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?

Half of my family come from Cornwall going back several generations. The coast is the coast. I much prefer the Suffolk and Norfolk coasts myself.

Choose what you want - sand/surf/culture etc and build a holiday around that.

Why? They are some of the best places

It's beautiful. We go several times a year and stay with friends. Beautiful beaches, especially those the tourists don't know about so they don't get crowded. The Minnack theatre is quite something but the Eden project is a bit underwhelming. Falmouth is a lovely town and Truro has the cathedral. It does have some rough areas like any county, Camborne and Redruth are pretty grim.
Cornwall is basically "Fisherman's Friends "(both films) but for a local's perspective watch "Bait".

I’ve been to Cornwall lots as a child and an adult and parts of it are lovely but for me it’s too quiet for any more than a couple of days and then I’m craving a more lively civilisation . We went to a play at the Minack last year ( very good ) and as we drove back to our hotel after the performance at about 10:30 everywhere we drove through / past was completely quiet / closed / lights off . It’s bizarre , it was like driving around at 3 am .

Her reply is tongue in cheek. It is not to be taken literally.

It's beautiful but a good 6 hour drive for me (without traffic) so after trying it one year, I won't rush to go back. I dont have any particular connection to the area though. I live in far easier distance to the Lake District, Northumberland and Robin Hood's Bay/Staithes so those areas give me plenty of stunning scenery.

Even out of school holidays the parking was stressful and a lot of driving between areas. If you want to surf though, that could be worth it as limited suitable beaches elsewhere.

Can anyone recommend some specific places to go in Dorset or Devon then? We are regular frequenters of Cornwall and we do love it but would love to discover somewhere different. We have a dog and young children so ideally dog friendly beaches plus nice places to eat / drink

True. They're nicer. Been to Cornwall several times. Not worth doing again.

Loved it.

Blimey, have Cornwall nicked Torquay now?

Instead of asking a bunch of strangers on the Internet with vastly differing tastes, why not go yourself and make up your own mind

I'm a similar drive away and don't think it's worth it. In fact the lady time we went I swore never to go back after the journey home.

Agree 100%. I've been to Cornwall many times in the past and used to live and work in the West Country for several years but would never holiday in Cornwall again unless in winter. It's been ruined. Pembrokeshire in South West Wales has 100% equally beautiful coastline, cheaper, friendlier locals and seems more genuine, far less busy and less 'Londoner infiltrated'. You don't hear a Cornish voice in Cornwall in summer. No insult to Cornish people, it must be galling to be so inundated unless you make a living in tourism . (I'm not from Pembrokeshire BTW!)

I’ve been in the winter. It’s nice enough but doesn’t compare to North Pembrokeshire. Admittedly I’m biased as I grew up there.

Hubby and I went a few years ago (we're in County Durham so it's quite a drive) and has a great few days. We're gardeners so we looked around some beautiful gardens. Worth a visit in my view.

I've just seen the second post. Makes sense now lol.

If I ever went again I'd get the train. Always loved the idea of getting the overnight sleeper.

We really enjoyed the South Hams area of Devon. Thurlestone, Hope Cove, Bigbury on Sea. Not much going on but lovely beaches and walks. The nearest big town is Kingsbridge.

North Devon is lovely too, Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton sands is a huge dog friendly beach just up the coast.

Me too but you’re stuck getting around Cornwall without a car

I'm surprised people are telling you to never bother visiting an entire county because the most popular beaches are popular in summer lol. It's not true that everywhere is packed, beaches that require more of a trek to get to are usually empty. Families want convenience and will stop and stay at the most accessible beaches. There are still lots of secret spots where locals go, you just need to do some research. Take a look at Cornish Walking Trails youtube channel, Cornwall is packed full of interesting history. And subjective, but I don't think 6 hours is insane. Take breaks every few hours or fly?

@Timesawastin unfortunately I agree. I don't dislike Cornwall at all but the only places I really loved were Mousehole, st ives and Fowey and it's one hell of a treck. I'm not massively beachey either if I'm honest and no kids at home. I've had just as nice a time in swanage, west Bay, Lyme Regis, poole, Torquay, Weymouth, Brixham , sidmouth ,

It's a long drive for us as well. Spent years going to Devon and hadn't been to Cornwall since 1997! We went in 2021 and it was magical. The air is fresher in Cornwall (imo), it seems a lot more tropical than Devon. I love the Gower too but it's different. We won't go every year but we loved it, St Ives is too busy though! We went to some lovely quiet places in May half term and the weather was great.