Student Life

Day trips from Exeter and Cornwall

We asked current students at the University of Exeter for their recommendations of places to visit across the South West.

Devon and Cornwall Railcard

You can make use of a 16-25, or Devon and Cornwall, railcard to explore the South West. Find out more on our Travel by Rail webpage.

Day trips from Exeter

Day trip to: How do you get there? What do you recommend doing there?
Budleigh Salterton By bus via Exmouth. Spend the day at the beach, have lunch at the Boathouse Café, and climb up the cliff for an amazing view.
Dartmoor National Park By train or bus. Explore the moor on foot. Great hiking for all abilities, with dramatic tors and open moorland.
Dawlish By train from St David's. Takes 15 mins. Get a Cornish pie and cream tea at Gay's Creamery, and enjoy the benches along the river.
Dawlish Warren By train or bus. A sandy beach nature reserve. Great for a walk and famous for its doughnuts.
Durdle Door By train to Wool, then bus or taxi. One of the Jurassic Coast's most iconic landmarks. Bring a picnic and enjoy the clifftop walk.
Exmouth By train or bus. Two miles of sandy beach, plus grilled oysters at one of the seafront spots.
Ivybridge & Dartmoor By train to Ivybridge, then a 20-minute walk into Dartmoor. In town, walk through Long Timber Woods and browse the shops. Further into Dartmoor, stop at the tourist information centre for walking routes.
Langstone Rock By train to Dawlish Warren, then walk along the coast. A quiet stretch of Devon coastline. Great for a scenic seaside walk.
Newquay By train via Par, or by car. Cornwall's surf capital. Take a lesson at Fistral Beach or explore the town.
Penzance By train or bus. Stroll the promenade, visit St Michael's Mount by ferry, and explore the harbour town.
Plymouth By train. Visit the National Marine Aquarium, walk the Barbican, have a picnic by the sea, and browse the antique shops.
Salcombe By car, or bus to Kingsbridge then bus to Salcombe. One of Devon's most picturesque estuary towns. Great beaches and coastal walks.
Sidmouth By bus (no. 9). Walk the Jurassic Coast beach and explore the red sandstone cliffs and hillside paths.
St Ives By train via St Erth. Beautiful harbour beaches, the Tate St Ives gallery, and a proper Cornish pasty.
Teignmouth By train. Walk the coastal path from Dawlish to Teignmouth, take a boat trip on the estuary, and finish with fish and chips by the sea.
Torquay By train. Hit the beach, walk through town, follow the Agatha Christie trail, and visit Kent's Cavern. One of Britain's most important prehistoric caves.

Day trips from Penryn

Day trip to: How do you get there? What do you recommend doing there?
Eden Project By train to Truro, change for an eastbound train (platform 3) to St Austell, then take bus 28 or 31. Travel time: 1h10 + bus. Explore the famous rainforest and Mediterranean biomes. Arrive by public transport and you can claim a free guidebook as part of the Eden green travel incentive.
Flushing By bus or train to Falmouth Town, then walk to Prince of Wales Pier to catch the ferry to Flushing. Travel time: 10-minute ferry from Falmouth. Enjoy a drink in the pub garden, go rockpooling on Kiln beach at low tide, and take a country walk around Trefusis Point to Mylor Harbour.
Newquay By bus to Truro, then the 91 or 93 to Newquay. OR by train to Truro, change for an eastbound train (platform 3), then change at Par for Newquay. Travel time: 2h. Visit world-famous Fistral Beach, take a surfing lesson, go coasteering, or visit the zoo and aquarium.
Penzance By train to Truro, then change for a westbound train (platform 2) to Penzance. Travel time: 1h10. OR by direct bus from campus to Penzance Bus Station. Travel time: 1h50. Swim in the geothermal pool at Jubilee Pool (prebooking advised), stroll the promenade, and take an onward bus to St Michael's Mount.
Porthcurno & the Minack Theatre By train or direct bus to Penzance, then take the 1A Coaster to Porthcurno, or the 1 Land's End Coaster for Sennen and Land's End. Both depart from Penzance Bus Station. Visit the PK Porthcurno telecommunications museum, take in the incredible clifftop Minack Theatre, and relax on one of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches.
St Ives By train to Truro, change for a westbound train (platform 2), then change at St Erth for St Ives. Travel time: 1h30. OR look out for organised coach trips from campus. A hub for artists and one of Cornwall's most loved towns. Visit the Tate St Ives Gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, explore the galleries, and enjoy the stunning beaches.
St Mawes By bus or train to Falmouth Town, then walk to Prince of Wales Pier or Custom House Quay (check falriver.co.uk for the correct departure point) to board the ferry to St Mawes. Enjoy views of Falmouth and Pendennis Castle from the ferry, visit St Mawes' historic castle, have a coffee on the harbour, and walk to St Anthony Lighthouse.
Trebah & Glendurgan Gardens By bus to Falmouth, then the 35 or 63 to Trebah Gardens. Explore the subtropical gardens, swim at the beach, and enjoy the café.
Truro By train from Penryn. Travel time: 15 mins. Visit the Cathedral, go shopping, browse the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, and explore the city's independent food stores.