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'd vote South Wales - somewhere near Saundersfoot. Gorgeous beaches, lots to do and much less people.

@boulevardofbrokendreamss we're in West Midlands area so Cornwall is a bit of a trot. Devon might be a better option but I hadn't thought of Suffolk or Norfolk, both good suggestions.

Fighting talk !

Devon, as Cornwall can't even get a cream tea right.

Devon every time- jam on top!

We used to go to Bude every year. It's just into Cornwall - easy to do north Devon too and it's not crazy busy like further into Cornwall. But latterly we have been going to south Wales. Much cheaper, not as busy, just as nice.

South Hams in Devon.

Have a look at Looe if you mean proper bucket and Spade, ie pasties, ice cream, sandy beach, fish and chips type place.

@LoveableLou If do go Devon or Cornwall, dont travel down on a Friday afternoon or a Saturday in August, the M5 can be come 100 mile a car park, same out bound!
.
Applies to the North Devon link road to Woolacombe/Barnstable as well, one of the worst designed roads ever built!

Avoid the A38 into Cornwall, on-going road works on the Tamar Bridge, starting around then in the tunnel.... or out of Cornwall, the toll is quite expensive! and if you do go into SE Cornwall ie Looe and travel on the A390, stick to the 30mph limits, new style speed cameras are common.

So, the suggestion of South Wales is a good one!

You could always look at Dorset , even less far to travel . Weymouth has a nice beach and again there is plenty to do locally if the weathers not so good .

Thanks for all your suggestions, really really helpful. We've settled on Paignton and I've seem an apartment 100m from Preston Sands. Is that the best spot for the pier, adventure golf, pier and cafes etc? It seems a very good location but as I don't know the area I'm not sure if Goodrington would also be a good place?

Too right @CaptBirdsEar!!! The cream is the butter!

I live in Devon and have done for 30 years. I would personally avoid anywhere in the Torbay area- a lot is quite run down and a
bit tacky (sorry Torbay!) and if you didn't like Haven you prob won't love Torbay. However, lots to do.

If it was me I'd go to Northam Burrows or Saunton. Yes they will be busy, but at least the beaches are massive so it won't feel as packed. And they are stunning beaches too. It's just a bit more unspoilt.

Also down M5 then straight up the link road....

@Peachypips78 I think a bit run down and tacky sums up quite a lot of Englands seaside towns .At least with Torbay there is plenty to do if the weather lets you down .

We go to brixham every year its in torbay but an old fishing town, we then trip into torquay or paignton or dartmouth. Yes paignton has seen better days but great beaches at Goodrington and broadsands.

We actually went at xmas and theres still loads to do if weather bad.

It's 2 hours from us I can't see enough appeal in Cornwall to spend another 2 hours in the car with car hating kids.

Torbay is one the UKs poorest areas & the poorest council area in the S/W, i would rather stay home than holiday anywhere near the place.... its also got the worlds worst one way system ever.

Both are beautiful, but I think Cornwall just pips the post for me.

We stayed in Carbis Bay one year, it’s very picturesque round there and has a gorgeous beach. We used to go around 10am after breakfast and it was pretty much empty.
St Ives close by too.

Bude is another area we like. Quieter, has a different feel to it, but just as lovely. The beach is great too.

Paignton is the arsehole of south Devon - it's tacky, grubby and stinks of pot. Brixham and Torquay (the marina bit) are nicer as is Teignmouth and Dawlish but I wouldn't particularly choose any for a summer holiday tbh. North Devon maybe, or just over the border to Looe or Bude, Port Isaac etc.

Dosclaimer - I live here! I work in Torbay and Paignton. It's really quite rough.

Devon cant even get a cream tea right
Devon and Cornwall have cancelled their planned joint 60s and 70s retro music festival after a row over whether to put The Jam or Cream on first

Such a shame , I’ve not been into actual Paignton for many years , didn’t realise it had got this awful .

What about Tenby/ Saundersfoot? Devon and Cornwall are both beautiful but the traffic in the summer 😲

Paignton's great if you want to watch people on spice!! It's run down and a bit of a dump. I am from Devon and I wouldn't go there even for a day trip. I would go to Bude it's great there normal people not yet gentrified, massive beach great shops and loads of things to do locally, also a great pool on the beach 🏖️

You can get the bus (open top in the summer) from Paignton along the coast through Torquay (great sandy beach) to Babbacombe where there's a funicular down to beach, a theatre and a fab fish and chip shop. You've also got Cockington (cute village and park, heritage/crafts centre, pony and trap rides) and the beach at Meadfoot. From Paignton you can take the ferry to Brixham. There's a steam train from Paignton to Dartmouth and you can take a boat along the river to Greenway (Agatha Christie's place). There's also a velopark (and parkrun) in Paignton. You'll have a blast!

Thanks @notprincehamlet, we've booked an apartment on the beachfront in Paignton now, although I have more than slight reservations as people have described it as an 'arsehole' of a place, but I guess we'll find out. I'm front Southend originally so I'm used to ropey seaside towns, but fingers crossed I've not been sold a pup.

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