Cornwall in summer holidays. What's the protocol

[BatleyTownswomensGuild]

We have booked a week in Cornwall for late July with DS. Never been to Cornwall in the height of the summer season before - what's the protocol re: booking restaurants and kids activities? Do we need to book things now or will we be able to turn up on the day? Not fussed about fine dining Rick Stein etc as DS's table manners leave a lot to be desired. Thinking kid friendly places. Is it too late/too early?

I would wait until a bit closer to see how things pan out Thing may be very different in July because of vaccination and Cornwall during peak season can be a bit full on you may enjoy extra flexibility in the evenings

Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings always used to be very busy, as did Sunday lunches and I’d always book a table so we didn’t have to end up waiting with hangry kids.
In terms of days out and activities, it’s hard to tell. Sometimes days out on a Saturday weren’t nearly as bad as during the week, because Saturday is usually a change-over day in holiday lets. Most attractions (zoos, aquariums etc... ) need you to book a timed entry so they can limit the number of people there at any one time.

Personally I would book now if they have a Covid refund policy

@Funf - that's what I was afraid of. But I really hate the idea of planning an entire holiday out 3 months in advance.

Surely some stuff you can just turn up on the day - gosh and chips, pizza etc??

You won’t find bookings are necessarily open that far in advance. So just get an idea of the main things you want to do and look at when they take bookings.

Sunday lunch venues can get busy! Rick Stein is totally over rated. You are not missing much. His fish and chips are good in Padstow though! Don’t forget that there are great beaches with cafes nearby. Look at Visit Cornwall for ideas.

Where are you staying?

@PresentingPercy Good to know about the Fish and Chips! We're staying in the Falmouth area.

We're going in August and have booked restaurants already. Went last summer, decided about 6 weeks beforehand, restaurants / some activities booked up plus we couldn't get stop over accommodation as that was all booked up. It was very, very busy.

I would book the activities / restaurants that you'd be disappointed not to be able to do (subject to the refund policy) and then take a more relaxed approach for the other days.

Thanks @Africa2go I think we might take that approach.

Following with interest as am also off to Cornwall this summer. We're thinking booking a few weeks in advance for any major tourist attractios (eden centre etc).

Didn't really think about booking restaurants but yeah I guess will probably also be needed to avoid kids grumpily waiting for free tables for ages.

The thing in Cornwall is that the weather can be so varied that you don't want to have too many firm bookings as that means you can't take advantage of the weather. It may be drizzly in the morning but sunny in the afternoon; Falmouth may be overcast but the north coast sunny.
It's also worth considering how routine based you/your child is and whether that will be followed whilst on holiday. Although bear in mind that each car journey from one place for another is a golden opportunity for a child to nap and through all plans out of sync!

@Whoateallthechocolate - DS is primary age and doesn't need daytime naps, so that's not really an issue. But I take your point about the weather. May just have to risk it....

It was a total PITA last time we went, only managed to book 3 restaurants for the whole week, most were booked up 3 weeks in advance. We were only 3 people too, god knows how you'd get on with a large group. Plus being out for the day and having a great time then thinking, oh, we have to leave as our booking is in an hour.
Yes we could have eaten at the cottage but I really didn't want to.