Cornwall holiday help

[Sasabelle]

I'm thinking of booking Cornwall for our main holiday in 2026 - coming from Ireland first week of July. Have a 17 year old and a 12 year old. Somewhere like Hendra Holiday Park looks perfect for the 12 year old - but I was thinking being right in the thick of a small town (eg St Ives or Newquay) might suit the teenager better. And us tbh - to be able to have a couple of drinks when we're out for dinner and walk back to an apartment. Either way, we'll hire a car and get out and about to see the area - can anyone help me decide? Two centre would probably be overkill, wouldn't it?!

I would do somewhere central were it me. As you note, would enable you to be out in the evening say for a meal and for you to have a drink if you want. Or just to be able to go out and walk instead of the car.

Newquay probably less expensive, St Ives ideal if you or the DC have artistic interests.

We've stayed on the outskirts of St Agnes a few times - its a lot smaller than Newquay so not necessarily what you are looking for - but wanted to say that renting a cottage in the village itself was great last time as we could walk to the pubs / restaurants for dinner rather than take the car. I'd definitely pay a little more for more central location in future - provided it has parking!

We stay in a village called Trevone and rent a house. It is great as it is walking distance to the beach where there is also a bar. There are surf schools all around as well as kayaking and coast steering, I guess it depends on what you plan to do whilst there.

if you aren’t bothered about the entertainment a large resort will bring, Crantock is lovely. You can walk in to Newquay and its on the bus route too. Porth Beach at the other side is nice too. Walkable in to Newquay and again on bus routes. It’s also close to Lusty Glaze and Watergate bay if the kids are in to insta aesthetics.

Perranporth is a lovely village too, again on bus routes and some nice pubs and restaurants.

we have also been to Hayle which isnt far from St Ives. There is a lovely Away site which is right on the beach and a 10 min walk down in to the town. Gwithian is beautiful with big rock pools for the kids to jump in to and explore.

I've always wanted to go to Ireland and I live in Cornwall, let's do a house swap for a week

Hayle, Porthleven, St Ives, Praa Sands

St Ives and Newquay are absolutely jammed in the summer. No point in hiring a car, you won't be able to park anywhere or get through the traffic. Stay just outside and use buses or taxis at night.

We've stayed in Perranporth a few times and like it. Lovely coastal walks, great beach for surfing if the kids are into that. Beach bar on the beach, pubs and restaurants. beautiful Hollywell bay just a short drive and newquay not far away.

Thanks very much for your replies everyone!

Are you sure you don’t want to swap for the New Forest!

I live in SE Cornwall and really dislike Newquay. I'd go to Bude for the sort of holiday you're describing.

Have a look at the holiday cottages / apartments at Polmanter, St Ives. They have beautiful pool and you can easily walk into st Ives, there’s a regular bus back if you don’t want the uphill walk back either! It’s a campsite too but it’s so beautiful, we’ve stayed a few times and love it there

Also worth considering Looe.
You’re close to Plymouth then which may interest your older one. There is also a place called Adrenaline Quarry nearby which both DCs will probably like.
Although if you’re wanting surfing you’ll be better with the North coast.

We have a small holiday flat (which we don’t rent out) in Mawgan Porth so we know the area you are looking at pretty well.

Mawgan Porth is about 5 mins drive from Newquay airport if that is how you are thinking of coming. It’s a small village but has plenty going on in the summer with the beach, surfing, places to eat, pub etc all in the village. My boys (14 and 11) love it but we also venture out a fair bit too. They enjoy Newquay (not my thing but lots for the kids - down by Fistral beach is nice) and I enjoy Padstow. Both about 10-15 minutes drive. Traffic isn’t great in summer, but not impossible. Several sets of friends have come from Ireland (where I am from originally) to stay at our flat with their younger kids. They have enjoyed a weeks holiday mainly in the village but travelling to Newquay and Padstow on the bus and found it easy enough without a car.

I have never stayed here but this holiday park in the village looks very nice thepark

There is also a hotel in the village - the Bedruthan - it has a lot going on for kids (younger but also older) and has a pool etc but it’s very pricey.

This place in Porth (closer to Newquay - maybe even walkable - with some local facilities/beach/cafe etc) also looks good. sea.space Again we have never stayed but we did go and play padel there this week.

Hendra holiday park looks nice but we have never stayed. We have been there to use their facilities such as the pool or go segwaying. The main issue is that if you wanted to leave the site to eat etc you would have to drive - it’s not really walkable to anywhere.

Anyway I’m sure wherever you end up, you will have a fab time. We always do!

Are you flying into Newquay? If so the Newquay area makes sense. Crantock is a good call as the beaches are lovely, there’s some good pubs around and you are easy access to Newquay without the mad crowds.

Cornwall’s roads are pretty insane in the school summer holidays but the Irish schools break up early I think? So the first two weeks of July will be slightly quieter than the final two weeks.

If you are driving for a day out the best tip is to get on the road to where you are going early. Most tourist jams are around 11am.

I think there’s a bus service to Newquay town from hendra

Also, deeply exciting news, the Mid Cornwall Metro is due to open in Spring 2026: https://midcornwallmetro.com/

Newquay would be better for your 17 year old and St Ives better for your 12 year old. But both will be completely heaving in July.

Coming from Ireland have you considered a ferry to either Fishguard or Holyhead and then holidaying in Gower Peninsula, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Brecon and if coming from Holyhead then Portmeirion and Snowdonia on the way down?

Tenby, Gower and Saundersfoot are like Cornwall used to be.