Bucket and spade holiday - Devon or Cornwall

[LoveableLou]

Hi, apologies if this subject has been done to death but I'd like to hear your views on whether Devon trumps Cornwall in terms of bucket and spade type summer holiday.

We're looking to go away for a week in August, self-catering and ideally within walking distance of a beach. I don't mind driving 1 or 2 days for trips out, but want to avoid Haven-type caravan holidays as we've not enjoyed them in the past. We have a 5 year-old who is quite easily pleased when it comes to activities, as long as there is the promise of an ice cream.

I'm imagining Cornwall would be extremely busy (perhaps more so than Devon?) in August, so that is also a consideration.

Thanks in advance ☺

I would go for Devon the roads seem a better at accommodating the traffic in holidays season and the locals don't dislike tourists in quite the same way...

I've spent time in both places but not self catering, I saw lots of adverts for caravan sites in Devon recently that were advertised as peaceful and not having the haven type stuff

Hope you have fun which ever you choose!

Well, i d say Cornwall, i live here! but in all honesty, both Devon and Cornwall are packed in August, its not just the beaches, its the roads, car parks & the charges too.

Which is why we go to France at that time of year.

But that aside, Bude is really nice, 3 big beaches plus Widemouth just down the road, decent roads to and from there too, lots for a 5yo to get into as well, if the weathers poor.

Thanks @oister, that's a really useful starting point. Do you have anywhere in Devon you'd recommend at all? We've stayed at Otter Falls before (near Honiton), which is so relaxing but not near a beach unfortunately.

Isle of Wight! Brilliant for a seaside holiday

Look at Westward Ho! in north Devon. Has a lovely three mile long sandy beach and lots to do in the local area too. Lots of accommodation of all types in the area.

We always went to Goodrington sands when I was a kid , Torbay area so plenty of stuff to do if the weather is not up to much .

Cornwall. Hands down. We loved Fowey.

We went to Woolacombe in North Devon last year and loved it. Huge, wide sandy beach that went on for miles. Gorgeous.

@Floralnomad Just looked up Goodrington Sands and it looks just the ticket. Thanks for the suggestion 😀

Obviously Cornwall! Devon cant even get a cream tea right.

Goodrington sands has a lot to do around the area too x

Neither, they are both very busy in the summer holidays and the weather is generally pants. I'd go to Suffolk or Norfolk, some lovely beaches and it's normally warmer and drier then anywhere else in the UK. Plus not quite so busy.

Id go to dorset. Just along the coast, with better roads systems.

St ives. Get a place with parking! I love that it's busy! Lots of beaches and food places.

Otherwise broadstairs or southwold!

Also this I of w really does have it all!

About to say the same, and the ferry is a great adventure for a little one.

I went to the Isle of Wight a lot as a kid and really enjoyed it, but other family members have been in recent years and said it's a bit of a ghost town these days, so I haven't really considered it.

Cornwall, and if you stay somewhere walking distance to the beach it doesn't matter how busy it is because you won't have to worry about driving and parking. Perranporth, Gorran haven, Portscatho, Fowey (walk to Ready money) all would fit the bill and many others too. Portscatho is my favourite as it's quite small, dog friendly, has rockpools as well as sand, toilets, and also the hidden hut for snacks and lunch.

Ha ha!
Absolutely right - Cornwall every time!
It's stunning.

What you need is actually Dorset OP!

Dorset is so much closer to the rest of the country and drier and sunnier. Devon and Cornwall have their own extremely damp micro-climate (hence the permantly green and verdant rolling hilks).

UK weather is usually influenced by what is going on in the Atlantic ocean and the wind blows west to east. When the Atlantic weather systems hit our shores, they land in the West first and disperse as they move aross the country. Have you never wondered why Ireland (particularly the west coast) and Wales are colder and wetter than Kent, Sussex, London, East Anglia? The further east you are, the better the weather.

Swanage
And hire a beach hut to save carrying bucket and spades etc around.
We went once with small children and then went again for the next five years til they outgrew it.
Parked the car and didn't need it again till time to go home as train ride, lifeboat station, little museum, boat rides etc all walkable.

Iow is fab, my kids love it. It's a bit run down in places but no more
Than somewhere like Weymouth..

How far are you travelling, that would be my decision maker over Devon or Cornwall.

Norfolk would work. Broadstairs and getting anywhere local with parking is impossible.

Cornwall is further with the shittiest roads ever in summer. Plenty of beautiful places but meh, too much hassle to get to and so far away. I'd go for Woolacombe (NOT Ilfracombe, it's a tacky dump). Or Bigbury/Bantham on the south coast. Paignton/Torquay area has gone really downhill since I was young IMO.

I would suggest Weymouth.

Neither - we go to south Wales to avoid the crowds. My favourite beaches are Caswell and Langland at the start of the Gower, just beyond Swansea. Easy to get to. Not too crowded at all and lots of accommodation.

I’d recommend North Yorkshire to be honest but if you want the south then Cornwall