South East Cornwall has always been regarded as a hidden jewel in the crown of the South West. Its twisting coastal roads and high hedges make it an ideal area to discover by bus and train. A good starting point is Liskeard, a busy market town at the head of the Looe Valley Line with an interesting museum.

Liskeard Station also offers one of the most scenic park & rides in Britain, from Liskeard to Looe along the Looe Valley Line. This scenic line winds its way for just over 8 miles through unspoilt countryside, hugging the steep sided valley of the East Looe River before skirting the estuary edge, passing the heronry as the river becomes tidal and prepares to enter the sea.

The Looe Valley Line serves 4 rural stations each of which has walks based from them. These are contained in a free walks pack, published by ourselves, titled "Trails from the Track"- the pack is available at local Tourist Information Centres - or use the leaflet request form and we'll send you one, also free of charge. You can also use the line to visit the Magnificent Music Machines Museum, the Holy Well at St. Keyne, or the Stone Circle at nearby Duloe.

All walks are also available on line - Trails from the Track

Once in Looe, the town centre and beach are just a short walk from the station. Catch a boat from the quayside to nearby Looe Island, or why not visit Cornwall's second busiest fish market. Looe's narrow streets have much to enjoy and several of the town's excellent pubs are on the Looe Valley Line Rail Ale Trail. Full details here - Looe Valley Line Rail Ale Trail.

One of Looe's most splendid attractions is the South West Coast Path. Immediately to the west of Looe between Looe and Polperro is a five mile section of the coast path offering outstanding coastal walking through an ever changing landscape of coves, creeks and cliffs.

First and Western Greyhound operate bus services to Polperro from Looe, enabling you to walk to Polperro and bus back, or vice-versa. Allow plenty of time for your connection as coastal walking often takes longer than you think, and make sure you wear sturdy footwear and carry a basic first aid kit.

The "Looe Valley Explorer" ticket allows a day's unlimited travel on Looe Valley Line trains and Western Greyhound's route 573 linking Liskeard, Looe and Polperro. £3.50 adult, £1.75 child (5 - 15 years) - Summer 2010 prices.

Locally you can get information on bus services by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or on the web at traveline.

Useful links:

• Looe Valley Line
• Visit Cornwall - Official Cornwall tourism web site
• South East Cornwall Tourism Association
• Liskeard-Looe timetable
• Magnifient Music Machines Museum
• Looe Valley Line Rail Ale Trail
• Trails from the Track - Looe Valley Line walks