Practical Information

Getting There

Devon and Cornwall are large counties with few major transport ­arteries. Public transport is widespread, but so is the population, so don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry. Schedules tend to vary according to local market days and to seasons.

By road

Most car travellers arrive in Devon via the M5 motorway, which is fed by the M4 from London (roughly 200 miles/320km) and the M6 from the north.

The nearest motorway to Cornwall, the M5 (connections with the M4 at Bristol and the M6, at Birmingham), ends at Exeter, from where the main routes into Cornwall are the A30 to Penzance and the A38 to Bodmin via Plymouth. North Cornwall is served by the Atlantic Highway (A39).

City-centre parking in Devon and Cornwall is quite good, with several multistorey car parks. Most other locations have pay-and-display car parks, not cheap. Parking is often a problem in summer. Park and Ride rail schemes are run in high ­season at Liskeard (for Looe), St Austell (for the Eden Project) and Lelant Saltings (for St Ives).

By coach

National Express has regular services into the region. The journey time London–Penzance is about 8.5 hours. For further information: www.traveline.info or tel: 0871-200 2233.

By train

Exeter is served by fast trains (less than 3 hours) from Paddington. An alternative London slower service (Regional Railways) runs from Waterloo.

Fast trains, operated by First Great Western, run from London Paddington to various towns in the West. Direct journey time London­–Penzance is about 6 hours; www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. Virgin Trains run from central and northern England plus Scotland; www.virgintrains.co.uk.

For all train information, contact National Rail Enquiries, tel: 0845-748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk or visit www.thetrainline.com.

By air

Exeter and Newquay have airports

Exeter airport information, tel: 01392-367 433; www.exeterairport.co.uk; Plymouth, tel: 01752-204 090; www.plymouthairport.com; Newquay Airport tel: 01637-860 600; www.newquaycornwallairport.com.

To the Isles of Scilly

British International Helicopters operates chopper services between Penzance and the islands, tel: 01736-363 871; www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group offers fixed-wing flights and boat services, tel: 01736-362 009; www.chycor.co.uk/tourism/issc/steamship.htm. Or book air and ferry services online at www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk.

Getting Around

By car

Many of the country lanes have narrow stretches and there are plenty of steep hills. Allow double time for all car journeys, and don’t try to hurry. The region’s roads were not built for speed, and there’s likely to be a tractor, herd of cows, or caravan somewhere just ahead.

In general, it is always good to know the market days of your local town, because these greatly affect the amount of traffic making its way to the centre. To steer clear of local traffic congestion, tune into BBC Radio Cornwall for regular bulletins on traffic.

Car rental

Major companies have offices in Exeter, Plymouth and Newquay.

Budget Exeter, tel: 01392-422 095

Avis Plymouth, tel: 0844-544 6090

Thrifty Plymouth, tel: 01752-207 207

Europcar Newquay, tel: 01637-860 337.

By train

From Exeter (St Davids) regional connections go to Barnstaple and Exmouth, and from Newton Abbot to Paignton. From Plymouth, a service runs up the Tamar Valley all the way to Gunnislake.

Regional Railways operate a service between Plymouth and Penzance via Liskeard and Truro, with lines heading off to Gunnislake, Looe, Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives. For more information on how to get around without a car, visit www.carfreedaysout.com.

Train rides can be eventful along the coast.

Istockphoto

By bus

The local bus network is extensive and services are fairly reliable. Visit www.travelinesw.com, and more details are available from First Devon and Cornwall Bus companies (www.firstgroup.com/ukbus). Other services are run by Western Greyhound (tel: 01637-871 871; www.westerngreyhound.com) and Stagecoach South West (tel: 01392-437 711; www.stagecoachbus.com).

By bike

Cyclists can travel several car-free routes including the Tarka Trail and Cornwall’s Clay Trail. The Surf and Cycle Bus runs between Barnstaple and Woolacombe via Croyde, with the complete lower floor converted to allow surfboard and cycle storage.

By taxi

For short distances around cities, taxis are inexpensive.

Jay Cars, Exeter, tel: 01392-217 000

Silverline Taxis, Plymouth, tel: 01752-242 424

A2B Taxis, Newquay, tel: 01637-875 555

Roger Care Taxis, Penzance, tel: 01736-367 433.

GREEN TRANSPORT

For low-impact travel use public transport. First Devon and Cornwall has introduced Drive Green technology on its buses. And there are plans to introduce greener bi-mode trains (running on both diesel and electri-city) on slower rail services.

Facts for the Visitor

Disabled travellers

For suitable accommodation, try www.radar.org.uk or call RADAR, tel: 0207-250 3222.

Other useful sites to visit include:www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk; www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk; www.goodaccessguide.co.uk; www.tourismforall.org.

Emergencies

For emergency ambulance, fire or police dial 999. The Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro TR1 3LJ, tel: 01872-250 000 has a full Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

Opening hours

Most shops open from 9am to 5.30pm; supermarkets ­usually stay open later, and some open on Sunday. Post offices open Monday–Friday 9am to 5.30pm, and usually until noon on Saturday. There are plenty of late-night garages.

Tourist information

For information on Devon check out www.visitdevon.co.uk. For Tor Bay (Torquay, Paignton and Brixham), www.englishriviera.co.uk and for Mid and North Devon, www.northdevon.com. For Lundy Island, www.lundyisland.co.uk.

For information on Cornwall, check www.visitcornwall.com. For Scilly, www.simplyscilly.co.uk.