Cornwall - help me convince teenagers!

[ReJoyce]

A rarity that dh have the same week off work inntje sumner holidays.

Dc 14 and 16 were wanting to go to America but no specific area of interest, random places selected, by the time we fashioned a vague plan it was going into daft money.

The dc decided they would be happy with Greece, but we have been before and they hated the hot weather , mainly enjoying being in the little towns eating out etc.

I think it would be a great week in Cornwall, find a house by the beach and in walking distance of a busy village or small town, they can take skateboards, we can hang out in towns, I would be happy to drive to places rather than dh driving if abroad, we would have more money to fund eating out more, doing more things, it would have a more holiday vibe. We could consider gigs, venues, etc.

Can any posters recommend / suggest things that might be hidden gems of any sort?

I'm looking at Falmouth area, hoping to be near a beach and village / town but open to other suggestions.

Thanks!

Charlestown always seems to collect quite a few teens, as long as they like swimming.

Do they want to surf or at least take lessons if so you need the north coast not Falmouth.Decide what they would like to do first then choose the area.Good luck with finding something.Cornwall is beautiful especially in good weather there are also plenty of super places to eat.

I like Falmouth. As a University town it has a good proportion of non-middle class tourist type shops, bars and cafes.

Can't offer suggestions on where to stay though.

If they’re 14 and 16 and want to skate or surf then Newquay would be an idea

Newquay water sports centre in the harbour are brilliant. Book some activities with them.

So you were planning america, then they suggested greece but youve settled on cornwall? I wouldnt be convinced and im not a teenager. if it rains for a week, would they enjoy it?

you have two holidays left with your oldest. Is cornwall really where
everyone wants to go?

It is not my favourite part because I am old but another vote for Newquay. Get them surfing on Fistral beach.

Think about what to do if it rains all week.

A week in a nice place in Cornwall in the summer holidays will likely cost more than a week abroad .

Not enough in Charlestown for teens for a week - lovely though it is, I'd go Falmouth or Newquay.

TBH if it's August, don't do it. The weather is consistently shocking here in August, it's busy and expensive and we get the hell out - to the Balearics or Greece or, ironically, America last time!

We have had some great holidays in Cornwall but also some awful ones. When the weathers good it can almost feel like you’re abroad but when the weathers awful there’s not much to do.

We also live here and get the hell out in August (and last summer it hardly stopped raining)

Paddleboarding is popular in the south coast seaside villages not too far from Falmouth , also a bit of body surfing, windsurfing, fishing trips etc. I agree it's a lovely town.
The area is probably cheaper than Newquay, Padstow, Rock etc.
There's also the spectacular outdoor Minack Theatre on the cliffs not far from Land's End. (Perhaps more for you and DH rather than the teenagers.)
Learn to sail in the Helford River, lovely scenery too.
Visit a tin mine, the Eden Project, the Marine Museum at Falmouth.
(i love south Cornwall, been visiting it on and off since I was little.)

But I echo other posters that it will be rammed in August...

Sorry, I meant the Minack is near Penzance, not Land's End! 😊

Oooh lots f useful info here, thanks!

Neither dc are sun lovers, no idea why either said Greece

America, we planned a upke of options and the cost (and travel) started to spiraland every suggestion was met with a "yeah ok" type response

One likes idea of cornwall one likes america

Curent suggestion is cornwall (but will look moe into this given everones comments re busy, weather, areas etc so its really appreciated) and a mini break to NY in Oct that can be short, stay in one area so minimie travel, i have been shopping about and whilst cornwall could change i vould both of these for same budget as greece and cheaper than amerca holiday!

Whilst liking beaches neither fussed re surfing (we go to coast sometimrsand they have swam, used paddleboards but nit fused ) so dont need to focus on a surf heavy area if that makes sense, but may need to replan this as per the posts re weather in general!

If doing Falmouth in the summer yes it will be rammed during Falmouth week (9th-18th August). Lots of activities going on throughout the week no doubt including lots of sailing!

Falmouth has some good beaches for paddle boarding, DS2 does this during the summer. Definitely recommend the Maritime Museum.

I agree that Cornwall would be slammed at that time. Bits of north Devon will be a bit calmer (but not by much) . If weather really isn't a consideration but beaches are have you considered north Yorkshire/ Northumberland? I can't quite get a sense of what you're looking for though. If each of you had to say one thing you would love to do on holiday what would it be?

Book activities, Surfing etc

Going to throw out a totally random idea.
Jersey.
Lovely beaches etc for when the weather is good. A day trip to Sark, a day trip to Dt Malo.
Underground hospital as one crap weather activity, swimming etc.
Worth considering?

Definitely not in Cornwall, but Carcassonne is a fabulous city and has lots of places to eat and the castle is beautiful.

It's generally more reliably dry on the east coast in the summer so if you're not bothered about heat but are about some approximation of sunshine you might be better off looking at Suffolk/Norfolk.

For beautiful blue seas, loads of golden sandy beaches and caves galore to explore, I really don’t think you can beat Newquay….. Especially in August… post a photo for your friends and they’re more likely to guess you’re the other side of the world rather than UK! Great for all the family.. Fsntastic restaurants, and so much to do. Accommodation wise, take a look at theoldchapelnewquay.com … 3 luxury large houses within a beautiful chapel conversion only 200m from the beach, restaurants and bars. Definitely worth checking it out. Good luck!!

Would it honestly be cheaper than abroad?

When are you heading away OP? Just to add to this - if you are looking at Newquay keep an eye out for Boardmasters week and either prepare to pay a huge premium for accommodation or buy some tickets to attend with your family!