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Cornwall Short Break: St Ives to Padstow

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 8 reviews
  • Discover Cornwall's North Coast on a short break in St Ives and Padstow
  • Rugged cliff tops, peaceful and pristine coves
  • The picturesque seaside town of St Ives with its lovely sandy beach
  • Walk to St Michael’s Mount on Cornwall’s Pilgrimage Route
  • Freshly caught fish and chips at Rick Stein’s famous restaurant
Discover the highlights of Cornwall's North Coast on a wonderful two-centre short break. Enjoy overnight stays in the quaint seaside towns of St Ives and Padstow, and follow trails through its beautiful and varied landscapes. Walk along the rugged clifftops and hear the wild Atlantic seas crashing against the rocks. Or as a contrast relish a walk through Cornwall's beautiful rural countryside on the St Michael's Way leading to Marazion. With optional easy walks from both St Ives and Padstow, and perhaps even a refreshing cycle along the Camel Estuary, this is the perfect Cornish escape to blow away those cobwebs!

What To Expect

This tour is perfect if you are looking for a quick escape to classic Cornwall, with overnight stays in the famous Cornish towns of St Ives and Padstow. The walks are easy, mostly low-level and well way-marked although you do have the option to choose a couple of slightly longer/more difficult walks if you so wish. Overnight stays will be in small and welcoming B&B's, guesthouses or inns in the centre of St Ives and Padstow.

Trip Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 5 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Short Break

Grade & Terrain

This tour is graded as easy overall. There are some elevation gains and losses as you walk up and down the cliff paths but all of the walks included are fairly low-level. There are also a couple of inland sections where the terrain will be more rolling. You will be following well-trodden trails for the most part, but when walking inland, you may be walking on trails through farmland and occasionally on wooded trails and country lanes. If you choose to do the longer loop walk from St Ives via The Carracks, this particular walk is graded more towards moderate due to the fact that the terrain is slightly more varied than on the inland walk to Marazion.

Navigation

When walking on the South West Coast Path the route is well waymarked and easy to follow. However, for all the walks we provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPS tracks through our smartphone app, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.

Accommodation Information

You will stay in a mixture of carefully chosen B&B’s and guest houses.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

We welcome solo walkers on this trip although you should, of course, take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo.

Included
  • 4 Nights in B&B’s and guesthouses
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Detailed Information Pack, route notes and map
  • 24/7 telephone support
Excluded
  • Travel to St Ives
  • Travel from Bodmin Parkway
  • Dinners & lunches
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance
  • Bus from Marazion back to St Ives
  • Ferry from Padstow to Rock
Extras
  • Additional nights before or after the holiday

When To Go

This tour can be enjoyed from March to October and you can start on any date which suits your plans. Spring and Autumn/Fall are great because it is quieter on the paths.

Getting to the Start

By Rail/Bus - Trains run from London to St Erth (5hrs), where you need to change trains to St Ives (15mins)

By Car - St Ives is a 5 and a half-hour drive from London, there is limited parking and the car parks can often be very busy in the summer months so we recommend taking the train wherever possible. 

By Air - You can also fly into Newquay Airport. From here you can take a public bus to Newquay Bus Station (one every 30 mins). Then you can take a bus to St Ives from here. The journey takes about 2 hours and buses only run every 4 hours, so be sure to check the timetables on the Traveline website. Alternatively we can arrange private transfers from Newquay Airport to your accommodation for you - please just ask for prices when booking. 

Getting from the End

By Rail/Bus – A transfer is included from Padstow to Bodmin Parkway railway station. From here you can catch a direct train to London Paddington (4hrs).

By Car – There is a long stay car park in Padstow. If you wish to drive, you could leave your car here, but it would mean taking 2 buses from Padstow to St Ives (approx 3hrs) or a taxi (approx 1hr). If at all possible we recommend taking the train as it is much easier. 

By Air – Padstow is easily accessed from Newquay Airport. Buses run regularly from here to Padstow and take approx 1hr or again we can arrange a private taxi transfer - just ask us for a price when booking. 

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

Please note that due to the G7 Summit taking place in St. Ives on 11-13 June 2021 - this tour is not bookable from early to mid-June.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive St Ives & overnight Day 2 Choice of walks from St Ives 8 miles / 11 km Day 3 Transfer to Mawgan Porth. Walk to Padstow 10 miles / 16 km Day 4 Free day in Padstow or optional walk or cycle. 7 miles / 11.5 km Day 5 Onward travel

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