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

@Foxhasbigsocks
You will probably be ok sheltered behind your windbreak or in your beach tent but when you stand up and walk down the beach you will notice a difference.

9/10 when I have been I need a warm hoody or jumper.

Really good ideas - thanks so much everyone!!

Maybe I’m being naive but I’m hoping so spend most of the week on the beach/cliff walks/ rainy days with board games in the house and not to use car too much

@newlabelwriter that’s very intriguing! Thank you! Where are the waterfalls?

@RoseMartha one thing this thread has made VERY clear and I’m very grateful to you all is that dp and I both need warm gear

[quote Foxhasbigsocks]@newlabelwriter that’s very intriguing! Thank you! Where are the waterfalls?[/quote]
St Nectans Glen - really close to Tintagel. It’s really beautiful

Oh sounds lovely!! Thank you. Will show kids online

I've been to Cornwall quite a few times and I've learned that I just need plenty of casual, comfy clothing. Lots of shorts, T-shirt's, and hoodies. Trainers, walking shoes, flip flops/ Birkenstock type sandals. Waterproof. Loads of socks. Swimming stuff.

I always think I'll need a dress/ jeans/ nice top - never, ever wear them!

Ha @TabithaTiger I need to get rid of my floaty dress dreams probably

I always wear dresses in Cornwall they are much easier to preserve changing modesty! I rarely do separates!

Yes you need to pay for at nectans Glen so come prepared

Floaty dresses are great for the beach. Easier to get in and out of swimwear than shorts and T-shirts

Ok so I won’t ditch the floaty dresses completely then!

I've just returned and wore floaty dress, rain coat, wellies, flip flops, jeans and everything in between!

Parking at St Nectans Glen is VERY limited, its nice 1-2 hour walk but not more.
Its highly likely (inevitable) there will be rain.
No supermarkets near Tintagel at all so a food delivery is a great idea.
Head to Bude for beach days/boarding, remember use lifeguarded beach and explain basic sea safety to kids.
Bossiney cove/Trebarwith nice in the evenings when the crowds go home but no lifeguard cover after 6pm so avoid the sea. Parking at both is horrific as previously said.
Head to Daymer Bay from Tintagel, lovely big beach and walk/boat over to Padstow and back although will be extremely busy and very overrated IMO.

Thanks so much everyone - this is all so helpful

Another thought - sounds as if you may be short of space in car - if so, FWIW I used to take a range of footwear on holiday but all i ever wore was flipflops, walking boots and running shoes - the latter bc I run. Otherwise no seaside holiday occasion cannot be sorted with boots (walks, days out, pub lunch) or flipflops (beach if near, nip to shops).

What I mean is that you won't need ballet flats or fancy sandals so if space is tight leave them at home.

There are spaces in your car you might not think about - door pockets (ideal for wipes/tissues/books etc; glove compartment (for first aid kit); hanging space behind the front seats if they don't have pockets (for children's entertainment, I also used to permanently keep sun cream there over the summer. Etc

I know the area near Tintagel well. It is beautiful but the really local beaches are very tide specific. If the tide is high there is virtually no beach. PP mentioned Trebarwith Strand - It's gorgeous but there is literally NO beach at high tide. Make sure you google your low tide times. If low tide is near lunchtime, the tide will be very low and the beach a reasonable size. Too far from noon and you'd best plan to go somewhere else for the day. Places like Widemouth and Newquay have such large areas of sand that timing doesn't matter much. Just try to get wherever you're going in good time so you can park!

For tides the My Tide Times app is good and you can search beaches nearby

Hi OP,

Just to say that whilst it's worth packing fleeces and/or raincoats just in case- in July you're just as likely to have a week of brilliant sunshine as a week of on-off (or if you're very unfortunate constant) rain.

My family went to Tintagel in early September last year and it was mostly sunny and warm and the previous year we went to Port Isaac in July and it was really sunny! So yes do take raincoats but also sunscreen, UV protective beach tent, sunglasses, sun hats etc. :)

Also someone mentioned there not being much for kids to do in Tintagel or the surrounding area but I think it depends on their personalities. I went on holiday there a lot growing up and just loved quiet beach holidays there where you had the freedom of the beach to swim, bodyboard, build sandcastles and eat ice cream- I was never bored!

@Holidaystuff that’s reassuring as I’m hoping to more or less park the car and do outdoor stuff and walk! Sounds like you had a great time

Thanks so much everyone for all this advice - I think I will keep coming back to the case

The thread as I pack my case

Fleece and pack away waterproofs

They are old enough to have their own backpacks to carry things.
Games and books. Saying that I often give DD 10 quid and let her go to the charity shops on holiday to choose books as she always runs out. She now has a kindle, makes life easier.

Decent foodwear, we went last October and I used my hiking boots everywhere, lots of paths are rocky and can be slippery with trainers.

If your cottage or similar has a washing machine you can pack less.

We always pack the cooler with all the ice packs we have in the freezer and take several small cool packs with us. Check if your fridge as a freezer compartment.