Is Cornwall worth the expense?

[srasee]

We usually go for a week to Antigua in February and rent a flat or villa. This year we’re thinking of skipping that trip and having an extra one in the UK summer.

We were thinking of renting a house in somewhere like Flushing or Rock or Saint Ives

It is very expensive, but we prefer to stay in upmarket areas. Is Cornwall worth the expense?

No no no
go abroad

i love Antigua.
the day I swapped a holiday there to go to shitty Cornwall in prime tourist season full of twenty billion other tourists would be the day satan ice skates to work

'Shitty Cornwall'?
You sound delightful!

No.
Over rated
Over crowded
Unpredicable weather
Even the “upmarket” areas are shabby on the whole and very touristy, pretentious and over charge massively (Rock, Flushing, St Ives, Padstow and Port Isaac spring to mind)
The coastline is stunning though if you like walking and outdoor pursuits.

I've always fancied staying at the Gurnard's Head in Zennor (roughly between Land's End and St Ives). They do some good winter deals.

That’s a very charming spot. I’ve had some excellent meals there, but never stayed overnight.

If you can cope with mass tourism Cornwall in the summer is your place, it’s rammed

Go out of season.
Yes the locals get sick of the tourists in high season, it's awful. Totally weather dependent too as is anywhere in the uk. Cornwall is lovely but so dependent on tourism ironically, that much of it is deprived. Sennan cove is like the Caribbean in good weather tho.
Again, GO OUT OF SEASON and def not in school holidays.
My family are from Mousehole, we steer clear of St Ives etc.

Also Salcombe in Devon is worth considering if you like upmarket

Not everywhere it's not!
We live here and still manage to find plenty of out of the way beaches and other wild places to enjoy. Just takes a bit more effort (on foot) to escape the crowds.

@faffadoodledo
This.
Amazes me when people go to a obviously touristy destination in Cornwall and are shocked when it's crowded then write the whole county off. There are lots of stunning places if you are local or read up about it.

We have a holiday let, and when I meet and greet I like to ask people whether they need any help finding great places to go.
I've learned to quickly back off politely from the ones who don't want advice. But more often people ask questions and as a result get some great suggestions to suit their requirements. I do run the risk of making my favourite places a tiny bit busier, but it's so nice when people come back the next year :)

I live in Cornwall and whilst it can be lovely in the sunshine, there's no way I'd pick it over Antigua. I like living here too!

@margotmargeaux Do you know these towns? They are chalk and cheese. They are very different and attract a different type of person. The more expensive hotels by the beaches are different but the town centre of Newquay won’t be Padstow. The money is in Padstow.

I know both towns very well.

Padstow is beautiful, a gorgeous small
Cornish place to stay, a picturesque harbour, lovely restaurants. Not a place you would visit for the shopping.

Newquay also has a beautiful working harbour, miles of stunning coastline and gorgeous beaches. Also not a place I would visit if shopping is what I had in mind.

There are plenty of people with money who visit Newquay too - If that is what is important to you 🤷‍♀️

Yes but Newquay has a so so centre and no Paul Ainsworth or Rick Stein. There’s always The Pig at Harlyn Bay for something different.

Rick stein has a place in Newquay, right on the beach.
On the same beach there is a Fish restaurant opened by an ex chef from the Stein restaurants - the food is sublime with a view of the surf.
I visit the stein restaurants in Padstow regularly, and have visited and enjoyes the Pig at Harlyn too.
All of them are great, as are the restaurants you can find in Newquay. Not all of them - as in any town - but look and you will find.
There are also upmarket hotels and of course it's only ten minutes from the airport for anyone that doesn't want to drive

This was 'shitty' Cornwall this morning when I nipped down to the beach with my mates and the dogs for a very quick dip and walk before popping to the pub for a bacon sandwich. I feel so lucky to live here - come and visit Op but come out of season and avoid the tourist traps.

I love Cornwall but Padstow is dull AF. Overrated, overhyped. Far nicer places to visit.