Cornwall in October in a caravan

[Chilleddays]

Is it a good idea?

Thinking of going to Cornwall in the touring caravan for October half term, 2 older dc with us, of course it wouldn't be a proper beach holiday but thinking nice walk, good food, daytrips.

Are we maybe underestimating how cold and miserable the weather would be?

Could be very windy and rainy on half term but if you plan for that and don't mind you could have fun.

Hard to say - could be glorious, sometimes October is a great month to be in Cornwall, I’ve been paddling and sea swimming in mid October before. Or it could be a complete disaster of a hurricane. I’d say yes to Cornwall in October, no to a touring caravan.

The camp site is only going to cost around £120 so I suppose we could book and if the weather forecast is terrible we could leave it.

We can't really afford to book a cottage as we've already had our big holiday this year.

So long as you have hook up and some form of heat I think it will be fine.
Ive stayed in a static without central heating in November and it was a bit chilly.

Yeah I’ve just looked at October half term cottage prices and gone ‘yikes!’ - really expensive. I guess it comes down to that £120, and whether you can afford to take the hit if the weather turns. You could have a fantastic week. I’d also have a think about the site itself and how exposed it is. Something slightly inland might work better.

I've done it in February and October. No longer have the caravan for other reasons, as weather was fine. We were quite cosy in the caravan - as another has said, with heating and a hook up it should be a good week!

Maybe have an awning or somewhere in mind to keep coats or shoes if they get wet would be useful in case of showers.

You'll be fine in a caravan, so long as you've got some budget for a few nice pub lunches etc if the weather's really miserable. Best case it can still be very mild and dry (glorious autumn days are my favourite beach days - and no suncream required!) worst case you have a few days of slobbing out watching TV, playing cards, eating chips in front of a pub fire then you pack up and come home early.

I live in Cornwall, and always say that September and October are great times to visit. As with anytime, the weather can turn (its currently wintery out there today!!) But its generally quite mild then, and when it's nice and clear, it's wonderful strolling along the abandoned beaches.

I always go to Cornwall for October half term, sometimes it has been lovely, sometimes it’s been so ghastly I’ve come home early. It’s likely to be blustery and at least some rain.

I've camped in a tent in Cornwall in November / December and it was fine. I'd suggest though to research the camp sites you book carefully (we found one on a hill that caught the prevailing wind and consequent south-westerly storm), and book one that's sheltered from the inevitable/with trees around the campsite to break up the wind.
Other than that one naff experience it was fab. Half term there's likely more campsites open than later on in the year.

Ideally I would love to go in a cosy holiday flat. We spent our budget on going abroad this year and haven't used the van at all. Have really missed Cornwall and I've always wanted to go out of season hopefully without all the crowds.

We have got all the kit, awning, heaters and would be able to have fish and chips and eat out. You do forget how miserable it can be in bad weather though, we've been stuck in storms in August where the awning has nearly blown down.

Good idea about checking how exposed the campsite is.

I suppose there's just no way of knowing whether it will be a mild Autumn or torrential rain.

Not sure if I said we are thinking 3-4 nights not the whole week.

It hasn't really been cold in the last few autumns down here to be honest (and we live right on the top of Bodmin Moor so pretty exposed). Love September / October as the main rush of the holidays are over so the beaches are a lot more quiet and you can get into pubs without a problem. It can get pretty windy though so make sure your awning has got good guy ropes!

October 1/2 term is my favourite time of year to take our tourer to Cornwall. Much quieter, and the unpredictable weather means rainbows and cosy time in the van. We take board games and films for in case it rains and the darker mornings mean I’m not awake at 4am! We go to Pentewan Sands.

We went to Cornwall last October half term and it was pretty mild, mostly dry. Swam and paddle boarded in the sea, the sea temperature isn't particularly low then. I think as long as you have somewhere warm and dry to be overnight you'll be fine.
I'm taking the camper-van to Scotland this half term and feeling pretty nervous about how cold it might be overnight!

Weather can go either way. Lashing down or pretty sunny from experience. Regardless october tends to be quite mild and not cold in Cornwall so I would do it, in fact id much rather be in a caravan in October than I would in the summer when it might be hotter. Nothing cosier than a caravan holiday!

it will be quieter too!

Fellow tourer here - I’d do it!

The main risk in my book is wind as that would stop you from being able to tow safely. I’d also book a hardstanding pitch to reduce the risk of cancellation in heavy rain.

Autumn is perfect for walking and other activities like national trust/English heritage. There may be some Halloween events on too if your kids are the right age.

if all else fails and it’s bleak torrential rain then go to the cinema or bowling. It’ll probably be fine though