Falmouth → → Trelissick → → Malpas →  → Truro →  → Falmouth

Looking for a proper day out that takes in the best of Cornwall without the stress of parking or the cost of fuel? This trip does exactly that, linking Falmouth, Trelissick, Malpas and Truro entirely by boat, bus and train. It's a genuinely great day, and one that doesn’t require a car!

Falmouth → Trelissick via Enterprise Boats

Start your day at the Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth and jump aboard Enterprise Boats classic river trips heading up the Fal. It's a relaxed cruise through one of the most beautiful estuaries in the country taking in wooded banks, clear water and plenty of birdlife along the way - a great start to the day.

Your first stop is Trelissick, the National Trust estate perched above the river. The gardens here are stunning, offering a wide range of exotic plants, a lovely walled garden, quality cafe, and brilliant views back down to the Fal. Give yourself time to explore before hopping back on the boat.

Tip: Book your Enterprise Boats tickets online at falriver.co.uk/eb and save 10%. You can also check timetables and live status.

Trelissick → Malpas via boat

Back on the water, the boat continues gently upriver to Malpas, a quiet little village where the Truro and Tresillian rivers meet. It's a lovely spot to arrive into, and from here the Transport for Cornwall 496 bus takes you the short distance into Truro. Easy, frequent, and no car park to worry about.

Truro  → explore the city 

Truro is Cornwall's only city and it's well worth a proper look around. The cathedral is the obvious highlight - it's hard to miss those three spires - and it's genuinely impressive inside too. 

Over at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, the current Cornish Myths & Legends exhibition is a really enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Giants, mermaids, piskies  and wizards, the stories that have always been part of life here in Cornwall, brought together in one great exhibition and it’s highly recommended.

There are plenty of fantastic spots for dinner in the city centre before you head home. Truro has a great range of restaurants and pubs, so you'll be sure to find whatever you fancy.

Truro → Falmouth GWR train

To round off the day, catch the GWR train from Truro back to Falmouth. The Falmouth Maritime Line runs right through the Cornish countryside before pulling into Falmouth Town and then Falmouth Docks. A lovely way to end a perfect day out.

Falmouth to Trelissick, Malpas, Truro and back again all without needing a car. Travelling by boat, bus and train keeps your carbon footprint low and helps protect the Fal estuary and the wider Cornish landscape for everyone to enjoy. 

Ready to go?

  Book Enterprise Boats online and save 10% at falriver.co.uk/eb  - you'll find timetables and live status there too. 

   The 496 bus is run by Transport for Cornwall - more info on their website here

  GWR trains connect Truro and Falmouth regularly throughout the day. Find out more here

  You can find out more about National Trust Trelissick here

   See what’s on at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery here, and find out more about the Cornish Myths & Legends exhibition