Cornwall and/or Devon with kids

[Texelsheep]

We are thinking about going for a week or two to Cornwall (or possibly Cornwall and Devon, a week in each) next summer. I'm looking for recommendations of whereabouts to stay. Not specific accommodation options, more which general area to book. Where has lots of stuff to do with two junior school age kids?

st ives bay holiday park is nice

It depends on what you and the kids like doing. Loads of holiday parks around Newquay with camping/static accommodation which is central and good for beaches/attractions. Will you be driving and what kind of accommodation are you looking for?

Any holiday down there will be mainly beach based so I'd look for towns and villages with decent beaches within walking distance.
The local roads are often single track and horrendous in the summer months, especially when they're full of campervans! We tend to base ourselves somewhere that we can walk into the town or catch the bus easily.

St Ives has two great beaches, lots of shops/restaurants, Tate Gallery etc. it's quite busy in the holidays though and pricey.

Hayle is a few miles away, has a huge beach too so you could get the bus in to st Ives. We've stayed at the haven site before.

Carbis Bay also has a lovely beach but again it's pricey now.

Newquay and the surrounding beaches are great for surfing/body boarding. The town has plenty of shops, a few arcades etc.
We like Porth which is a short drive away, much quieter and has a great beach.

North Devon is beautiful. We love woolacombe. Croyde bay is also nearby and worth a visit. We often stay there as my DC love surfing/body boarding.

Thanks. I think we'll probably go for a self-catering cottage. We enjoy: beaches (including body boarding), walks, castles, zoos/wildlife parks, exploring pretty towns, going anywhere the kids can run around and let off steam, theme parks... pretty broad range of stuff really!

Thanks @MissAtomicBomb1 this is exactly the kind of thing I'm after :-)

We had a great holiday in Paignton earlier this year. My dc enjoyed the zoo, Paignton Geopark,Babbacombe model village, the amusements on the pier and Kent’s Cavern.

Not too far from Paignton is Woodlands Theme Park. Dartmouth is also nice to visit

Bude in North Cornwall is popular, some lovely beaches round there
There is also Looe in South Cornwall (location for BBC Beyond Paradise)

You could do 1 week beach and 1 week inland and explore Dartmoor etc

Falmouth might fit the bill. Lots of beaches, a castle, ferry to St Mawes or Trelissick, mainline station, lots of nearby towns. Its also got some nice restaurants and bars and shops if that's your thing.

Thanks everyone. We've ended up booking a week in Padstow. There were too many lovely places to choose between!