Places in Cornwall to break up long journey?

socks_uk

We (me & my husband in our 40's) have booked 6 nights in a campsite near Penzance and, because we live in North East Lincolnshire, we have booked a Travelodge for the night before and after the camping trip to break up the 8 hour drive.
So, we are looking for ideas for 'stops' in Cornwall to see things on the way down from Bicester and on the way back to Milton Keynes. We don't mind driving either south side or north side but not too much off the normal route down to Penzance.

It would be a shame to sail past things of interest and miss out on them just because we don't know about them.

Thanks in advance. xx

davidlizard

I suggest Trago Mills, just off the A38 near Newton Abbot in Devon.

Its difficult to describe exactly what this place actually is - its foremost an out-of-town shop surrounded by turrets which sells just about anything you can think of, with aircraft hanging from the ceiling. If you can imagine a factory clearance sale stretched out over several acres then you will not be far off. Amongst all the tat, there are some genuine bargains to be had.

There are some animals and birds there, with peacocks and chickens wandering around, and goats that can be petted, and some mini-rides and a train that goes round the site.

The owner is well renowned for his forthright views on shop lifting and the EU (although they employ lots of Eastern European workers!). There are large notices up there lecturing you every 5 paces why its the EUs fault he cannot sell paint in pints and the like. He has had arguments with the councillors which has resulted in him putting up gargoyles of his favourites in the grounds.

It has free parking, a good choice of food.

Its worth visiting for the sheer wierdness of the place, and there are some great bargains to be had! Have a look (and a laugh) at some of the reviews on Trip Advisor before deciding whether to go or steer well clear!

socks_uk

Thanks for that... Seems to get good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Any more suggestions anyone?

Miles16v

Of all Devon and Cornwall has to offer Trago Mills is all we can come up with so far!

Whether you go A30 or A38 way you will go either side of Dartmoor national park, which is full of nice pubs, great scenery, walks etc.

If you go A38 way you will go through Plymouth, which if you have never been before is worth a look for the Barbican / Hoe part of the city.

You will go close to the Eden Project near St Austell.

Then there are all the small pretty fishing villages of the southern Cornwall Coast, or the more dramatic Northern Coast.

Locally to Penzance the beach at Hayle is amazing, and obviously St Ives is a very pretty place (although will be full of pretentious Londers in the summer).

Lands End is one of the most beautiful parts of the county if you like a nice cliff top walk, however the actual attraction there is very over priced and tacky.

adecor

Not the cheapest but Eden Project is meant to be good (never been myself)
If you're going in early May Heltson's Flora (Furry) Day is fun.
Always worth a stop somewhere in Devon for a cream tea

socks_uk

Thank you guys... I guess I'm looking for somewhere we can break up the 5 hour car journey for a couple of hours and have some lunch and a walk around. We will be going at the beginning of the June school holidays so I guess it'll be busy everywhere.

The Devon/Cornwall border is probably half-way point so anything pretty/interesting for a quick stop in that area would be an idea.

Thanks again for your ideas.

davidlizard

I asked a similar question a couple of years back and had some interesting replies. I was going to suggest Stonehenge on the A303 but realised that I thought it was a bit pricey to look at a few stones - you can get a good view from the road though.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2797176

Someone else also asked a similar question, and had some more suggestions.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3339410

If you "miss" Trago Mills at Newton Abbot, you can always visit the one at Liskeard or the small one at Falmouth.

pixo

OH's parents live in Cornwall so we go several times a year. We love going to Respryn! Respryn is right next to Lanhydrock: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock/

Its a absoutley beautiful place to go for a walk and or have lunch. We make sure we always make a stop whenever we're 'down'.

socks_uk wrote: »

Thank you guys... I guess I'm looking for somewhere we can break up the 5 hour car journey for a couple of hours and have some lunch and a walk around. We will be going at the beginning of the June school holidays so I guess it'll be busy everywhere.

The Devon/Cornwall border is probably half-way point so anything pretty/interesting for a quick stop in that area would be an idea.

Thanks again for your ideas.

dorsetlady67

PS...:DStupid me, forgot OP said Cornwall..

I can recommend a drive through/over Dartmoor it is amazing no matter what the weather,theres plenty of places to stop & stretch your legs,have a picnic see the ponies & theres a couple of pubs if you want a pub lunch.
But anywhere in Devon & Cornwall you will find amazing views & pit stops.Just get out there & drive,drive & drive,the land will always offer something just to breathtaking not to stop a while.
There are just to many Cornish & Devon villages,hamlets that will offer you something.

We stopped off at The Lizard last autumn in the rain & it was stunning,as was polpero,looe etc etc etc.

If you dont mind a slight detour I would definatley recommend Buckfast theres the butterfly & otters http://www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk/
Also the steam train is worth a look even if you dont board http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/ all 3 are in the same place so nice for half hour or more stop off.

Cheddar Gorge is another great pit stop with amazing breath taking scenery there's a few shops,cafe but definatley worth going.
http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/explore/gorge-open-top-bus-tour

Wells & the cathedral is another good stop off ..
http://www.wellssomerset.com/



It realy depends on what route your traveling & what you like realy.
Trago is ok as a pit stop but I wouldnt detour to go.
I drive past stonehendge every few weeks on my journey from Dorset to London to be honest I wouldnt go out of your way & detour just to see them,bit boring realy but thats just my opinion.

OneYorkshireLass

I liked Cardinham Woods for a lunch stop - take your own or use the cafe. It's not far off the A30.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/cardinham

samboette

If you're travelling on the A30 the first place which springs to mind is Bodmin Moor. Visit the Jamaica Inn which do fab lunches and there is also a shop, maybe have a little stroll on the moor (weather permitting). You could even pop into Bodmin (was once Cornwall's capital), it's a small town, not a great amount to do there but you could visit Bodmin Gaol which is an interesting place to go.

You could stop off in Truro, the city of Cornwall. Loads of little shops and high street names to go, also plenty of places for a spot of lunch or grab a pasty and eat in your hand as you wander about. Visit the the stunning cathedral, have a walk around the lovely gardens at Hendra.

You could stop off at Perranporth. Little seaside town with a great pub on the beach called the watering hole.

Also off the A30 is the Cornish Goldsmith Centre, see some lovely jewellery, a tarantula which is in a tank with gold bars (urgh hate that spider), you can also do a mine visit there, there is a Pearl shop too and something else but can't remember what it is now. You could follow the road along from Cornish Goldsmith and follow the coastal road down to Penzance, going through the little beach villages/towns like Portreath, Porthtowan. The route gives you some cracking views of the coast and takes you down to Hayle where it will bring you out to the Towans and you can then join up to the A30 again to take you down to Penzance.

You could go via Marazion and get some great views of St Michael's Mount from the seafront there.

As for Trago Mills, you probably should visit just for novelty value, I'm not a fan of the place but you can pick up a bargain. There is also a Trago in Falmouth which is much much smaller. Not sure why Trago gets a mention whenever a Cornwall thread crops up lol. Not the first place I think of when I think of Cornwall.

You should definitely visit lands end, it's free to go in, just pay for parking and any attraction you may want to go into. I would just walk along the cliffs, visit the animals etc and not bother paying to see the Dr Who thingy etc. Never worth it in my opinion.