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?

I'm glad I saw quite a lot of it twenty years ago when it was still relatively unspoiled. I like it out of season, the rest of the year it's just too busy for me now. You do not, however, I repeat, do not want to visit Northumberland or Pembrokeshire or North Wales or Northern Ireland or south west Scotland.

(I'm obviously joking. I now prefer them to Cornwall but I worry others will discover them)

Devon is nicer (and so are the people)

No, it’s a rip off.

Go to Devon.

Portmeirion

Not far from Carbis I think?

The very end of Cornwall is gorgeous and worth going for things like the Lizard, Mynack theatre/Porthcurno, St Micheals mount, etc - but it's so far away from anywhere else in the UK and the traffic is horrific! The rest of Cornwall is not worth it IMO, might as well go to Woolacombe in N Devon or Bantham/Bigbury in S Devon which are closer and lovely.

I don't think you've especially missed out if you've been to other places with beautiful coastlines.

Aggressive seagulls are everywhere. WHY are they protected? They are vermin with wings. [misses point of thread]

It’s amazing! My favourite place in the UK for holidays. Fantastic beaches, super cute fishing villages etc. 6 hours from us too, Worth it though! I avoid school holidays as it gets very crowded in the height of summer.

Cornwall is absolutely lovely.

But (don't tell anyone) Northumberland is glorious.

We're in Gloucestershire so it's not too bad a drive for us. Love Padstow/Rock, St Ives and Carbis Bay area, Marazion. Newquay was a massive let down - town very grotty and run down - same with Hayle. Went to Looe this time and god what a shit hole... very poor run down area, and we spent most of the week in the car trying to escape it. Thought Fowey was very over rated too. Photos were better than the reality.

St Ives out of season is worth every mile though - we usually go in March.

Lived here all my life and you are 100% correct. There is something mystical about Cornwall that I haven't experienced anywhere else!

I'd rather go to Cornwall/Dorset and Isles of Scilly. Prefer warmer areas.

I live in this area and you're right. So many people go to north Cornwall but it's between the lizard and lands end on both coasts that's the real gem!

Overrated, expensive and rainy. Much prefer Dorset, Devon and my absolute fave: The Isle of Wight.

We drove from the Highlands of Scotland ( home) to Cornwall a few years back. I think it was June.

Cornwall was cold and wet with narrow single track roads and people who had no idea how to drive on them.

Bit like home to be honest.

Cornwall is literally magical

We go every year to the Lizard and I feel like I'm home

I never find it busy or rainy 🤷‍♀️ - if anything the weather passes over quickly

Cornwall is packed with history if that is your type of thing. It has been an independent kingdom/ tribal area for much of history. It is more aligned to Brittany than England. It had its own language. When there you get the feeling it used to be more populated than it is now, it was a hive of activity during the Iron Age. It has beautiful and interesting geology and feels like another country because it kind of is. Nice food. Bloody expensive though.

You should go once. It's too far for most. Especially when busy, hours of driving down there, stuck in traffic jams. I grew up on Devon border and was in Bodmin and surfing in Newquay and Polzeath. But I don't think you can compare it to Dorset. I've been caravanning in Dorset for 20 years. It's not like Cornwall.

I love many areas of the UK and love holidaying here. Cornwall is one of my favourites, I like to go at least once a year, this year I am going twice. Traffic is manic in the summer but I've been all over Cornwall so now I pick somewhere and stay put for the duration, just enjoying the beaches (which I like to do rain or shine), some nice food and a few good walks.

I'm also going to Wales and Devon to balance it out, and just back from Dorset. All beautiful places but still prefer Cornwall over them all.

Bits of Cornwall are beautiful. If you get away from the busiest places it can be stunning and magical. Other bits are run down and a bit grim, there is a huge problem in some inland areas. Some locals welcome tourists, others resent them for the crowds and how holiday homes have pushed local people out of the housing market.

I know a man in his 50s who has never been able to buy a house on his labourers wage as they are all massively overpriced.

I would never go in the school holidays, especially the summer one.

Devon and Dorset are beautiful too, as is Pembrokeshire.

The older I get, the more I dislike motorways and/or sitting in traffic jams . Whether this is because there is more traffic now, I'm not sure .

We've had a few holidays in Cornwall, staying in Falmouth. Last time we went, we had an overnight stop in Devon which made the journey a lot more pleasant . I would say if you haven't visited before, that it's worth going at least once .

Wales or Somerset are my first choice UK breaks as it's a lot shorter journey from where I live . I love North Wales, we normally go at least once a year .

i do love Dorset i have to say. I haven’t even ventured into Devon!

You should. Devon has better sandy beaches. Bigbury is fab.

We have to go quite often and I hate the whole county! The beaches are nice when not rammed but I find everywhere has a depressing feel. Driving through Bodmin literally makes my hair stand on end

I thought it was overrated to be honest. Nice but Northumberland has better beaches without the crowds.