Active discussions
My feed Premium
Please or to access all these features

UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Hit me with your Cornwall recommendations

42 replies

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 06/02/2021 17:29

Hello Lovely Mumsnetters,

We're bailing on the idea of an overseas holiday this summer for obvious reasons. We're considering Cornwall as I've always wanted to see more of it.

We have a DS (7) and a small dog. We want beaches, nice dog walks, good playparks/adventure parks/ waterpark and nice places to have lunch. We will have a car so can drive around a little bit but don't want to be driving miles every day.

Where's a good spot to base ourselves?

OP posts:
Report
BatleyTownswomensGuild · 07/02/2021 09:12

Anyone?

OP posts:
Report
UntamedWisteria · 07/02/2021 09:17

I think you'll find the best places in Cornwall are already fully booked for this summer.

But since you ask, we've always holidayed on the North Coast. Near Padstow. The town itself is massively busy during the tourist season due to the Rick Stein effect, but there are some nice places to stay within a couple of miles.

Ideally you want to be in walking distance of a beach, as the car parks get rammed during summer.

Report
UntamedWisteria · 07/02/2021 09:19

I would also say avoid Newquay.

Trevone Bay however is very nice.

Report
actiongirl1978 · 07/02/2021 09:24

We stay in St Merryn near Padstow.

It's perfect. We go to Constantine Bay for the beach, have to get there early or the car park is full.

We always do a day trip to the seal sanctuary, the Eden project, St Ives.

We've already made restaurant bookings in padstow for July, except for our absolute fave Prawn on the Lawn which opened on a local farm last year, so waiting to see if we can go back in the restaurant this year.

Also St Merryn is walking distance to the new Pig Hotel and restaurant. They have a fab outdoor bar/eating area with excellent music.

Report
HavfrueDenizKisi · 07/02/2021 09:29

If you can hack the drive right to the end then Sennen Cove is lovely. We also like around Fowey and Looe on the south. Mawgan Porth is lovely too. Agree to avoid Newquay. Anywhere around Padstow lovely too. I think you've missed the boat on booking though for the summer.

Report
Rainydays200 · 07/02/2021 15:31

Mawgan Porth is lovely, and all the beaches around there are dog friendly in the summer I think. There is a really nice looking lodge/caravan park there. But probably all booked up for the summer already as I know it is very popular even in non-COVID years!
theparkcornwall.com/accommodation/

We also like Porthtowan, near St Agnes - its not such a well known place so might have some availability for the summer still. You can take dogs on the beach early am and in the evening but not middle of the day. Worth bearing in mind. Have a look on Airbnb and Aspects holidays for self catering cottages.

Gwel an Mor is a nice development that might suit you. It is not right on the beach, but has the kind of facilities that are welcome with younger kids eg. pool, some organised activities like nature walks etc www.gwelanmor.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAvP6ABhCjARIsAH37rbSwJDapgJO7BePecdkhakhigfZokMAMncW-Bsvm7VZPe_VB5BvpOoYaAsmjEALw_wcB

Report
HemanOrSheRa · 07/02/2021 15:39

Mawgan Porth is gorgeous. The beach and the local pubs are dog friendly year round. It's pretty much smack bang between Newquay and Padstow. There is a water park/Flow Rider at Retallack Resort just outside of Padstow which is ace. Lovely boating lake and gardens just outside of Newquay. Go karting at St Eval which is a few minutes drive from Mawgan Porth. The Eden Project is close by but I prefer The Lost Gardens of Heligan. And of course, all the lovely places to eat PP's have mentioned.

Report
Soozikinzii · 08/02/2021 14:50

White acres or sea acres are lovely with log cabins swimming pool play areas etc. White acres has 13 lakes for fishing and you can tour round from there .,

Report
Movinghouseatlast · 08/02/2021 14:59

I may be biased- I live there- but have a look at South East Cornwall.

Polperro and Fowey are gorgeous!

Polperro has lots of fabulous eateries, gorgeous pubs a beach, a natural swimming pool, access to the SW coast path. Nearby is the Adrenalin Quarry which is fantastic. It is also very dog friendly. You can walk to Talland Bay and Lansallos Beach easily,

Fowey is a 25 minute drive away, where you can hire boats for the day. Par Beach is fantastic, with a fab beach cafe.

Report
Soontobe60 · 08/02/2021 15:01

A friend of mine has been trying to book somewhere to stay in Cornwall - anywhere - for June, and unless she’s prepared top pay £1000’s there’s nothing available!

Report
BatleyTownswomensGuild · 10/02/2021 07:39

Thank you everyone. Have been frantically googling places. Many people's grim messages about 'there will be nothing left' have rung true. (Is it normally the same or is this the fallout from COVID?) Completely lost my heart to The Park at Mawgan Porth but not a chance - booked out for months. Sad

Have managed to book a nice cottage near Falmouth. Not exactly what we were hoping for - wanted a resort somewhere with more on-site facilities really. But the accommodation is very highly rated and the photos look lovely. My only reservation is the local beaches don't allow dogs, so we'll have to drive around a bit. (Anyone got recommendations for dog friendly beaches?)

OP posts:
Report
MiaMc · 11/02/2021 07:03

It’s due to a combination of people having to move bookings from last year and the fact that everyone who would usually go abroad seems to be flocking there.
We normally go to Cornwall or holiday in the U.K. but couldn’t get into any of our usual places this year. It’s gonna be rammed.

£1000 is pretty standard for one week in a cottage in the summer.

Report
gingercatsarebest · 11/02/2021 07:09

carbis bay? fab beach for your ds. lovely easy train ride into st ives. ..where there are two dog friendly beaches.

Report
gingercatsarebest · 11/02/2021 07:12

Oh sorry I see you booked. .I misread

Report
ZooeyS · 11/02/2021 07:22

Don't worry, Falmouth is a lovely short ferry ride to St Mawes which I think is one of the prettiest towns in Cornwall and has really lovely beaches. I can't find anything online about which are dog friendly, but I was there last summer and there were plenty of dogs running about on at least one stretch of beach!

Report
DalryPlace · 11/02/2021 07:23

Cornwall is going to be the place to avoid.
In fact even locals are renting out their homes and getting out. It'll be far to crowded to be safe.

What a pity.

Report
Funf · 11/02/2021 08:11

Stayed in Bude, its like stepping back in time in a good way
Stayed here
shorebreakcornwall.co.uk
Its 55 miles from the Nearest McDonalds which amused me more than the kids!

Some good points re crowds I suspect it will be very busy this year, Carbis bay is nice but nearby places are booked months in advance

Have you considered North Wales?
Some ideas here
www.donthibernate.co.uk

Report
ThursdayLastWeek · 11/02/2021 08:14

There’s dogs running around on loads of beaches all summer don’t worry about it. I think it’s pretty much only Falmouth and poss St Ives that dont allow them.

Report
LaurieFairyCake · 11/02/2021 08:23

And even St Ives (where we stay) has a lovely dog friendly beach Grin

Report
CountessFrog · 11/02/2021 08:26

I own a holiday property in Cornwall. It’s already fully booked. I’m astonished.

Report
nevernotstruggling · 11/02/2021 08:27

Falmouth is great you can take boat trips to see dolphins.
Google roselsnd peninsula for the beaches they are great.

Falmouth has a swimming pool with flumes etc for rainy days and the maritime museum is great it's v child focused.

Report
ThursdayLastWeek · 11/02/2021 08:28

@LaurieFairyCake

And even St Ives (where we stay) has a lovely dog friendly beach Grin

Haha, I go to st Ives about once every two years, I should not claim to know!
Report
Fressia123 · 11/02/2021 08:35

Ships and castles has been closed for a very long time now, obviously due to Covid but I wouldn't bank on it being open. I think perranporth is dog friendly I'm not sure though. I love in Cornwall and have a dog but hat going to the beach!

Report

Mumsnet Weekly Hot Threads

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Woman smiling and making heart symbol with her hands

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Rainydays200 · 11/02/2021 08:37

We were in Cornwall last summer, and I’m sure it was all fully booked then too. The town centre of the main spots eg. St Ives, Newquay, padstow were very busy. But beaches all had more than enough space. We really didn’t feel unsafe on beaches, walks etc. And all the businesses were very COVID aware. If you wanted to eat out you had to book at least 1 week in advance in a lot of places. We mostly did take-outs rather than eating in, and it worked v well. But it does depend on the kind of holiday you want.

Report
bedtimestories · 11/02/2021 08:38

Crealy theme park is amazing

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.