Cornwall / South West Advice

[what_no_pies]

Me and my partner looking to spend a relaxing few days to a week in and around Cornwall and the South West following this years Glastonbury Festival.

Neither of us has been before so we're after some ideas of places to visit, accommodation, things to do etc. We're quite flexible and may make a stop or two elsewhere en route home (Newcastle) to break up the journey.

Guest houses, hotels, camp sites all viable and we'll have a car to get around and don't mind putting a few miles in on the road - even if it takes us away from Cornwall itself. All suggestions would be very welcome.

Only certainties so far are a stop off at Stonehenge and some time (even if only a day) in St Ives.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Polzeath

Pitch a tent on Tristram Camp site overlooking the Atlantic. Quiet, apart from the crashing waves. Some local pubs that sell Doom Bar and an awesome beach.

Some lovely walks around Pentire Point or to Rock where you can get the across to Padstow.

Not a million miles to Tintagel (going north) or Newquay (going south). Take a wet suit or two !

Don't expect a busy time. It's relaxed !

Call in at Jamaica Inn on the way down. A bit "touristy" but steeped in history. So much to see down in the South West. If Turf Moor was in Wadebridge, I'd move down there

[Bin Ont Turf]

St Michael's Mount is a must.

Lizard Point and Mevagissey are others. The last one for Fish and Chips.

[hampsteadclaret]

St Ives is a lovely spot.

Keep your car out of town [you might have to..nightmarish]..park up and walk in.

If you really only have a day there I would do half of your time round the shopping streets, harbour and seafront taking a lunch in one of the many decent restaurants and the other 50% of your time checking out the beaches and headland on foot.

Cornwall has too many great places to mention.

[fatboy47]

I know Cornwall better than most.....the campsite at Treen is probably the most beautiful I've ever stayed on...just above the beach at Porthcurno...for me the most spectacular beach in the country bar none...cheap as chips..no yobs...decent pub and grub in the hamlet nearby....if you want to try summatt different then book a day trip on the RMV Scillonian from Penzance enjoy a 3 hour sail past the Cornish coast to the Isles of Scilly and return the same evening...I've seen all sorts from the boat..seals , dolphins, sperm and killer whales, basking sharks etc.. (you really don't HAVE to travel halfway round the globe to do this)
Enjoy a day on the Scillies ...probably containing more clarets per head of population than any other place in the uk outside Burnley...where , if he's notified in advance you may be treated to a pint of Doom Bar by the legendary fatboy47.

[Dazzler]

My advice is don't camp out on Bodmin moor.

[ClaretCanada]

Being from Burnley I always went back to the north. My father came from Somerset so this year I took my Canadian wife to Ireland (loved it) and then to Cornwall, Somerset then finished in London.
In Cornwall we stayed in Camelford, wonderful place greatest pub The Masons Arms, best menu of any pub I have seen. Central close to everything. Stayed at Culloden Farmhouse excellent, Google this.
Loved Cornwall.

[Chobulous]

Best pub in Cornwall is the Pandora Inn on Restonguet Creek at Mylor Bridge near to Falmouth.

[NL Claret]

My advice, don't eat outdoors in Cornwall or drink the cider out of containers that look like they should contain oil.

Follow that and you won't go far wrong.

[Falcon]

If you're into that sort of thing I caught a performance of a show at the Minack Theatre on my recent trip down there. Outdoor theatre cut out of the rocks of a cliff above the sea. To be seen to be believed. Also helped that the show on at the time 'The Clockmakers Daughter' was brilliant.

I would also echo the advice not to drive into St Ives. If you're up for camping then there's regular bus services in and out of town to all of the local campsites.

[Falcon]

Oh and if you're going to Land's End, don't bother with the official visitors centre. Park at Sennen Cove and walk round on the coast walk. It's stunning and saves you paying quite a lot of money for the privilege.

[PensansClaret]

Got a Guesthouse in Penzance and as has been previously mentioned there are so many beautiful places to see, too many to mention. With the right weather the beaches are stunning and would be hard to beat anywhere in the world.

[Bfc]

PensansClaret, have you a contact Tel No, or guest house name available.

[Carnsmerry12]

Have lived in Cornwall for the last 28 years or so. Happy to help re. places to visit etc. Am based in the Charlestown/Fowey/Mevagissey area, 5 minutes from St Austell Brewery and 10 minutes to the Eden Project. There are so many places to visit, cant really help with camp sites etc but PensansClarets suggestion is well worth considering. Perhaps a few days in the west followed by a few days further east could work?

[PensansClaret]

Bfc. We are Carnson House Guesthouse in Penzance opposite the Train Station. 01736 365589 is the contact number

[quoonbeatz]

Have lived in Cornwall for the last 28 years or so. Happy to help re. places to visit etc. Am based in the Charlestown/Fowey/Mevagissey area, 5 minutes from St Austell Brewery and 10 minutes to the Eden Project. There are so many places to visit, cant really help with camp sites etc but PensansClarets suggestion is well worth considering. Perhaps a few days in the west followed by a few days further east could work?

i stayed at the pier house in charlestown a couple of times with work, although its about 7/8 years ago now and it looks a bit more modern according to the internet.

lovely little harbour, someone saild one of the tall ships out when i was there and the seafood frenzy at the restaurant was one of the best seafood things i've had. so frrrrresh.

[Shore claret]

The family is thinking of a weeks camping near padstow, any of you locals recommend the best sites.

[JohnDearyMe]

If you're into that sort of thing I caught a performance of a show at the Minack Theatre on my recent trip down there. Outdoor theatre cut out of the rocks of a cliff above the sea. To be seen to be believed. Also helped that the show on at the time 'The Clockmakers Daughter' was brilliant.

I've always wanted to watch a play at the Minack theatre, it looks spectacular. What were the weather conditions like when you went? I've been told they put on plays in most conditions

[claret wizard]

2nd vote for Treen here, my mate has a couple of holiday cottages in the village

http://www.loganrockholidays.com/self-c ... jenn-barn/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The beach below the campsite is Pedn Vounder to be 100% accurate, Porthcurno and the Minnack Theatre are just around the headland. The Logan Rock Inn in the village has the same Landlord as the Mermaid on the Scilly's.

[iluva64]

Had a few holiday years when the kids were growing up in Cornwall. The Minnack was one of our favourites but wrap up well it gets cold late at night - take a flask or bottle of wine and food everyone does.

The Eden Project is well worth a visit too

[Rick_Muller]

The family is thinking of a weeks camping near padstow, any of you locals recommend the best sites.

Not a local (but planning to be!) Harlyn Sands near padstow is great - been going there since I was a kid in the 70's and taken my own kids there too. Great beach for families and good base for walking round trevose head too

[Falcon]

I've always wanted to watch a play at the Minack theatre, it looks spectacular. What were the weather conditions like when you went? I've been told they put on plays in most conditions

It was in August 2016. Weather had been pretty grey all day but it started to drizzle during the performance which was on during the evening. I'd brought a waterproof cushion to sit on as well as a jumper and raincoat as it dropped colder as the night went on. For me the rain didn't affect my enjoyment of the show... if I were you I'd just be prepared for it to be wet and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[Clevedon Claret]

For anyone travelling to/from Cornwall from/to the North consider breaking the journey up with a visit to Clevedon ? M5 J20.

Stretch your legs with a walk on the Sea front, or maybe grab a pub lunch or have a pick-nick on the Salthouse field?
http://www.clevedon.gov.uk/About-Clevedon.aspx

[Carnsmerry12]

Usually see 6 or more evening performances each year at the Minack. Always enjoyable, good value and superb location. 2016 was very mild and dry.Well worth a visit. The traveling Globe theatre company from London visit every 2 years or so and each year the Cambridge University company perform a Gilbert and Sullivan production. Both are excellent companies.
Have never seen another claret shirt there but maybe this year.

[Squiff]

Kynance Cove is amazing, think you can even rent the old fisherman's cottage down in the Cove!

[Foshiznik]

Have lived in Cornwall for the last 28 years or so. Happy to help re. places to visit etc. Am based in the Charlestown/Fowey/Mevagissey area, 5 minutes from St Austell Brewery and 10 minutes to the Eden Project. There are so many places to visit, cant really help with camp sites etc but PensansClarets suggestion is well worth considering. Perhaps a few days in the west followed by a few days further east could work?

St Austell Brewery... oooh, i love me a bottle of tribute or two...

[HuncoatClaret]

I'm gutted now. We decided last week to book a place nr Bournemouth instead of Cornwall, wish we'd chosen Padstow now after reading up about it