Alternatives to Cornwall?

[Taswama]

We are thinking it's going to be a UK holiday again this year as test, vaccines etc aren't going away and with kids who won't have had 2 (or more) jabs by then but will be old enough to 'need them' in Europe it all seems like too much trouble and risk of things going wrong.

So, we went to Cornwall last year (twice) and in 2020 and are wondering if there's somewhere else we should be considering? We are in the Midlands. Scotland looks good for outdoors options (hiking, mountain biking, kayaking) but is an awfully long drive away so would probably need to be two weeks and the weather looks less reliable (+midges!) in August.

Any ideas?

The south east has better weather than the south west. Southwold, Broadstairs, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Channel Islands? Cornwall is so miserable to drive to and the locals hate tourists, I don't blame you for going elsewhere.

We went to New Quay in Wales and it was amazing! Lovely beaches, dolphin spotting, beautiful countryside. We we’re very lucky with the weather though, I’m not sure if there’s much indoors to do if the weathers bad.

We loved Cornwall until we discovered Yorkshire. Specifically Pickering. Beautiful town, lots of lovely little shops, pubs, cafes. Vast beaches, water sports, walking, steam railway and Pickering has a mountain biking track through a small local woodland if your DC like doing jumps. It's basically a quieter version of Cornwall and much closer (we're Midlands also).

Devon
Some great national trust properties, dartmoor, Jurassic coast, decent beach in Exmouth, south west coastal path...etc etc.

Also agree with PP who have suggested Pembrokeshire.

Another one saying Pembrokeshire.

North Wales.
Absolutely beautiful with so much to do.

Dorset coast is lovely though will be busy. Suffolk coast tends to be quieter and I love it for the beaches, rivers, wildlife, swimming, sailing, big skies.

Yes to Pembrokeshire!

We love Dartmouth and salcombe.

North Norfolk, Northumberland, North Yorkshire.

Another vote for Pembrokeshire - it’s all lovely, north or south. Best beach ever is Barafundle, in the south!

Scotland is only a 6 hour drive from the Midlands. It's motorway/ dual carriageway all the way up to Aberdeen.
Go to windy places or the east coast to avoid midges. Dumgal, Fife, Arran, Tiree, Dornoch etc.

We went to Yorkshire this year. Absolutely loved it. Stayed predominantly in Whitby which was beautiful but travelled to York, Scarborough and Robin Hoods Bay. So much to see and do. A real memorable holiday

Pembrokeshire if you like Cornwall and the coast. It’s glorious. And less of a drive for you too! White sands beach and St David’s are lovely.

We’ve had nice UK holidays in Shropshire and the Cotswolds. And Devon, but if Cornwall is too far then I’m not sure that’s a helpful recommendation.

Snowdonia is just stunning, Llanberis is great to stay in. We camped and could walk straight up Snowden from our campsite. There are all sorts of exciting things like white water rafting, zip lining etc in the area, no to mention the train, museum and (little)castle in Llanberis itself.

In Devon Bantham/Bigbury are very nice beaches, Dartmoor is fab, in north Devon Woolacombe beach is gorgeous but Ilfracombe is crappy so don't stay there. I don't think Exmoor is anywhere near as impressive as Dartmoor so I would definitely recommend Dartmoor over Exmoor.

Abersoch on the Lyn peninsula and around are the Rock, Cornwall for Northerners.
Anglesey could be nice too, maybe Rhosneigr.

Dumfries and Galloway, same distance as Cornwall, similar geological make up and the Gulf Stream makes it warm. Lots of outdoor activities and secluded beaches.
Book early, lots of accommodation gets snapped up.

Thanks for all these suggestions. I think coastal but too cold to swim would not be popular with the kids, so that probably rules out Northumbria / Bamburgh for the summer. I visited Lindisfarne on a school trip 30 years ago and would love to go back there though.

Can you swim in Gower / Pembrokeshire in July / August @Whatelsecouldibecalled @GreenClock @freddiethegreat

It also needs to be a quiet area as kids are very noise sensitive so don't sleep well near main roads, pubs, busy roads. The area just across from Sandbach looks interesting @whyarentiskinnyet , it might be a possibility.

Any specific places in Devon / Dorset that would fit that description @BlackLambAndGreyFalcon @Shadowboy ?

Sorry hadn't refreshed and seen the new posts!

Devon
Isle of White
Jersey

@devildeepbluesea

Just on a point of geography, Gower isn't in Pembs. It's in City & County of Swansea, with Carmarthenshire in-between the two. All of these places I'd recommend though!

North Gower is particularly lovely, and less busy than South Gower. Llangennith, Llanmadoc, Penclawdd...

Pembs - can't go far wrong around Newport, Poppit Sands etc.

Carmarthenshire - Laugharne, Llansteffan, Pendine

Also an honourable mention for Ceredigion: New Quay, Llamgrannog, Tresaith, Aberaeron

This

Especially if you are in the Midlands as is v-easy to get to Wales from their but it’s like an idyllic otherworldly universe.

Fingers crossed the whole place doesn’t fill up with Londoners and their second homes (like Devon)

Have a nice holiday op.

Lindisfarne is beautiful its one of my favourite places. Tbh it's going to be August in the uk the weather can be dreary whereever you go.

Northumberland is a peaceful place but with stuff to do.