Devon/Cornwall

[monicagellerbing]

I need someone who knows the areas to tell me where to go and what to book! Always fancied heading here for holiday, I’m in the NE so it’s a major long drive but kids are a bit older now so we feel they’d be relatively well behaved in the car for so long! Only holidays we’ve ever been on are Haven ones about 2 hours from home. I haven’t a clue where to start looking, where is best to book for the lovely beaches/towns etc. kids are 14 and 9, so somewhere where there is plenty for the kids to do and must have wifi or they can’t function 🤣. We will be going in August so I know it’ll be packed but if anyone knows of a hidden gem that would be great!

any help gratefully received

It’s extremely busy in August! What do your kids like to do? There’s loads of water sports, Newquay in particular was great for teens as there’s lots going on but it really is busy. Try and avoid the weekend boardmasters is on as that makes everything worse. We actually really enjoyed staying in Redruth one year which isn’t much of a place in itself but is very central so it meant we could drive in all directions for different days out. Eden project is great, Minack theatre, Padstow gorgeous but heaving when we went, Mawgan Porth, kayaking up the river from Fowey, hire bikes. Can’t go wrong with beaches tbh, anything which is more remote or more of a walk from the car park will be a bit quieter. WiFi on the beach is non existent as is signal in my experience, so they might need to resort to a book. If you stay in an Airbnb or caravan there should be WiFi but caravan sites can be a bit hit and miss in terms of signal strength.

Oh you’ll love it!! North coast beaches are amazing for learning to surf and fun chilling.. like Perranporth, Crantock, Newquay. If you like holiday parks there are some great ones near there. We love Hayle - vast white sandy beaches with dog friendly areas) like being abroad… just magical beaches and loads to do. St Ives is our favourite though - several amazing beaches, great food, culture, really safe for kids. Either staying in town or at the holiday parks which have shuttle bus to and from town . Enjoy!

If they want to bodyboard / surf then you want the north coast of Cornwall or Devon, they also are a bit trendier. Look at the Croyde area of Devon which will save you 2 hours drive over many Cornish resorts. You can take a trip into Exeter, Woolacombe is nice, take a boat trip to Lundy Island where there are seals and seabirds. I can’t recommend exact accommodation as I stay at my parents

The Lizard Peninsula, with Porthleven/Helston/ Falmouth as the nearest towns.

Also....the biggest, best tip for Cornwall: everything is so much easier if you park a mile away and walk. Get an OS map and look for car parks / quiet lanes a mile or so away from all the honeypot beaches. You don't need the armfuls and armfuls of crap that all the tourists seem to take to the beach either. You can tell the locals because they're the ones with just a towel and a water bottle.

Woolacombe, North Devon is really lovely - but very pricey. Maybe stay in Ilfracombe which isn't nearly as nice but cheaper and drive over. In South Devon, Batham and Bigbury are lovely beaches but not much around. Cornwall is really beautiful if you go right down to the end but it's so far and the roads/traffic are so bad that personally I wouldn't bother. North Devon would be my choice. There are the moors as well but I prefer Dartmoor, Hound tor is my favourite place there probably. A tor to clamber over and a medieval village.

Am Cornish. Honestly, avoid August, whatever you do.

Thank you everyone some really good tips there

You'll hear a lot of people tell you to avoid in August, it's really not that bad if you do your research and plan. We go every August, have done for years.

We stay in St Ives (again most will be aghast and horrified) but I don't mind busy and there are about 5 different beaches to choose from so you can switch it up. Lovely little independant shops, tons and tons of places to eat and drink. Boat trips from the harbour, surfing etc on Porthmeor beach. Coastal walks, or stay a bit further out at Carbis Bay and do the 20min walk into St Ives, or the train which is so scenic and costs about £1.

My only advice if you're booking a self-catering place, do NOT book one without parking.

@CandiedPrincessthats really helpful thank you