Best routes to film in Devon & Cornwall in terms of scenery and views - advice please!

[SouthEastBuses]

Over the next few weeks I am planning to travel to Cornwall, precisely St. Ives, for a staycation to meet my grandparents who are currently living there.

Due to the current situation with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, I am currently filming all routes in my car in order to reduce the risk of infection that is dangerously high on public transport. I have plans to do the Atlantic Coaster routes around St. Ives and Penzance (such as the A17 from St. Ives to Lands End!), the T1 from Truro to St. Ives, as well as many local routes operated by First Kernow and Transport for Cornwall.

Hopefully, if I have time, I also have plans to visual the Spark 21 operated by Plymouth Citybus, which goes from Barne Barton to Chaddlewood. As well as circular routes 50 & 51, the 43 to Ernesettle and the Stagecoach GOLD to Paignton.

Can anyone else please recommend me any other scenic routes to film in Devon & Cornwall?

 

[Whiteway215]

First Kernow A5 Newquay-Watergate Bay-Padstow

 

[Rich McLean]

Plymouth - Kingsbridge - Dartmouth is a nice route, but it is narrow in places, but the stretch from Tor Cross all the way to Dartmouth is very scenic. Also if you can do the Detour, avoid the A38, and go across Dartmoor via Postbridge and Princetown for some stunning views Not a full bus route but worth it. Best done heading South West from the Exeter Direction.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Plymouth - Kingsbridge - Dartmouth is a nice route, but it is narrow in places, but the stretch from Tor Cross all the way to Dartmouth is very scenic. Also if you can do the Detour, avoid the A38, and go across Dartmoor via Postbridge and Princetown for some stunning views Not a full bus route but worth it. Best done heading South West from the Exeter Direction.

Would that be the 3 by Stagecoach, right?

 

[SouthEastBuses]

First Kernow A5 Newquay-Watergate Bay-Padstow

As I'm going to be mostly based around St. Ives, my plan is to do most, if not all routes around that area.

 

[NorthOxonian]

A fairly nice local one is the 70 which uses the Torpoint Ferry and runs to Cremyll. Quite a scenic run for when you head to Plymouth. Make sure you have £2 for the ferry fare!

If you're willing to head into further Devon, you could try and follow the route of the rarest bus in the country - the 113 from Tavistock to Dawlish. Though you'll have to research the route carefully, since I can't find any reference to it online. Doing a visual in a car would be far easier than waiting for the bus, which runs only two or three times a year! You could then pick up the 22 route down into Torbay then the GOLD service on your way back towards Cornwall.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

A fairly nice local one is the 70 which uses the Torpoint Ferry and runs to Cremyll. Quite a scenic run for when you head to Plymouth. Make sure you have £2 for the ferry fare!

If you're willing to head into further Devon, you could try and follow the route of the rarest bus in the country - the 113 from Tavistock to Dawlish. Though you'll have to research the route carefully, since I can't find any reference to it online. Doing a visual in a car would be far easier than waiting for the bus, which runs only two or three times a year! You could then pick up the 22 route down into Torbay then the GOLD service on your way back towards Cornwall.

Sounds like there are many nice scenic routes to film in Devon and Cornwall then lol

 

[NorthOxonian]

Sounds like there are many nice scenic routes to film in Devon and Cornwall then lol

Yep, if you like your rural scenic routes you're really spoiled for choice down there. Another one worth doing (if your car can fit) is the M6 down to Mousehole - how they squeeze a bus down through that village I have no idea!

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Yep, if you like your rural scenic routes you're really spoiled for choice down there. Another one worth doing (if your car can fit) is the M6 down to Mousehole - how they squeeze a bus down through that village I have no idea!

I was planning to do the M6 lol - lets see how it goes and if I managed to go through that village haha

 

[NorthOxonian]

I was planning to do the M6 lol - lets see how it goes and if I managed to go through that village haha

Well best of luck with it - I shall look forward to seeing what you produce.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Well best of luck with it - I shall look forward to seeing what you produce.

Thank you! Hopefully it goes well.

 

[duncombec]

Over the next few weeks I am planning to travel to Cornwall, precisely St. Ives, for a staycation to meet my grandparents who are currently living there.

Due to the current situation with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, I am currently filming all routes in my car in order to reduce the risk of infection that is dangerously high on public transport. [...]

There is no evidence I'm aware of that the risk of infection is any higher on public transport than it is anywhere else, e.g. in shops or motorway service stations. Whilst nobody would criticise you for being wary of your grandparents' health (or indeed your own), it is slightly misleading to suggest public transport, especially an open-topper, is somehow substantially more dangerous.
Indeed, figures for the week ending 6th August (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47574f7a6e454dc6a42c5f6912ed7076) suggest there were no reported cases anywhere in Cornwall, Devon or Dorset, and only 6 in Somerset, split between two ends of the county, and indeed the only cases west of a line between Bristol and Southampton. It could be argued the greater risk to Cornwall is holidaymakers bringing it with them!

More to your point, it depends what kind of scenery you like. Personally, I find the rather rolling A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin (service 11, I believe) to have it's own charm, as well as some interesting placenames. A second vote for the areas on the Cremyll peninsula as well, although I've only done those in a car.

 

[Rich McLean]

Would that be the 3 by Stagecoach, right?

Yes Stagecoach Route 3

 

[SouthEastBuses]

There is no evidence I'm aware of that the risk of infection is any higher on public transport than it is anywhere else, e.g. in shops or motorway service stations. Whilst nobody would criticise you for being wary of your grandparents' health (or indeed your own), it is slightly misleading to suggest public transport, especially an open-topper, is somehow substantially more dangerous.
Indeed, figures for the week ending 6th August (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47574f7a6e454dc6a42c5f6912ed7076) suggest there were no reported cases anywhere in Cornwall, Devon or Dorset, and only 6 in Somerset, split between two ends of the county, and indeed the only cases west of a line between Bristol and Southampton. It could be argued the greater risk to Cornwall is holidaymakers bringing it with them!

More to your point, it depends what kind of scenery you like. Personally, I find the rather rolling A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin (service 11, I believe) to have it's own charm, as well as some interesting placenames. A second vote for the areas on the Cremyll peninsula as well, although I've only done those in a car.

I'd love to do the 11. And the 12 to Launceston too if it's worth filming or not.

 

[Busaholic]

As I'm going to be mostly based around St. Ives, my plan is to do most, if not all routes around that area.

A shame that double deckers never operate the 16, because north of Nancledra, by an old engine house, you can see the sea on both north and south coasts, the furthest point east that is possible I believe, although Trencrom Hill nearby might claim that too.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Sorry for the very late reply but here are the routes I will be filming:

6: Dorchester - Poundbury
9A: Lyme Regis - Exeter
X38: Exeter - Plymouth
21/21A: Chaddlewood - Barne Barton
25: Plymouth - Barbican - Plymouth
A1: Lands End - Penzance
A2: Penzance - St Ives
A3: St Ives - Lands End
T2: St Ives - Truro
U1: Truro - Falmouth
U4: Falmouth - Penzance
34: Redruth - Lizard
T1: Penzance - Truro
A4: St Ives - Camborne
88: Redruth - Newquay
A5: Newquay - Padstow
21: Newquay - St Austell
27: Bodmin - Truro (partial route from St Austell only)
1: St Ives - Penbeagle
A17: Pendeen - St Ives
M6: St Ives - Mousehole
16A: Heamoor - St Ives
10: Trenwith Car Park - Porthemor beach
P: Crossmead - Pennsylvania
2: Exeter - Newton Abbot

Yes I know the first one is in Dorset so not really South West but I live in the South East (West Sussex) so I'd have to go via Dorset in order to get to Cornwall.

A shame that double deckers never operate the 16, because north of Nancledra, by an old engine house, you can see the sea on both north and south coasts, the furthest point east that is possible I believe, although Trencrom Hill nearby might claim that too.

Ikr...

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Sorry for the very late reply but here are the routes I will be filming:

6: Dorchester - Poundbury
9A: Lyme Regis - Exeter
X38: Exeter - Plymouth
21/21A: Chaddlewood - Barne Barton
25: Plymouth - Barbican - Plymouth
A1: Lands End - Penzance
A2: Penzance - St Ives
A3: St Ives - Lands End
T2: St Ives - Truro
U1: Truro - Falmouth
U4: Falmouth - Penzance
34: Redruth - Lizard
T1: Penzance - Truro
A4: St Ives - Camborne
88: Redruth - Newquay
A5: Newquay - Padstow
21: Newquay - St Austell
27: Bodmin - Truro (partial route from St Austell only)
1: St Ives - Penbeagle
A17: Pendeen - St Ives
M6: St Ives - Mousehole
16A: Heamoor - St Ives
10: Trenwith Car Park - Porthemor beach
P: Crossmead - Pennsylvania
2: Exeter - Newton Abbot

Yes I know the first one is in Dorset so not really South West but I live in the South East (West Sussex) so I'd have to go via Dorset in order to get to Cornwall.



Ikr...

On my way back home, I will also film the X51 from Axminster to Dorchester.

There is no evidence I'm aware of that the risk of infection is any higher on public transport than it is anywhere else, e.g. in shops or motorway service stations. Whilst nobody would criticise you for being wary of your grandparents' health (or indeed your own), it is slightly misleading to suggest public transport, especially an open-topper, is somehow substantially more dangerous.
Indeed, figures for the week ending 6th August (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47574f7a6e454dc6a42c5f6912ed7076) suggest there were no reported cases anywhere in Cornwall, Devon or Dorset, and only 6 in Somerset, split between two ends of the county, and indeed the only cases west of a line between Bristol and Southampton. It could be argued the greater risk to Cornwall is holidaymakers bringing it with them!

More to your point, it depends what kind of scenery you like. Personally, I find the rather rolling A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin (service 11, I believe) to have it's own charm, as well as some interesting placenames. A second vote for the areas on the Cremyll peninsula as well, although I've only done those in a car.

You are right, in fact I will be returning to buses, but only to open toppers for now. The car will be used for all routes except the A1, A2, A3 and A5 which run with open toppers. Yes, I know the A4 also runs with open toppers, however for logistical purposes (since I'm only in Cornwall for a week), it will be done on the car so I can combine it with other routes I planned to do.

6: Dorchester - Poundbury
9A: Lyme Regis - Exeter
X38: Exeter - Plymouth
21/21A: Chaddlewood - Barne Barton
25: Plymouth - Barbican - Plymouth
A3: St Ives - Lands End
A1: Lands End - Penzance
A2: Penzance - St Ives
T2: St Ives - Truro
U1: Truro - Falmouth
U4: Falmouth - Penzance
34: Redruth - Lizard
T1: Penzance - Truro
A4: St Ives - Camborne
88: Redruth - Newquay
A5: Newquay - Padstow
21: Newquay - St Austell
495: Truro - Treffry Road
16A: St Just - Penzance
M6: Penzance - Mousehole
5: Penzance - St Paul
8: Long Rock - St Just
A17: Lower Boscawell - St Ives
16: Heamoor - St Ives
1: St Ives - Penbeagle
10: Trenwith Car Park - Porthmeor Beach
P: Crossmead - Pennsylvania
2: Exeter - Newton Abbot
X51: Axminster - Dorchester

Just updated a list a bit with more routes that I'll be filming there!

 

[peterblue]

70 from plymouth over the ferry to Torpoint is interesting. Intruiging as not many bus routes go over passenger ferries. It'll only take about an hour to hop there and back.

It is safe to go on buses. Do not be discouraged.

EDIT: just to correct myself, it's the 70. Typed this in a rush on mobile!

 

[SouthEastBuses]

70/71 from plymouth over the ferry to Torpoint is interesting. Intruiging as not many bus routes go over passenger ferries. It'll only take about an hour to hop there and back.

It is safe to go on buses. Do not be discouraged.

In fact I will, but as I said, only on open top double deckers, for now.

I'd love to do the 70/71, but sadly I don't have time to do all routes in Cornwall as I won't be there for a long time.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

P.S. Not Devon/Cornwall I know but there is another bus route that uses a ferry in the UK - the 40 (Morebus) from Bournemouth to Swanage (?) that uses the Sandbanks ferry.

 

[peterblue]

P.S. Not Devon/Cornwall I know but there is another bus route that uses a ferry in the UK - the 40 (Morebus) from Bournemouth to Swanage (?) that uses the Sandbanks ferry.

That's the 50 from Bournemouth to Swanage, yes, probably the most famous route using a ferry.

 

[Busaholic]

Sorry for the very late reply but here are the routes I will be filming:

6: Dorchester - Poundbury
9A: Lyme Regis - Exeter
X38: Exeter - Plymouth
21/21A: Chaddlewood - Barne Barton
25: Plymouth - Barbican - Plymouth
A1: Lands End - Penzance
A2: Penzance - St Ives
A3: St Ives - Lands End
T2: St Ives - Truro
U1: Truro - Falmouth
U4: Falmouth - Penzance
34: Redruth - Lizard
T1: Penzance - Truro
A4: St Ives - Camborne
88: Redruth - Newquay
A5: Newquay - Padstow
21: Newquay - St Austell
27: Bodmin - Truro (partial route from St Austell only)
1: St Ives - Penbeagle
A17: Pendeen - St Ives
M6: St Ives - Mousehole
16A: Heamoor - St Ives
10: Trenwith Car Park - Porthemor beach
P: Crossmead - Pennsylvania
2: Exeter - Newton Abbot

Yes I know the first one is in Dorset so not really South West but I live in the South East (West Sussex) so I'd have to go via Dorset in order to get to Cornwall.



Ikr...

The M6 buses might be able to get into parts of St Ives not served by other routes, but you might have to wait a while to get one.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Ooh right, anyways here's the updated list:

6: Dorchester - Poundbury
9A: Lyme Regis - Exeter
X38: Exeter - Plymouth
21/21A: Chaddlewood - Barne Barton
25: Plymouth - Barbican - Plymouth
A3: St Ives - Lands End
A1: Lands End - Penzance
A2: Penzance - St Ives
T2: St Ives - Truro
U1: Truro - Falmouth
U4: Falmouth - Penzance
34: Redruth - Lizard
T1: Penzance - Truro
A4: St Ives - Camborne
88: Redruth - Newquay
A5: Newquay - Padstow
21: Newquay - St Austell
495: Truro - Treffry Road
16A: St Just - Penzance
M6: Penzance - Mousehole
5: Penzance - St Paul
8: Long Rock - St Just
A17: Lower Boscawell - St Ives
16: Heamoor - St Ives
1: St Ives - Penbeagle
10: Trenwith Car Park - Porthmeor Beach
P: Crossmead - Pennsylvania
2: Exeter - Newton Abbot
X51: Axminster - Dorchester

P.S. The 495 is a town bus route in Truro...

 

[NorthOxonian]

For the routes you intend to cover by car, have you checked which parts of the route are only accessible to buses? I doubt there will be that many (this is the rural SW, not a huge conurbation with lots of bus priority), but there may be bus gates or inaccessible bus stations on some of these routes.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

For the routes you intend to cover by car, have you checked which parts of the route are only accessible to buses? I doubt there will be that many (this is the rural SW, not a huge conurbation with lots of bus priority), but there may be bus gates or inaccessible bus stations on some of these routes.

Well, there is one section on the 21 and X38 in Plymouth that is bus only but luckily it's just for about 400-500m.
Also I'm 100% aware about the bus stations however that won't be a problem for St Ives, Penzance and Newquay since I will be filming the A routes (with the exception of the A4 due to time purposes and the A17 due to it being the only Atlantic Coaster route not run with open top double deckers) on a bus.

I also wonder why open top deckers never run on the A17?

UPDATE: It's my second day in Cornwall and so far I managed to film the 9A in Exeter, and the A1 and A3 here in Cornwall.

EDIT AS OF 10:09/2020: I've returned home in West Sussex and the routes I have managed to film are the 9A from Lyme Regis to Exeter, the Atlantic Coasters A1/A2/A3, The Tinners T1/T2, U1 from Truro to Falmouth, U2 from Falmouth to Redruth, the 2 from Penzance to Praa Sands, and a very short route in St Ives, the 2 from Trenwith Car Park to Royal Square (the shortest route I've ever filmed, taking only 3-4 minutes to complete!). I've also partially filmed the 34 from Lizard to Redruth (I've managed to film the section from Lizard to Helston), and the A17 from Lower Boscaswell to St Ives (I've managed to film the section from Penzance to St Ives).

UPDATE: I'm back home and I've nearly uploaded all of my Cornwall bus route videos. Those being First Kernow A1, A2, A3, T1, T2, U1, U2 and a part of the A17, Transport for Cornwall routes 2 and a part of the 34, and St Ives Minibus services route 2. Also filmed the 9A from Lyme Regis to Exeter despite that not being a Cornwall route (but a Devon route with a section in Dorset)

@GusB Now that my holiday in Cornwall is over and I'm home, you're now free to lock this thread.