Tour of Cornwall

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alock

Original Poster:

4,224 posts

210 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
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We've decided to hire a camper van for 7 nights in August with the intention of touring around Cornwall. I'm looking for suggestions on nice places to stay and potential routes?

It'll be me, my wife, and two children aged 12 and 9. We live in Winchester so the drive to Cornwall isn't too long but we cannot collect the van until midday so realistically won't be leaving till about 2pm. My wife and I are both from families that had caravans in the 80s, but neither of us have ever stayed in a camper van before. We've both driven Luton style vans but don't fancy having to reverse up a narrow coastal road. We've hired a Swift Escape 696.

Our basic plan is to head for the north coast and work our way anti-clockwise around Cornwall for the first 6 nights. The 7th night will be in (or near) the New Forest so we can get the camper van back to Andover by 10:30am.

I've placed a few stars on caravan club sites within Google maps that appear to be fairly sensibly spread out. The hope is that advice and recommendations can then tweak this plan.


All input welcome!

Antony Moxey

8,016 posts

218 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
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There's a great site at Bude called Woodah Farm. Decent pitches, shop, big play area, on site restaurant plus pitch and putt, archery, dog walk etc. Bit too far to walk to the beach - it's probably a 15 minute drive - but if you're only looking at an overnighter there's enough to keep you busy, or relaxed.

In North Devon we stopped at a fine site in Combe Martin called Newberry Valley that had the best shower/toilet/wash facilities I've seen. The beach and town are walking distance from the site and there are decent views from the big pitches.

Padstow is VERY narrow and very crowded. If you want something a bit different try and find somewhere near Rock and take a water taxi across the river to Pawdstow.

Penzance isn't much to write home about, you might prefer somewhere more towards Lelant , plus you can use the park and ride there and take the train into St Ives.

The only other suggestion I might offer is Crealy Adventure Park a couple of miles east of Exeter instead of Dawlish. I'm not sure on their touring facilities - I know their campsite is excellent - but I do believe if you stay at the campsite you get admission into the adjoining park which the kids would enjoy.

Can't help with Fowey I'm afraid, it was many, many years ago that I camped in that area and that was in a tent.

Good luck!

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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I think you're trying to cram too much into a week.

Maybe make it 3 or 4 stops rather than 6, and enjoy more time in certain areas.

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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C&CC sites at Tregurrian bay just near Newquay and Slapton sands are both worth considering. I also agree 6 stops is too many, arrive, overnight, full day, overnight and then move is a reasonable format.

mrtwisty

3,057 posts

164 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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I'd have to agree with the above - give yourselves some time to enjoy the placs you're in before packing up again and grinding through the Cornish traffic in August.

The star near Padstow - just acorss the little peninsula is Porthcothan. Beautiful little bay, waves generally not too big so ideal for kids, Berryfields campsite 5/10 minutes walk from the beach is nice (but will be a little crowded in Summer, but then all of them will be). Fantastic cream teas in the site's tearoom also yum

OtherBusiness

838 posts

141 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Have stayed at this site few times near Padstow which was really good http://higherharlynpark.co.uk/touring-camping/

alock

Original Poster:

4,224 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the help. One common theme is to do fewer stops, so with that in mind, some advice from above, and comments from my wife as to what she wants to do, we now have the following.

First stop for two nights somewhere near Illfracombe. Maybe Newberry Valley Touring and Camping Park as suggested above or an alternative within walking distance to Woolacombe beach, so possibly Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park as suggested by a neighbour.

Next couple of nights somewhere near Padstow. Berryfields Holiday Park or Higher Harlyn Park as suggested above or somewhere within walking distance of Padstow town centre. Closest I can find is Padstow Touring Park. We stayed near Rock several years ago in a cottage and the ferry broke down causing issues trying to get back.

This leaves us two nights along the south coast. Crealy would probably be popular with the kids but we did DisneyLand last year so they can do what we want this year smile. Slapton Bay sounds nice, never been to the part south of Paignton. Start Bay Caravan Club Site is virtually on the beach.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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We stayed at the C&CC site at Slapton 3 years ago - lovely spot with some cracking views!

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsit...

Bill

52,485 posts

254 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Padstow Touring Park is pretty good with spotless facilities and a shortish walk into town.

On the south coast there's a site beside the Lost Gardens of Heligan that's a good spot and a walk into Mevagissey.

alock

Original Poster:

4,224 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
quotequote all
Current master plan is something like this:



Day 3, stop somewhere around Bude/Tintagel (maybe visit the castle).
Day 5, stop at Eden project.
Day 7, stop at Monkey World.

CoolCurly

210 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Watergate bay Touring Park is highly recommended and perfectly placed to explore.

Very Camper friendly, great bar and what makes it special is the fact a short walk down the hill to the bay itself opens you up to the delights within Watergate bay Hotel (the bar is awesome, as is the two resturants if you want to eat out) and another bar called WAX just around the corner gives you more options.

Surfing is fantastic on the beach, which is massssssssive and great for sports if thats your thing. 20 min drive gets you into Padstow, and if you choose wisely the drive can take you right past the Cornish Arms Pub, which is owned by Rick and is a fantastic spot for lunch or dinner. Actually prefer the pub to the resturants in Padstow to be honest.

Done this area for the past 3 years, this is defo the best site for the area unless you want to walk into Padstow every night which Padstow Touring Park could be a better option but nothing do late on....


CoolCurly

210 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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And just to add, if your looking at Dawlish (near Exeter) then I Can also recommend Cofton Country Holidays - another great site which we have stayed on alot and again very easy to pitch in a camper. Good onsite facilities and two very good pubs a walk away. Dawlish itself can get a little busy in the summer months but nice place to explore.


CoolCurly

210 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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PS - all of mine are done with two kids.....and they both recommend watergate bay as the best site.

Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Bookmarked. Really must get back to Cornwall. Not been for a few years.

Mr Peel

478 posts

121 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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I'd still regard that as a two-week itinerary. However what you've hired is very much a motorhome not a camper van, so I'm guessing you won't be faffing about with an awning every time you stop. That would make it easier to move on frequently.

Edited by Mr Peel on Wednesday 4th January 16:24

alock

Original Poster:

4,224 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
quotequote all
CoolCurly said:
Watergate bay Touring Park is highly recommended and perfectly placed to explore.
I've added it to the list along with BerryFields suggested above. The Padstow visit is being dictated by my wife so the actual site we use for nights 3&4 will be her call.

alock

Original Poster:

4,224 posts

210 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
quotequote all
Mr Peel said:
I'd still regard that as a two-week itinerary. However what you've hired is very much a motorhome not a camper van, so I'm guessing you won't be faffing about with an awning every time you stop. That would make it easier to move on frequently.
Rapidly learning the correct terminology biggrin

The four of us do 2 nights in a London hotel with one small rucksack. We travel light. Bed, Toilet, Shower, BBQ and small bag each is all we need.

Edited by alock on Wednesday 4th January 17:37

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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alock said:
Current master plan is something like this:



Day 3, stop somewhere around Bude/Tintagel (maybe visit the castle).
Day 5, stop at Eden project.
Day 7, stop at Monkey World.
Worth seeing Lulworth Cove while you're doing Monkey World, Bovington tank museum is close to as is Bealleu Motor Museum wink

mini95

241 posts

244 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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For North Devon there are quite a few sites around Woolacombe, also Morte Farm in Morthoe is good but a bit of a narrow route in. Also you could look at Ruda in Croyde, camping is very close to the beach and views good, also on site facilities and close to pubs/shops in the village.

For the New Forest I usually stay in Hollands Wood, greet site and walking distance to pubs and shops. Also close to Beaulieu.

Looks a good trip but don't underestimate travel time to get to each site and get set up etc. With a motorhome there is not a huge amount to do but trying to do too many locations you may end up having not as much time to relax!

eric twinge

1,614 posts

221 months

Wednesday 4th January 2017
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Great thread, been camping in the tent in Cornwall for a few years with the kids but this year will be our first year in this....


Cannot wait!

Last year we camped at st Ives holiday park. We liked it, right on the beach, nice bar, pool etc.
I would also like to try Ayr holiday park in st Ives, in fact it overlooks st Ives itself.
There is also Henry's campsite in lizard. Would like to try that as well.

I know you are renting but I really recommend 'the campervan bible' by Martin Dorey. It had been invaluable to me and covers the whole area of buying, renting a campervan, sites to visit, recipes etc. It is a really good book.