Self catering holiday accommodation for rail fans in cornwall, uk.

Things to Do in Cornwall

Cornwall has been a popular choice for the British holiday maker since the advent of the railway. The mild climate, wealth of beautiful beaches and the sheer diversity of landscape from fishing villages nestling around their harbours to the deserted mine buildings on the moors and cliff tops . Today, these are still the things that make Cornwall special but much progress has been made with increasing the range of attractions and with undercover activities for the occassional day when the sun's not shining. For 101 ideas of what to do in Cornwall in the rain, follow our link 'if it rains...' You can look forward to a wonderful time, whatever the weather.

Why not let someone else do the donkey work in organising your holiday activities? Active8 is a Cornwall based company that organises a whole range of outdoor activities to suit your needs, from horse riding or rock climbing to hot air ballooning and deep sea fishing.

On this page you will find a selection of what the county has to offer. The buttons below will take you to pages with a more comprehensive listing including contact details. There are also local area links so you can plan your days out according to where in the county you are staying. You may also wish to check the local weather at BBC Weather.

photo courtesy of G Stroud Beaches - Cornwall boasts a great variety of beaches from sweeping expanses of dune backed sand miles long to small sheltered coves. Most coastal towns and villages have their own beach too. Many can be reached by public transport while in some places you can park on the beach. Rock pools and surf hire shops make beaches the perfect place for toddlers and teenagers alike while dad may prefer just enjoying the scenery! And a day at the beach needn't cost a penny.

Eden Project - The Eden Project is an unforgetable experience in a breathtaking location. 50m deep in a former China Clay pit the size of 30 football pitches sit the biggest greenhouses ever built. Eden has transformed the site into a unique global garden reminding us of how we are dependant on plants for our very existance. The world wide acclaim is well justified - you simply must visit Eden.

Industrial Heritage - The granite backbone of Cornwall created areas rich in minerals, especially tin. Consequently hard rock mining was a way of life for centuries and Cornish miners and the associated industries led the world with their skills and technology. The deserted engine houses are an evocative feature of the County and most can be freely visited. A few have been restored to working order whilst at Geevor, South Crofty and Poldark you can descend into the mines themselves.

The Arts - Cornwall is a thriving arts centre, with an abundance of quirky theatre groups, literature festivals and art galleries. Watch a show at the wonderful Minack Theatre (pictured), visit the Tate St Ives, or just enjoy the extraordinary landscape that has drawn artists to Cornwall for so many years.

Land's End and The Lizard Point - Two wonderful but different landmarks. Enjoy the beautiful wildness of The Lizard Point, the most southerly point in Britain, with its striking serpentine rock, or follow the coastal footpath to Lands End, (you can even visit its own special theme park!)

Historic Houses and Beautiful Gardens - Cornwall has more than 20 historic houses and gardens open to the public including the stunning, National Trust owned, Lanhydrock (pictured). The counties climate is mild due to the sea never being far away and this allows many tropical species to be grown outdoors. Check out the "Houses and Gardens" page for more details.

Antiquities - neolithic monuments, iron age hill forts and mighty fortresses abound in Cornwall. Many are easy to get to, free to enter and most are in spectacular locations.

Fishing Villages - Nestling in sheltered inlets in the rocky coasts, fishing is still an important part of life in these coastal communities . Enjoy an ice cream while watching the nets being mended and the boats coming and going - and why not buy some fish straight from the boat to put on the barbecue when you get home?

The Railways 1 - The main line through Cornwall - Brunels Great Western from London to Penzance - crosses valley after valley on a series of spectacular viaducts. This makes for great views from and of, the trains. Why not leave the car at home and take a branch line train to Looe, St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay or Gunnislake and relax.

The Railways 2 - If steam or heritage diesel is your thing then the Bodmin and Wenford Railway offers some steep gradients on its tortuous route from the main line connection in the Glynn Valley up to Bodmin and then down to Wenford Bridge. There are plenty of narrow gauge trains to ride too with the Lappa Valley, Launceston and Hidden Valley Railways and the Dobwalls Adventure Park, all well worth a visit - adult or child.

Legends and Folklore - Visit the old fishing villages of Looe and Polperro, famous for their smuggling pasts. Visit the Hurlers, or Trevethy quoit, fashioned by giants, or walk the ancient path of the early saints - The Saints Way.

Walking - The coastal footpath has to be one of the best walking experiences - 260 miles of vistas almost entirely off road but with enough tea rooms and pubs to keep even the most energetic refreshed. And for a change from the sea there are plenty of waymarked trails through lush farmland and up onto the moors. For the cyclist, the quiet lanes make for some idyllic trips whilst the national cycle network is well developed and has many traffic free sections.

Attractions and Theme Parks - From the Raging River Watercoaster to rescued seals, a satelite earth station to an Elizabethan manor, King Arthurs birthplace to model railways, a cider farm to a pilchard works and of course some rather large greenhouses - Cornwall really does have it all. There is so much to do for all ages whatever the weather.

Food & Drinks - Cornwalls best known export is probably not the china clay that makes our paper smooth and white but rather the Ginsters Cornish Pasty. Wether or not you are a fan of these you really should try a pasty from a small producer - washed down perhaps by some local real ale or a glass of cider. And what could be pleasanter on a sunny afternoon than a clotted cream tea in the dappled shade of a pretty garden?

National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Charting the evolution of the boat. Changing exhibitions include the Vende Globe attempt by Pete Goss and the winning boats from the Sydney Olympics. Explore the sea in one of only three underwater viewing galleries in the world, enjoy the views from the 29m lookout tower or experience being in a virtual storm at sea.

More ideas for holiday planning can be found on The St Germans Local Area Page and The Hayle Local Area Page. For more images try FreeFoto, and search for Cornwall.

Click here to go to the Railholiday home page

SITE MAP - left click on the underlined Section or Sub Page to go to that page

Section Sub Pages Details

Home Page
The Railholiday self catering holiday accommodation home page

St Ives Bay SK2
The St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage home page

Hayle Area Info on Hayle and West Cornwall, St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Truro, Mousehole, St Michaels Mount, Lands End, The Lizard, Falmouth, St Mawes and the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Gallery Pictures of the St Ives Bay SK2, Hayle and West Cornwall

Virtual Tour Have a look around the SK2 by way of a series of photos

Visitors Comments Genuine extracts from the St Ives Bay SK2 visitors book

Travelling Post Office
The Travelling Post Office holiday let home page

St Germans Area Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project

Gallery Pictures of the Travelling Post Office, St Germans station and village

Virtual tour Have a look around the TPO by way of a series of photos

History Some history of GWR Travelling Post Office 841

The Old Luggage Van
The Old Luggage Van vacation carriage home page

St Germans Area Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project

Gallery Pictures of the Old Luggage Van, St Germans station and village

Virtual Tour Have a look around the Old Luggage Van with a series of photos

Visitors Comments Genuine extracts from the Old Luggage Van visitors book

Walks from St Germans Selection of walks centred on the village

Prices and Availability
This years prices and availability for all the holiday lets

Next years prices Next years prices and availability for all the holiday lets

Booking
How to book your railway carriage holiday accommodation. You can book over the phone by card or by post with a cheque.

Booking Form Use this if you are sending payment by post.

Booking Conditions The legal stuff

Things to do
Holiday planning ideas for making the most of your stay

Rail and Heritage Railways and trains (standard, narrow gauge & model railways), heritage & attractions to engage the technically minded (prehistoric sites, Cornish mines, the cornish mining world heritage site, china clay extraction, lighthouses etc.)

Houses & Gardens National Trust, English Heritage and private houses, country estates, gardens and castles open to the public

Other attractions Theme parks (Flambards, Creally) kids play areas, aquariums, animal attractions (Newquay and Paignton zoo, Paradise Park, National Seal Sanctuary etc.)

Beaches and Outdoor Activities The best beaches with info on facilities, access, family friendly, dog friendly plus walking, surfing, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, diving, karting etc.

Day Trips by Train Some possible itineries for days out by train in cornwall

Fishing Places to fish near our holiday carriages

Walking Places to walk near our holiday carriages

Getting Around
Public transport info; trains, buses, taxis, ferries etc.

News
Late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts + Railholiday news and projects

Links
A massive resource with sections on; Cornish and south west railway, environmental, railway sites around the world, Fotopic and other rail photography sites, history and heritage, holiday and charter train, mail by rail, model railway, alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks, preserved railways, railway search engines and groups.

Contact
How to contact Railholiday

	Beaches - Cornwall boasts a great variety of beaches from sweeping expanses of dune backed sand miles long to small sheltered coves. Most coastal towns and villages have their own beach too. Many can be reached by public transport while in some places you can park on the beach. Rock pools and surf hire shops make beaches the perfect place for toddlers and teenagers alike while dad may prefer just enjoying the scenery! And a day at the beach needn't cost a penny.
	Eden Project - The Eden Project is an unforgetable experience in a breathtaking location. 50m deep in a former China Clay pit the size of 30 football pitches sit the biggest greenhouses ever built. Eden has transformed the site into a unique global garden reminding us of how we are dependant on plants for our very existance. The world wide acclaim is well justified - you simply must visit Eden.
	Industrial Heritage - The granite backbone of Cornwall created areas rich in minerals, especially tin. Consequently hard rock mining was a way of life for centuries and Cornish miners and the associated industries led the world with their skills and technology. The deserted engine houses are an evocative feature of the County and most can be freely visited. A few have been restored to working order whilst at Geevor, South Crofty and Poldark you can descend into the mines themselves.
	The Arts - Cornwall is a thriving arts centre, with an abundance of quirky theatre groups, literature festivals and art galleries. Watch a show at the wonderful Minack Theatre (pictured), visit the Tate St Ives, or just enjoy the extraordinary landscape that has drawn artists to Cornwall for so many years.
	Land's End and The Lizard Point - Two wonderful but different landmarks. Enjoy the beautiful wildness of The Lizard Point, the most southerly point in Britain, with its striking serpentine rock, or follow the coastal footpath to Lands End, (you can even visit its own special theme park!)
	Historic Houses and Beautiful Gardens - Cornwall has more than 20 historic houses and gardens open to the public including the stunning, National Trust owned, Lanhydrock (pictured). The counties climate is mild due to the sea never being far away and this allows many tropical species to be grown outdoors. Check out the "Houses and Gardens" page for more details.
	Antiquities - neolithic monuments, iron age hill forts and mighty fortresses abound in Cornwall. Many are easy to get to, free to enter and most are in spectacular locations.
	Fishing Villages - Nestling in sheltered inlets in the rocky coasts, fishing is still an important part of life in these coastal communities . Enjoy an ice cream while watching the nets being mended and the boats coming and going - and why not buy some fish straight from the boat to put on the barbecue when you get home?
	The Railways 1 - The main line through Cornwall - Brunels Great Western from London to Penzance - crosses valley after valley on a series of spectacular viaducts. This makes for great views from and of, the trains. Why not leave the car at home and take a branch line train to Looe, St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay or Gunnislake and relax.
	The Railways 2 - If steam or heritage diesel is your thing then the Bodmin and Wenford Railway offers some steep gradients on its tortuous route from the main line connection in the Glynn Valley up to Bodmin and then down to Wenford Bridge. There are plenty of narrow gauge trains to ride too with the Lappa Valley, Launceston and Hidden Valley Railways and the Dobwalls Adventure Park, all well worth a visit - adult or child.
	Legends and Folklore - Visit the old fishing villages of Looe and Polperro, famous for their smuggling pasts. Visit the Hurlers, or Trevethy quoit, fashioned by giants, or walk the ancient path of the early saints - The Saints Way.
	Walking - The coastal footpath has to be one of the best walking experiences - 260 miles of vistas almost entirely off road but with enough tea rooms and pubs to keep even the most energetic refreshed. And for a change from the sea there are plenty of waymarked trails through lush farmland and up onto the moors. For the cyclist, the quiet lanes make for some idyllic trips whilst the national cycle network is well developed and has many traffic free sections.
	Attractions and Theme Parks - From the Raging River Watercoaster to rescued seals, a satelite earth station to an Elizabethan manor, King Arthurs birthplace to model railways, a cider farm to a pilchard works and of course some rather large greenhouses - Cornwall really does have it all. There is so much to do for all ages whatever the weather.
	Food & Drinks - Cornwalls best known export is probably not the china clay that makes our paper smooth and white but rather the Ginsters Cornish Pasty. Wether or not you are a fan of these you really should try a pasty from a small producer - washed down perhaps by some local real ale or a glass of cider. And what could be pleasanter on a sunny afternoon than a clotted cream tea in the dappled shade of a pretty garden?
	National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Charting the evolution of the boat. Changing exhibitions include the Vende Globe attempt by Pete Goss and the winning boats from the Sydney Olympics. Explore the sea in one of only three underwater viewing galleries in the world, enjoy the views from the 29m lookout tower or experience being in a virtual storm at sea.

SITE MAP - left click on the underlined Section or Sub Page to go to that page
Section	Sub Pages	Details
Home Page		The Railholiday self catering holiday accommodation home page
St Ives Bay SK2		The St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage home page
	Hayle Area	Info on Hayle and West Cornwall, St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Truro, Mousehole, St Michaels Mount, Lands End, The Lizard, Falmouth, St Mawes and the Lost Gardens of Heligan
	Gallery	Pictures of the St Ives Bay SK2, Hayle and West Cornwall
	Virtual Tour	Have a look around the SK2 by way of a series of photos
	Visitors Comments	Genuine extracts from the St Ives Bay SK2 visitors book
Travelling Post Office		The Travelling Post Office holiday let home page
	St Germans Area	Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
	Gallery	Pictures of the Travelling Post Office, St Germans station and village
	Virtual tour	Have a look around the TPO by way of a series of photos
	History	Some history of GWR Travelling Post Office 841
The Old Luggage Van		The Old Luggage Van vacation carriage home page
	St Germans Area	Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
	Gallery	Pictures of the Old Luggage Van, St Germans station and village
	Virtual Tour	Have a look around the Old Luggage Van with a series of photos
	Visitors Comments	Genuine extracts from the Old Luggage Van visitors book
	Walks from St Germans	Selection of walks centred on the village
Prices and Availability		This years prices and availability for all the holiday lets
	Next years prices	Next years prices and availability for all the holiday lets
Booking		How to book your railway carriage holiday accommodation. You can book over the phone by card or by post with a cheque.
	Booking Form	Use this if you are sending payment by post.
	Booking Conditions	The legal stuff
Things to do		Holiday planning ideas for making the most of your stay
	Rail and Heritage	Railways and trains (standard, narrow gauge & model railways), heritage & attractions to engage the technically minded (prehistoric sites, Cornish mines, the cornish mining world heritage site, china clay extraction, lighthouses etc.)
	Houses & Gardens	National Trust, English Heritage and private houses, country estates, gardens and castles open to the public
	Other attractions	Theme parks (Flambards, Creally) kids play areas, aquariums, animal attractions (Newquay and Paignton zoo, Paradise Park, National Seal Sanctuary etc.)
	Beaches and Outdoor Activities	The best beaches with info on facilities, access, family friendly, dog friendly plus walking, surfing, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, diving, karting etc.
	Day Trips by Train	Some possible itineries for days out by train in cornwall
	Fishing	Places to fish near our holiday carriages
	Walking	Places to walk near our holiday carriages
Getting Around		Public transport info; trains, buses, taxis, ferries etc.
News		Late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts + Railholiday news and projects
Links		A massive resource with sections on; Cornish and south west railway, environmental, railway sites around the world, Fotopic and other rail photography sites, history and heritage, holiday and charter train, mail by rail, model railway, alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks, preserved railways, railway search engines and groups.
Contact		How to contact Railholiday