Holiday cottage - Where would you go Cornwall or Devon?

[alaskacoby]

Thinking of setting up a holiday cottage complex in Cornwall or Devon. West Devon (Launceston/ Okehampton/ Tavistock) areas seem better value. Would you book in this area? or would you prefer Cornwall? Why?
I would apprciate your thoughts, many thanks.

Personally I prefer Devon:-

a) Its closer
b) There's more to do with dc's
c) Nicer beaches
d) Devon cream teas

I personally can find some parts of Cornwall a bit "bleak"

I'd choose cornwall.

a) Nicer beaches, more wild and stunningly beautiful
b) More to do with children - absolutely heaps of stuff, particularly round the north coast
c) Not that much further really now the A30 much improved (again, am talking about the north coast i.e. Padstow way)
d) Cornish cream teas

Prefer Cornwall. There are some grot bits in the middle, it's true, but on the whole the little coves etc are better. Cornish cream teas too, you know.

Are you thinking of near the sea, or inland? I wouldn't go to Okehampton on holiday, would want to be closer to the coast. It all sems to be dual carriageway round there, (as are some bits of Cornwall, it's true) but I love places like St Ives. Feels more like 'holiday' to me.

Thanks for the reply.

a) I agree it is closer.
b) What do you do with the dc's?
c) Are you refering to South coast or North?

And Sennen and Zennor and even Hayle (for the fabulous beach).

On the positive side re Devon, what about somewhere like Saunton or Braunton? Lovely beaches, surfer dudes, nice villages.

North Devon, north or south Cornwall, doesn't matter. But I live in south Devon so maybe I'm a bit biased - Sidmouth/Exmouth, not really my cup of tea, too much like Brighton without the pzazz.

i love st ives and porthcurno sp? is stunning from clifftop

oh and the porthkidney beach is stunning and almost deserted

Devon isn't so far as Cornwall, so is more appealing. However we generally have one week in each. Woolacombe is our preferred place in Devon.

Yes I have and would stay near Launceston.

Thank you for all your replies. I agree West Cornwall (St Ives, Sennen, Porthcurno) beautiful, as is North Devon (Saunton, Croyde) however, I need to be within a reasonable drive of Tavistock. Is Launceston/ Okehampton area too far from beaches/ attractions and not so desirable to attract families?

cornwall-because i live here

I depends on how much you charge. We've stayed, as I mentioned, in a holiday cottage near Launceston, at St Tudy, and it was good value. We were quite happy to drive to a beach.

cornwall cornwall cornwall

the whole place just shimmers with loveliness!

would live there if it wasn't such a long way from everything

With Tavistock /Launceston you've got to sell the Dartmoor angle - picnics by the river, splashing about, walking, ponies etc. I wouldn't go there if I just wanted a beach based holiday, because it's too far to drive every day IMO.

It seems that Cornwall is generally more popular particularly for the beaches. How long/far would you be prepared to travel from accommodation to the beaches? What else do you like to do when its too cold/ rainy for the beach?

Devon. It is nearer. I really like Lynton and Lynmouth and the Ilfracombe area.

North Devon. Nearest place with the best beaches. Cornwall is lovely but heck of a drive (particularly if you break down on that dual carriageway - never doing that journey again!).

Personally wouldnt book anywhere more than 3 miles away from the beach - for us thats the whole point of the holiday might as well sit in the garden otherwise.

Kerala - the dual carriageway has been improved, it's much faster now & you don't get the jams around Indian Queens anymore.

Agree about the beach - 10-15 mins drive max.

I live in the Tavistock/Launceston area.

Most of the best beaches are the best part of an hours drive - plus factor in extra traffic during the summer which can slow things down even more.

Even with the new A30 it's still a fairly heftly drive from the far West of Cornwall! I wouldn't want to have to do it too often in one holiday.

What about South Devon then if you need to be near Tavistock, we like the beaches around Salcombe, Hope, Thurleston, Bigbury. You can find uncrowded sandy beaches in those areas even at the height of the tourist season.

I like it around Okehampton but that's for camping or walking on Dartmoor, not for beaches.

I have 2 holiday cottages on my farm slap bang in the middle of Devon (40 minutes east of Okehampton). Business is not so good this year, but usually have 26 - 30 weeks occupancy a year with plenty of short and out of season breaks as well, but we do have an indoor swimming pool. We're between the moors and the coasts so our guests have the choice of where to go and 90% of our guests prefer the choice and like being in the countryside!

You probably need to decide what your target market is (adults, families, etc) and also be prepared for a huge amount of hard work!!

Good luck with whatever you decide