Bournemouth, Torquay, Cornwall Roadtrip

pugsley_h

Looking for any tips or advice - anything gratefully received!

We have ended up (don't ask how lol) booking a kind of strange few days away. We are staying in Bournemouth for 2 nights, Torquay for 2 nights and Lizards point in Cornwall for 3 nights. We are a family of 4 with kids aged 10 and 8, and a very tight budget. I have a few clubcard points that I can use up for one attraction.

So, as we are not staying in any place for very long, we are going to have to use the travelling days between the hotels as days of the holiday iyswim, so we are looking for some inspiration!

The kids love animals, dinosaurs, fossils (we went on a dinosaur fossil hunt on the Isle of Wight and loved it). They also love amusements, rides etc. We have been to all of these places before, but a long time ago, so we are not sure what's new or what is worth going to.

So any tips, advice, suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

p00hsticks

We enjoyed the House of Marbles - free and not too far from Torquay

http://www.houseofmarbles.com/the-house-of-marbles-at-bovey-tracey

gazapc

For a cheap activity how about geocaching? It's like a treasure hunt but you use your phone. It's free or very cheap for 'premium' membership.

There will be excellent caches in all the locations you plan to go to.

nickcc

Flambards theme park, seal sanctuary and paradise park near the Lizard. Usual beaches etc just don't expect anything like Disney or Alton Towers.

barmonkey

Lots to do around the Torquay area.

House of Marbles @ Bovey Tracey (free)
Cockington Village (just pay to park)
Kents Cavern @ Torquay (you can use Tesco points)
Berry Pomeroy Castle ruins, between Torquay and Totnes.
China Blue @ Totnes.
Buckfast Abbey @ Buckfastleigh (free)
Hannahs @ Newton Abbot (free)
Loads of decent beaches (not Torquay)

If you are planning your trip in the summer there is usually something going on each weekend on Paignton Green, Bike shows, car shows or the TV and Sci fi weekend.

nickcc

We always stayed in Paignton when the children were youngsters. Brixham for the older people, Torquay for the partygoers and Paignton for the young families. We lived in Torquay for five years a few years ago, got fed up with the hen and stag parties taking over the town and the constant noise of taxis all through the night (lived on main Babbacombe road)

gamston

if its fossiling, Charmouth beach is the one I like best, easy parking, but you have to pay,
problem you may have being on south coast road trip, is it takes ages to get anywhere, roads seem to be loaded with tractors and slow vehicles,
Weymouth beach is lovely for kids, sand good and waer in bay is shallow