Where to go in Cornwall?

[OccamsLadyshave]

I've never been and I haven't a clue which are the really busy tourist honeypot areas (all of it?)

I'm going with a 13 & 10 yo. We want to do a surfing lesson, hire bikes, go to lovely little harbours, maybe do something like sea kayaking or canyoning depending on costs, and chill out on the beach.

We have a family national trust card so anywhere that gets us in will be a good cheap day out, and the 10 yo loves horses and all animals so any animal place will be a big hit.

Also any tips on accommodation? Ideally I'd like a cottage or chalet in case the weather's bad, but don't really want to spend more than £500 on accommodation (less if possible). I can't find anything at the moment, so we'll probably end up camping but it would be great if we could be near / on the beach, or within walking distance.

We need a separate bedroom, rather than all being in one room, so a camping pod is out unfortunately.

I have looked at so many campsites and cottages my head is spinning and they all look lovely so any guidance on better areas would be really appreciated!

I have only been to Cornwall once and stayed at Hendra, Newquay. We loved it and hope to go back this year. We dare from Scotland though so can make the most of slightly cheaper deals before the English schools break for summer. They do an early summer half price deal every year - or at least they have for the past few years.

St. Ives Bay do little chalets too which look nice but basic. I have a friend who goes there every year and loves it.

Newquay isn't very nice in my opinion. Fab for surfing if course. I dont think it matters too much where you are based if you have a car.

In the early '60s we used to go every year, to a cottage for 5 or 6 weeks. That was near Treen and Porthcurno, on the Land's End peninsula.

But for surfing, I think the North coast is probably better. St Ives and Newquay are very 'touristy' and busy.

This is a reply I did for someone staying at Tintagel, but I'll copy it to you, in case it helps a bit:

QUOTE:
Boscastle is an interesting village, with valley walks. Plenty of King Arthur history in the area I guess. Also mining, tin and/or copper, and famous slate quarries at Delabole (a few miles south).

There may be some pumping mine engines 'in steam' in the area. The new series of Poldark will have been shown, so there may be holiday 'spin offs' from that.

Not very far to Bodmin Moor and Jamaica Inn (Daphne du Maurier, famous book and films). You can probably still trace the routes of railways in the area, if you get a 2-1/2inch Ordnance Survey map.

There may be a heritage steam line within reach (I'll come back if I find out); further away, in Devon (my 'patch') are the Paignton to Dartmouth, and Dart Valley railways, and also Morwelham Victorian industry site. Crossing the Tamar Bridge is spectacular, and you see Brunel's railway bridge. (But you may not want to travel that far.)

Plenty of National Trust houses and gardens. Further away, St Michael's Mount at Penzance, and on the Lizard Peninsula Goonhilly satellite tracking station does tours.

Getting there, if you use the slower A30 A303 routes (and not M4 M5) you probably go past Stonehenge, and also near Crofton Pumping Station. But of course, you may prefer Motorways and get as quick as possible!
UNQUOTE

Railways:
www.steamrailwaylines.co.uk/south_west.htm

www.bodminrailway.co.uk/

www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/railways/

If I think of anything else, I'll come back.

We stayed here a few years back. It's a working farm with some sweet animals like hens and rabbits, two amazingly friendly sheepdogs, and a kitchen window attached to an owl enclosure inhabited by an orphaned owl called Kizzy! You can check the hens for eggs first thing in the morning and take any you find for brekky.

We went when the DC were 12 and 9 and they loved it - still talk about it now four years later. They went riding at a place a mile down the road one morning too.

Nearby there's Carnglaze Caverns, which is best on a rainy day, to be honest, as it's undercover.

BUT it's in the middle of nowhere so you'll spend time each day in the car travelling. It was two hours to St. Ives, for instance. The nearest beach was 7 miles away on the south coast, I think Looe. It was the only disadvantage.

A good place for a surfing lesson might be Polzeath beach on the north coast, which is far less commercial than Newquay, and probably safer for beginners because the waves are smaller and there are no rip tides.

Fun parks are not really our thing (DH and I, that is) but we all had a really good day at Crealy's - almost all the rides are included in the entrance price and there are animals like Shire horses to see too.

St. Ives was lovely, but utterly overcrowded in summer.

Eden Project went down well, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm really narrowing it down now.

I'm focusing on the Bude area, as I love the look of the sea pool. Also it's just that bit less driving on my own from the North West. What do people think of Bude?

Luckily all the places mentioned above look accessible within an hour or so. I'd like to go to Tintagel, and I've just found there are day trips to Lundy which might be a possibility.

I'm a bit disappointed that we probably won't make it all the way to Land's End as it's just too far, but we'll have to go back another time!

Any other tips gratefully received.

Bude is lovely some nice beaches and the town is good.

Have you looked at Perranporth? The beach is excellent and there is a surf school on the beach and several in the village. We stayed at Perrnaporth Inn which is right on the high street (village) and a street away from the beach, directly oposite one of the main paths to the beach. Its a sandy beach and huge, good waves but not too big a surf so good for learners.

Fantastic bar on the beach which is lovely to sit and watch the sunset with a drink before going back to the hotel or even to have a meal in. Its called theWaterhole.

The rooms at Perranporth are clean and tidy and were refitted a couple of years ago. the breakfast was fantastic, included in the price, freshly cooked to order and you could choose what you wanted.

You are close to newquay and fistral beach for the day and if you want a big town centre for some shopping.

We have done day trips to lands end from Perran porth and Looe, all doable just depends on how far you are prepared to drive.

We really like cornwall as a family and devon. The dc now 17, 13 and 8 if you ask them where to go on holiday choose cornwall or devon over florida or Greece! Have you looked at Woolacombe or Croyde bay, both are good for surfing and good family resorts. Not as far to drive as cornwall either.

We will be in bude in august

Bude is lovely, we stayed in Widemouth last year which is nearby- we lucked out and got the hottest week of the year- the beach was fantastic

With DC that age, two great (but a little pricey) attractions are www.cornwallsegway.co.uk/ at Goonhilly, and www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk/ near Liskeard. Also recommend Eden Project - all are reachable from Bude with a bit of a drive. If you go to Goonhilly, spend some time in Falmouth - the Maritime Museum is aces and there's lots of good food places. And Seasalt...