Where to go in Cornwall?

[EllenRipley]

Rather last minute, have decided on a week in Cornwall at the end of July - haven't booked anywhere yet so chances of getting something great are, I know, limited! Obvious choice seems to be St Ives but open to suggestions...
2 adults 2 kids
Self catering (with pool?)
Near a beach/ surfing spots
Near Eden project?

Not asking for much I know... 😬

Any ideas from those familiar with Cornwall much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

St Ives is obviously good for the beach. If you're driving you can take trips towards places like Land's End, Flambards (big theme park) at Helston and the Gweek seal sanctuary. Always find St Ives a pain to drive into during the holidays though. If you were heading down there I'd probably do the Eden Project on the way down or back up rather than heading there from St Ives and then back down again.
Newquay is good for surfing obviously although it can get a bit beery in the town centre during the holiday season. Still plenty of places outside the centre though. Think quite a few of the hotels there have pools too. There's obviously places like the zoo, aquarium etc to keep the kids happy and I think it's not too far a drive to the Eden Project.

Try air b n b for last min accommodation

👍 thanks both! Great tips @MillyTheKid.
Have managed to get an apartment in St Ives.

Cool. If you google 'surfing lessons west cornwall' you'll see there are some surf schools in the St Ives area if that's what you're after for your kids.

Sounds good! Thanks @MillyTheKid x

If possible try to get to Kynance Cove, it's really lovely. Bit of a walk down from the car park but worth it!

Eden is good, bit of a novelty & nice gardens to walk around.

Lands End is nice, have a look online to see if there are any shows on at The Minack Theatre that appeal to you or you can just go to visit if not. It's a pretty spectacular open air theatre. Lovely beach next to it as well.

There's an open air pool in Penzance & another in Hayle, water's pretty cold but good fun for older kids who can swim well.

The camel trail (cycle/walk route - 5 miles) goes from Padstow - Wadebridge is great too :)

This is great! 😀
Thankyou @JurassicGirl

St Ives and Padstow are great but busy. Bude is a lot quieter than those two though.

Did you book anything?

We usually go to St Ives, but I've been told that Looe is nice. Planning on having a day trip there to check it out.

There's a holiday park in Newquay (Hendra), not been myself but have heard good things and there is a pool.

Have only booked accommodation in st ives so far! I tried to get something in Looe but no joy - have heard Bude is lovely too.
There's a good deal on combined tix for eden project and heligan gardens just now - about £90 vs £180 for a family ticket!

Surfing in Sennen Cove is great, generally less crowded than St Ives and Newquay too. Smart Surf School is there.

Definitely make a trip to the Jubilee Pool in Penzance.

Lands End is a massive rip off. If your kids can handle the walk, park at Sennen and do the cliff walk round to Lands End and back.

Tintagel is lovely

What do you pay for at Lands End? Is it just the walk and scenery?

You pay through the nose to get in www.landsend-landmark.co.uk/pages/enjoy to some of the random things they've put on this year, then megabucks for a Lands End sign photo which is still done on 35mm film (long story, I know the couple who have the business, they refuse to move to digital options despite potentially increasing productivity, profit and turnover!), queue for ages for any food, pay a fortune for the food etc....

Walk from Sennen, take a picnic and go round the free farm is my advice, but to each their own!

Good tip. We visit most years but haven't been to Lands End, is on the list of places to see.

Sennen is wonderful (to the point that I'd tell you not to go there, because it's mine 😉). Land's End is not nice. Walk up the cliff from Sennen and leave it at that.

You can go to Lands End without paying, you just don't get admission to the crappy attraction there. At least, I think you pay for parking, but then you can walk round the attraction, onto the coast path, and approach the famous sign post there, look at the views, etc. I am a regular visitor to Cornwall but hadnt been to Lands End in decades until we went there about 3 years ago. It might have been because it was late in the day, but there were few people there, the official photographer was not there, and we took our own (better) photos at the signpost.

By 'walk round the attraction' I meant, walk round the outside of it.

In my view Eden Project is over rated -did it once when kids were 4 and 7, it rained a lot and we didn't enjoy it. Went back when they were 9 and 11 and concluded that it hadn't just been the rain, it just wasn't worth the money. Better off just visiting one of the many gardens in Cornwall for half the price. But lots of people do seem to enjoy it!

If you're in the Land's End area I'd pop down to Cape Cornwall. There's some lovely views as you walk around there and you can also pop up to the Coastguard lookout station. There's a National Trust car park at the start of the walk down.

Thankyou so much everyone, this is great advice 😃

I loved Falmouth! lovely little town on the coast, lots of little shops and easy transport into Truro. You can also catch a boat over to St. Mawes!

To be honest, if you have a car it is super easy and doesn't take too much time to get to any where in Cornwall if you were thinking of a day trip.

I know what people mean about Land's End but a lot kids will enjoy some of the stuff that's there even if adults occasionally have to grit their teeth.
If you're looking for something a bit historical Geevor Tin Mine is nearby, one of the last to close in Cornwall. Has a nice cafe overlooking the sea as well.
Pendeen lighthouse is also nearby (check visiting times) on a bit of the coast where you can occasionally see basking sharks.
Sennen is a nice beach but just be aware of strong currents on one or two parts of it.
There are some lovely pubs in that area doing great food. Can't remember the names so maybe check TripAdvisor. Think there were a couple of good ones in St Just.
If you are in Penzance you have to visit Jelberts ice cream shop in Newlyn. It's legendary in the area. Make sure you have the one with a dollop of clotted cream.

Polzeath! Not sure about the nearest pool mind you

He'll yes to Jelberts in Newlyn.

Newlyn Meadery is an experience for dinner. You can't book a table, so usually best to go early!

Lands End is just such a lot of money for a family, and I've never heard anyone say it was worth it in the last 20 years!