Cornwall attractions to visit by rail

Let the train take the strain and explore Cornwall on some of Britain's most scenic train journeys. With a variety of train lines to take, which Cornish attraction will you visit first? Here are a few to get you started.

Eden Project - Main line - near St Austell
Stop off in St Austell and visit the famous Eden Project. Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World by some, the extraordinary Eden Project houses some of the biggest greenhouses in the world and has become a place to discover a wealth of plants and natural wonders. As you wander between the mesmerising biomes you will step into a tropical rainforest and experience a Mediterranean oasis. You will find buses to the Eden Project at St Austell train station, which is just a few miles away.

Bodmin Railway - Main line - Bodmin
When travelling the main line stop off at Bodmin Parkway and discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin Railway - Cornwall's only full size railway still operated by steam locomotives. When you sit back and relax in style and enjoy a leisurely 13 mile round trip through beautiful countryside, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age, as the era of a Cornish branch line in the 1950s reveals itself during the course of your journey.

Newquay Zoo - Atlantic Coast line - Newquay
Take the Atlantic Coast line and enjoy the coastal resort of Newquay, acknowledged as one of the finest stretches of coastline in Europe, with its wonderful sandy beaches, shops, cafes and high Atlantic waves. Walking distance from the station is Newquay Zoo, where you can meet loads of amazing species including beautiful songbirds, slithery snakes, scaly skinks, marvelous meerkats and tropical toucans – to name a few. Newquay Zoo is just a 10 minute walk from Newquay's train station.

Pendennis Castle - Maritime line - Falmouth
Take the Maritime line from Truro to Falmouth and you will be spoilt for choice on things to see and do. Pendennis Castle is a great family day out and one of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the Fal River and country against invasion. Throughout the year, a packed events programme provides great family fun including Fighting Knights, Grand Medieval Jousts and Pirates Attack. Jump off the train at Falmouth Docks and walk along Castle Drive for 10 minutes, you will reach Pendennis Castle situated on Castle Close.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Maritime line - Falmouth
Whilst in Falmouth, visit Cornwall’s famous National Maritime Museum, situated in front of the picturesque deep water harbour, the third largest in the world. Celebrating the sea, boats and Cornwall, this multi-award winning museum not only has 15 stunning galleries beautifully illustrating the past, present and future of this island nation but also offers a number of exciting exhibitions. Alight at Falmouth Town Station (The Dell) and the museum is just a 2 minute walk away.

Royal Cornwall Museum - Main line - Truro
Cornwall's major city and mainline railway station, Truro is a fascinating place to explore. It boasts specialist shops in winding narrow streets, splendid Georgian architecture in Lemon Street and of course The Royal Cornwall Museum. Here you can explore Cornwall’s culture from the ancient past to the present day as well an Egyptian mummy, explorers’ medicine chest and a wide range of Cornish and British art. The Royal Cornwall Museum is situated just 0.5 miles from Truro's train station, heading straight down River Street.

Tate St Ives – St Ives Bay line - St Ives
Quite possibly the most scenic branch line in Britain, this is truly the best way to arrive in St. Ives and to visit the Tate Gallery. Situated on Porthmeor Beach, Tate St Ives celebrates the modernist legacy of the town’s international artists’ colony. The gallery offers a lively programme that embraces the best of international modern and contemporary art, presenting temporary exhibitions, special commissions and works by iconic 20th century artists who lived and worked in the town, including Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth.