Recommend me Cornwall tour visits
Discussion
Hi! I've booked a VW California which I am picking up in Bristol before driving for a weekend in Padstow with our whole family. We then have until Friday to be back in Bristol with the van. We want to spend one night in Torquay to visit some friends which would be sensible as the last night. We are flying into Bristol on Friday morning so will collect the van and go to Padstow.
The idea of the trip is to show my girlfriend who is Austrian that the south west is a stunning place and England isn't so bad haha and to see some cool places, as although we have been to Cambs and London quite a bit together she hasn't seen much outside that.
We have a three year old daughter so I've looked at the following types of things:
Cycling tour in Padstow and surfing in Polzeath with pub near house we have rented during first weekend - relying on parents looking after daughter whilst I get some surf in with my cousins.
Crabbing off Padstow harbour wall
Rick stein fish and chips
Lands end - tin mine and farm
Penzance - not sure what's there
Dartmouth/Falmouth or Salcombe - perhaps the option with the steam train I can't remember which of those has the train along the harbour
I am looking at 3 or 4 stops including the Torquay last night.
Any recommendations of stunning beaches, campsites, eateries would be great. Budget not really an issue but we do have a three year old in tow.
Thanks!
The idea of the trip is to show my girlfriend who is Austrian that the south west is a stunning place and England isn't so bad haha and to see some cool places, as although we have been to Cambs and London quite a bit together she hasn't seen much outside that.
We have a three year old daughter so I've looked at the following types of things:
Cycling tour in Padstow and surfing in Polzeath with pub near house we have rented during first weekend - relying on parents looking after daughter whilst I get some surf in with my cousins.
Crabbing off Padstow harbour wall
Rick stein fish and chips
Lands end - tin mine and farm
Penzance - not sure what's there
Dartmouth/Falmouth or Salcombe - perhaps the option with the steam train I can't remember which of those has the train along the harbour
I am looking at 3 or 4 stops including the Torquay last night.
Any recommendations of stunning beaches, campsites, eateries would be great. Budget not really an issue but we do have a three year old in tow.
Thanks!
There's not a lot to do in Penzance, Falmouth and Truro better. I would avoid Lands End, far too touristy these days but go to Lamorna/Porthcurno/Minack Theatre. Get on to the Lizard peninsula and go to Porthleven, Helford, Gweek, Coverack, Cadgwith, The Lizard etc. Drive across Goonhilly Downs. St. Ives is very busy of course but some great galleries, park the car and take the train.
M888SXY said:
There's not a lot to do in Penzance, Falmouth and Truro better. I would avoid Lands End, far too touristy these days but go to Lamorna/Porthcurno/Minack Theatre. Get on to the Lizard peninsula and go to Porthleven, Helford, Gweek, Coverack, Cadgwith, The Lizard etc. Drive across Goonhilly Downs. St. Ives is very busy of course but some great galleries, park the car and take the train.
Super! Thanks a lot. I am completely open to suggestions really so will look up all of those. I would like to go to Land's end even if just so that we can say we've done it together. I have been there before a few times but it's to make sure we "complete the trip".Lands end is good, my friend is the hotel/restaurant manager and the food they do is good and very fairly priced too. Lovely view over the sea.
Lots to see and do in Cornwall, you could drive from lands end-Helston-the lizard and just drive to come of the coves. My favourite is Porthoustock.
Lots to see and do in Cornwall, you could drive from lands end-Helston-the lizard and just drive to come of the coves. My favourite is Porthoustock.
We did Cornwall as an 'off season' holiday a few years back, had a lovely time.
We used Newquay as a base and did daily trips to the surrounding areas.
- Mevagissy - very nice port town. Perfect for a pint and a relax.
- Falmouth - Rick Stein's Fish & Chips was ok, nothing amazing though.
- Eden Project - worth a look. Expensive though.
- Gweek Seal Sanctuary - surprisingly fun. If you've got kids, I think they'd enjoy it.
- Mousehole - another very nice port town.
- Land's End - go to say you've been but ultimately disappointing.
- St Ives. Both the Tate and Barbara Hepworth Museum are worth a look.
- Tintagel Castle - definite highlight, some stunning views.
We used Newquay as a base and did daily trips to the surrounding areas.
- Mevagissy - very nice port town. Perfect for a pint and a relax.
- Falmouth - Rick Stein's Fish & Chips was ok, nothing amazing though.
- Eden Project - worth a look. Expensive though.
- Gweek Seal Sanctuary - surprisingly fun. If you've got kids, I think they'd enjoy it.
- Mousehole - another very nice port town.
- Land's End - go to say you've been but ultimately disappointing.
- St Ives. Both the Tate and Barbara Hepworth Museum are worth a look.
- Tintagel Castle - definite highlight, some stunning views.
Avoid Rick Stein's chippy at Padstow, the one on the harbour is better and a little cheaper.
Not much in Penzance, apart from St. Michael's Mount just up the road at Marazion, and Minack theatre, Lamorna.
Drive from Penzance to St. Just, down to Cape Cornwall, and walk along the coastal path to the coastguard lookout station, then drive the coast road to St. Ives.
Gwithian to spot the seals, and the Towans for a walk in the dunes.
The public park on the embankment at Hayle has a few things to keep the youngster entertained, and a well-stocked Koi pond.
The road from Goonhilly to Kuggar is a good place to see how fast your van will go.
Seal sanctuary at Gweek - pick up your discount voucher from Sainsbury's petrol station at Helston.
Paradise Park near Hayle used to have a good display of birds, but I've not been there for a while. Screech Owl centre is supposed to be good.
Lanhydrock House near Bodmin is worth a visit.
Porthleven harbour is a good place to sit and eat on a sunny day, and the sea is spectacular if it's stormy.
Falmouth to St. Mawes on the ferry.
If you go to Torquay, try the steam train to Kingswear (from Paignton), then the ferry to Dartmouth. They do a "round robin" package too - steam train, river trip, and vintage coach.
Not much in Penzance, apart from St. Michael's Mount just up the road at Marazion, and Minack theatre, Lamorna.
Drive from Penzance to St. Just, down to Cape Cornwall, and walk along the coastal path to the coastguard lookout station, then drive the coast road to St. Ives.
Gwithian to spot the seals, and the Towans for a walk in the dunes.
The public park on the embankment at Hayle has a few things to keep the youngster entertained, and a well-stocked Koi pond.
The road from Goonhilly to Kuggar is a good place to see how fast your van will go.
Seal sanctuary at Gweek - pick up your discount voucher from Sainsbury's petrol station at Helston.
Paradise Park near Hayle used to have a good display of birds, but I've not been there for a while. Screech Owl centre is supposed to be good.
Lanhydrock House near Bodmin is worth a visit.
Porthleven harbour is a good place to sit and eat on a sunny day, and the sea is spectacular if it's stormy.
Falmouth to St. Mawes on the ferry.
If you go to Torquay, try the steam train to Kingswear (from Paignton), then the ferry to Dartmouth. They do a "round robin" package too - steam train, river trip, and vintage coach.
M888SXY said:
There's not a lot to do in Penzance, Falmouth and Truro better. I would avoid Lands End, far too touristy these days but go to Lamorna/Porthcurno/Minack Theatre. Get on to the Lizard peninsula and go to Porthleven, Helford, Gweek, Coverack, Cadgwith, The Lizard etc. Drive across Goonhilly Downs. St. Ives is very busy of course but some great galleries, park the car and take the train.
Good advice!Definitely go to the Minack / Porthcurno.
Also try and fit in Fowey and Mevagissey.
Exmoor is beautiful on the way down, get off the motorway and do a bit of touring on the north Devon coast. Roads are a lot quieter.
Falmouth is a lovely town. You can get the ferry to St mawes and up the helford river.
Dartmouth is nice too, avoid salcombe, spoilt by money
As stated, Minnack is great, don't worry what is showing you will be watching these and sunset! Take a picnic - this can be competitive!
St Just is pretty cool, very atmospheric in bad weather.
Marazion and St Michael's mount.
Porthleven, lizard, helford (parents live there...) All pretty.
Mevagissey, Charlestown and Fowey are all nice, but each won't entertain for a day.
Are you going in school holidays? Do you have any interests to satisfy? Sailing, coasteering, arts, museums etc...
Falmouth is a lovely town. You can get the ferry to St mawes and up the helford river.
Dartmouth is nice too, avoid salcombe, spoilt by money
As stated, Minnack is great, don't worry what is showing you will be watching these and sunset! Take a picnic - this can be competitive!
St Just is pretty cool, very atmospheric in bad weather.
Marazion and St Michael's mount.
Porthleven, lizard, helford (parents live there...) All pretty.
Mevagissey, Charlestown and Fowey are all nice, but each won't entertain for a day.
Are you going in school holidays? Do you have any interests to satisfy? Sailing, coasteering, arts, museums etc...
CubanPete said:
Exmoor is beautiful on the way down, get off the motorway and do a bit of touring on the north Devon coast. Roads are a lot quieter.
Falmouth is a lovely town. You can get the ferry to St mawes and up the helford river.
Dartmouth is nice too, avoid salcombe, spoilt by money
As stated, Minnack is great, don't worry what is showing you will be watching these and sunset! Take a picnic - this can be competitive!
St Just is pretty cool, very atmospheric in bad weather.
Marazion and St Michael's mount.
Porthleven, lizard, helford (parents live there...) All pretty.
Mevagissey, Charlestown and Fowey are all nice, but each won't entertain for a day.
Are you going in school holidays? Do you have any interests to satisfy? Sailing, coasteering, arts, museums etc...
We are going in two weeks (10-17th June). We live in France/Switzerland. If it was me going by myself, I would do surfing and some diving in the bays but taking a three year old and a girlfriend who gets cold very quickly won't really work with that. I do tonnes of kayaking, skiing etc all year round by myself so I am happy to invest a week in the family having a nice time so I don't really have an agenda other than to show them a fun week. Falmouth is a lovely town. You can get the ferry to St mawes and up the helford river.
Dartmouth is nice too, avoid salcombe, spoilt by money
As stated, Minnack is great, don't worry what is showing you will be watching these and sunset! Take a picnic - this can be competitive!
St Just is pretty cool, very atmospheric in bad weather.
Marazion and St Michael's mount.
Porthleven, lizard, helford (parents live there...) All pretty.
Mevagissey, Charlestown and Fowey are all nice, but each won't entertain for a day.
Are you going in school holidays? Do you have any interests to satisfy? Sailing, coasteering, arts, museums etc...
BRISTOL86 said:
wow that looks amazing. Thanks.jmorgan said:
Depending on how many places you are visiting, there may be milage in signing up for a National Trust card? Seem to remember a lot of car parks are run by them?
Been a year or three though and I tend to go out of season so don't take my word for it.
That's a good idea. I will check it out!Been a year or three though and I tend to go out of season so don't take my word for it.
So many things to choose from!
Avoid Lands end it self, Cape Cornwall just up from it is nice and the mines at Botallack a bit further around the coast are the famous ones on a cliffs. Great walks (of varying lengths so suitable for all).
Porthcurno has a lovely beach and a fantastic telegraph museum but can get busy. Sennen and Chapel Porth are also nice (later walk up on the cliffs to the right to see more mines) but again get busy in the height of summer.
I would avoid Penzanace, nothing too exciting except perhaps a trip to the mount (or if you are using it to stage a trip to the Scillies which are easily the best UK holiday destination).
Kynance cove has already been mentioned above.
The lizard is not only less spoilt than lands end it is also the actual most southerly mainland point.
The Helford is nice, kids might enjoy the seal sanctuary at Gweek. Nice pub on the river (Ferry boat inn). I would recommend packing a BBQ, parking up near Mawnan Church and walking up the Helford along the coast path for about 1/2 a mile until you see a large tree perched on the edge of the land to your left (you will know when you see it); it makes a perfect summer BBQ spot. 2 years ago we sat here eating our burgers/sausages watching a pod of dolphins playing in the water right below us!
Falmouth is the best Cornish town
Lots of foody places, decent pubs and things going on (sea shanty festival?). I would recommend buying harbour lights fish and chips and taking them downstairs to the 'front pub for a beer and eating them on the quay side. Kids may also enjoy the castle and/or the maritime museum.
Not far away is the Pandora inn, beautiful thatched pub on a creek with a jetty out into the water. Crabbing here is great (they must be well fed!). Food is generally excellent.
Many more places but that is a rough overview of my favourite bits of the western bit of Cornwall. I have a book called the 'Wild guide to the south west', thoroughly recommend it.
If you are in North Cornwall on a friday evening (sounds like you could be) in the summer I would really recommend going to Port Isaac to see the Fisherman's Friends sea shanty group singing on the harbour (it's free but pack a blanket).
Edit: just read you are driving from Bristol. Various diversions you could make, Crook's peak or Brent Knoll are worth the climb, Exmoor/Dartmoor go without saying, North Devon has some of the best UK beaches etc. Possibilities are endless!
Avoid Lands end it self, Cape Cornwall just up from it is nice and the mines at Botallack a bit further around the coast are the famous ones on a cliffs. Great walks (of varying lengths so suitable for all).
Porthcurno has a lovely beach and a fantastic telegraph museum but can get busy. Sennen and Chapel Porth are also nice (later walk up on the cliffs to the right to see more mines) but again get busy in the height of summer.
I would avoid Penzanace, nothing too exciting except perhaps a trip to the mount (or if you are using it to stage a trip to the Scillies which are easily the best UK holiday destination).
Kynance cove has already been mentioned above.
The lizard is not only less spoilt than lands end it is also the actual most southerly mainland point.
The Helford is nice, kids might enjoy the seal sanctuary at Gweek. Nice pub on the river (Ferry boat inn). I would recommend packing a BBQ, parking up near Mawnan Church and walking up the Helford along the coast path for about 1/2 a mile until you see a large tree perched on the edge of the land to your left (you will know when you see it); it makes a perfect summer BBQ spot. 2 years ago we sat here eating our burgers/sausages watching a pod of dolphins playing in the water right below us!
Falmouth is the best Cornish town
Lots of foody places, decent pubs and things going on (sea shanty festival?). I would recommend buying harbour lights fish and chips and taking them downstairs to the 'front pub for a beer and eating them on the quay side. Kids may also enjoy the castle and/or the maritime museum.Not far away is the Pandora inn, beautiful thatched pub on a creek with a jetty out into the water. Crabbing here is great (they must be well fed!). Food is generally excellent.
Many more places but that is a rough overview of my favourite bits of the western bit of Cornwall. I have a book called the 'Wild guide to the south west', thoroughly recommend it.
If you are in North Cornwall on a friday evening (sounds like you could be) in the summer I would really recommend going to Port Isaac to see the Fisherman's Friends sea shanty group singing on the harbour (it's free but pack a blanket).
Edit: just read you are driving from Bristol. Various diversions you could make, Crook's peak or Brent Knoll are worth the climb, Exmoor/Dartmoor go without saying, North Devon has some of the best UK beaches etc. Possibilities are endless!
Edited by gazapc on Tuesday 31st May 23:03
Edited by gazapc on Tuesday 31st May 23:05
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