Three places in Cornwall/Devon

[lidolemon]

If you were to choose three places in Cornwall and Devon, in which to base yourself for a week and see the area, where would you go? In an ideal world, we'd like:

different styles of beaches, so some surf, but also some rockpools, sand or quieter coves.
good places to swim- sea or otherwise
places and villages to visit,
short walks, about 5 miles within easy reach

I've always wanted to visit Cornwall, but have been put off by the journey to get there and the crowds. It's getting to the point where it's one of the few places that we haven't yet explored, so maybe it's time to bite the bullet.

Our favourite place is Rock, there are some lovely cottages to rent there and it's easy to cross to Padstow on the ferry. The beach is just gorgeous and you can walk for miles.

We've also stayed at Una St Ives - it's closer to Carbis bay but St Ives is within easy travel and there are so many lovely beaches within a short walk/drive. We found it's a really good base for going to Marazion, St Michaels' Mount, Lands End, the Minack theatre etc.

We stayed in St Agnes in March this year. Very "Poldark" country with lots of tin mines, lovely coastal walks and the beach there was absolutely packed with swimmers. Local pub was a bit hostile to strangers mind!

Yes Rock beach is so lovely, and also very near places like Tintagel, Port Issaac, Harlyn Bay, Daymar Bay, Polzeath (surfing)...and then you could drive further on to Newquay, St Ives, Penzance for day trips!
Padstow over-rated tho in my opinion, especially if busy!!

I love Perranporth and Woolacombe.

Teignmouth
Watergate Bay
Kynance Cove

Yes Woolacombe is really lovely in N Devon - and there's Exmoor, Bigbury/Bantham in S Devon - and Dartmoor. I think the best bits of Cornwall are the furthest away unfortunately! Porthcurno beach, the Minack theatre, St Micheal's mount - just lovely. Couldn't get excited about Padstow, Port Isaac, Newquay or Looe no matter how nice they look in the pictures.

Bude is brilliant.

I'd recommend Hayle. It has three miles of golden sand and the beach is never busy. It's easy to get to St Ives, Penzance, Marazion, Land's End, Truro etc but is much cheaper than St Ives or Carbis Bay.

I second Hayle , close to St Michaels Mount , some lovely beaches , catch a show at the Minack theatre , seal sanctuary at Gweek .

Croyde or Saunton Sands for surf.
Salcombe estuary for safe swimming (beaches on East Portlemouth side get the afternoon sun).

Trevose head- Between Newquay and Padstow is gorgeous. 4/5 big dog friendly beaches
Hayle
Falmouth

Bude underrated N Cornwall town with lovely beaches and sea pool. Visit Crackington Haven.
Dartmouth or Dittisham - South Hams so busy in high season. V beautiful. Great seafood!
Lizard Peninsula - we stayed at Silver Sands Holiday park and visited Porthleven, Helston, Cadgwich, Kynance Cove etc.

I moved to Newton Abbot about 6 months ago. It's not traditionally a tourist town but I've found it an excellent base for exploring.

We're 5 miles from Torquay and Teignmouth. Totally different beaches. Torquay doesn't have a great reputation but there's something about the place for me and it makes me smile every time I go. I also love Goodrington sands the DC love the steam train going past and the colorful beach huts. Torbay has been busy but bearable.

South Hams is within easy reach for us too. It's packed at the moment. You can't park in Totnes or Dartmouth.

I haven't done much of Cornwall but if you do half and half this sort of area is a great way to break up the journey. And we're very accessible by road or train. And also on the edge of the Moor if you want countryside.

I went to North Devon recently and it felt different. I liked it. Probably a bit too quiet and remote though although I know people who chose holiday homes there over Torbay and South Hams because of this.

I don't know Devon at all but in Cornwall I'd pick:

Zennor for wild moorland landscapes, standing stones and proximity to St Ives and other iconic places in west Cornwall eg Minack Theatre and St Michaels Mount

Somewhere near Falmouth for gentle countryside, old churches, creeks, boats and subtropical gardens. Falmouth is lovely town with an arty vibe and well connected by ferry boat to lots of villages on the Carrick Roads (estuary) - eg Flushing, St Mawes, Mylor, Feock etc

Padstow for good food, retail therapy, the stunning Camel estuary (bike rides on the Camel trail) and cliff tops and lovely wide beaches and tiny coves nearby for swimming / walking.

Hope cove, south Devon is a gorgeous spot. 2 nice beaches (one dog friendly) with ice cream shack, pub and takeaway food options. Great walks along coast and easy to visit salcombe, burgh island etc.

Mawgan porth, north Cornwall is a big beach with plenty of surf and several shops and takeaway options. Surf hire also available. Again great coastal walks and nice inland walk to that we did one day. There’s a great upmarket caravan holiday site in mawgan porth V nice static caravans and lodges.

We also love Porthtowan and heard good things about Charlestown in S Cornwall

Thank you all, this is so useful. It's also helped me think about what we might want to visit when there, I had forgotten about Minack theatre. We will be camping if we go, in our own tent, so I am googling campsites around the areas mentioned.