Good day, We will be arriving in London mid May 2024 on holiday and will be immediately traveling to Windsor as a base for a couple of days to recover from jet lag. In our 2 nights in Windsor, we'll visit the Windsor castle and perhaps train back to London to see things we didn't see the first time we traveled there in the past. We'll then train to Bristol as a base to see Bath and Stonehenge. After 2 nights there, travel on a Sunday to Port Isaac as a base for 3 nights for walking trails and we are Doc Martin fans. We are hoping to take short trips by the sea by bus. After Port Isaac, we'll return to London to fly out to another destination. Any suggestions on other sights to see or any adjustments? We will be relying on train, bus, and taxi/uber. Thank you.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8124 posts
Sounds fine, as long as you figure out the Bristol to Port Isaac leg, and out of Port Isaac to some station for London. Basically I think you are looking at getting to Bodmin, then bus or buses from there. While in Port Isaac, heading to the Padstow area, but to Polzeath or Rock, may make an interesting daytrip, we spent a wonderful afternoon walking the sand near Rock at low tide, saw the wonderful little St. Enodoc church, found a couple breweries, but then we did have a car.
Posted by
OP
Florida
4 posts
Thank you for your reply. Yes, the train system is a bit tricky for me as I have no expertise & relying on multiple google searches. I am wondering if the trip to Port Isaac is worth the time needed to get there even with that area being so lovely. All of Cornwall is of interest.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
Bristol Temple Meads to Bodmin Parkway is a 3:30 direct journey every 2 hours, or a 3 hour journey every hour changing at Plymouth.
The bus is route 96 from Bodmin to Wadebridge the long way round every 2 hours.
Port Isaac is 45 minutes from Wadebridge and 1:15 from Bodmin. Both Bodmin and Wadebridge (direct) have bus 11 every half hour from Parkway station.
It depends on the hour of the day which way round the circuit is the fastest, from Bodmin or Wadebridge.
Posted by
Preston UK
1232 posts
Port Isaac is one place that it’s pretty challenging to get to by public transport, as Isn31c has outlined. Unless you are planning some coastal path walking it might be better to stay somewhere a bit more accessible and go to Port Isaac as a day trip from there. Wadebridge might work - one bus from Bodmin Parkway station. And it’s very convenient for visiting Padstow as well - you can even walk or cycle along the Camel Valley trail.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17561 posts
We spent 2 nights in Port Isaac a few years back and loved it. Fun to see all the Doc Martin sites and meet some people who worked with the film crew. And the scenery is stunning.
We reached Port Isaac by taking the train to Bodwin Parkway and booked a taxi from there. It was £30 split 4 ways so not bad at all. I imagine the taxi fare is more now, but still might be worth it to save time.
Posted by
OP
Florida
4 posts
Thank you so much for those suggestions. I am taking all of these into account on our decision on the itinerary. We may reconsider further lessening the circle of locations as I'm afraid we may be spending a lot of time in commuting.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
Actually I've just realised you are planning to travel on a Sunday to Port Isaac. No service runs on a Sunday, but a 2 hourly service on the even hours 10am to 6pm Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow.
Posted by
OP
Florida
4 posts
Thank you again for your input. We have to decided to keep London area as our base and do train trips all around the area. May I have your input for areas outside of London proper that would serve as a good base? Much appreciated.