West Wales, Northumberland or Cornwall?

[bottersnikes]

I hear they're all gorgeous, and we haven't been to any of them and would like to pick one for next year's summer holiday.
We have two boys who would like to be (very) near a sandy beach and quite enjoy poking around castles and interesting buildings. Dh and I are happy wherever we go but would probably prefer somewhere with not too many crowds, yet plenty of pubs and cafés for eating out.

Given that all of the places mentioned are huge, can someone help us narrow it down a bit?

how about Aberaeron?
www.aberaeron-westwales.co.uk/
although I do not think these pix do it justice.

Porthmadog - lovely. lots to do with beaches including black rock sands. Cornwall - pick carefully avoid going right down the bottom and avoid the A30 which is a car park in the summer. make sure its somewhere with its own parking space if going in main holiday season. when do you want to go OP? we stay HERE Looe in Cornwall. Not sure how old your boys are so not sure if these suggestions are what you are looking for.

For Northumberland, look at Warkworth - pretty small town, right by a huge sandy beach, and a semi ruined castle to run around (English Heritage owned). If your boys are older and want to do water sport type stuff, then Beadnell is the place to go. Craster is also very pretty, and next to another castle.

Northumberland, we love it.

Rock pooling on holy island (ask the man in the shop directions) boat trip to grace darlings light house to see the seals, flying a kite on bamburgh beach, bamburgh castle, Alnwick castle & gardens (my favourite place).

The best beach is low Newton by the sea.

We've done Cornwall and it's great too, must admit I've not been to wales.

Northumberland is lovely. Bamburgh castle is fab and next to a sandy beach. Alnwick would be a lovely place to stay.
In Wales what about Harlech? It's my favourite beach and there's a castle.
Both areas are stunning and next to National Parks with loads to do too.

Northumberland! Craster kippers, Alnwick garden, alnwick castle (home of Harry potter - at the beginning at least!), Warkworth, barter books, micro brewery at the Ship Inn, newcastle to visit, Edinburgh easy to visit, beautiful sandy beaches, gorgeous countryside. There really is something for everyone.

Several votes so far for Northumberland, then! Will spend some time this evening looking at Warkworth and Alnwick.
Boys will be 9 and 12 so need plenty that will tire them out!

I can massively recommend the treasure trails that are around the northumberland area for keeping smalls entertained.

If you go to Northumberland the DCs will love Kielder. Loads to wear them out there and amazing star gazing if they have a bit of energy left in the evening. All the Hadrian's wall stuff is good too, would recommend Vindalanda visitor centre.

West Wales. Cardigan is a lovely area and Poppit Sands is one of the nicest beaches I've been to.

just been on the other northumberland thread... it's stunning! great scenery, deserted beaches, castles galore, pubs galore... stunning and highly recommended...
www.sandandcastle.co.uk/ we've stayed in two of the cottages around alnwick and there was loads to do! (thus the reason why we've been back!)
Making me very envious and now I want to go book a lovely cottage in craster overlooking the harbour!

Another vote for Northumberland. Alnmouth is lovely and several friends of mine really like Embleton. It might be worth joining the National Trust as there are loads of NT properties there.

West Wales gets my vote. Visit Pembrokeshire every year - cannot beat the beaches, scenery, Castles - Carew/ Pembroke.

All three are lovely.

Especially if you get the weather. That's the key ingredient isn't it. It's a shame they are all spread about. You could have done a week in one and then another.

We stayed at chark farm in Bodmin . Must go back soon but want to try Ireland next. Never been.

Another good reason for holidaying in Northumberland is that it is far less crowded than Cornwall. I don't know how busy West Wales gets, but Cornwall is full to bursting point during the holidays. The roads aren't as narrow as Cornish roads and don't have those high hedges so you can't see round the bends. This makes driving safer and easier.