The town of Camborne in west Cornwall has had strong links to the railways since 1801 when local engineer Richard Trevithick powered the Puffing Devil - a steam-powered locomotive and the world's first self-propelled passenger carrying vehicle - up Camborne Hill. But Camborne train station itself didn't open until 1843. Since then the station buildings have been rebuilt in the traditional style of the Great Western Railway, and additional facelifts have also seen both platforms extended. Trains leave the well-kept red-brick station and head for Penzance in the west from platform 1, and Plymouth and London Paddington in the east, with trains to the capital taking almost five hours.
Camborne's main shopping area, Commercial Street and Trelowarren Street, has a happy mix of chain and independent restaurants and cafes, alongside the Kernow Model Rail Centre and Museum. Further afield, visitors could explore the Cornish countryside awash with World Heritage Sites.