The St Ives Bay Branch Line… A Unique Train Journey

It all starts at St Erth… Set just off the A30, this small but important station, is the last stop before Penzance, and the transport hub for West Cornwall. With its Park & Ride facilities, regular GWR services on the main line from London Paddington, and local buses connecting nearby towns and beaches, St Erth makes car-free travel to St Ives, flexible, and stress-free.

The magic starts when you board the train to ride the St Ives Branch Line, a short line with a big reputation. It’s not the busiest branch line in the GWR network by accident. And it’s easy to see why over 750,000 passengers each year use it. This isn’t just a train ride, it’s a ten-minute journey through some of the most stunning scenery in Britain.

It’s a Journey through the landscape, leaving St Erth, the train runs alongside the Hayle Estuary, where wading birds sweep across the water and rolling green fields stretch out across the Cornish countryside.Then the line threads through low sand dunes and opens up to a view that will stop you in your tracks, pardon the pun… of three miles of golden sands sweeping from Porth Kidney Beach across Hayle Towans, Gwithian, and all the way to Godrevy Lighthouse, standing proud on the headland.

As you round Porth Kidney point you enter into Carbis Bay. With its golden sands, shallow waters and emerald green sea you’ll feel like you have just entered a tropical haven. Step off and head down to the beach from Carbis Bay station (5min walk), or sit tight and enjoy the view before rounding Porthminster Point,whHere, the full beauty of St Ives comes into view. A higgledy piggledy jumble of whitewashed houses, winding streets, and glittering sea.

The train finally glides over the Porthminster viaduct, with beachgoers and paddleboarders just below, and arrives a few moments later at St Ives station. Where again you can stroll down to Porthminster beach or head into St Ives and enjoy the town centre, beaches, shops, and galleries.

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Good to Know

• The line opened in 1877 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2027
• It’s known as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the UK
• The busiest GWR branch line, carrying over 750,000 passengers a year
• St Erth Park & Ride offers stress-free access to St Ives during busy periods
• Sit on the right side for the best views on the way to St Ives
• (and on the left for the journey back!)
• Direct trains from London Paddington to St Erth take around 5 hours

Let the Journey Be Part of the Adventure

Whether you’re coming for the art, the surf, or the sunsets, there’s no better way to arrive in St Ives than by train. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s unforgettable — a fitting gateway to one of Cornwall’s most beautiful destinations.

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Celebrating 200 Years of the Modern Railway

This year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway;  working with GWR we are marking the beauty of St Ives and the joy of arriving by train with a series of vibrant banners around town. You’ll spot them highlighting some of the area’s best-loved places, from beaches to viewpoints, all part of our thanks to Great Western Railway, who continue to support the town and make summer in St Ives so special.

So whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for the tenth, we hope your journey here is every bit as beautiful as the destination.

Book your train Journey to St Ives