Are Devon and Cornwall busier than usual right now?

[haveuhadyourweetabix]

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!

Thanks everyone. Would driving down on a Saturday be any better?

We drove down to Cornwall from Devon a few years ago in the summer holidays, it was hell.

@Tal45

We drove down to Cornwall from Devon a few years ago in the summer holidays, it was hell.

Right up there with the M6 on a bank holiday weekend.

Sats are a bit quieter, as most changeover days are Fri, but then a waste of a day driving!
I used to drive down overnight when I lived upcountry. Bliss.

Once all school holidays kick in it’s going to be absolutely heaving.
Only those living under a rock wouldn’t realise this!

@haveuhadyourweetabix

We are travelling to Cornwall on Friday, we go regularly. We are leaving at 6am. If you don't get past the A303 by late morning you're screwed.

Absolutely get past stonehenge by mid morning.

I had to go past stonehenge last Saturday at lunchtime. 🤣🤣🤣 It took 45 mins from one side to the other...

Also once you're here, if you're wanting to drive and park up at local beaches you'll need to set off really early to get a space. I'm already hearing that the large carparks at Perranporth, Holywell Bay and Crantock beaches for example are filling up by 9am, this will likely be much worse in the school holidays. Lots of parents seem to have taken their children out of school for an early holiday, much more than normal. Easier and much less stressful to leave the car at your accommodation and walk out/use buses/taxis from where you are in my opinion than potentially spend ages stuck in a queue on a narrow lane only to find you have to turn around because you can't park once you get there. I don't enjoy driving for leisure in the busiest times and we'll often choose to use the bus or walk the coast path etc instead if possible.

Could you go Thursday night, as in late evening?

I'm in a coastal town in South Devon.

At the moment it feels busier but I am think that's because it's been quiet.

This summer will be busier than usual for sure. Busier than 15 yrs ago.

If you're driving I'd leave enough to time to be at your destination by 8 in the morning.

Friday and Saturday daytime are the worst.
If I was leaving on a sat or Sunday I'd leave early evening.

Where are you headed?

We were in Cornwall last week and drove down early Sunday morning which was excellent and no traffic to speak of.

Busy-wise it wasn’t too bad down there though my DM thought it was (she’s from the country, we are not!). Forget getting into any restaurants though and book any attractions you might want to visit. There were very long queues into one popular beach mid morning so go early or later or just somewhere less popular.

We had a great time.

The A303 might be quicker mileage wise but my goodness it can take forever as not as free flowing.
Unless you leave at 3am I guess

Went to salcombe last year and going again next month. Treat the journey like you are getting on a flight ie get up early and be on the road by six am as others have said.

Yes, it’s busier than 15 years ago. Yes, it’ll be frantically busy this year!

Fridays are the usual changeover day for holiday homes, caravans etc. So it's always busier. Mondays have got busier as well, also a changeover day after a long weekend. If you can, I'd travel on Saturday, but it will still be fairly busy on the roads.
There was a big accident yesterday afternoon and the A30 was closed between Launceston and Bodmin. The diversion sent you 45 miles round via Liskeard to Bodmin to rejoin A30!

There must be places to look these things up formally

2020 traffic was well down compared to previous years at Threemilestone Cornwall RAB. So 2020 was a quiet year.

Google mobility statistics show only park usage being wildly different in week ending 2 July 2021, compared to baseline = Jan-Feb 2020 - not a busy baseline period.

I was in Cornwall visiting family last week and the lanes were packed. All the holiday caravan parks were bustling and there were camper vans and caravans everywhere. Looe was rammed. Traffic on the A38 was appalling, had to wait an hour to cross the Tamar bridge both times. Took me so long to drive home I thought I might have to stop overnight. I won't be heading back til late September.

I live in south Devon and it is very busy here already. I drive to work in Exeter and the M5 is horrendous especially on Fridays and Saturdays. My 22 minute journey is often an hour.

I’m living in Cornwall and it’s definitely busier than usual summers.

@Shedbuilder

I was in Cornwall visiting family last week and the lanes were packed. All the holiday caravan parks were bustling and there were camper vans and caravans everywhere. Looe was rammed. Traffic on the A38 was appalling, had to wait an hour to cross the Tamar bridge both times. Took me so long to drive home I thought I might have to stop overnight. I won't be heading back til late September.

To be fair, there are roadworks on the bridge at the moment, making the traffic queues ridiculously long. My DH commutes across the bridge mon-fri and the roadworks have added about 20 mins to that.

Can't speak for Devon but Cornwall is heaving so likely Devon is the same. I've lived in Cornwall my whole life and I had never known an May half term like it. The summer holidays will be madness. It's been abnormally busy between May half term and now and out of the school holidays..

I would say Friday is the worst day to travel to and from. Are you able to travel evening or very early morning?

Live in Devon. Yes, quite busy already. So many caravans and cars piled high with bikes!!

It's always busy in the summer though.

Don't drive on the M5, A30 or A303 between 10 am and 8pm!

We holiday out of Devon every year and it's bliss driving north bound on the M5 away from traffic!

I live in the South West and judging by the M5 on weekends its already busier than usual. My due date is in August and need the M5 to get to the hospital so I'm slightly panicking that il go into labour on a Friday and end up giving birth in the car

@Orangemochafrappacino

I live in the South West and judging by the M5 on weekends its already busier than usual. My due date is in August and need the M5 to get to the hospital so I'm slightly panicking that il go into labour on a Friday and end up giving birth in the car

Oh god. Where do you live? Can you use back roads?

We went down to Devon one year. Left on a Friday, drive back on a Saturday and OMG we couldn’t have picked worse times. It should have taken five hours and it took eight 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😬

It is really busy already - it has been for the last few weeks, since you could stay in hotels etc. It feels like the school holidays already. Everywhere is pretty much booked up

The traffic won't be great on the main routes in / through (M5 /A30/A38/A303 - but it never is. If you can, try and travel though earlier (before 10am) - but it is fab down here. Take is easy, take breaks and chill out on the drive. You will get here - and it will be worth it.