Cornwall- north or south

[danpige]

We are thinking of doing our first uk holiday in 10 years (due to the terrible Euro!)and I have always fancied going to Cornwall. I have been looking at various places and I just can't decide if we should focus on north or south Cornwall. Our family is me, DH, DS 5 years old and DD 1 year old. My son is a normal boy loves beaches, trains, zoos and that kind of stuff. But DH is not keen on beaches so is therefore not keen on my Conrwall idea. So is other stuff to do in Cornwall apart from the Eden project. DH loves Italy (where we have been holidaying the last few years) so little towns, pizzas, fun museums, historical places and so on. I'm sure there most be stuff to do. North or South Conrwell?
Also I have heard of scary stories of huge crowds everywhere. This is our first school holiday so slightly worried that we wont be able to move for people.

[blametheparents]

I am definitely in the North Cornwall camp.
We went last year for 2 weeks and the kids said it was the best holiday they had ever had.
We did spend quite a lot of time at the beach, but that is what they wanted.
Eden Project good, Padstow nice for a stroll round, Bedruthan Steps is fab, Camel Trail.
We loved it

[CMOTdibbler]

North - we've been to Bude a couple of times now, and love it. DS adores the Big Sheep, going to Rock and getting the ferry across to Padstow, Launceston castle, bootling round in different towns. Theres lots of train things, Newquay zoo, and other attractions, so no need for boredom.

We haven't been in holiday time yet, so can't comment on that. If you stay somewhere thats a group of cottages, your DS will probably want to spend time there playing with other children, so going out becomes less of an issue

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Middle then both coasts are accesible.

[danpige]

Many Thanks- It sounds like the votes are for the North.

[GladioliBuckets]

I tend to go by cottage rather than exact location! So many are clearly inherited and still furnished/decorated with the deceased elderly person's stuff! I want to stay somewhere as nice as my house. This site is good, if you do your search by area then sorted it by lowest price first, you might find a bargain.

BTW the secret to beaches with kids is to go after tea - fewer people, beautiful sunsets, no sunburn, less whingeingm far more relaxing.

[lotster]

You could visit/stay around the Helford River? There are some beautiful creeks to explore. I've always fancied staying at this cottage -it has a private jetty and rowing boat!

I would also suggest a trip to St Ives which is beautiful.

[IMoveTheStars]

Definitely North... look up Tintagel Castle

Are you going to go to Eden? If you're not bothered about that, try the Heligan Gardens instead.

It's a surprisingly long drive from somewhere like Padstow all the way to Lands End/Lizard/St Ives, so location is definitely important. .

When we were kids, our family used to spend a week on the north coast (nearish newquay) and a week somewhere on the Lizard/south coast.

[IMoveTheStars]

www.cornishcottageholidays.co.uk/index.php

This site is very good for cottages, we've booked ours for this year on this site. (3 weeks, can't wait )

[snowlady]

If your boy likes trains take him to Lappa valley railway it is wonderful. Also recommend Bedruthan steps but its very pricey in school hols. If you have National trust membership there are lots of good places to visit in cornwall and most put on quizzes and other activities in the summer hols. North coast has sandy beaches but the Roseland area on south coast has some lovely beaches too. Truro is a nice town for shops and has large M and S if you are self catering.

[danpige]

Many Thanks for all the ideas. As another first we are going to ditch our usual rented holiday cottage and stay in a static caravan. The reason is my DS. Last year he was really missing playing with other children for 2 weeks. DD will only just be 1 in August so not really much of a playmate yet. So have decided to try a caravan site with a playground and pool so in between all the sightseeing he will be able play with other kids. We are thinkig about this place this page or here this page Looks like they would be great for all your suggestions. Thanks snowlady, DS would absolutely love the railway

[GorranHavenMermaid]

South Cornwall is best for younger families I think because the sea is gentler & there are smaller beaches - more sheltered. I live in Gorran Haven & we go to the north coast for thrills but still do some surfing hereabouts.

Our beach is very good because it's quite easy to keep an eye on everything as it's enclosed by the quay on one side and rocks at the other. At the moment with the weather being so brilliant, the beach is like the village front room, we all watch each others kids - small ones play in the stream & bigger ones jump off the quay. I don't work for the tourist board by the way.

[flossie64]

We are going to Cornwall this year again- were in a cottage from Cornish cottage holidays last year- very good value.
This year we are campinghere .They have static caravans and have a family policy which means silence 11pm -7am.It is only about 4 miles from Padstow

[danpige]

look lovely flossie64, we have now booked Glenmorris as above and quite excited. I'm sure its lovely down there now, I'm sure it will rain when we go (Always does)

[snowlady]

Looks nice but I can't believe how much it costs to stay in a caravan these days! Some of the caravans at that site are over £1000 a week!

[danpige]

Yep, completely mad. Welcome to the world of school holidays

[Goingspare]

We are Lizard fans.

[GrimmaTheNome]

We stayed near penzance 3 years running - good access to the Lizard (some lovely beaches), lands end, Porthcurno (fab beach, cool museum). You can easily reach north coas (st ives area) too from there. But maybe save that till your DCs are a bit older - my DD adored the Minack theatre. Good gardens, esp Trevano. Can do the Geek seal sanctuary from there too.

Previously stayed near St Austell - good rockpooling beaches on that stretch of south coast (small kids need pools not surf!), good access to Eden project, Lost gardens of Heligan.

Not done Newquay area at all - scared of crowds and trendy people.

[PheasantPlucker]

I love Fowey and Polruen, and there's a lovely place called Luxulyan Valley