Oldgreytravel knows Cornwall as well as anybody and is often asked where are the best places to stay for a family holiday. Well, Cornwall is a big and varied County and each individual has their own preference, but these are my five best places picking up on the varied offer that this most visited County has.
1 St Ives – the undisputed number 1 spot goes to St Ives, the artistic and cultural centre of West Cornwall, with some of the best beaches in Cornwall right in the centre of the town. The centre is picturesque with tiny lanes and alleys and higgledy piggledy cottages stacked virtually on top of each other. There are good coastal walks from the town itself, plenty of shopping and cultural activities to keep you amused and the famed beaches. St Ives is also one of the best places to be on a rainy day in Cornwall. Yes, it is expensive, yes it can get crowded and yes you have to book well in advance to get the best places to stay, but these are all for a reason. Oldgreytravel posted on St Ives in July 2017.
2 The Helford River – not what many expect of Cornwall, a sheltered, low-lying, wooded area of rivers and creeks accessed by tiny winding lanes and with little development, though Falmouth and Truro are near to the north bank. It is a sailing mecca and dozens of small boats potter about on the sheltered waterways. Idyllic footpaths follow the creeks with tiny ferries providing the essential links across water. The pace of life is slow and it is a perfect spot for relaxing away from the stress of modern life. There are not many places to stay and, again, it is necessary to book early to avoid disappointment. Oldgreytravel posted on Durgan in June 2018.
3 West Penwith – the high moorland west of St Ives and Penzance provides a perfect mix of moorland walks and superb coves and beaches with some of the best coast walking in the County. The area is scattered with the remnants of the mining industry and is also a cultural mecca with many artists living in the area – try and catch the annual open studios in May if you can. The far west of the County can be exposed to some pretty wild weather so the proximity of St Ives and Penzance provides a welcome diversion if needed. Oldgreytravel posted on Cornwall Open Studios in April 2017.
4 North Coast – in particular, the stretch north of the Camel Estuary. This relatively remote area of coastline is defined by high, sheer cliffs and tiny coves. The only town of any size is Bude, the town is of little interest but the beaches are expansive and superb. Elsewhere is some of the best coast walking in Britain and a definite sense of being away from the crowds. Walking on the high, wild cliffs here is an unforgettable experience. There are limited sites of interest, though Boscastle and Tintagel are worth a visit and, if desperate, the foodie haven of Padstow is just a short drive.
5 Roseland – the name given to the land running back from the east coast of the Fal to Mevagissey and St Austell. It is a remote area, little visited and accessed by tiny lanes which seem to deter the crowds. The coastline here is of low cliffs and remote and lonely beaches, with the Fal estuary to the west providing sheltered tree lined walks along the water’s edge. There are few sites, though Truro, Falmouth, Heligan and the Eden Project are all within a short driving distance. Visitors come here for the peace and quiet and unspoiled coast walks and beaches.
