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?

Wicklow in Ireland? Get fast ferry from Liverpool? You only need your Covid App

Pembrokeshire is similar but different, personally I love north wales though or Scotland. I've done aviemore in Scotland in 6.5 hours from Midlands, trick is to leave really early, before 6am to avoid Manchester / Liverpool outlying towns traffic. I've since moved further away and we went n of aviemore but broke the journey each way for 2 nights and had 6 nights in Scotland

Scotland is a country not a county!

You can definitely swim in Gower and Pembs in July and August. I’ve swum into October.

Gower, Pembs, Ceredigion are all pretty special tbh. It’s a nice drive over from the midlands to Aberwystwyth. If you fancy heading away from the coast I highly recommend the Elan Valley. It’s beautiful.

The sea is bloody freezing off Pembrokeshire compared to say, Dorset. I'm not a cold water fan to be fair though. One year I could barely feel my legs, but it was June. It's slightly better in July/August. Still one of my favourite places on earth though!

Northwest Scotland is spectacular with the most beautiful beaches, though you have to take a punt weatherwise (we love it whatever the weather).

East Anglia and Pembrokeshire tend to be a bit more reliable in that respect. Read somewhere that East Anglia is drier than much of Africa. No idea if that’s true.

So we live near Northumberland and OH is from Devon so we often argue about beaches...I always win as Northumberland is much better...quieter and better sand..I think the kids would be fine to swim in the summer...ours do I don't find the sea any warmer when we go and visit my in laws in the south west...I wouldn't call it warm in either place but it isn't appreciably colder up here in july

We loved Cornwall until we discovered Yorkshire. Specifically Pickering. Beautiful town, lots of lovely little shops, pubs, cafes. Vast beaches

Ummm ... Pickering is a nice little place, but it's inland ...

OP, I agree with lots of other pps - Pembrokeshire is a great alternative to Cornwall - it's the best!

Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Norfolk.

Without beaches, the Lake District.

Tenby area or west wales, there's lots to do near Tenby, dinosaur park, folly farm other farm type places and Oakwood.

NewQuay in west wales is gorgeous and we saw dolphins on a boat trip which made it for me lol

Thank you @Eightytwenty , that was definitely worth pointing out.

Sorry for mass generalisations around Scotland, I was thinking Aviemore type area. We are in the South bit of the Midlands so it really is at least 7.5 hours before any breaks.

We went to Barmouth a few years ago and didn't really enjoy it I'm afraid, although there were other factors involved than just not great weather.

We have lots of beautiful hills and woods near where we live, so beaches are a priority. I will look at Pembrokeshire and Gower more closely.

Thanks everyone.

We go to Suffolk (Southwold or Aldburgh) which we say is for people who can't be arsed to drive to Cornwall. Similar holiday demographic if that makes sense.

Another vote for west Wales.

How old are your kids? Folly farm is a brilliant day out for younger children particularly. Oakwood park is pretty shit as theme parks go, but still a good day out if you don't hype it up too much!

Tenby is a lovely, pretty, busy little town. Beaches are fabulous. Houses in pastel colours, cobbled streets and little alleyways.

Lots of quieter places within a short drive.

Holiday places get booked up pretty quickly, so you might not have the pick of properties even at this time of year.