Adventures come rain or shine

Discover Cornwall by train this autumn, where the journey is part of the adventure.

Autumn in Cornwall is the perfect time to explore; the summer crowds have faded, the air feels fresher and the coastline takes on a more subtle hue. Thanks to Great Western Railway (GWR), you don’t need to get in the car to see the best of the county. The train network in Cornwall is extensive, affordable and surprisingly straightforward, linking visitors and locals alike with some of the county’s most iconic attractions. Let the train do the hard work this autumn.

Those who have travelled Cornwall’s branch lines know that the views are worth the ticket price alone. The St Ives Bay Line, winding along the coast between St Erth and St Ives, is often described as one of the most picturesque rail journeys in Britain, offering sweeping views over Porthkidney Sands and Carbis Bay. Likewise, the Looe Valley Line, the Maritime Line to Falmouth and the Tamar Valley Line into Devon all showcase Cornwall’s beauty in a way you simply don’t get from behind the wheel of a car. With comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, charging points and the ease of hopping on the next available service without having to book a seat, travelling with GWR makes days out relaxing from start to finish.

Why not take the train to Truro, Cornwall’s only city, where history and culture are a short stroll from the station. The newly rebranded Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery is just over a ten-minute walk away and is the perfect rainy-day stop, bringing the county’s story vividly to life through art, artefacts and objects. 

This October, the spectacular touring artwork Mars: War and Peace by Luke Jerram arrives at Truro Cathedral, a glowing seven-metre sculpture featuring detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. Following on from the success of Gaia in 2023, it promises to be an awe-inspiring centrepiece in one of Cornwall’s most striking buildings.

Further south, the Maritime Line sweeps you into Falmouth, where the sea has shaped the town for centuries. Stroll 15 minutes from Falmouth Docks station to Pendennis Castle, standing proudly on its headland. This half-term, from 25th October to 2nd November, the castle transforms for a Halloween spectacular. Children can follow creepy quests, hear spine-tingling Cornish ghost stories  and even attend “Monster School” – a ghoulishly fun day out with plenty of atmosphere.

If you’re looking for thrills with a darker twist, Bodmin Parkway is the gateway to one of Cornwall’s most notorious landmarks. A bus or taxi ride brings you to Bodmin Jail Attraction, built in 1779 and now home to award-winning tours and the immersive Dark Walk. It’s a fascinating and chilling glimpse into Cornwall’s history of crime and punishment, perfect for autumn days when the weather outside turns suitably dramatic.

For family fun, Newquay Zoo is only a ten-minute walk from Newquay station. Get close to hundreds of animals and countless amazing plants across 13 acres of beautiful, sub-tropical gardens. Or take the train to St Austell and continue by direct bus to the Eden Project. From 18th October, the ice rink returns, a family favourite for a winter wonderland experience and little ones can join Zog and the Flying Doctors for adventures in the biomes during half-term. Even on grey days, the rainforest and Mediterranean gardens inside Eden’s domes guarantee warmth and wonder.

Step just over the border into Devon and Plymouth offers another train-linked highlight. From the station it’s a pleasant walk down to the National Marine Aquarium, a conservation aquarium, home to over 5,000 ocean animals and immersive exhibits. Where else can you snorkel with stingrays and turtles or experience the UK’s deepest aquarium exhibit? A great day out whatever the weather.

Photoshoot with models for Great Western Railway

With so much to see and do, taking the train makes exploring Cornwall easy and affordable. The Cornwall Ranger ticket offers one day unlimited travel* within Cornwall and to Plymouth for just £17 for adults and £8.50 for children – ideal if you want to hop between destinations in a single day. For £13 a year, residents of Devon and Cornwall can save a third on tickets within the region with a Devon and Cornwall Railcard. Also, save a third for a friend and up to four children (aged 5-15) travel for just £2 each. Both options are a simple way to enjoy great value adventures across the region.

This autumn, rid yourself of the worry about parking, traffic, or unpredictable weather. With GWR, the journey is part of the experience.

Prices are correct as of September 2025.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY
www.gwr.com