Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get Cornwall?

231 replies

LarrysNewOwner · 02/08/2024 11:13

Staying in St Austell.

Last few days we’ve been on the beach which has been lovely.

Now it’s clouded over, not really sure where to go.

Have 2 DC DS8 and DD4.

kids love theme parks. We like pretty towns to walk around etc. Maybe a boat ride.

wang are we missing?

OP posts:
Bellatrixpure · 02/08/2024 13:03

Porthluney beach is nice if you get any warmer days

Bellatrixpure · 02/08/2024 12:59

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/08/2024 12:58

Have you been to Heligan? Short drive and magical. Eden is pricey but fabulous.

I wanted to try this last time but we didn’t have enough days

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/08/2024 12:58

Have you been to Heligan? Short drive and magical. Eden is pricey but fabulous.

Bellatrixpure · 02/08/2024 12:58

Charlestown and mevagissey nice little Cornish towns. Trebah gardens nice but a bit of a drive from st Austell

Calliopespa · 02/08/2024 12:57

LarrysNewOwner · 02/08/2024 11:13

Staying in St Austell.

Last few days we’ve been on the beach which has been lovely.

Now it’s clouded over, not really sure where to go.

Have 2 DC DS8 and DD4.

kids love theme parks. We like pretty towns to walk around etc. Maybe a boat ride.

wang are we missing?

St Austell isn’t imo the nicest bit of Cornwall. If you go up to roseland peninsula you can get the ferry from st mawes across the bay to Falmouth. There is also a wonderful lush garden called Trebah with a woodland playground and paths which wind down to a small beach with an ice cream shop.

ProgressivePilgrim · 02/08/2024 12:56

To be honest I've always found both Cornwall and Devon a bit overrated, and overcrowded in tourist season.

I far prefer both Dorset and Somerset. Less crowded, more friendly. Still the west country 😊

Normallynumb · 02/08/2024 12:56

Helston

Normallynumb · 02/08/2024 12:53

Mine loved lappa valley at those ages and also flambards at Heston
Seal sanctuary
They loved Goonhilly satellite centre but I think that's gone now( and mine were science mad)
Train into St Ives is a lovely route
Tbh I think you've maybe just stayed in the " wrong" place for a break

StripedPiggy · 02/08/2024 12:46

Cornwall is lovely. For 10 months of the year.

In July & August, however, the place is a complete nightmare. Overcrowded. Overpriced. Overrated. Avoid.

florizel13 · 02/08/2024 12:42

I can't remember if the Camel Trail is anywhere near St Austell, might be worth looking into. Cycled it years ago, you can hire bikes, goes from Bodmin to Padstow. All I can remember is that the scenery was beautiful, not a lot of traffic and my partner and kids were much faster than me and were sitting having a cream tea en route by the time I caught up with them!

milveycrohn · 02/08/2024 12:41

When I stayed at St Austell,
We visited Charlestown (small pretty coastal harbour nearby), Wheal Martin, Mevagissey (by bus), Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell Brewery (just outside the town),
Lanhydrock (Stately Home)

Pushmepullu · 02/08/2024 12:38

Been to Cornwall twice and on both holidays it rained most days. Trying to find something to do was tiresome due to the time taken to get there, the short visiting time, the cost of parking and the horrendous price of ‘traditional’ food. We found it was cheaper to go abroad.
There’s a joke about how a Cornishman takes pride in the fact that it takes them a week to relieve an Englishman of the money he has taken all year to save!

Barrenfieldoffucks · 02/08/2024 12:38

Ferry from St Mawes to Falmouth, then the maritime museum? Great fun.

ButtSurgery · 02/08/2024 12:38

Well, you went to St Austell, which is a shit hole. That's the first problem! 😂

Boat trips - lots from Penzance, Newquay, St Ives, Falmouth etc.

You're just down the road from the Eden Project. That's an obvious one.

Day trip to just about anywhere along the coast - you're just down along from Fowey, Falmouth, Polperro or overland to Port Isaac, Padstow etc.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 02/08/2024 12:37

Tintagel for some Arthurian history?

There's a couple of theme park type places around

Littlemissnikib · 02/08/2024 12:37

Pendeniss Castle normally has activities on for kids, it’s really good.

Crabbing? Seal sanctuary?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 02/08/2024 12:35

What about a bus tour?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 02/08/2024 12:35

Head to Fowey, not far from you and boat rides a plenty. St Mawes also pretty for a wander, beach etc. Eden project? Honestly, there are so many beaches you could do one every day.

We live on the IoW so are well used to prettiness and beaches, but still come away for a change and rarely get bored.

Em308 · 02/08/2024 12:34

Don’t think anyone’s mentioned St Michael’s Mount, Minack theatre, Porthcurno beach - there’s a lot of driving around Cornwall to get to places, but so worth it.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/08/2024 12:33

We've had lovely holidays in cornwall, in a mix of weathers. Some near st Austell, some near Penzance.

Overcast is fine, saves on the sun cream.

When we'd done all the tin mines etc we started going to north wales instead - that's got rather more non-beach options (castles, great walking etc).

Mainoo72 · 02/08/2024 12:32

We’ve just had an amazing week in Cornwall. It’s absolutely beautiful. The sea was so clear & we loved the walking. Also went to some great seafood restaurants. I don’t know how anyone can’t enjoy themselves there.

FluffyLemonClouds · 02/08/2024 12:31

Parking is horrendous and at Carbis Bay they wanted £5 for an ice cream cornet £7.50 for two scoops . A local told me the toilets on the beaches are being sold off . Cornwall is beautiful but you do need dry weather to enjoy it if you're not into surfing.

WildFlowerBees · 02/08/2024 12:29

Well you chose an utter shite hole to stay in so you won't 'get Cornwall' if you go to the really beautiful areas you'll have a great time!

NeartoNewquay · 02/08/2024 12:28

I see the usual slagging off has started.

Yes that's right we all live here because it's shite.

This was where me and DC spent Tuesday morning. I must be in denial ...

To not get Cornwall?
acquiescence · 02/08/2024 12:27

Camel creek is ideal for your kids ages, and a free return visit within a week so good value.

The weather today is ideal for kids, warm enough to be out and about, no rain, no need to worry about sunburn. Go for a walk and a picnic?