Cornwall too busy and too expensive!

[clarasara]

Last went to Cornwall about 15 years ago.
We are looking to go in August but everyone keeps telling me how much it has changed and is super busy. Our friends go alot and said they were shoulder to shoulder in Padstow.
Can only go in August as a teacher and as we live in the North don't want to travel all the way down to find it too busy! Bloody expensive too.

My husband doesn't think it's worth the long drive and to pay over inflated prices. Just want somewhere the kids can go on a nice beach, be abit warmer than Yorkshire and lots to do!
Any other recommendations?
I love Cornwall though but hate the drive.

I feel I must stick up for wonderful Padstow! There is the most wonderful buzz even when busy. Yes it's crowded in August. But if you go before 10 or about 6 you avoid the worst crowds and at those times there are always parking spaces at the top if you don't mind walking up the hill on the way back. Park and ride is brilliant too, hoping it will reopen this year after Covid (does anyone know?)

😄 I suspect you live there and are trying to put people off.

Go to Wassanar in the Netherlands. Stay at Duinrell. Fantastic place for families.

Now that travel restrictions have been lifted there is loads of availability. Just booked a lovely cottage for DH and I with the dog to stay in while DS is at Boardmasters festival. It would cost us nearly as much in fuel to do the trip twice so we thought we’d have a few days down there.
I think it will be a lot quieter this year.

Just to piggy-back slightly on this- I was hoping to travel, camping, to Cornwall camping, specifically for the smuggling history, and only for a couple of days after staying in Somerset first- where would be good places to go for this? And are they going to be super busy as mentioned above? Is it feasible to stay for eg on Bodmin, or somewhere further south, and then travel for the day to various places?

I woud be coming from South Wales, (one of the places mentioned on this thread as it goes, and I would definitely recommend Pembroke/ St Davids/ Tenby/ Mumles/ the Gower for a holiday) And so adding it to our usual summer camping trip seems more practical than making a whole seperate trip, but we prefer to go to quieter spots as a family.

If I was in your shoes OP, I'd avoid Cornwall altogether this year purely because of the traffic, and look at N Wales as per previous suggestions, or the Isle of Man or N Ireland. Yes, the ferry costs for the last two aren't cheap but it's a much better way to travel than being stuck on the M5 for hours in the heat. The IoM is beautiful and won't be crowded, weather in July tends to be a bit better than August but it is hit and miss I'm afraid.

We went to Cornwall last year and before we went the papers were full of stories about how many thousands of people were on perrenporth beach, how the locals were threatening to blockade roads it was that busy etc etc. so I was expecting the worst. It was fine! Obviously not quiet but we did lands end, minack, st Michaels mount and Falmouth and always managed to park. Go early, take snacks and drinks in case there’s a wait for tables and it’ll be fine. We stopped off at Devon on the way back and honestly it wasn’t a patch on Cornwall, maybe we went to the wrong beach that day.

I was also going to suggest the Isle of Man (with the weather caveat!). It has amazing beaches, rugged rural countryside, glens and lots of historic things for the kids! Easy to get to from the NW either by ferry or plane.

Tenby and the nearby Barafundle Bay are beautiful. As is the Llyn peninsula in North Wales. The Ty Coch Inn is right on Morfa Nefyn beach and you can have a cold drink and admire the distant mountains while the kids play

We went to Tenby for the time last year and absolutely loved it. We were there for the August bank holiday and it wasn't as busy as Cornwall. The beaches were quiet. Only downside was the drive although for the passengers it was lovely and scenic.
We're planning on going again this year as we loved it so much last year.

We booked for Cornwall for August but I did nothing but think about how busy it would be and ended up cancelling.

Booking Wales so thanks for all your replies!! Just choosing now... so many gorgeous places.

Last year I saw Cornwall described as a car park with hedges!

If you are coming to North Wales the summer Look at Anglesey. It's lovely and gives you access to all sorts.

North or Mid Wales its a Hidden Gem
Some ideas here
www.donthibernate.co.uk

The Lleyn in North Wales is our go to holiday destination in the UK. Yes it’s been steadily getting busier over the 15 years we have been going but even in August it’s a wonderful place to visit (and I bet still a million times better than the SW of England).
We tend to stick to the Irish Sea coast in the summer (Nefyn down to Porth Oer) with the occasional trip to Llanbedrog beach. We avoid Abersoch like the plague as it’s too busy and snobby and the parking is £££.
Having a NT membership is a boon as you can park at Aberdaron/Llanbedrog/Porth Oer and Morfa Nefyn for free.
Lovely beaches, great waking (the coastal path is excellent) and decent camping too.

Tenby is gorgeous but for truly quiet beaches and warmer weather I’d say Jersey. It almost never gets busy at any beach there, access, including parking, is very easy. You’ve got surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, coasteering, history, rockpools, the zoo…

Our friends go alot and said they were shoulder to shoulder in Padstow.

Yes that was our experience in 2009. We couldn't really see Padstow, just a sea of people.

I see you have decided on Wales. I just wanted to add to the votes for Pembrokeshire. We had a lovely holiday in Tenby one year. Also the North Norfolk coast is lovely.

The papers reporting how locals were so unfriendly towards holiday makers was really damaging. There was fear there of course (because the papers also reported an influx of thousands of covid spreaders on the county) but no road blocks or locals with pitch forks.

There’s more to Cornwall than Padstow and St Ives.

We normally holiday abroad but went to Pembrokeshire during covid. I was preparing to hate it - it was a group holiday and we paid ££££ for what was a very nice barn effectively - but my god it was great. Loads to do in good and bad weather, not too crowded, great food, great service. It sadly takes five hours to get to but if you’re up for that then I’d recommend.

The papers were full of busy crowds in Cornwall last summer. We went and the only day we found it busy was when we went to Marazion - narrow footpaths and everyone wanting to go up St Michael’s Mount and have an ice cream/pasty/cream tea after. The rest of the week was absolutely fine and Cornwall is gorgeous. I hate how the papers whip up stories of crowds. I see you’ve decided to book Wales OP, hope you have good weather and a lovely holiday. Beautiful beaches in Angle.

We went to Cornwall last September, and while the scenery was everything I imagined, it was just so crowded - and we don’t go to sit on beaches!

I’d go to Barmouth in preference - still stunning scenery and some lovely beaches, but nowhere near as crowded!

I’d fly to Newquay. I do it, it takes about an hour. Agree that this summer will be less busy. I own a holiday let, I still have one week not booked in august, which is unusual for this time of year.

it will be busy, just not like the last two years

Sorry if it’s already been mentioned, but try Dumfries and Galloway, SW Scotland. The same geological countryside as Cornwall, the Gulf Stream brings some lovely warm weather, beautiful beaches and outdoor activities.
Becoming more popular, but not crowded and plenty of open spaces.

Thought about Scotland but thought it might be too chilly. My husband travels to Scotland a lot and raves about it!