Cornwall

Suzanne_Louise

Hi! I've always wanted to go to Cornwall, and now we've got a little person, don't relish the thought of going abroad with her in August. So, I'd like us to go to Cornwall next year, when she'll be 2. Any advice on where the best place to stay will be please? Thanks muchly x

pollywiggle

We like to stay in Mousehole in the far west of Cornwall, near Penzance. It's a small village which has a nice harbour & a couple of small beaches which are very safe for little ones.

St Ives is lovely but very busy in the summer & Marazion is also nice.

It does get quite busy & pricey in August so would advise booking early to get the best properties. Also, don't whatever you do drive down on a Saturday in August as you'll be on the road for hours. Either book a Friday start which will be slightly less busy, or set off very early in the morning, or travel on the Friday night & book an overnight stay (we usually stay in Plymouth) & get a jump on the traffic on the Saturday morning.

minerva_windsong

We've been going to Port Isaac (North Cornwall) since my nephew was eight months old, and he's three now. It's a really nice little village, there are lots of good family beaches nearby (particularly Polzeath and Crackington Haven) and if you want to go to a town Padstow isn't very far and is fairly decent, I'd recommend getting the boat from Rock across the Camel Estuary if you can.

The other thing I'd say is try not to go in school holidays, we used to (my mum's a teacher) and it is absolutely jam packed, especially if you drive everywhere. Now we go the week after the late May bank holiday and it is so much quieter. The rent on cottages is lots cheaper too.

This is the company we go with: www.cornishseaviewcottages.co.uk

Suzanne_Louise

Unfortunately, we can only go during school holidays, as that's when our childminder takes her annual leave. Sadly, we don't have any family that could look after her during this time, so we have to take the time off. Whilst it was lovely to be at home this year, we thought it might be nice to go away next year! :j

minerva_windsong

Oh no I'm not saying don't go in school holidays, more be aware that it will get busier and cost more. But it's still worth going if you can, it's a lovely part of the world and will almost certainly be less busy than further south as most of the big attractions start around Newquay.

PasturesNew

Where's good depends on your expectations and needs.

How'd you get here: fly, train, car?
Do you expect to travel about/sightseeing, or stay put?
If you bring a car, do you need/expect to easily find somewhere to park it off-street?
Would you want a hotel, caravan, cottage, other?
Do you need a town? Or want a village?

What'd you do if it rained every day?
What'd you do if it was hot/sunny every day?

Every area's different and fits different holiday styles and expectations.

warehouse

In the Summer months the traffic going in and out of Cornwall is so horrific that you'd be better off getting on a plane and going somewhere hot. Seriously.

BOGOF_Queen

How about staying in Marhamchurch (nice pub there and also accommodation - google Marhamchurch to find) which is a few minutes drive from Bude. Only just over the border from Devon (not so far to drive - another hour to Penzance/St Ives areas) and lots of places to visit - Dartmoor, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac (remember Doc Martin), Port Quin, Tintagel, Boscastle, Clovelly and Hartland up the coast in Devon. Great coast path - also if you drive to Bideford, you can get the boat over to Lundy - small island in the Bristol Channel. You will run out of days before you run of things to do and see! I live about 20 mins drive from Bude - do my shopping there - has a Morrisons and also a small Sainsburys at the top of the town - both ideal if you go self catering.

beansoup

We went to Mawgan Porth in June - it was lovely. I could not face driving from Kent to Cornwall so we flew Flybe from Gatwick to Newquay - a short cab drive to where we stayed and the option to hire a car if we wanted.

Sorry -editing to say we stayed at Sands Resort (www.sandsresort.co.uk)

Suzanne_Louise

Hi all - thanks for your advice. We've booked a 2 bed cottage, 3 miles from Padstow. The good news is that it's Friday to Friday, so should be slightly better for travelling. We're in East Yorkshire, but my brother lives in Bristol, so we can break the journey up by travelling the day before and spending the night there ** which he doesn't know about yet ** I can't wait!:j