Am I unusual that Cornwall didn't really do it for me?

[Stillwaitingforsummer]

Just that. OK the weather wasn't really great which didn't help, but the scenery wasn't as stunning as I had expected. I think Wales is more stunning,and the lake district.
Did I miss something?

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I thought I'd noticed more European plates too stubborn, hadn't occurred to me why. Interesting point.

[The80sweregreat]

stubborn, i can imagine its awful this time of year and right up until October too i would imagine. Nice if your in hospitality and doing well, but horrible if you need to get around.
Its the opposite a bit here as most people have gone away to the UK or abroad ( Norfolk is popular as its only a couple of hours drive from essex) so its a bit quieter on the roads etc.
My sil is from the wilds of Devon originally and i think she would love to move back there one day. I must admit, the people are far friendlier down there.

[vichill]

I don't get it either. North Wales is much better.

[stubbornstains]

The end of the school holidays is like turning a tap off TBH; suddenly everybody's gone .

(except, that is, for retired couples, who get very very flustered at having to pass in the lanes. God forbid they should scratch their shiny cars....)

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Hahah and coach loads of retirees at Heligan and NT places. They rock up as soon as the schools go back

[Havenamewillchange]

My folks live there, it's hell in the summer holidays. Whoever said Brittany is what Cornwall should be like has it spot on. Far less people, beaches aren't nearly so busy and you don't have to fight for a space in the car park. Wish I was French!

[The80sweregreat]

There was a tailback on an A road in Dorset last year - the diversion was down such narrow roads i was seriously worried , yet vans and lorries all seemed fine.
My dh is a very confident driver usually, but even he was a bit spooked and scared he was going to hit something.
The road up to our hotel was dreadful - i must admit, i prefer our wider roads. How you all cope in the winter is beyond me if the roads get bad with frost or snow!

[Yogagirl123]

Yep, been once, journey took ages, wasn't worth the journey in my opinion, I know lots of people love it but not for me.

[Leo35]

I do like Cornwall, but don't think that it holds the trump card in terms of places to holiday in the UK. Lake District, Suffolk, Norfolk, Northumberland, Wales (West Wales, Snowdonia), Borders of Scotland - all beautiful and have things to do and see if British weather does it's worst. We have plans to explore North of Scotland once we can ensure that DS2 is better at longer car jounerys.

[The80sweregreat]

Brittany is very nice, but it was crowded the year we went - it was August and a Europark place, so that may have been why - going to see St mount micheal ( not sure if that is the right spelling) took forever ( i know its a tourist place..)
and we still had to fight for places in the car parks. Was a long time ago now, maybe its not as popular now or my memory of it has faded, but it was as busy as Cornwall is in August.

[GiGiraffe]

I have really mixed feelings about Cornwall. Parts of it are gorgeous there's not doubt. I really like Crantock and st Ives can be lovely (mainly outside of Jun-Sep) but like many others have said, its eye-wateringly expensive. Agree with Watergate bay because stunning but again you have to sell a kidney to park there.

All of the attractions/activities are very ambitiously priced - Eden Project I'm looking at you (I don't care if I can go back as many times as I like in a year, it's taken me 5 hours to drive here...)

The weather in the summer has always been dreadful when we've been (4 times in different summer months) and there isn't enough to do when it's tipping down. At least if you head to Wales, Lakes etc you expect going north for the weather to be rainier. Coupled with very average food and arsey service I've decided never again.

Even with the poor pound I'd rather take my chances abroad and see the sun.

[fannydaggerz]

I didn't enjoy Cornwall at all. I wouldn't go back. My husband loved it but I didn't.

[ShatnersWig]

I love this thread. Whenever I see Cornwall on the TV I think "looks stunning" but I've been several times now, in both good weather and bad, and every time come away feeling "meh" and disappointed with it, wondering why I don't get it when so many people rave about it. The only thing I love in Cornwall is the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Mind you, I also find the Lakes overrated. Pretty but unless you just want to sit and look at them all day and like walking...

Give me the South Hams of Devon over Cornwall any day - Dartmouth, Start Point, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Noss Mayo, Burgh Island, the creeks, the coast.

Pembrokeshire reminds me of the Cornish coast. Only better.

[crashandburnt]

I bloody hate Cornwall. Everywhere is hours in the car. The beach at polzeath is ok but the town is rubbish. Loads of little towns filled with joules and fat face and rubbish little gift shops selling the same thing. Locals are chippy about the tourists even though there is scant other industry. You only have to look at how deprived inland Cornwall is. Everything is overpriced e.g. £2.60 for an ice cream, £5 for a Cornish pasty. Eating out totally hit or miss (more miss) but charging the same prices as really good restaurants in my (southern and expensive) city.

I prefer Devon, it's a bit more polished and there is less dog shit on the beach.

We are going to France this year.

[WetDayInAugust]

There are quite a few holiday destinations I don't get though... I am not sure I understand sitting on a beach getting really hot either

[TunaStubbs]

My father retired to Falmouth from northern Scotland a few years ago. First thing I saw when we ventured south to visit was a massive UKIP billboard advert on the department store in town. Haven't been back.

[The80sweregreat]

Parts of Wales are stunning - we used to live in south wales for a while with dh's job and could take the kids to the beach one day, then the countryside the next, all within 40 minutes drive!
Tenby was further afield, but the beaches are lovely too and i was amazed at how pretty it all is.
The UK is a lovely country really - just a shame its so expensive and you cannot guarantee the weather.

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Oh god, don't judge us all by fucking Trago Mills!

[FurryDogMother]

Not keen, but then I only went once, in the 90s, and rented a cottage in Sennen (going to a friend's hippie wedding on a hill where we threw birdseed at them). Far prefer the Lake District, or Northumberland, or - not really a holiday 'cos I liked it so much I moved there - the far west of Ireland.

[The80sweregreat]

Throwing birdseed at a bride!! i thought rice was bad enough.

I havent been to Northumberland, but reading this thread has made me think i should give it a go.

[BlackThumb]

North Cornwall - bit dull.
West Cornwall (there isn't a 'South Cornwall') - beautiful for beaches, water, cliffs, walks, towns

Both far too busy in summer. Some nice food, but tbh I live in London now, if I want really good food I have it there all year round. The other stuff I don't, so I go for that.

[OCSockOrphanage]

It was lovely here before the schools broke up for the holidays and it has rained almost every day since. However, I'd be happy if Cornwall was less dependent on tourism and think you should all try Brittany, where the weather is not dissimilar but which is proper abroad and there are lovely crepes!

[loveka]

Oh Im so surprised you stayed in Fowey! I love Fowey to bits, its just gorgeous. If you had said Padstow I might have agreed with you, that really is overrated.

Did you go to Polperro?

[KirstyLaura]

I don't think you stayed in the best place to be honest. I love Cornwall, but I holidayed there regularly as a child and have seen lots of it combined with wonderful memories in all weathers. Some of my favourite places are Cadgwith, Polperro, Kynance Cove, St Michael's Mount, NT Lanhydrock, Tintagel... I do think Cornwall has been spoiled over the years, too many cars/people/expensive parking/chain stores etc, Padstow used to be a favourite. I'll always love Cornwall, but having lived in Norfolk, Suffolk and Northumberland, and having holidayed at the Lakes, Peak District, Scotland etc I do appreciate there are lots of other beautiful places too.

[KirstyLaura]

The best place as in travel restrictions I mean.