Hit me with your Cornwall recommendations!

[Mrsbadger77]

Having abandoned the idea of France this summer we would like to visit Cornwall. Only ever been once to West Cornwall so I would like to visit either the North or South this time.
I like the idea of staying somewhere near -ish to Padstow but I imagine it will be heaving in summer so ideally we would like to stay somewhere a bit quieter but still a little quaint town on the coast. Kids are 4 and 8 if that makes a difference. Thank you

We went last summer. Some places on the north coast were very busy, one day we drove through Padstow and didn't bother stopping as it was heaving! Nowhere to park either. Friends staying in St Ives said it was the same there. On the other hand, we stayed not far from Truro and I'd really recommend Falmouth, and the beautiful villages around there. There's various boat trips up the Fal estuary and some gorgeous little seaside harbours. St. Mawes is lovely, we had a novel trip on the King Harry Ferry (very short car ferry on a chain) too and St Just was beautiful to see too.

We did two day trips, both pre-booked well in advance. Tintagel Castle and the Eden project. Had a great time at both. Lots of steep walking at Tintagel, so be prepared for that.

Lands End had to be done but is a disappointment to be honest. Theme park style stuff there, but we've been, it was a fleeting visit! Sennen Cove, around the bay is beautiful though. We preferred Lizard point which is the southern most point in Britain. Went from there up to Porthleven, a lovely little harbour with some nice restaurants and a shingle beach.

St Michael's mount is worth a look. It's only open on certain weeks and you have to book if you want to go. It's National trust. If it's not open its still worth seeing and the town opposite is nice with a good beach.

We wanted to visit one of the mines but they were either closed or fully booked.

Hope you have a lovely time. We're hopefully going to Pembrokeshire this year!

Thank you! I've been to the West bit ( years ago) so I've been to lands end, St Ives and seen St Michaels mount.
Looking at the map now and love your Falmouth suggestion. I just don't know anything about Cornwall really. There are so many beautiful places it's so hard to pick one as a base but visiting the Eden project is something DH would like to do!

Pembrokeshire did also cross my mind! Have a great trip.

Mawgan Porth is more of a village than a town, but it still has a bit of atmosphere, a few places to eat and a handful of shops.

St Mawes would fit the bill perfectly. I think you will need to be quick to book accommodation during the school holidays this year, though. We booked in July last year, for this year, and by that stage, many places had very little availability.

We rented a house in Bude, its like stepping back in time in a good way, really nice people and place. The house is 5 mins from town 5 mins from the beach
shorebreakcornwall.co.uk

It’s going to be packed this year!! I would visit somewhere more obscure if you don’t want to be competing with the crowds!

Would second bude and st michaels mount areas for family holidays both lovely with lots to do in striking distance - but all of Cornwall does seem to get booked up and is generally heaving in summer. Places like st Ives and padstow get hideously packed with people - and the m5 on a Friday afternoon is also heinous! Choose wisely

Last year Cornwall was very very busy in the summer holidays. It was practically impossible to eat out, parking anywhere was a real issue, the traditionally popular areas were packed abs even the lesser known areas were uncomfortably busy. We're expecting this year to be even busier. I adore Cornwall but would be heading elsewhere this year. Pembrokeshire sounds like a good call.

I think this year anywhere but Cornwall is a good idea. What about Tenby instead?

Tenby and the surrounding area is very nice
www.donthibernate.co.uk/tenby-saundersfoot-amroth/

North Norfolk is also fantastic for massive beautiful beaches and tho busy possibly less so than Cornwall? Different landscape but still lots to enjoy on a family holiday. I love Cornwall but I’m not going this year as others have also suggested it struggles when it gets beyond a certain level of busy. It’s like everyone will be at the same starting flag come end of the summer term all desperate to make their escape from their own home!

Falmouth is nice, and has the maritime museum and Pendennis castle as well as multiple nice beaches within walking distance. The roads in and out are all "proper" roads too.

It would be relatively easy to manage a day trip to the Eden project as well.

Alternatively, South East Cornwall can be a bit less busy than the rest of the county and is beautiful. There are lots of places to stay near Looe (I wouldn't stay within Looe itself), Fowey and Polperro. Again, within easy distance of the Eden project, some great beaches and walking, and you can drive into Plymouth if it's a miserable day. The aquarium there is pretty good too.

Lots of places around these areas offer various activities e.g. horse riding, go karting, kayaking, boat trips etc.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend Padstow with younger children.

The bonuses of SE cornwall are that it'll easily cut an hour off your travel time, and you can avoid the dreaded A30!

I wouldn't describe Falmouth as quaint, per se- it feels a bit more like a proper town.