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Original poster

Are Devon and Cornwall busier than usual right now?

66 replies

haveuhadyourweetabix · 07/07/2021 12:18

I'm going on holiday to Devon then Cornwall this summer. I haven't been for about 15 years so really looking forward to it.

When I used to holiday there I don't remember it ever seeming hugely busy, but I've seen threads on here in recent years saying how packed it gets in the summer. Is the south west noticeably busier than it was 15 years ago?

And second question - are places like Devon and Cornwall going to be even more packed this summer compared to normal, due to more people holidaying in the UK who would otherwise go abroad?

The reason I ask is that I'm a bit anxious about getting caught in endless traffic jams and struggling to get anywhere/park when I'm there. I'll be driving down from Kent, staying in South Devon followed by Marazion area.

Does anyone know the area well and can you advise? Thank you!

OP posts:
BarryTheKestrel · 07/07/2021 12:24

Living in Devon, the roads have definitely been busier over the past few weeks with a significant increase in caravans on the road.

Visited local seaside resort last week and was busier than normal for term time.

I'd say the more tourist areas will be busier this year than in recent years because a lot of people are taking UK breaks instead of abroad.

If you are able to, I'd drive down either very early or late at night. Once here, use Google maps etc to find alternate routes to the main roads.

I went to a local farm shop last Friday, due to local events if I'd gone the main way a 15minute journey would have taken an hour in traffic, instead I went an alternate route and made it in 25 mins.

IsThePopeCatholic · 07/07/2021 12:27

My friend just got back from st Ives. She said it was heaving with people and made her feel quite unsafe.

BillieSpain · 07/07/2021 12:31

Yes, of course it's busier.
I have family in Devon and it is extremely busy.

Original poster
haveuhadyourweetabix · 07/07/2021 12:31

Oh dear. I went to St Ives quite frequently as a child and don't recall it being massively busy, but I was a child so might not be remembering properly!

OP posts:
Original poster
haveuhadyourweetabix · 07/07/2021 12:33

@BillieSpain why - because no one is going abroad? I half wish I'd waited until next year now, when foreign travel should be properly back on!

OP posts:
ancientgran · 07/07/2021 12:34

I'm in a coastal town in south Devon and it is very busy, struggled to find somewhere to park yesterday.

tallduckandhandsome · 07/07/2021 12:34

@IsThePopeCatholic

My friend just got back from st Ives. She said it was heaving with people and made her feel quite unsafe.
We were in St Ives in Dec 2019 and it was heaving then, can't imagine what it must be like now.
onthinice · 07/07/2021 12:34

I live in South Devon and I have not noticed a difference between now and 15 years ago, it has always got extremely busy in the summer. The road to Cornwall is better than it was (I think it's been upgraded and dualled in places) but traffic will of course be terrible in the summer months as it always is that time of year.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 07/07/2021 12:35

Yes to both questions… it’s much busier than it used to be, and especially busy right now, because a lot of people booked U.K. breaks rather than going abroad this year.

But it’ll be okay - plan for it to be busy and leave a lot of time for journeys. It’s still a gorgeous part of the world.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 07/07/2021 12:37

I live in a holiday destination (not Cornwall or Devon) and the place is absolutely heaving already far busier than previous years which of course was expected due to the Covid pandemic.

inappropriateraspberry · 07/07/2021 12:37

Definitely busier - A30 is so busy, lots of accidents, particularly involving caravans! Especially on a Friday. I live close to the A30 and I can hear the traffic now. Living in Cornwall, we try to avoid days out at peak times but it's harder now we have a child in school.
I think it seems busier after such a quiet time last year combined with extra 'staycationers' who would normally go abroad.

ZarkingBell · 07/07/2021 12:38

Cornwall is always busy in school holidays, and places like St Ives are always heaving. There's always space on the beach at low tide though.

If you're near Marazion you should be able to get to some wider, more open beaches. I would keep to the outdoor things. If you want to go to for a meal it's best to book as they have less space than usual.

HappyHedgehog247 · 07/07/2021 12:41

It is busy but hope it doesn’t interfere with your holiday too much. If you can time your trip down to avoid Fri afternoon/eve or Sat morning that’s ideal. Use Google maps as will show you live traffic. Go earlier or later to places. Explore less mainstream options. X

JennieLee · 07/07/2021 12:42

I was on holiday in Devon. Yes, the M5, main A-roads off the M5 are very busy.

If you plan to go to popular coastal resorts and the most famous tourist attractions, yes it will be busy.

On the other hand a few weeks back, I went walking inland in an area that's beautiful - but off the tourist trail - and it was scenic, green, peaceful and friendly.

Original poster
haveuhadyourweetabix · 07/07/2021 12:43

I was actually planning on driving down on a Friday, leaving in the morning about 10ish! Is it noticeably busier on a Friday than other days? I'll be going the A303 route, which Google suggests is the quickest from where I am.

OP posts:
Original poster
haveuhadyourweetabix · 07/07/2021 12:44

I'm really regretting not postponing until 2022 now, but I've already had to put it off a year due to Covid!

OP posts:
lazylinguist · 07/07/2021 12:51

It's always very busy there in the summer. The school holidays haven't even started yet in England, so asking how busy it is right now isn't really going to give you an accurate picture if you're not going until the holidays start.

We are going to Devon on Sat 24th (from NW England), but we are going to set off in the early hours to try and avoid some of the traffic. I expect it will still be a rough journey though!

BillieSpain · 07/07/2021 12:55

@haveuhadyourweetabix

I was actually planning on driving down on a Friday, leaving in the morning about 10ish! Is it noticeably busier on a Friday than other days? I'll be going the A303 route, which Google suggests is the quickest from where I am.
Worst tiime to go possible OP
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 07/07/2021 12:58

Definitely busier, I live SE Cornwall.
But, plan with this in mind, you will still have a lovely time, and if its quieter than you imagined it will be a nice surprise!
Friday traffic IS dreadful, try to leave as early as poss.
So, book in a few attractions, check out beaches you can walk to, avoid St Ives like the plague unless you can bear a crowded train journey, but it is short.
Try visiting Porthleven, Praa Sands, Gwithian, Perranporth at low tide, Godolphin House, coast walks etc. It's still worth coming, just be ready for it & don't jump in the car just on the off chance you will find a space to park or be able to get in somewhere.

ZarkingBell · 07/07/2021 12:58

You need to be off the A303 by 10am on a summer Friday to be honest.

WallaceinAnderland · 07/07/2021 12:59

Even pre-covid it's massively busy in the summer with lots of traffic jams. The M5 and A30 will be slow moving too.

halloumihalloumi · 07/07/2021 12:59

We are in Cornwall now. Staying near st ives. Doesn't feel that busy but we have been doing mountain biking, outdoorsy stuff . Haven't been into st ives yet. Doing that tomorrow.

daisyjgrey · 07/07/2021 13:00

I'm in North Devon but travel to South Devon and North Cornwall regularly and yes, everywhere is much busier.

I've vowed to avoid most places until September when hopefully everyone will have gone home....

hamsterchump · 07/07/2021 13:02

I'm in Newquay, it's definitely busier this year than it would be during term time, it's like the summer holidays usually are at the moment. Boardmasters is usually our busiest weekend of the year by far so now I'm wondering whether the summer holidays will be like Boardmasters all the time. It's because everyone is holidaying in the UK as they can't go anywhere else. Accomodation is all booked out already, only cancellations available occasionally. The lifting of restrictions should help with availablity in restaurants etc as the social distancing has really crippled them but then self isolation of staff could be a problem. There is also a shortage of staff generally (due to housing shortage as more accomodation is given over for holiday rentals to meet demand, people leaving hospitality and Brexit) which coupled with self isolation has seen some restaurants having to close for weeks at a time despite increased demand.
Leaving at 10am on a Friday is just about the worst time you could pick, it's when everyone comes, you'd be better off leaving really early (arriving at your destination before 10am).

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 07/07/2021 13:04

Definitely keep an eye on the traffic reports etc and don't expect to be able to rock up at eg Porthcurno beach mid morning & park.
Early morning starts are fab if you want a beach day. Get the Just Park app.
Check the tides Going to the beach at high tide can really screw your plans over! Aim for falling & low tide, much more room.
Mount's Bay, perranuthnoe, Sennen all lovely.