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!

Hi

I live in South East Cornwall. DO NOT travel on a Friday, unless you leave very very early in the morning.

Can you travel Thursday Eve?

I drove to south Devon from Kent for the half term holiday. We left on the Friday at 9.30 and got there at 7pm. 🙁. The m25 and m3 were the worst bits as well as the a303 after stonehenge which was a bit puzzling.

I’m going to north Devon in august and planning to leave at 6am this time.

Literally everybody I know who's booked a holiday this summer is going to Devon or Cornwall. They've said pre-booking activities has been nearly impossible as they're at capacity already. It's going to be awful.

I'm in Devon, yes its horrendously busy and crowded all the time now. You can't move for cyclists out on a pleasure ride taking in the scenery and blocking what few roads aren't covered in roadworks and temporary traffic lights. Even in my tiny village its getting hard to walk around there's so much traffic, there's not even anything here besides a tiny school and a little pub I think lots of people are using the village as a backroad shortcut to avoid the hours of traffic jams on the main roads.

I've loved living here for most my life but seriously considering moving somewhere less popular.

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

Literally everybody I know who's booked a holiday this summer is going to Devon or Cornwall. They've said pre-booking activities has been nearly impossible as they're at capacity already. It's going to be awful.

This makes me sad for my kids who live here! I'm so unorganised and a bit poor this month so pre booking is impossible!

Bad mum

If there is anyway at all you can avoid travelling Fridays and Saturdays or even Sundays do it - even if it means a night in a travel lodge half way there then leaving very early.

The M5 and A38 can be horrendous at this time of year and will get worse once the holidays start.

Last time we drove to Devon from London we left on Thursday evening and spent the night in an inn near Salisbury. The morning drive on Friday was very easy.

I live here.

It’s chaotic at best and a total clusterfuck the rest of the time.

Last year was glorious not having so many tourists and actually being able to park at local supermarkets etc.

I drove to south Devon from Kent for the half term holiday. We left on the Friday at 9.30 and got there at 7pm.

Oh my goodness! I knew I should have delayed until next year, kicking myself now. I’m sure it’s some much needed good news for the UK tourist industry to have so many people holidaying here, but from a selfish point of view I would prefer it to be a bit quieter!

@haveuhadyourweetabix

I drove to south Devon from Kent for the half term holiday. We left on the Friday at 9.30 and got there at 7pm.

Oh my goodness! I knew I should have delayed until next year, kicking myself now. I’m sure it’s some much needed good news for the UK tourist industry to have so many people holidaying here, but from a selfish point of view I would prefer it to be a bit quieter!

...Well yes, from a sanity point of view, so would the people who live here...

I do the A303 every week. It has been very busy last few weeks. I’d honestly leave Kent at 7 pm (when clockwise on m25 is ok) and either drive all the way or find a premier inn half way along the route (Basingstoke, or maybe Wincanton?). If you do that then head back on road straight after breakfast (as in 8.30-ish, not 10.00). Alternative is leave lent at 5.30am (later and you hit m25 jams). Saturday in summer not much better because of caravans.

We went to Cornwall 3 weeks ago, we go the same week every year and it was noticeably a lot busier than any other year we have been. Plus as others have mentioned, a lot of pubs and restaurants were shut due to staff self isolating which in turn had a knock on effect everywhere else, meaning if you hadn’t booked a table in advance you had no chance of getting one.

I can't believe you're literally going to Devon on holiday in the year when nobody can go abroad and complaining that it's busy with tourists!!

I can't believe you're literally going to Devon on holiday in the year when nobody can go abroad and complaining that it's busy with tourists!!

Fair point! I suppose I was hoping the foreign tourists who might normally go to Devon/Cornwall would simply be replaced in terms of numbers with British tourists, therefore making it not much busier than usual. But it seems that is not the case!

I think next year could be quite a quiet one for UK holidays as everyone takes advantage of being able to go abroad again.

Live on dartmoor and its really a lot busier than it normally ever is in my village. Its how I would expect it to be in summer.

Yep I think next year will be quiet.
But, traffic aside, you can still have a good time!!
Don't despair about it. Just prepare - early starts, don't visit hotspots, think of stuff to occupy yourselves on wet days - games, visiting more obscure places, wet weather walks, do a bit of research on the places you can get to by public transport. Try a day trip to Scilly.
If nothing else its a change of scenery!