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.

Go to know the Gulf Stream brings some nice weather! Any recommendations

Agree with Pembrokeshire (google Porthwain and Barafundle beach, plus Newport Pembrokeshire. Also Ceredigion - Penbryn or Tresaith. St Dogmaels.

or Gower Peninsula which has its own microclimate. I was in Port Eynon at the weekend and it was boiling, lots of people braving the admittedly cold sea. I just paddled but I swim here from early June until October.

I love Cornwall too but only out of season! It’s much quieter here but it has got noticeably busier since the Pandemic.

We go to Cornwall in August. It is way too busy for my liking tbh. I bet there are lots of lovely places which are less busy. Really long drive for you too!

I got my first ever sun tan in Dumfries and Galloway 😎 The caravan site we stayed on, Auchenlarie, actually has palm trees

We live just over the border in Devon and go to Cornwall a lot. We stayed on The Lizard last year and it was quiet and reasonably priced in August (camping which I understand is not everyone's cup of tea). We tend to hit the beaches late afternoon as the morning shift are leaving, take a picnic tea. We had no trouble parking anywhere. Had a great time in Falmouth and got the boat to St Mawes. All very chilled. I don't see the appeal of Padstein at all. We do the Camel trail which is stunning but only venture into the town for chips. I wouldn't hit the North coast in August apart from Bude which is usually a bit more sane. South east Cornwall is a bit of a hidden gem as well.

Also very familiar with Pembrokeshire is DH is from there. It is lovely but colder and wetter than the SW. Beaches are beautiful but less towns to mooch around in. Saundersfoot is awful, packed and full of rude tourists. Love the St Davids area.

Stay around Kirkcudbright, the Artist and Harbour town. Lots to do and easy access to beaches and isolated coves.
The local townspeople put on a programme of summer activities for the visitors.
But, shhhhhh it’s a well kept secret, otherwise it will be like Cornwall.

If you really can’t be swayed by the many merits of the North Yorkshire coast, we would add our vote for Pembrokeshire. We had beautiful holidays in Pembroke itself and Littlehaven.

Padstow, st ives, all those places are a
Massive shit fight for parking, restaurants, bars, hotel
And its soooo far. The drive is a killer

How about Dorset? Weymouuth?