Getting Around and Beach Parking

Public Transport

North Cornwall has a good bus system. We know some who spend many days of their holiday making connections across the West – enjoying the benefits of bus travel. The idea of avoiding the car as much as possible can actually be quite attractive.

HOW ABOUT:

• A walk along the coast, a bite to eat and perhaps a pint or glass of wine or two, then catch the bus back to your house.
• Catch the bus to Padstow with the kids and be able to enjoy it with ample chance to chat!
• It’s raining – you might want to go to Newquay – perhaps even to go to the Blue Reef aquarium. You could pile into your cars, queue into Newquay, go round and round trying to park ending up in different car parks. Make the journey part of the fun – all go on the bus together!
• Bodmin Parkway railway station – coming or going – give the bus a go.
• Newquay Airport – friends coming to join you, but the weather’s sunny and the surf is looking pretty nice! Why not suggest the bus?

WHERE THEY GO

The main route of interest is the 56, which runs from Padstow to Newquay – past most of Raintree’s beaches and also the Airport.

It runs via Windmill (at the top of Trevone) and then down to Harlyn and then to St Merryn. After St Merryn, it either goes inland to the St Merryn Holiday Village or, every 2nd bus, to Constantine Bay, outside the Stores and Des’ surfshop. From here you could also walk to Treyarnon. Then on to Porthcothan, Bedruthan Steps, Mawgan Porth, Newquay Airport and Newquay.

The other main route of interest is the Padstow to Wadebridge/Bodmin, the 11A. This goes to the train station at Bodmin Parkway.

TIMETABLES

11 – Padstow-Wadebridge, Bodmin and Liskeard

Or download the Plymouth Bus app to check times, buy tickets and find out where the bus is.

56 – Padstow to Newquay

Or download the GoCornwall app to check times, buy tickets and find out where the bus is.

For those who want to explore further afield, bus information for the whole of Cornwall can be found on the Transport for Cornwall website.

BEACH PARKING

Porthcothan Bay

The car park at the back of Porthcothan beach provides easy parking. The car park is operated by Cornwall Council and current charges can be seen by following this link. Generally there is no charge from November 1st to 31st March each year and is also free before 9am and after 5pm for the rest of the year. It is left down at beach level off the B road on the way towards Newquay. The beach can be found across the road, along a sandy path and over the small dunes. Porthcothan Bay Stores can be found here – selling ice creams and other essentials for the beach.

Treyarnon Bay

The car park at the back of Treyarnon makes the trip to the beach quite easy. There is a pay and display machine that accepts cash and cards. There is no public parking on the south (Trethias) side. Treyarnon Bay Stores in the car park provides all you need and more. You can walk from Constantine Bay Stores and Trevose Golf Club to Constantine Bay and along the coast path to Treyarnon in about 10 minutes if you are coming by bus or being dropped off. Constantine beach is also very close – about 5 minutes walk across the open and flat headland between the two beaches.

Constantine Bay

Constantine is reached via the beach road down from Constantine Bay Stores. At the bottom is a small car park – making it rare to find a space – unless you’re feeling lucky. Payment is via cash or phone via Parkonomy. Charges apply 9am to 5pm, 7 days per week from 31st March to 31st October each year including bank holidays. Near the bottom you can turn right into a summer car park. From the bottom of the road just walk on along a rough track to get to the south end of Constantine. You can take a path from the little car park round and over the dunes for fun, you can also walk down a small path from the corner of Trevose Golf Club to the dunes as well.

Booby’s Bay

There is no easy parking for Booby’s – except between Easter and October, then the National Trust set aside a field for parking half way up Trevose Head. Don’t park along the golf course lane down to Booby’s Bay Cottage and the other 3 houses – clamping is in effect, and you’re taking a big risk! When the tide is high, sand covers the main beach for three to four hours. The rock pools and climbing are great all around the top of the beach.

Harlyn Bay

There is plenty of parking at the Padstow end of Harlyn – with a bottom gravel car park and a pleasant field above.  Payment is either on the JustPark app or website, or in cash or by card at the machine. There are cameras monitoring entry and exit so do not risk not buying a ticket, even if you drive in and drive out – the car park company are pretty ruthless when it comes to fines!

Mobile signal is patchy in the main car park just behind the beach. However if you walk up the hill towards The Beach Box cafe then you should be able to get a better signal to pay online.  You shouldn’t take a chance by not paying, as the enforcement company is quite ruthless! Both car parks have good views of the beach but there are steps down. The walk down to the far end of Harlyn takes a little while – but it’s worth it.

Trevone Bay

The car park at Trevone is right alongside the main sandy beach, and there is an overflow round the back of the beach at peak times. Do be aware that the car park now has hidden cameras monitoring arrival and departure times. Charges apply from the moment you enter the car park until you leave so you must buy a ticket to cover your entire stay. Even if you just park up for a few minutes to enjoy the view or to pop into the shop, you must buy a ticket. Keep tickets for up to 6 months so you can challenge a fine.

The two car parks – the one by the beach (Trevone Beach Car Park) and the overflow (Porthmissen Car Park) –  require separate tickets so do make sure you purchase a ticket for the correct car park. To pay for either car park, use the JustPark app or website or by card at the machine.  Neither accept cash payments. The beach shop on the edge of the car park provides rental and sale of surfing and beach gear. Remember Newtrain beach also – a dog friendly rocky beach round the front of Trevone.

You can also park at the Well Parc Hotel for £5.00 per day and walk to the beach.