this summer.

Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall explains: "With the news that at least 60% of Brits are planning to swap sun loungers for their own sofas this summer, the prospect of having a staycation " ie a holiday where you stay at home enjoying your local area - seems even more likely for many people.

"The new network and the arrival of the open top buses for summer, means theres never been a better time to get out and about, exploring the local area.'

With more than 300 miles of Cornish coast to choose from, and around 300 different bathing beaches in the region, there are plenty of places to go for a free day out. And as many of the popular tourist destinations are often clogged with traffic, going on the bus offers the day tripper a great alternative. Specifically, Service 300, which sees open-top buses run between Penzance, Newlyn, Porthcurno, Lands End, Sennen Cove, St Just, Botallack, Morvah, Zennor, St Ives, Carbis Bay, and Marazion before arriving back in Penzance, is expected to be a real draw. FirstDay tickets, which offer unlimited travel over the course of a day, are available for adults, children and families, while FirstWeek ticket offers even more value for money for those planning several days out.


Marc Reddy adds: "People in Cornwall really do have it all on their doorstep, and they can enjoy it all for very little, travelling as far as they want and getting on and off the bus as many times as they want to. It really is the best way to explore the area.'

For those needing a little inspiration on where to go, First Devon and Cornwall has produced a list of ten of the best places to go by bus this summer, although as Marc Reddy explains, compiling it was pretty tricky, he says: "There are so many fabulous places to go in Cornwall trying to whittle the list down to just 10 places was really difficult. So we compromised, and have put lots of other ideas on our website so anyone needing more inspiration or those just wanting to download timetable information can check it all out online. It can all be found at firstgroup.com/cornwall (from May).'

Top ten places in Cornwall to go by bus (in no particular order)

1. St Ives. On the south western tip of Cornwall, the idyllic white sandy beaches and narrow cobbled streets around the beautiful harbour are a real draw for tourists and locals alike. And if the mood takes you, you can even enjoy a coastal walk to Lelant, picking up a bus back to St Ives if you dont fancy the 5-mile stroll back!
2. Penzance. The town has many bustling streets, an array of shops and a number of small independent pasty shops serving up real treats to help satisfy those hunger pangs. And the surrounding area has been named an area of outstanding natural beauty. A short bus ride on from Penzance, using Service 300, will take you to Marazion from where you can explore St Michaels Mount.
3. Mousehole. To the west of Newlyn (also a great day out) Mousehole is one of Cornwalls most attractive coastal villages. Having retained much of its old world charm, its a great place to go, but as parking is limited, the best way to get there is by bus " especially as youll get dropped off just by the harbour removing the need to walk from the top of the village. Cream Teas in this quaint Cornish town are also legendary! Service 6 (from Newlyn or Penzance) calls regularly in Mousehole.
4. Newquays beaches. The gloriously sandy beaches around this bustling town are among some of the finest in Europe and you can get to most of them using Service 305 which operates betweeen Newquay, Porth Beach, Trevelgue Holiday Camp and Tregustick Holiday Park from Sunday 17 May. Dont forget the picnic and the sun cream though.
5. Lands End. The dramatic cliff top setting of Britains most westerly point is a must for anyone having a staycation. Be sure to go on a Tuesday or Thursday though so youre able to enjoy the spectacular firework display staged at dusk. A 10-minute bus ride away is Sennen Cove, a truly outstanding seaside village, which attracts many visitors in the summer all wanting to enjoy its beautiful expansive beach and picturesque views.
6. Falmouths National Maritime Museum. Housed in an award winning building on Falmouths harbour side, the museum transports visitors into the world of small boats and Cornish maritime history, and with the introduction of more, bigger buses between Truro and Falmouth on Service 88, increasing the frequency of journeys, there has never been a better time to go.
7. Pendennis Castle. Offering magnificent views across Falmouth and the Fal Estuary, the castle is a spectacular landmark on the Cornish Coast. Built by King Henry VIII to defend against possible attack by Spain and France it houses more than 450-years of history. You can reach the castle using Service 400 from Falmouth.
8. Fowey. 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 Catherines Point where you can see the ruins of St Catherines castle " a medieval fort. Or you could call into the Daphne du Maurier literacy centre to learn more about the towns association with the famous novelist. Or if all this sounds like too much hard work, just enjoy an ice cream while looking over the beautiful harbour.
9. Eden Project. With 35 acres of garden, an ever-changing events programme and the largest rainforest in captivity, the Eden project offers a variety of activities for all ages. And with Eden Rider tickets available from Firsts bus drivers, adults can get unlimited travel and entrance to the project for just £17 (£8.50 child, £7.50 seniors with concessionary travel passes or £45 for a family of five - max two adults). This offers adults a saving of £5.50 off the price of the entrance fee and a FirstDay ticket if bought separately.
10. Flambards Theme Park. Offering a good day out come rain or shine, this park is one of the West Country's Premier Attractions, rated among the top 10 in Britain. Flambards prides itself on providing a 'value for money' day out, and you can get there using the number 32 bus from Helston, St Keverne or Coverack, or Service 35 from Helston or Falmouth. (Tip: check the Flambards website for details of any special offers before you travel, and you might be able to save money on the entrance fee too!)

Talking about all the possible destinations for a day out in Cornwalll, Teresa Timms from Visit Cornwall adds: "Cornwall remains one of the UKs favourite holiday destinations because of its unique appeal. For traditionalists it still has a mystical, magical feel but at the same time for those looking for a more contemporary holiday destination it now boasts some of the finest restaurants, art galleries and world class attractions in the UK.'

There are an array of tickets to suit those wishing to travel in and around Devon and Cornwall by bus this summer, allowing customers to hop on and off as many times as they like within a set period.

For a service a 300 Cornwall Explorer Timetable please click on 'Special Services' in the right hand menu.

For details of attractions and days out across Devon & Cornwall by First bus please click on our 'Places of Interest' in the left hand menu.