To not get Cornwall?

[LarrysNewOwner]

Staying in St Austell.

Last few days we’ve been on the beach which has been lovely.

Now it’s clouded over, not really sure where to go.

Have 2 DC DS8 and DD4.

kids love theme parks. We like pretty towns to walk around etc. Maybe a boat ride.

wang are we missing?

Caerhays beach
lovely secluded bay good parking great food and they have bands on there n the evening

You are in the wrong bit of Cornwall. Go further up the north coast.

What is Marazion like? Got a week booked there next summer.

It's at least half an hour from Falmouth to the A30, too 🤔. Google says 2 hours and 2 minutes; I live 15 minutes W of Falmouth and would allow 2 and a half hours to Exeter and I don't stick to the speed limit on the A30

I live in Cornwall and think it’s beautiful but it is pretty boring.

As a PP said, everything is really spread out.

St Austell isn’t the prettiest place in the county, but it is quite central and so I think you’ve chosen a good place to stay.

Mevagissey is a cute little town on the coast.
Newquay has some great beaches and a few shops.
Anywhere down south heading towards Penzance is lovely too.

Depending on where you live and how far from the coast you are usually, I would focus on spending as much time at the beach as possible.
Google best beaches in Cornwall and have a walk around the local town, before spending the rest of the day on the beach, even if it’s cloudy or a bit drizzly.

Staying in St Austell. St Austell is hardly known for being a tourist hotspot, so this is your first mistake.

Last few days we’ve been on the beach which has been lovely. This is exactly what people like about Cornwall, so it sounds like you do 'get' Cornwall.

Now it’s clouded over, not really sure where to go. Surely this is exactly the same in most destinations where the beach/seaside is the main attraction?

Have 2 DC DS8 and DD4.

kids love theme parks. We like pretty towns to walk around etc. Maybe a boat ride. You'd struggle to find anywhere better than Cornwall for pretty towns and boat rides!!! This is what you do when it clouds over and you can't go to the beach!!!

wang are we missing? Nothing, Cornwall literally had everything you've said you like!

It's a small village community, but hundreds of people come each day for St Michael's Mount. There are two ways in and out. My advice would be to learn to drive through the town and out the east road as much as you can, and only go west if you have to.

There is a small tourist shop (if it hasn't closed by then as its up for sale) but all your food shopping will have be in Penzance - Sainsbury's, Lidl, Morrisons etc.

Go to Camborne, it's brilliant.

My in laws live off Porthpean beach road and we spend a lot of the summer there.

go to Charlestown to the pub and to see the long shipsor the long store or springtide for dinner, go for ice cream on Porthpean beach, or hire kayaks and/or paddle boards.there are some very easy and lovely beaches just a paddle away. We pack hot chocolate and hot dogs with a bbq. It’s amazing. Even in the shit weather. If the cafe is open, you can also get burgers. There’s a more private beach called duporth- you can walk the cliff path from Charlestown there.

the eden project, bike the camel trail, body board in watergate bay or go carting, perranporth is my favorite beach of all. pub on the beach, lots of sand, beautiful!

My girls love crabbing in Padstow and all the rock pools.

and if it’s raining go to the movies in st austell or the great pool at the leisure center (they Lo’s have a new soft play center) or kidz world.

lots to do, sometimes rainy days can make it a bit miserable but it can rain anywhere you go. My MIL said the weathers been hot- we were there last week with some fab weather and are back next week.

😂😂😂😂😂

The best thing about St Austell is that the roads are convenient for driving to other places. We used to stay in lovely holiday cottages there (with a pool and kids farm) but needed to drive for days out.

The best thing about Cornwall is the stunning beaches- if they’re for you, then you’re hooked. Weather’s great at the moment- do your children like bodyboarding? You need north/west coast beaches for decent waves. Watergate Bay is good for families who like waves- it has the most vigilant / instructive lifeguards I’ve ever seen. 20 mins drive from St Austell if you can navigate around Boardmasters traffic.

Fowey/Mevagissey very local to you for quaint harbour villages.

If you’re willing to travel (and set off early -need to arrive before 9.30) then Sennen is a stunning beach.

Best kids activity we ever did is Hidden Valley in Launceston- the house is brilliant, and there are gardens with lots of activities.

Cornglaze Caverns
Bodmin Jail (Science Museum nearby too)
Jamaica Inn for lunch, little smuggler museum in there
Boscastle museum of witchcraft and magic
Looe sea safari
Hire bikes and cycle the Camel Trail

St Michael's Mount if you have NT and Tintagel Castle if you have EH

Truro is nice, and there are some lovely boat trips from Falmouth.
My favourite part of Cornwall is on the north coast - Bude is lovely.

We used to go to Trelissick on the King 'Arry Ferry. Trelissick was a favourite with our kids.

Lost Gardens of Heligan are gorgeous but Eden was a bit tired last time we went. (about 4 years ago)

St Mawes castle is worth a visit as is Pendennis Castle on the opposite side of the river

We also used to visit Truro for a change

If your nerves can stand dark twisty Cornish roads Melinsey Mill for a cream tea is interesting with a working water mill

Jamaica Inn on Bodmin - not been but I believe it's good for kids

Charlestown - had an interesting museum and lots of boats

Dinghy sailing on the Helford River where we did a real man overboard as DH fell in

I'm feeling very nostalgic and sad now as remembering all the fun times we had. DC are grown up now

Still need to prebook tickets even with membership.

Is there anywhere more photogenic than St Ives on a sunny day? Also love Mousehole, The Lizard, Port Isaac, Newquay, Padstow.

Rent paddleboard or kayaks on Polkerris beach. South coast of Cornwall is as beautiful as the north.

I was at Halfords in Camborne only today, it was idyllic ❤

My DS17 went there today, albeit for a driving lesson. The test centre is now there as it has moved from Truro. idyllic (not).

He has told me that we have to drive all the test routes around Camborne at the end of August to get him test ready. Can't wait 🤣.

In other news drove from Falmouth to Hells mouth (North Coast). Brilliant drive. Stop at the cafe (totally recommend), super views too. 😊

Good luck with the lessons!

I don’t get it either. Not worth the 8 hour drive for us and I doubt I’ll bother again. St Ives is probably the nicest part but has become a different beast in the past 15 years. I prefer Devon.

I don't get Cornwall either.

Yes it's pretty but so are many other places and when you factor in the traffic and crowds.....Northumberland is far better in comparison.

I really don’t get Cornwall. We’ve been to most of the places listed on this thread (in laws live there so have to go annually) and none of them are that special - I mean any more special than beaches/NT properties/bike paths in other parts of the UK. Many of them considerably less special. And more crowded. And more expensive. Bah humbug 😀

Falmouth Truro and st Mawes (I think) are connected on river boat so you can go between Truro and Falmouth ?