Going to Cornwall at the weekend - dreading the crowds! Where to go?

[GlomOfNit]

That's it, really. Booked earlier this year in a fit of madness, in the spirit of 'sod it, we can't go abroad so let's splash out in the UK' and now wondering what on earth I was thinking. I know it'll be heaving.

We're staying inland, self-catering near the Eden Project (but have no desire to spend ££s in a large dome with 1000s of other people during a pandemic!). Hoping we can keep it simple and just go to lovely beaches, and would also like one day where we drive west and visit Carn Euny and other prehistoric sites. We weren't planning on anything we'd need to prebook really (I liked Heligan a lot, pre-family, but not sure I can convince the kids) because we don't want to be tied to something if the weather changes.

Now I'm worried that even our modest plans to be on beaches most of the time will be scuppered because of parking etc. Where to go for beautiful/child friendly beaches where there's enough parking, or ones that are less visited? Is this just going to be a week-long nightmare of sitting in queues to get into carparks?

In my experience Bude and the north coast is usually quite but this year who knows
This area was quiet
www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk/explore/mouthmill-and-blackchurch-rock

Readymoney Cove in Fowey is lovely. Check the tide times, it will be busy if you're there mid day or afternoon and especially if the tide's in!! But it's gorgeous and lovely for children to swim in. Fab ice creams at the beach shop too.

I was in the Bude/Widemouth Bay Area 2 weeks ago & my son was last week. It doesn’t seem to be as busy this year as it was last year. But I’ve heard people say that it’s best to Pre book restaurants to avoid disappointment. My son went to the beach early as his children are very fair & it wasn’t too crowded. Had a busy week, crazy golf, cinema, park, swimming pool & the beach. There are lots of nearby places to visit, even driving down to South Cornwall doesn’t take as long as you think it will. And lots of other places within easy driving distance.

Err you are ‘the crowds’ OP

Even if you are not usually a family that gets up and out early it really is key to parking in Cornwall during the school hols. It takes so much of the stress away if you can get parked easily - it's pretty awful to be driving round and round looking to park on a hot day, alongside 100s of other cars. We often get to wherever we are headed and then get breakfast. We were in Cornwall just before the state schools broke up and it was already busy, so we aimed to be parked up by 0900! We are NT and EH members, so book slots in advance and then cancel if the weather changes - appreciate that's tricky if you aren't members though.

Don't try to park at Rock in the afternoon. Go in the early morning or evening.

Antwerpen fair point! and I'm someone who is sometimes known to say smugly that so-and-so is complaining about the 'awful traffic' while in their own car...

Anyway, we're doing our best not to contribute to tourist congestion by avoiding the hot spots and so far, have succeeded! Thank you CornishSkies for suggesting Lansallos, Lantic etc. Jeez the climb back up nearly killed me but my legs will be marginally better toned after this week, and they're absolutely stunning spots.

We are heading to Bude this year. My first time to Cornwall in about 30 years. We went north hoping it would be slightly quieter. Thanks for those who have given some insight to it recently.

HowdyDudey

Check the weather forecasts as well while you’re there. If it’s cloudy or wet in Bude it can often be nice down on the South side of Cornwall & it doesn’t take as long to drive there as you think it will. I often drive up to Morwenstow (nice tea rooms & NT site in clifs) & to also Clovelly, takes about half an hour.

Helston has some interesting things to do, ours used to like the boating lake and catching the park and ride ferry into Falmouth.
Agree with Bude area being a lot quieter.
Look at municipal parks and Woodlands rather than NT places.

I have recently been to-
St Ives. I used the park and ride at St Erth and stuck to being on the beach as the town was heaving.
Fowey- very busy but we managed to park and get in somewhere for lunch ( North Street Kitchen)
Polperro- huge car park never totally full. In the evening it is relatively quiet- I got a table for dinner at The Blue Peter and The Ship. The House On The Props for lunch. You leave your name and they call you, so best to leave your name a couple of hours before you want to eat. The beach is tidal.
Lansallos Beach- got a space in the car park and the beach was busy but not rammed. Also it is a beautiful beach.

Thanks Dreams!
We have been fairly lucky with the weather so far. Some drizzly mornings but the sun has been breaking through.

We have found Sandymouth. Such a beautiful beach, although the walk to the car can be a fair climb if you get there too late. Have also enjoyed lots of exploring and walking. It’s busy but doesn’t feel over run, thank goodness.