Campervan trip to Cornwall - any top tips of places to visit?

[MellowYellow0]

We’re hiring a campervan from Glasgow and considering heading down to Cornwall, 1st - 11th July. I have 5 year old twins and a dog and we’re looking for any top recommendations from the community about MUST SEE places, things to do or any events that might be happening that we should go to.

Your suggestions would be greatly welcome ❤️ Thank you ❤️

It depends where you stay, Cornwall is pretty big!

If you're staying in the SW:
St Ives - you have to park at the leisure centre and catch the bus down
Hayle Towans
Gwithian and Godrevy
Avoid Penzance

If SE:
Kynance Cove
Falmouth is alright for a mooch around
Cadgwith is nice

If North Cornwall:
Perranporth
Newquay if you want busy commercial - it does still have a bit of charm in places
Padstow is nice but does get busy, you can get the ferry across to Rock

You're spoilt for choice tbh

That is a very long way to drive with two small children and a dog. Most of your time will be taken up by the journey. I would have a rethink and look at places that are nearer so you can enjoy time that is not just driving.

My thoughts exactly. And how confident are you at reversing said camper van for a reasonable distance down very narrow single-track roads, which will be necessary at some point (often) during your stay in Cornwall during the peak (super-busy) tourist season?

Apart from the very long journey, Cornwall is one place I would not want to take a camper van. Negotiating those Cornish lanes is bad enough in a small car.

What about Shropshire instead? There are loads of places to visit and things to do that would appeal to 5 year olds.

I agree that that is very long way to travel and the roads will be busy and narrow. I think I would puch a different part of the country.

You”ll spend most of the holiday driving there and back!

Have you considered the Lake District or touring in Scotland?

I'd stick to North Cornwall coast and do a beach holiday.
Choose a couple to visit in the Padstow area - there are dozens of beautiful bays to enjoy, you can get the boat across to Rock, crabbing, ice cream, decent food options. Padstow is busy but there's a park and ride facility from the top of town rather than driving in.
There are lots of fun farm type places around, used to be Crealy's which is/was a smaller amusement park, a bird sanctuary, the Camel Trail for walks and bikes.
But ours at that age (now late teens) were completely happy on the beach, all day every day. Best holidays ever!

I’ve just found an amazing campsite called MacDonalds Farm near Padstow, beaches etc. Looks perfect! Pick up Glasgow, 2 nights Lake Windermere & visit to The World of Beatrix Potter and then onwards travel. Thank you for the recommendations.
The kids are used to travelling long distances so we can’t wait to enjoy the beaches 🏖️ & hopefully sunshine

Remember the speed limits, it's different to a car if it's over a certain weight, it's 60 on a dual carriageway, 70 on a motorway and 50 on a single carriageway for most motorhomes. Enjoy your trip

How large is the campervan? We have a LOT of narrow lanes here (as do the Lakes) and large campervans frequently struggle if they go off the A roads, so be very cautious on where you want to visit. And practice reversing, turning and tight manoeuvres if you're not used to the size of the vehicle....

Firstly ignore the naysayers, Cornwall is perfect for camper vans you just need to be mindful that some of the country lanes are very narrow so you may want to consider pitching in the busier towns so you don’t need to drive out much. St Ives is amazing for a day trip or two though with suitable access, plenty of lovely art galleries, incredible beaches, restaurants and cafes galore. Prepare to get addicted to Cornwall, it has a feel about it unlike anywhere else.

Glastonbury town is a perfect stop off on the way for a night too. Enjoy!

If you are travelling down the A39 in North Devon then Big sheep is a really good day out.

@Brrrrrrrrrrrr you're seriously advocating someone take a campervan into St Ives? Rather than use the park and ride at St Erth for example?

There's only really the rugby club or by the leisure centre that will accept large vehicles anyway:
www.stivesbythesea.co.uk/blogs/st-ives/car-parking-in-st-ives-cornwall

Obviously a VW T5 will be very different for driving and parking purposes from a 6 berth motor home, but still... I wouldn't take any vehicle into St Ives on a busy summers day if I could avoid it. I have had to do it for work in the past and it's always a chore.

What is it OP, a lot of people call motorhomes, campervans, and it can make a huge difference for going out when you are there as its quite easy to go out for the day in a VW type camper rather than a large motorhome

@MellowYellow0 hope you have an amazing time! Some of our family live in Cornwall, they've been there for 40 years now, we can't think of anywhere more perfect for family holidays. Enjoy!

I think they are probably old enough to enjoy the Eden Project, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Don't forget a lot of the beaches don't allow dogs on them in the daytime, you can check on the Council website.
And you can't take dogs in the biomes at Eden, so you'll be looking at splitting up the family for daytime activities.
Heligan is great & dog friendly.

https://www.takethedogs.com/england/cornwall/20-dog-friendly-days-out-in-cornwall/

I'd base myself in Hayle, just off the A30-those beaches are just fabulous. Maybe take the train into St Ives / Carbis Bay from St Erth?
Stick to the A roads and you should be ok in a Motorhome. I think you'd struggle going to the Minack Theatre /Porthcurno in a motorhome or through Marazion for e.g.
A campervan would be fine.
Falmouth should be ok access wise and there's plenty to do and see around there.
Is that a 12 hour trip from Glasgow?

That’s such a long drive with little ones, I’d go somewhere much nearer. Why Cornwall?

Macdonalds farm is great- I live in the area and regularly take my kids there to see the animals and have a play. Great locations for beaches but be mindful of the campervan on the narrow cornish lanes. Not the easiest to get around or get parked in busy times, although you will be visiting before most schools in England have broken up for summer so it shouldn't be too rammed. It's on a bus route too to get to Padstow or Newquay and places in between.

Macdonalds campsite is really really lovely you've chosen well there,youl have a lovely time.beaches are perfect there too and easy to get the bus down the hill from outside the campsite so you don't have to pack up the camper.playground area is safe and fun,it's lovely.

Don't attempt at ives.eden is still worth it with a dog as one of you can walk dog round the extensive epic shady outdoor areas while one takes the kids in the biomes,awesome fun to explore the rainforest and the play areas,eating places and ice-cream shop are outside and so fine with dogs and dogs are even allowed in the core.go early to avoid crowds,well worth it with kids and we do it with dog too.

Oh yes some beaches ban dogs,by Macdonald's is worth going to Porth mear,a national trust parking area with walk down to a lovely cove through a magical secret garden walk,also great fit kids,it's stoney but quieter.

I think Mawgan Porth beach is dog friendly and a lovely beach