Advice on family holiday in Newquay

WantToBeSE

hitatotatus wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.
I have a 11 and 15 year old. My older one does not like rowdy groups and the idea was to let him have a bit of freedom to go out and about on his own during the day and early evening, but I know he would feel really intimidated by large groups of kids similar age to him.
I wouldn't mind normal Saturday night groups, (been there, done a little of that myself!:o) but what I have read online is worse than that in my opinion.

WantToBe - any advice would be gratefully received. I wanted to be central for the reason above, but if he is not happy then maybe we should look for somewhere a bit quieter, but not in the middle of the countryside. Any suggestions?

It depends on what you mean by 'not in the middle of the countryside'.
I would say, to start with, that EVERYWHERE in Cornwall is busy during July and August/early September.

I reckon, if you are looking for a quieter place, then Bude is your best bet.
It has wonderful (and i mean AMAZING!) beaches, walks (you must go for a walk along the canal, its beautiful), and scenery.

http://www.visitbude.info/

There are lots to do in the area (think golfing, mountainboarding, surfing, sailing, indoor softplay zone for younger kids etc) and plenty of places to stay (Sandymouth caravan park is lovely, about 2 miles out of Bude, but there are loads of others. I havent heard good things about the John Fowler place near there though).

ktk

Don't forget that GCSE results come out on 22nd August, with A level a week later, so that could attract a second influx.

warehouse

sunshinetours wrote: »

Have you been to Southend recently....?

Not for a few years now. Last time was enough to put me off for life. What's changed?

sunshinetours

Quite a lot. Completely revamped city beach in central part, Adventure Island expansion, ongoing pier updates with new cultural centre at end, new restaurants etc etc

Do a tour or traditional seaside resorts in Essex and Suffolk and Kent, Southend looks pretty good compared to vast majority. It will never offer the beaches of Cornwall but it does offer other stuff in a much drier climate than anywhere in Cornwall

Saying all that I love Cornwall!

erichamster

hitatotatus wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.
I have a 11 and 15 year old. My older one does not like rowdy groups and the idea was to let him have a bit of freedom to go out and about on his own during the day and early evening, but I know he would feel really intimidated by large groups of kids similar age to him.
I wouldn't mind normal Saturday night groups, (been there, done a little of that myself!:o) but what I have read online is worse than that in my opinion.

WantToBe - any advice would be gratefully received. I wanted to be central for the reason above, but if he is not happy then maybe we should look for somewhere a bit quieter, but not in the middle of the countryside. Any suggestions?

I don't understand, what will your elder son want to do all day on his own?

What kind of thing are you looking for in a holiday destination?

I live in Newquay and yes it is busy all summer, especially on the weekends.

If you're thinking of August and Newquay, I would go for Boardmasters week (7th to 11th Aug this year I think). Boardmasters is an annual surf, skate and music festival but you don't have to go to the music bit which is expensive. You can watch all the surfing and skateboarding on Fistral beach for free during the day. It is busy but IMO there is a nicer atmosphere in the town at thus time as it doesn't appeal to the stags and has more of the older surfey vibe. My OH's parents come down every year for this and absolutely love it, they're in their early sixties but love reminiscing about their surfer youth.

Most bars, supermarkets etc are pretty hot on IDing everyone with the slightest glint in their eye so unless your son has a fake ID. Please do educate him about staying safe in a coastal area, most of the recent tragedies have been caused by people doing something incredibly stupid (climbing over fences, standing atop fences, attempting to climb cliffs, making their own shortcuts) near to cliff edges.

hitatotatus

The point is my son hates groups of teenagers and is not rowdy at all and is pretty much a homebody. We have a few groups that hang around in our town and he feesl pretty uncomfortable around this sort of crowd.
He won't be out all day on his own, but I would encourage him to pop down to a cafe or take a walk on the beach.
What you describe about the Boardmasters sound great, but unfortuantely I can't have that week off work.
Anyhow, I have decided to book and experience it for myself as I have wanted to travel down to Cornwall for many years now, but haven't been since I was a kid (more years ago than I like to remember):eek:.

thanks everyone for your advice.

Muse

Hi, im looking at Perranporth. Please could anyone tell me if its ok or is it affected by Newquays Stag/hen/exam student influx. We'd be travelling a long way to get there so I want it to be worth it when we get there.

Thanks.

Michael_Perry

We went over here the other year. Stayed at perranporth just outside newquay. Its really nice and is quite good in the evenings. Can avoid the youths at night but still enjoy newquay and the surroundings in the day.
I would recommend it.

juicyl

I"m from Newquay. Perranporth would be nice to stay as it is near enough that you can go to Newquay, but it's much quieter and less rowdy. End of August is usually one the maddest times in Newquay...good luck! You can always escape to the several villages outside if it gets too much.

emslovesmickey

erichamster wrote: »

I don't understand, what will your elder son want to do all day on his own?

What kind of thing are you looking for in a holiday destination?

I live in Newquay and yes it is busy all summer, especially on the weekends.

If you're thinking of August and Newquay, I would go for Boardmasters week (7th to 11th Aug this year I think). Boardmasters is an annual surf, skate and music festival but you don't have to go to the music bit which is expensive. You can watch all the surfing and skateboarding on Fistral beach for free during the day. It is busy but IMO there is a nicer atmosphere in the town at thus time as it doesn't appeal to the stags and has more of the older surfey vibe. My OH's parents come down every year for this and absolutely love it, they're in their early sixties but love reminiscing about their surfer youth.

Most bars, supermarkets etc are pretty hot on IDing everyone with the slightest glint in their eye so unless your son has a fake ID. Please do educate him about staying safe in a coastal area, most of the recent tragedies have been caused by people doing something incredibly stupid (climbing over fences, standing atop fences, attempting to climb cliffs, making their own shortcuts) near to cliff edges.

Just to add, as a resident of Newquay myself, it's not half as bad as it used to be, and even the fake ID's won't get you anywhere anymore as they have trained people what to look out for.