To have never been to Cornwall - am i missing out?

[MoominMamma15]

So many people have said about how amazing Cornwall is, i’ve never been - its a good 6 hour drive away from where we are depending on where in Cornwall. That’s a heck of a drive in my opinion but if it really is that amazing im open to suggestions of where to go?

Im used to heading more Dorset way with the likes of Poole (sandbanks, Weymouth, Durdle Door etc).

What are others opinions on Cornwall?

Too long a drive. The road is a nightmare in summer. It takes forever to get anywhere. Then it's overpriced and crowded. Plus its freezing in August when the rest of UK was having a heatwave.

I'm not going back. We went with friends a couple of times in covid years but I prefer Norfolk because I've been lucky with the weather the last 2 times Ive been and its a bit nearer. We lovethe lake district too. Wales is great (north Wales closeforme)

DF lived in Penzance which is a long way, we live in the East Midlands, we took the caravan down to stay in when visiting and always stopped off overnight at Exeter on the way, Cornwall is very long.

We love it and go every year. I went many, many summers as a child too. DH had never been until he met me (it’s 6+ hours away from us) but he’s a convert and we all look forward to it every year. We’ve always had lovely weather, and the beaches we go to don’t appear to be very well known so never get busy.
I’m sure we could get a similar holiday much closer to home, but Cornwall is very special to us.

Scotland is honestly one of the most stunning places I have ever visited. The beaches on Mull/Iona were on a par with the Caribbean but with mountain views and it was very quiet even in Summer. Few degrees cooler than south England but it was more than worth it. Planning to move there when dc finish their education!

Many Scottish beaches are far, far, more beautiful. Obviously colder but then much more tranquil as well.
But ssssh, don't tell everyone.

Ooh I’m hooting with laughter re moans about travel time - we drove every year from Liverpool to Lands End in a car with wooden seats - stop off in Worcester/ Ross on Wye and press on - we’d maybe stop and ‘Billy up’ in a lay-bye with a paraffin stove - and the irony is my Dad was a bus driver 🤣🙄 he came from Crediton so was more of a pilgrimage really I suppose 👍🏿☘️ I’m back in July but cannot believe how ££££ it is now - but idyllic in 🐁hole

Cornwall in the 6 week summer holiday is absolute hell IMO. Absolutely not worth the traffic jam drive. Cornwall in early season is nicer.

You always have to pack for changeable weather - especially on the Atlantic side.

Personally, I think there's other coastal areas of the U.K. that are just as lovely and less busy. North Norfolk, Devon, Dorset, Northumberland etc are all beautiful.

😂😂😂 if we have anything in south wales it’s pubs. There are heaps of great pubs imo. Though I suppose it depends what you’re looking for in a pub.

I wouldn't hurry back - but at least it keeps the people from London/SE away from the less well known but equally beautiful UK places in summer.

Out of season is much better than peak summer. October half term is often beautiful weather and a tenth of the tourists.

@LakieLady @TheOriginalEmu

We are massive Gower fans but likewise struggle to find decent pubs.

Would welcome any recommendations

Been once, we liked it, but didn’t think it was amazing tbh, haven’t ever returned as it’s such a long drive from where we live.

I’ve been twice - Fowey, St Ives and Padstow. Thought they were beautiful.
I was a bit annoyed when I didn’t win the Omaze house in Fowey. I had big plans for that house 😁

Do you not like people from the South East? Is it a blanket dislike or just the people you know from London?

We live only the other side of the river but have been giving Cornwall a miss for the last couple of years - overcrowded, overpriced. We’re sticking to Devon and Dorset

I wasn't a fan of cornwall and preferred devon..... but that is me and my sister thought differently

Definitely better places in the UK. Do look at some of the gorgeous beaches in Scotland for example. The Eden project is a massive waste of a couple of hours or half a day. As everyone mentioned Cornwall is constantly heaving for average experiences, all at a premium and the locals are reasonably wary.

Most of the time Cornwall is lovely. The coastline is absolutely spectacular. The best beaches are wonderful. The weather is the warmest in mainland U.K., but it can rain a lot. The fishing villages are amazing.
The big problem with Cornwall is that the nice bits get ridiculously overcrowded during the peak tourist season of July & August plus May half term. Beaches are packed, towns are rammed, traffic is horrendous, accommodation is stupidly expensive, restaurants are booked up, queues everywhere. Visiting in June
or September is MUCH more enjoyable.

September is lovely in Cornwall. As a neighbour said once it’s newly weds and nearly dead’s on holiday then. So much quieter.

Our beaches and coastal paths are lovely. We have moors and woodlands which are justly unappreciated and somewhere to head for quiet in summer.

The coastal towns and villages are busy though and alot of commercialism has ruined the uniqueness and charm of them. Some of the prices for pasties and ice creams are ridiculous. However it brings jobs and many of these shops are now all year round so mustn’t moan!

The main roads are getting better though. Temple and goss moor are now dual carriage ways. Carland to Chiverton is being dualled. Just need to sort Hayle to Penzance and it’ll be sorted!

Cornwall is lovely out of season - lots of little villages, big beaches and interesting history. Devon is often overlooked and also worth a visit, out of season.

Reasons to visit Cornwall

• you are never far from a beach and they are all different to each other.

-surfing/bodyboarding -coastal walks -picturesque harbours -rugged cliffs -bike trails -engine houses and mining history (not everyone's cup of tea but actually my favourite part)

I'm really surprised by these responses, I've visited twice and both times I found it really beautiful in an almost other worldly way. But I suppose your experiences of a place are so dependent on so many other things at the time.

Some of the prices for pasties and ice creams are ridiculous. Yes be prepared for this, we went to London on holiday last year and found cafe prices to actually be cheaper than Cornwall. In St Ives a pasty can be over £4 and a scoop over ice cream over £3.

It is beautiful. Around the Lizard it is easy to find quiet spots in peak season. St Ives and around Hale also lovely but the former completely rammed. I usually stop at a hotel going down and miss the traffic.