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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Devon/Cornwall for beginners??

53 replies

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 28/12/2021 10:43

Thinking of booking for Devon or Cornwall this summer, as we've never been, but am not sure where to start. We are city dwellers, and although I obviously get that rural communities have different resources, we would prefer to be somewhere where there is a small supermarket, and a choice of restaurants or takeaways that don't get booked up ridiculously far in advance. The DC will be 15 and 11. We are not at all sporty, but like a decent hike. Both kids swim very well and have mentioned wanting to try surfing. We also like historical sites. We'll have a car.

I have been eyeing up St Ives and wondered if anyone has any thoughts?

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 28/12/2021 10:46

St Ives can get incredibly busy, so probably booked up in advance (well in normal times)

ImInStealthMode · 28/12/2021 10:47

Not to immediately derail your thread, but have you considered the Channel Islands instead?

Everything you mention can be found there, and they are far far less crowded in summer than Devon & Cornwall.

Movinghouseatlast · 28/12/2021 10:55

St Ives is absolutely beautiful with amazing restaurants but it is packed in the summer holidays and you do have to book restaurants in advance. The beach restaurants in particular are amazing and like being abroad! Personally I would stay nearer Carbis Bay and walk into Central St Ives along the coast path ( or get the little train)

I live in Cornwall and there are places that are not as manic in the school holidays. Fowey is fab- very busy but you could stay in Polruan and get the foot ferry over to Fowey most days, also if your car is in Polruan its easier to get put and about.

Polperro is very beautiful but always seems quieter than a lot of places during the evenings and has great restaurants and pubs. The coastal walks are stunning, to Looe in one direction or Polruan in the other. The local beaches are never overrun even in August- probably because they're smaller.

Original poster
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 28/12/2021 11:01

It's a no to the Channel Islands on this occasion. This holiday is our "safe" booking in case of changes with COVID rules, and so i don't want to involve an additional layer or government restrictions. We almost came a cropper last year when Holyrood temporarily forebade travel between Scotland and our specific part of the UK, but this was lifted a week before we went. Am sticking to England for now, and may book another holiday elsewhere nearer the time.

toomuchlaundry I guess everywhere will be busy, as it's such a lovely part of the world. Is there somewhere else of a similar size you'd recommend?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 28/12/2021 11:06

thank you Movinghouseatlast
we shall have a look at Polperro and Fowey/Polruan. DD1 is a huge Du Maurier fan and so Fowey would go down well in that regard I'm sure.

OP posts:
Malteser71 · 28/12/2021 11:07

I know st Ives very well, you can PM me if you like

DobbyTheHouseElk · 28/12/2021 11:10

North Cornwall and north Devon are the best places for surf.

Always go to a beach with the lifeguards. Swim between the flags.

Cornwall is very busy in the summer and it takes ages to travel short distances because of volume of traffic and narrow lanes.

ImInStealthMode · 28/12/2021 11:22

@TheTurn0fTheScrew That's fair enough. There wasn't much in the way of restrictions between UK and CIs this summer and hoping it goes back to that way for next but who really knows.

If you like surfing, hiking and history though they'd be a good option for you in the future (did you know Jersey has a man-made structure that's older than the pyramids?? I learnt that about 3 years ago and it still blows my mind whenever I think about it Grin)

Fifthtimelucky · 28/12/2021 11:24

I'd go to Bude. Excellent beaches (though crowded in summer) with surf schools. Lots of lovely walks and pretty close to Tintagel.

Also it's not as far into Cornwall as the other places that have been mentioned, so it won't take as long to get there !

millymae · 28/12/2021 11:26

I have been going to Fowey since I was tiny and love the place, but being entirely honest not so much now as it gets extremely busy.
The beach at Readymoney Cove (which has a lovely little shop) is gorgeous but I’ve never seen surfing there.
I understand why the poster above suggested staying in Polruan but to travel back and forth into Fowey everyday on the little ferry will cost you at least £10 there and £10 back for the four of you. Do that once a day for a week and the cost soon mounts up - you’d be better paying for a weeks parking in Fowey.
Have you thought about somewhere around Newquay - not everyone’s cup of tea I grant you but excellent for surfing and plenty going on.

Original poster
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 28/12/2021 11:55

I hadn't looked at Newquay. I wondered if it might be a bit like Blackpool? I LOVE Blackpool as a day trip, but it can get a little lairy and so wouldn't want to be based there. But I am happy to be corrected?

OP posts:
Movinghouseatlast · 28/12/2021 12:18

My point about staying in Polruan wasn't about parking, it was about being away from the busy ness, which is a bit full on in August.

There are some great beaches nearby too- Par beach is spectacular and Sam's On The Beach is a must ( though you need to book)

Don't miss Polperro. I do think it's the most beautiful of the fishing villages. The main car park is on an A road so it's relatively easy to get out to other places.

ashorterday · 28/12/2021 13:18

@TheTurn0fTheScrew

I hadn't looked at Newquay. I wondered if it might be a bit like Blackpool? I LOVE Blackpool as a day trip, but it can get a little lairy and so wouldn't want to be based there. But I am happy to be corrected?
Newquay town itself is a bit of a dump IMO, but there are some nice beaches in the surrounding area.
CornishGem1975 · 28/12/2021 13:21

@TheTurn0fTheScrew

I hadn't looked at Newquay. I wondered if it might be a bit like Blackpool? I LOVE Blackpool as a day trip, but it can get a little lairy and so wouldn't want to be based there. But I am happy to be corrected?
I wouldn't stay directly at Newquay. Look at Crantock or Holywell Bay which are really close by.
Malteser71 · 28/12/2021 18:22

The area around Constantine bay is lovely, Treyarnon, padstow etc.

I still prefer st Ives. My children are roughly the same ages as yours. We’ve been going there all their lives.

HelloDulling · 28/12/2021 18:25

St Ives is lovely, tho busy in the school holidays, so you would need to book restaurants. That’s easily done, though!!

My teens love it, have done since they were small.

scully29 · 28/12/2021 18:30

Newquay & Perranporth is fab for young people, really nice surf and plenty of shops etc. St ives is completely bonkers busy, you do have to book your meals in advance. Cornwall is awesome you will love it.

scully29 · 28/12/2021 18:31

I would disagree with newquay being a dump, i find it a lovely friendly nice place with great surf. Very busy but not on the scale of St Ives, you can walk into a restaurant at least.

cjpark · 28/12/2021 18:36

In the summer hols, certain towns in Cornwall are ridiculously busy - Padstow, Bude, St Ives, Newquay, Love are the top ones imo. If you don't mind crowds, these all over beaches, restaurants and plenty of accommodation.
If you want somewhere quieter, I would try the Roseland Peninsula, perhaps Whitsands Bay in SE Cornwall.

TheMadGardener · 28/12/2021 18:42

I grew up in West Cornwall and now live on the edge of Dartmoor. Second the suggestion of Bude - great beach, sea pool, reasonable choice of places to eat and not as crazy busy as places like St Ives, Fowey, Padstow get in the summer. Also nice coastal path walks and within striking distance of places like Hartland (where loads of films are filmed), Sandymouth, Clovelly, Tintagel, Arlington Court, The Big Sheep etc. You could also do day trips down to darkest Cornwall or to Dartmoor or whatever.

Omicrone · 28/12/2021 18:44

Look at the area West of Padstow - Constantine Bay, Harlyn, Treyarnon etc. Great for surfing and also lots of lovely walking along tbe coast path as well.

ilovechocolateandcake · 28/12/2021 18:46

What about Exeter so in a small city but can travel to lots of different places costal like Exmouth or Dawlish Warren in 20 minutes, Dartmoor / Exmoor and lots of do in Exeter for teens if it rains all week.

Omicrone · 28/12/2021 18:48

There is tonnes to do in South Devon, but the beaches are not surfy at all, although you can do paddleboarding. You also have Dartmoor for hiking.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 28/12/2021 18:49

I would recommend Bude. Sea pool, great beaches, Tintagel nearby with a great walk to Boscastle. Clovelly is not too far for a day trip. East Thorne is an amazing glamping site (we were planning to go this month but cancelled due to COVID) although appreciate it may be a little rustic for you.

PaulGallico · 28/12/2021 18:51

St Ives will be very busy in the summer but that might be a bonus with teenagers - especially in the evening - lots of places to eat/buy a take away meal. Tesco just on the edge of St Ives. Lots of surf schools which run classes - Sennen and Marazion are good spots. You could look at Marazion as a place to stay - not as busy or expensive as St Ives.