north coast Cornwall / Devon
Feb 13th, 2006, 12:10 PM
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north coast Cornwall / Devon
We have spent some time along the southern coast of Devon and Cornwall but never ventured to the north coast. Please help me picture it. Is the climate as mild? How are the beaches, are the waves large? Are there similar small fishing villages?
If we were going to the north coast what areas would you suggest? We are interested in history, ruins, potteries and pubs. We also have two elementary aged boys.
If we were going to the north coast what areas would you suggest? We are interested in history, ruins, potteries and pubs. We also have two elementary aged boys.
Feb 13th, 2006, 12:13 PM
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there is no 'mild' climate on mainland UK - even in what they called the British Riviera around Torquay and this is on the south coast - north coast gets more colder. St Ives nice village though often overrun with tourists. Clovelly is a weird weird place where donkeys still ply the steep streets down to the sea. rugged beautiful coast - Tintagel Castle is a dream - ruins situated on a rocky outcropping of rock with large waves lapping below it - in lovely isolated setting.
Feb 14th, 2006, 01:19 AM
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Sprin - The North Devon coast is the most scenic coastal scenery in England IMO - especially the area around LYNMOUTH.
From Lynmouth there's a lovely riverside walk to WATERSMEET, and from nearby Lynton to VALLEY OF ROCKS.
Two other places not to miss are DUNSTER and SELWORTHY (chocolate box National Trust village of thatched cottages) in neighbouring Somerset.
And don't miss CLOVELLY ...
Steve
From Lynmouth there's a lovely riverside walk to WATERSMEET, and from nearby Lynton to VALLEY OF ROCKS.
Two other places not to miss are DUNSTER and SELWORTHY (chocolate box National Trust village of thatched cottages) in neighbouring Somerset.
And don't miss CLOVELLY ...
Steve
Feb 14th, 2006, 02:27 AM
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Hello Sprin
Yes there is a big difference between the north and south coasts of Cornwall in particular. The north coast is exposed to the Atlantic ocean and as a result the waves are larger, the air is more bracing and the scenery more rugged.
I am naturally biased towards St Ives as I go there every year and it has the charm of a still active fishing town but also other unique things such as the Tate modern art gallery, 5 beaches including a safe swimming beach for children at Porthmister Beach, some fascinating shops and some of the best seafood restaurants around. It also has one of Britain's most spectacular rail branch lines that hugs the coast from St Ives to St Erth.
Another popular place on the north coast is Padstow - home of the well known British chef Rick Stein and the town has become a foodie haven but still maintains a village charm.
Newquay is the biggest resort on the north coast and despite constant attempts to try and make it more upmarket it is still the venue of choice for 18 year old binge drinkers and hippy surfer (and wannabe surfer) types
Bude is another popular resort with a good beach and is convenient for visiting the touristy Tintagel home of King Arthur.
Boscastle ticks all the boxes in terms of being a charming fishing village and thankfully has made great strides to improve itself following the devastating flood there a couple of years back but it doesn't have a beach
Steve is absolutely spot on over North Devon - the area around Lynmouth is spectacular and the walk to Watersmeet stunning. The thatched village of Croyde is a good family favourite with a fantastic ice cream shop and access to a good beach with the delightful Putsborough sands only a couple of miles away. Clovelly is immensely touristy but certainly worth a visit - its cobbled streets and old fashioned charm make it feel like it is stuck in another century.
Although the south coast of Devon and Cornwall is beautiful I would heartily recommend you try the north coast - if nothing else the bracing sea air will do you and your family a power of good and give you the appetite for clotted cream, fudge, cornish pasties and all the other high cholestorol treats of the area!!
Yes there is a big difference between the north and south coasts of Cornwall in particular. The north coast is exposed to the Atlantic ocean and as a result the waves are larger, the air is more bracing and the scenery more rugged.
I am naturally biased towards St Ives as I go there every year and it has the charm of a still active fishing town but also other unique things such as the Tate modern art gallery, 5 beaches including a safe swimming beach for children at Porthmister Beach, some fascinating shops and some of the best seafood restaurants around. It also has one of Britain's most spectacular rail branch lines that hugs the coast from St Ives to St Erth.
Another popular place on the north coast is Padstow - home of the well known British chef Rick Stein and the town has become a foodie haven but still maintains a village charm.
Newquay is the biggest resort on the north coast and despite constant attempts to try and make it more upmarket it is still the venue of choice for 18 year old binge drinkers and hippy surfer (and wannabe surfer) types
Bude is another popular resort with a good beach and is convenient for visiting the touristy Tintagel home of King Arthur.
Boscastle ticks all the boxes in terms of being a charming fishing village and thankfully has made great strides to improve itself following the devastating flood there a couple of years back but it doesn't have a beach
Steve is absolutely spot on over North Devon - the area around Lynmouth is spectacular and the walk to Watersmeet stunning. The thatched village of Croyde is a good family favourite with a fantastic ice cream shop and access to a good beach with the delightful Putsborough sands only a couple of miles away. Clovelly is immensely touristy but certainly worth a visit - its cobbled streets and old fashioned charm make it feel like it is stuck in another century.
Although the south coast of Devon and Cornwall is beautiful I would heartily recommend you try the north coast - if nothing else the bracing sea air will do you and your family a power of good and give you the appetite for clotted cream, fudge, cornish pasties and all the other high cholestorol treats of the area!!
Feb 14th, 2006, 03:13 AM
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"there is no 'mild' climate on mainland UK"
Eh? Mild weather is what we're known for! Maybe it depends on your definition of mild. Any met office will tell you we have a mild, temperate climate, warmed by the Gulf stream.
It really depends on when you plan on going.
Eh? Mild weather is what we're known for! Maybe it depends on your definition of mild. Any met office will tell you we have a mild, temperate climate, warmed by the Gulf stream.
It really depends on when you plan on going.
Feb 14th, 2006, 05:46 AM
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Thank you for these guides to help in our planning. Sounds like we would enjoy this area.
Can anyone recommend any favorite pubs? We typically like the out-of-the-way countryside ones as we enjoy a pint, grandma needs her gin, and the boys like a garden or play area.
I guess we've always lucked out with weather on the south coast, it is "mild", especially when compared to other areas of the country.
Can anyone recommend any favorite pubs? We typically like the out-of-the-way countryside ones as we enjoy a pint, grandma needs her gin, and the boys like a garden or play area.
I guess we've always lucked out with weather on the south coast, it is "mild", especially when compared to other areas of the country.
Feb 14th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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Sprin2 - must admit my favourite Cornish pubs are on the south coast - at Mousehole and the Pandora Inn at Mylor Bridge so I'm not the best person to ask but check the excellent Good Pub Guide which is always reliable - http://www.goodguides.com/pubs/search.asp
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Feb 14th, 2006, 07:55 AM
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londonengland, we love the Good Pub Guide and it has served us well on many a "pub chase" as Grandma calls them. We also use the Good Beer Guide, but find it isn't as detailed as one needs with so many different ages on a trip.
We've never visited either of those two pubs, but will mark them for future visits. We love the Double Locks and the Turf Hotel. Any one else have any favorite pubs in Devon or Cornwall?
We've never visited either of those two pubs, but will mark them for future visits. We love the Double Locks and the Turf Hotel. Any one else have any favorite pubs in Devon or Cornwall?
Feb 14th, 2006, 08:36 AM
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Boscastle, situated a few miles north of Tintagel is a wonderful picturesque village, nestling between two steep valleys with a charming little natural harbour at the bottom. Two summers ago it was the victim of freak conditions which led to it being severely flooded, but the village has now largely been restored and by all accounts is better than ever!
No beaches actually in Boscastle, but there are plenty to choose from all along the coast, we like Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay. It is the Atlantic coast there so there are big waves and lots of surfing.
It's a great coast for walking, Thomas Hardy lived nearby, the Eden Project is 40 minutes or so away, and the area has many beautiful old houses and lovely gardens to visit. Castles at Tintagel and Launceston.
I've been going down there for several years now, and I rent an old sea captain's house, but the Tourist Information centre there has lots of listings for all sorts of accommodation, B&Bs, and there are several inns which offer rooms.
Even if you don't stay there it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
www.cornishlight.co.uk/boscastle.htm
www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk
and if you google 'Boscastle' you'll find lots more.
No beaches actually in Boscastle, but there are plenty to choose from all along the coast, we like Crackington Haven and Widemouth Bay. It is the Atlantic coast there so there are big waves and lots of surfing.
It's a great coast for walking, Thomas Hardy lived nearby, the Eden Project is 40 minutes or so away, and the area has many beautiful old houses and lovely gardens to visit. Castles at Tintagel and Launceston.
I've been going down there for several years now, and I rent an old sea captain's house, but the Tourist Information centre there has lots of listings for all sorts of accommodation, B&Bs, and there are several inns which offer rooms.
Even if you don't stay there it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
www.cornishlight.co.uk/boscastle.htm
www.boscastlecornwall.org.uk
and if you google 'Boscastle' you'll find lots more.
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