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

Beaches, Surfing and other Outdoor Activities

For a comprehensive list of all Cornish beaches accessible to dogs, please visit The Cornish Coast

Getting to the beach by public transport from St Germans.

In Hayle the most wonderful beach is just fifteen minutes walk away, or you can catch the train to St Ives. In St Germans the nearest beaches are four miles away. When we are around, we're usually happy to run guests to and fro. However there are public transport options. We suggest; catching the 572 Western Greyhound bus to Hessenford, which has a very pleasant river walk of about two miles leading to the coast at Seaton. There are a number of pubs and cafes in Seaton and neighbouring Downderry, and this makes a pleasant trip. There is also a local taxi service that would happily take guests to Portwrinkle and Whitsand bay; Anthony can be contacted on 07788 900222. Looe has a pleasant beach which is very popular with summer visitors. To get away from the beaten track a walk to Talland Bay or Polperro along the coast (about 5/7 miles) is very enjoyable, and regular buses link Polperro with Looe - the 573 run by Western Greyhound. The access to Looe from St Germans is easy - either by bus, or a very pleasant train ride (change at Liskeard - it's usually only a ten minute wait max before the train leaves). Alternatively you could take a long trip to the St Ives or Falmouth along the branch lines, both of which have really excellent half hourly services. Train fares in Cornwall are very reasonable, and there are some good rover options - try Great Scenic Railways for more information.

Beaches in South East Cornwall

Cawsand - (G2) Two sand and shingle coves in Cawsand Bay with plenty of facilities in the joined villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. There are rock pools to explore and there is a slipway at Cawsand.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, restaurants, cafe's, shops, pubs and Post Office nearby.
Dogs: Banned from Easter Day to October 1.
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.

Portwrinkle - (F2) A sand and shingle beach with a harbour and slipway. Many rock pools to explore.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, seasonal ice cream and beach gear kiosk, hotel restaurant and bar.
Dogs: There are two beaches in Portwrinkle. One beach welcomes dogs, on the other dogs are banned from Easter Day to October 1.
Beach Access: Moderate - tarmac paths down cliff.
Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.

Whitsand Bay - (F2) A 3 mile stretch of perfect sand bordered by rock pools. The 250 foot high cliffs are dotted with chalets and the bay finishes in the East with the near island that is Rame Head, surmounted by a C14 chapel.
Facilities: Car parking, ice cream vans, NO toilets, cafe, restaurant.
Dogs: Allowed all year.
Beach Access: Difficult - steep and mostly unsurfaced paths.
Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.

Downderry and Seaton - (F2) This sand and shingle beach is a narrow strip at the base of low cliffs at Downderry which broadens into the mouth of the Seaton Valley in the West. The River Seaton winds across the beach and provides a play pool for kids.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, restaurant, shop, pub.
Dogs: Welcome in Seaton and Downderry, some areas beyond Downderry banned from Easter to October.
Beach Access: Easy
Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.

Looe - (F2) A working fishing harbour with much to see. The seafront sandy beach is popular with families and extends some way along the coast to the East, though it becomes rather rocky in places.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafes, restaurants, shops, pubs.
Dogs: Banned all year.
Beach Access: Easy
Public Transport: Rail and Bus.

Par Sands - (E2) An extensive area of firm sand backed by dunes with plenty of beach at all states of the tide.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, shop, pub.
Dogs: Allowed all year.
Beach Access: Easy
Public Transport: Rail and Bus.

Beaches in West and North Cornwall

Widemouth Bay - (E4) The beach consists of a mile of flat sand backed by low cliffs and grassy fields. The beach is rocky in places providing many rock pools harbouring marine wildlife. Widemouth bay is popular with surfers and its coastal paths provide excellent views.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops nearby.
Dogs: Banned from Easter to October on some of the beach.
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport:

Polzeath - (D3) At the mouth of the Camel Estuary this is a superb family beach with a large expanse of sand and is excellent for surfing and bathing and is regularly cleaned. National Trust land adjacent to the beach provides footpaths leading to Pentire Point giving superb views from the Rump headlands.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops, surf board hire nearby.
Dogs: Banned from Easter to October.
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport:

Porthmeor - (B2) The most westerly of St. Ives' beaches. Waves crash in from the Atlantic Ocean which make Porthmeor Beach a favourite with surfers and body boarders. The beach is overlooked by the Tate Art Gallery.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops, seasonal lifeguard.
Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation.
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport: Good. Transport links available to and from St Ives.

Carbis Bay - (B2) St. Ives to the west and Lelant to the east, Carbis Bay is little visited in winter, but comes alive in the summer holidays.
Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, shops.
Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation.
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport: Train

Gwithian Towans - (B2) Part of Hayle Sands, Gwithian offers the excellent Sunset Surf Cafe where surfboards can be hired. Rock pools, caves and gullys are plentiful.
Facilities: Cafe, shop, toilet, parking.
Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation.
Beach Access: Moderate.
Public Transport:

Godrevy Towans - (B2) Part of Hayle Sands, Gwithian offers the excellent Sunset Surf Cafe where surfboards can be hired. Rock pools, caves and gullys are plentiful.
Facilities: Cafe, shop, toilet, parking.
Dogs: seasonal ban in operation.
Beach Access:
Public Transport:

Perranporth - (D2) One of Cornwalls most famous beaches, as featured on the BBC series "Seaside Rescue". The large flat sand is ideal for walking, kite flying, etc. and makes for excellent surfing. Be warned, due to the flat sand, the tide comes in quickly.
Facilities: Parking, cafe, shop, toilets, seasonal lifeguard.
Dogs:
Beach Access: Easy.
Public Transport:

Surfing

We are currently expanding our surfing links - please send us any sites you would like to see included.

Surfing local to Hayle

Down the Line Surf Shop - Run by surfers for surfers, this top notch surf shop sells everything for your surf needs in the Copperhouse area of Hayle and by mail order. Their informative site includes surf reports.
GAS surf school - Learn the basics of surfing or fine tune your surfing technique with a lesson at the Gwithian Academy of Surfing - one of Cornwall's longest running and most highly regarded surf schools. This is on the Hayle side of the St Ives Bay, within two miles of the St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage.
Shore Surf School - Shore Surf is a British Surfing Association Approved Surf School running daily lessons from their Surf Centre of Excellence at the St. Ives Bay Holiday Park and a Surf Camp on the beautiful National Trust beach of Godrevy.
Sunset Surf - at Gwithian, Hayle. "We have everything you need for a great day in or out of the surf. A fun-packed surf lesson with our experienced surf coaches, a fantastic range of surf clothing and surf hardware in our surf shop and online store, and delicious homemade food from our award-winning beachside café… JUST ADD WAVES! "

Surfing local to St Germans

South East Cornwall Surf Club - surf club based at Whitsand bay that also organise the legendary Seaton to Downderry raft race on the first weekend of August each year
Adventure Bay Surf School - based at Whitsand Bay, seven miles from St Germans, Adventure Bay Surf School is open all year round providing exciting and professional surfing tuition. They offer a range of lessons and courses to suit beginner levels right through to advanced and work with customers to tailor lessons. As well as surfing, they supply Coasteering at Rame Head, Torbay and Newquay and Aqua Zorbing in the sea and in local swimming pools.

Surfing in the rest of Cornwall

Surfing Cornwall - is one of the leading online information resources for surfing in Cornwall, the number one water sport in the Southwest.

- Live the Dream! Kingsurf surf school at Mawgan Port, Newquay, provides fun, professional & safe surfing lessons for all abilities.
Magic Seaweed - Surf Forecasts - forcasts for the Uk and Ireland

Outdoors and Activity Sites

Active-8 - South East Cornwall company offering a wide variety of organised outdoor activities.
Bake Lakes (F3) - beautiful fishing lakes. 4 coarse and 3 fly. Equipment hire and tuition. Novices welcome.
The Camel Trail (D3) - cycle way along disused railway line. (PT)
Ghost Walks Penzance and St Ives (B2) (01736 331206) - "Dare you take a walk...."
Indoor Karting, Camborne (C2) (01209 711993)
Outdoor Karting, Menheniot (F3) (01579 347229)
St Eval Kart Racing Newquay (D3) (01637 860160) - "Largest and fastest track in the West"
Tamar Canoe Expeditions (F3) - kayak down the Tamar. No experience or equipment required

Cycling in Cornwall

Bissoe Tramways Cycle Trails - Bike hire in the heart of the Cornish mining landscape.
Chycor - A list of the main cycle routes in Cornwall. The site includes maps and information on each route.
Cornish Cycle Tours - Self-guided cycle tours in Cornwall.
Cornishlight - Information on cycle routes on Cornwall.
Cornwall Cycling - Information on cycle routes on Cornwall.
Explore Cornwall - Information on the Cornish Way, which consists of 5 cycle trails.
Into Cornwall - Information on cycle routes on Cornwall.
Lets Go Biking - Information on cycle routes and cycling holidays in Cornwall.
Mobius Bike Trails - Information on guided bike trails in Cornwall.
Sustrans Cornwall - The UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Includes information and maps for the major cycle routes in Cornwall.

Popular Routes

Cardimham Woods - Cycle up to four different routes around the valley of the Cardinham Water river. Bikes are NOT available to hire.
The Camel Trail - A very popular cycle way taking in Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. Bikes ARE available for hire.
The Cornish Way - Consisting of 5 cycle trails in Cornwall.

Bike Hire

Bissoe Tramways Cycle Hire - Bike Hire and servicing.
Bridge Bike Hire - Bike Hire for the Camel Trail situated in Wadebridge, open daily 9am-5pm.
Cornwall Cycle Hire - Bike Hire in North Cornwall.
Padstow Cycle Hire - Bike hire located at the start of the Camel Trail in Padstow.
Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire - Ideal if cycling around Mevagissey and St. Austell. Route to the Eden Project available.

Horse Riding close to St Germans

Penewin Equestrian Centre - Very local to St Germans, a friendly, family run stables offering tuition and trekking. Comes highly recommended by Poppy.
Cholwell Riding Stables - Lovely place to go trekking across the moors. Well behaved horses, friendly staff and fantastic views, all off road
Horse Riding in Cornwall - Comprehensive list of stables in Cornwall
Devon Ponies - Comprehensive list of stables in Devon
Pensilva Livery, Brook Barn Farm, Pensilva, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5RQ Tel: 01579 363617
Polean Equestrian Centre, Polean Farm, Pelynt, Looe, Cornwall PL13 2LX Tel: 01503 272727
Polmartin Riding School - Lower Tokenbury Equestrian Centre, Caradon Town, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5AR Tel: 01579 362747
TM International School of Horsemanship - based at Henwood on Bodmin moor. Offers pottery when the weather is too inclement to ride!

Horse Riding close to Hayle

Old Mill Stables, Lelant Downs, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 6LN Tel: 01736 753045
Bosvathick Riding Stables - Falmouth based school with 92 acres, and an indoor riding school
Horse Riding in Cornwall - Comprehensive list of Cornish riding stables

More ideas for holiday planning can be found on The St Germans Local Area Page and The Hayle Local Area Page

Click here to go to the Railholiday home page

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	Cawsand - (G2) Two sand and shingle coves in Cawsand Bay with plenty of facilities in the joined villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. There are rock pools to explore and there is a slipway at Cawsand. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, restaurants, cafe's, shops, pubs and Post Office nearby. Dogs: Banned from Easter Day to October 1. Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.
	Portwrinkle - (F2) A sand and shingle beach with a harbour and slipway. Many rock pools to explore. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, seasonal ice cream and beach gear kiosk, hotel restaurant and bar. Dogs: There are two beaches in Portwrinkle. One beach welcomes dogs, on the other dogs are banned from Easter Day to October 1. Beach Access: Moderate - tarmac paths down cliff. Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.
	Whitsand Bay - (F2) A 3 mile stretch of perfect sand bordered by rock pools. The 250 foot high cliffs are dotted with chalets and the bay finishes in the East with the near island that is Rame Head, surmounted by a C14 chapel. Facilities: Car parking, ice cream vans, NO toilets, cafe, restaurant. Dogs: Allowed all year. Beach Access: Difficult - steep and mostly unsurfaced paths. Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.
	Downderry and Seaton - (F2) This sand and shingle beach is a narrow strip at the base of low cliffs at Downderry which broadens into the mouth of the Seaton Valley in the West. The River Seaton winds across the beach and provides a play pool for kids. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, restaurant, shop, pub. Dogs: Welcome in Seaton and Downderry, some areas beyond Downderry banned from Easter to October. Beach Access: Easy Public Transport: By bus from Plymouth rail station.
	Looe - (F2) A working fishing harbour with much to see. The seafront sandy beach is popular with families and extends some way along the coast to the East, though it becomes rather rocky in places. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafes, restaurants, shops, pubs. Dogs: Banned all year. Beach Access: Easy Public Transport: Rail and Bus.
	Par Sands - (E2) An extensive area of firm sand backed by dunes with plenty of beach at all states of the tide. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, shop, pub. Dogs: Allowed all year. Beach Access: Easy Public Transport: Rail and Bus.

	Widemouth Bay - (E4) The beach consists of a mile of flat sand backed by low cliffs and grassy fields. The beach is rocky in places providing many rock pools harbouring marine wildlife. Widemouth bay is popular with surfers and its coastal paths provide excellent views. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops nearby. Dogs: Banned from Easter to October on some of the beach. Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport:
	Polzeath - (D3) At the mouth of the Camel Estuary this is a superb family beach with a large expanse of sand and is excellent for surfing and bathing and is regularly cleaned. National Trust land adjacent to the beach provides footpaths leading to Pentire Point giving superb views from the Rump headlands. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops, surf board hire nearby. Dogs: Banned from Easter to October. Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport:
	Porthmeor - (B2) The most westerly of St. Ives' beaches. Waves crash in from the Atlantic Ocean which make Porthmeor Beach a favourite with surfers and body boarders. The beach is overlooked by the Tate Art Gallery. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe's, shops, seasonal lifeguard. Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation. Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport: Good. Transport links available to and from St Ives.
	Carbis Bay - (B2) St. Ives to the west and Lelant to the east, Carbis Bay is little visited in winter, but comes alive in the summer holidays. Facilities: Car parking, toilets, cafe, shops. Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation. Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport: Train
	Gwithian Towans - (B2) Part of Hayle Sands, Gwithian offers the excellent Sunset Surf Cafe where surfboards can be hired. Rock pools, caves and gullys are plentiful. Facilities: Cafe, shop, toilet, parking. Dogs: Seasonal ban in operation. Beach Access: Moderate. Public Transport:
	Godrevy Towans - (B2) Part of Hayle Sands, Gwithian offers the excellent Sunset Surf Cafe where surfboards can be hired. Rock pools, caves and gullys are plentiful. Facilities: Cafe, shop, toilet, parking. Dogs: seasonal ban in operation. Beach Access: Public Transport:
	Perranporth - (D2) One of Cornwalls most famous beaches, as featured on the BBC series "Seaside Rescue". The large flat sand is ideal for walking, kite flying, etc. and makes for excellent surfing. Be warned, due to the flat sand, the tide comes in quickly. Facilities: Parking, cafe, shop, toilets, seasonal lifeguard. Dogs: Beach Access: Easy. Public Transport: