Cornwall: Padstow, Bude or other?

[Lorna1234]

Looking to visit Cornwall for a weekend break soon with the family (large cottage or country house type thing) and wondering what you think is the best from the above choices? Where would you go? Any recommendations on holiday cottage websites also appreciated for luxury cottages. Thanks!

St Ives.

when we stay in cornwall we stay HERE We much prefer the south coast of cornwall to the north as it is quieter (cheaper) and less touristy. these cottages are in a group and the largest sleeps 8 or 10 with other smaller ones next door. when we go away as a group particularly with family we prefer to have our own cottage rather than all being in together because different family members always want to be awake at different times and we do like somewhere to escape!

Thanks! Looks lovely.

Padstow is much buzzier and smarter than Bude. It has Rick Stein restaurants etc and sailing in the estuary. Bude is a proper old fashioned bucket and spade resort with an overlay of surfing culture. Its much more down to earth eg no fancy restaurants. Both are quite attractive and have charm. The cliff walks you can do around Bude are absolutely spectacular and probably more deserted than those round Padstow. Bude will be cheaper. And more genuine. The Notting Hill crowd go to Padstow and thereabouts and have yet to discover Bude, thankfully.

On the South coast, you might want to look at Falmouth/St Mawes which are both lovely and face each other across the Fal Estuary. Falmouth is bigger and smarter than Bude, and St Mawes is more upmarket and smaller. Helford and Fowey estuaries are smaller still, and very beautiful, but Knightsbridge in boats. Think old, old money, inherited holiday homes but lower key than Padstow/Rock. Generally speaking the South coast is sailing oriented and the North coast is more about surfing.

We recently stayed here in St Mawes. Nice cottage and the view was out of this world!