Cornwall - Hendra or St. Ives Bay

[Harverina]

Hello

We are planning on taking our two dd's to Cornwall in July. We are from Scotland so can go early in the month.

We have been once before when out oldest dd was 2.5 and stayed at Hendra in Newquay. We loved it and wouldn't hesitate to go back. Except it is very expensive. They usually do a half price early summer deal which is the only way we could afford it. The deal hasn't started yet and there is no guarantees that it will so...

We have also been recommended St. Ives Bay just outside of St. Ives. Have had a look online and the chalets would probably suit us best.

Important for us as a family:

• somewhere to eat out on the site. We wouldn't use it all the time but it needs to be an option.

• a decent play area.

• a swimming pool.

• evening entertainment. This really isn't my "thing" but we realised that dd loves it and it is also a good way for us all to stay out a little later together which is more child friendly.

Has anyone been to St. Ives bay or both?

Or have any other recommendations? St. Ives bay is currently £350 for the week so very cheap, but we could spend a bit more for better facilities. We need self catering as dd1 has allergies and we cook her meals and take them with us.

Thanks in advance!

[Branleuse]

i havent been to the sites you have mentioned, although have been to Newquay and st Ives, and both are lovely. Id go to St ives as top choice though. I love the vibe, and youre close to places like lands end, or st michaels mount, porthcurno

[mummymeister]

Have you looked at some of the places around Looe? we know this area really well and love it. there is a Looe Bay caravan park or Tencreek both have pools and good evening entertainment. £350 for a week in July is an absolute bargain. you might struggle to get anywhere near that budget anywhere else.

[Harverina]

Haven't really looked elsewhere we loved Hendra but don't want to lose the deal at st Ives bay waiting for a deal that may never happen at Hendra!

Another issue is that dd1 has allergies and McDonald's is a safe place for her to eat out: there is one in Newquay. While we only used it a couple of times last time it was handy to have nearby

[Millie2013]

Probably a bit late now.,
I've been to both and both were lovely. st Ives bay wins on setting, as it has direct beach access.
The pool there is ok, but nothing like hendra, but the bistro is slightly better than the eating out options at hendra
There are several play areas at St Ives bay
We've only done evening entertainment at hendra and IME, it's dire wherever you go ;) But it seemed child friendly at hendra

Both have small shops, hendra has a nice farm shop nearby and the morrisons and lidl? St Ives bay has a lidl nearby and also an m&s food store and the local small town has a co-op

I have happy memories of both

[Radyward]

Hi there we went to st ives bay last year - dd age 5 had a great time at the pm entertainment - the chalets you mention are a good walk to the beach as near the entrance if the park - we had a lovely week - we stayed in a caravan which was anupgrade surprise but it was fine but not at all luxury - the pool is just that no slide or anything but the kids did enjoy it - we enjoyed our stay but probably would nt go back as we just prefer a Hse iykwim !! Dd loved it so there you go !!sorry also the climb back up the sand dunes to return to our caravan was thigh torture it really was - beach is lovely though !