The Perfect 5-day Itinerary in Cornwall
I’ve visited Cornwall a few times now and have always found myself drawn to its stunning western coast, particularly St. Ives and Penzance (aka as far as possible from London!). The coastline here is some of the most picturesque in South West England and I love it so much. Whilst Cornwall has a lot to offer, this 5-day itinerary focuses specifically on this beautiful region, which is perfect if you’re looking to explore Cornwall without a car.
If you’re planning your first trip to Cornwall, I am sure St. Ives and Penzance will make a great impression with beautiful sandy beaches, lots of charming independent shops and delicious fresh food. For this itinerary, I would recommend staying in Penzance, a quieter yet well connected town so Days 1 and 5 are planned around staying here, ensuring you get the best experience!
Although my travels have been car-free, having a car would open up a lot more opportunities, such as visiting Newquay, Falmouth, or taking an extended Cornwall road trip. But even without a car, this guide will help you make the most of your time in one of the most beautiful parts of England.
Day 1 - Arrive in Penzance
Cornwall is a quite a journey from most parts of the UK, including London. Both travelling by train or car take at least 5 hours (if you’re heading as far as Penzance) so you should account for this into your Cornwall itinerary to make the most of your trip. I took the direct train from London Paddington at 9am which arrives in Penzance at 2pm - I also chose the direct train so I didn’t need to change. If you’re staying in St. Ives, you’ll need to change at St. Erth to travel further to St. Ives (a very scenic train ride along the coast!). Train tickets can be expensive so make sure you book as far as possible in advance to get the best rates.
I highly recommend staying at Artist Residence, Penzance. I’ve stayed a couple of times now and it’s one of my favourite hotels. It’s a short walk from Penzance station making it ideal if you’re travelling without a car. If you’re travelling as a group, you can stay in the gorgeous cottage that sleeps up to 6 people and is just behind the main hotel.
More hotels in St. Ives and Penzance, Cornwall
After checking in, it will likely be late afternoon, so I would recommend taking advantage of the remaining hours of daylight to either enjoy a leisurely walk from central Penzance to the stunning St. Michael’s Mount (approx. 45 mins scenic walk along the South West Coast Path). Alternatively, if you prefer, you could choose to save this experience for your last day to conclude your trip on a relaxing note (see Day 5 below). You can have dinner at Artist Residence’s Club House where the food is SO delicious.
Day 2 - Explore St. Ives
On the second day, I’d highly recommend taking a whole day to explore the charming town of St. Ives. From Penzance, you can catch the bus to St. Ives, or alternatively, you can opt to take the train one stop back to St. Erth and then change to a small, scenic train that makes its away from St. Erth to St. Ives. I’ve taken this short 10-min journey a few times now and each time, it feels truly magical. I highly recommend choosing the train as it travels along the stunning coastline from Carbis Bay to St. Ives.
You could also get off a stop early at Carbis Bay and walk from there to St. Ives along the South West Coast Path. You’ll get gorgeous sea views along the way and you can also go for a beach walk on the quieter, Carbis Bay beach.
Once you arrive at St. Ives, you will find lots of delightful local shops, cafes, and highly-rated restaurants to explore. A few of my favourite spots that I recommend are:
The Cornish Bakery - for delicious Cornish pasties and coffee. Be sure to stop by during the last 30 minutes of the day, when they offer any leftover baked goods at a discount!
Ardor - a very lovely Mediterranean dining option. This was by FAR my favourite restaurant on the whole trip - I recommend booking in advance.
Lots of independent shops such as The Paper Sailor, St. Ives Bookseller, Jam Industries and Rose Lane antiques.
Harbour Fish and Chips - famous for its fresh seafood.
Porthmeor Beach cafe and restaurant - a laid-back restaurant serving fresh seafood and tapas with spectacular sea views.
At the end of the day, I highly recommend heading to Porthmeor Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall and super easy to get to without a car. For the best views, I recommend taking a short walk up to St. Nicolas’ Chapel - from here, there are panoramic views over the beach and coastline and it’s one of the best sunset spots in St. Ives. If you’re a keen surfer, you could also rent a board from a local St. Ives surf school.
Day 3 - Day trip to Porthcurno and Land’s End
Buses in West Cornwall are somewhat limited, but with a little planning, you can arrange your trip to enjoy beautiful spots such as the stunning Porthcurno Beach and Land’s End. As an example day trip idea, you could get the bus from Penzance bus station to Porthcurno Car Park (approx. 50 mins) and walk for a further 15 mins to The Minack Theatre and Porthcurno Beach. There are a couple of cafes and a museum here too. However, the bus back will likely be a few hours later so you could either use the time to walk to Pedn Vounder Beach (approx. 20 mins) and have a picnic if the weather allows it or if you prefer a longer hike, you could walk along the South West Coast Path to Land’s End (approx. 2 hours). From Land’s End, you can catch the bus back to Penzance.
Alternatively, you can also take the bus all the way from Penzance to Land’s End, the most westerly point in England. While there, you can explore the dramatic cliffs and coastal views, browse in the shops or grab a snack at a cafe or restaurant before heading back. You can plan your busy journey and buy bus tickets on Transport for Cornwall.
Day 4 - Newlyn and Mousehole
On the fourth day, you can explore spots closer to Penzance including Newlyn and Mousehole (pronounced “Mowzal”). You can either choose to walk from Penzance to Newlyn (approx. 20-25 mins). Newlyn is a charming fishing town known for its fresh seafood, art scene and coastal views. A couple of spots to visit include Duke Street Cafe or Newlyn Art Gallery.
If you have time, you can continue walking along the coast to Mousehole (approx. 45 mins from Newlyn), another picturesque village just a couple of miles away. Alternatively, you can take the bus. This spot is quiet but worth visiting - you can wander around its narrow charming streets and enjoy the sea view from the harbour. There are independent art galleries, pubs and a deli. Don’t miss The Mousehole shop where you’ll find lots of lovely Cornish souvenirs and gifts.
It’s worth noting that buses back to Penzance run every 30-40 mins so you should account for this in your plan. You can plan your busy journey and buy bus tickets on Transport for Cornwall.
Day 5 - Penzance shops and Jubilee Pool
For your final day, I’d recommend staying close to Penzance station so you can make the most of your final few hours before heading back. There are lots of lovely shops and cafes in Penzance, perfect for a relaxed morning of browsing and brunch. Here are a few spots I’d highly recommend:
45 Queen Street - this is one of my favourite spots for delicious food, coffee and deli goods. It’s also a bar so you can have cocktails in the evening.
Zennor Wild - I recommend their cheese toastie and mango smoothie or you can browse handcrafted items and unique gifts.
Handworked - a very stylish boutique filled with clothing, homeware and creative supplies (there were SO many things I wanted to take home here).
Fishboy PZ - a cool, design-led clothing and lifestyle store.
Black Jacket Vintage - for lots of vintage fashion and accessories.
Roundhouse Penzance - a small bakery offering freshly baked bread, pastries, and sweet treats.
The Cornish Hen Deli - a great spot for locally sourced treats, deli goods, and picnic-friendly bites, ideal for picking up a few Cornish specialties.
Alternatively, you could visit Jubilee Pool, Penzance’s famous geothermal lido, for a refreshing swim in the heated seawater or a relaxing sauna session. Even if you’re not up for a swim, I’d still recommend stopping by Jubilee Pool Cafe for al leisurely brunch.
Cornwall is SO beautiful and I’d love to explore more of it. To summarise, my suggested 5-day itinerary for Cornwall (if you’re staying in Penzance) is as follows:
Day 1 - Arrive in Penzance and walk to St. Michael’s Mount
Day 2 - Explore St. Ives
Day 3 - Day trip to Porthcurno and Land’s End
Day 4 - Explore Newlyn and Mousehole
Day 5 - Explore Penzance
Useful things to know before you go to Cornwall
Getting to and around Cornwall
You can get a train directly from London to Penzance in Cornwall and it takes approx. 5 hours. While trains connect major towns like Penzance and St. Ives, buses can be infrequent in rural areas. If you want to explore beyond the main spots, renting a car will be the best option. If you are travelling without a car, you can plan your journeys on Transport for Cornwall.
Be prepared for unpredictable weather
The weather in Cornwall can be unpredictable so you need to make sure you’re prepared for all types of weather so pack layers, waterproofs, and good walking shoes, especially if you’re planning coastal walks
Book accommodation early
Cornwall is hugely popular, especially in summer, so hotels and holiday rentals fill up quickly. If you’re visiting in peak season, try to book several months in advance.
I hope you found this guide useful - thanks for reading!
T.
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