Cornwall packing list

[Foxhasbigsocks]

Have never done a UK bucket and spade holiday and am from up inland north so no idea about the south coast! Never been to Cornwall either, but we are going at the end of July. A few nights in a bnb then a few nights in a cottage.

What do I need to pack?

So far I’ve got:

Kids shortie wetsuits
Kids swim shoes for pebbly beaches
Kids sun hats
Kids fishing nets (hoping for rock pools!)
Kids towelling ponchos

All the usual summer clothing clobber, bucket and spade stuff etc

Is there anything else I should particularly be thinking of?

I’m thinking it could be cold to baking hot, so will try to keep that in mind when packing!

I’m quite worried about huge queues on the roads - thinking it could be mayhem but both places we are staying are walking distance to the beach

Jeans
Shorts
Cagoules
More socks than you think you will ever need
Pack of cards

Download JustPark app - most of the car parks in Cornwall use it - and the signal is rubbish in most of them if you try and do it on the day - I'm not bitter about the amount of time I spent trying to park in Bude car park yesterday!!!

We had a week in Cornwall last July and I really regretted not packing my coat as we were frozen on the beach.

What part of Cornwall and how old are kids?
Main things we take: wetsuits and 2x pairs of swim shoes
Beach wagon, perfect for carting stuff plus tired kids.
Wind breaks
Body boards
Rain coat
Walking shoes

Depending on the age of your kids, a pop up beach tent or wind break.
Our Dc love body boarding, but I’d buy the boards once you’re down there.
Lots of things for them do to in the car

Also, if you're going to St Ives at all (after the G7 that is), get there early! We arrived about 9.30 (outside main school holiday time) and there wasn't a single car parking space left in the town centre.

Fleeces - good for layering with cagoules as waterproof layer.

E45 cream is always in my holiday bag for skin dried out by sun/wind/water.
Chapsticks for the same reasons.

When driving to self catering I always take Stardrops (the yellow original) as it can be used for washing up, hand wash and cleaning (but then so can regular washing up liquid).
Pegs - they can be used for lots of things not just securing washing.
Sellotape for the same reason.

All of the above plus

Raincoats

GameS for rain

Dvds for rain

Spare shoes in case they get wet

Enjoy

Oh my god this is all so useful!!

Thanks so much everyone - all stuff I should have thought of but haven’t!

Also sliders are good to change into from wet footwear, and around the cottage. Can be washed and dried.

Area of Cornwall is near Tintagel - this means nothing much to me although I know there’s a special place there and we selected it only for availability, price and close to sea!

Ooh sliders good idea

I’m also interested in books about Cornwall - kids are 10 and 7

Arthurian legends?
Over sea under stone I think

Portable black out blinds.
Crab net.
Frisbee, velcro catch beach game thing, bat and ball, bubbles.
Talc (for getting sand off wet feet).
Clothes airer if there is not one provided.
Cool bag and ice pack for picnics. Also tupperware.

Oh, and folding beach chairs

Yes so true blackout blinds are definitely needed

For crabbing I’ve done it before on the east coast but can’t remember what you need - bacon, bucket and a net l? Where can you do that - just random rock pools?

Beach chairs - definitely!

Have you got a decent basic first aid kit? Plasters, antiseptic cream , paracetamol, ibuprofen. I know you can buy things if you need them but from experience the above are the most needed in a hurry.

Also a pack of disposable masks to leave in the car so you always have some. You can bet Someone will leave theirs behind. Replace as and when used. all stuff I should have thought of but haven’t!

There is a lovely beach called trebarwith strand - don't think that's far from tintagel.

I would say leave very very early going and coming home!

Reusable water bottles

@RockingMyFiftiesNot I’m thinking that is really sensible stuff - have visions of being trapped at the coast by miles of tailbacks and definitely will need plasters etc especially as my 10 year old dd is always covered in injuries

Stuff to keep them entertained in the pub, not sure how old kids are but I remember my then 3 year old mastering uno in a pub near tintagel on a rainy day. And getting a whole pint down us without anyone leaving the table!

That sounds brilliant @perfectpanda - we have uno somewhere so will pack it

@Newnormal99 thank you - great tip abut the beach. Looks lovely! How early is early enough would you say?!!!

[quote Foxhasbigsocks]@RockingMyFiftiesNot I’m thinking that is really sensible stuff - have visions of being trapped at the coast by miles of tailbacks and definitely will need plasters etc especially as my 10 year old dd is always covered in injuries[/quote]
Years of experience OP! Am enjoying family holiday planning vicariously through this thread!

A big pack of baby wipes no matter how big your babies are.