NS_Crowgirl

So, having sorted one part of my travels, I now return with a question about Cornwall. I did a search on past discussions and think I've overwhelmed myself with ideas. Hopefully, some of you will help me sort myself out.

I'm trying to pick a town or village as a base for our Cornwall explorations. Looking at the map, all our 'to do' spots are clustered near to St. Ives, making it a logical first choice. However, from previous posts, I'm concerned that the traffic into and out of St. Ives might be a bit of an issue (we'll be there during May, on a weekend, but fortunately not a Bank Holiday weekend).

I'd appreciate your thoughts - would you suggest St. Ives or steer me elsewhere?

hopingtotravel

It's been 10 years since we went to Cornwall. When we were in St. Ives we stayed at the Garrick, up on the hill above the town, with a water view, FWIW.

Fowey is another location near 'to do' spots.

Mainly I'm topping this so someone else can give you more current advice.

NS_Crowgirl

Thanks hopingtotravel!

I guess maybe I'm pestering the board with questions that have been asked and answered in past posts or being a bit obsessive about the hypothetical traffic we'll encounter. From the sounds of all the Cornwall trip reports, I can't go too far wrong selecting a spot - they all sound wonderful

Cathinjoetown

I prefer to stay around Fowey or Polperro but also enjoyed staying in St. Ives. I have also been there for day trips and the traffic can heavy. If your hotel, guest house or B&B has parking, you won't have much of an issue as you'll just be going in and out of the town to other sites.

The town is a combination of narrow one-way streets and many streets that are pedestrian only. So, as you can imagine, the traffic moves very slowly.

If you decide to stay outside St. Ives and come in for the day or if your hotel doesn't have parking, there's a large car park at the top of the town with a free or inexpensive bus down to the harbor, can't remember the fee. There's also public parking at the rail station. There are a few other small car parks scattered about but those fill up quickly. I don't believe there are any free car parks.

Mimar

We also used St. Ives as a base and also stayed at the Garrack. It worked well because the Garrack is on the outskirts of the town; it's an easy drive out of town to the highway. For visiting St. Ives itself, we just walked -- though some might find the hill too steep.

The one problem we had was finding the hotel the first night. We drove all though town on many tiny streets. If you stay there, get detailed instructions on how to get there avoiding the town.

hopingtotravel

I think we walked down the hill, and took a taxi back up.

When we saw Fowey, we were staying at Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes. It was a beautiful spot but very expensive, so we only stayed 2 nights.

If one is planning day trips to western Cornwall, or more northern sites, Tor Cottage, nearly on the border with Devon I believe, is a cute, reasonably priced option.

annhig

When we saw Fowey, we were staying at Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes. It was a beautiful spot but very expensive, so we only stayed 2 nights.>>

hoping - you do live high on the hog! in the 5 or so years it's been open we've been once, for a birthday lunch for me...it's not an everyday place for us! [BTW you don't want to stay near Devon for WESTERN Cornwall - eastern perhap].

Crowgirl - Staying in St. Ives in non-bank holiday May should be fine. it's the school hols that are bloody, even at Christmas. where are your "to do " spots?

hopingtotravel

No, we don't usually live high on the hog. Tresanton was one of the two most expensive places we've ever stayed. Coming from US, the exchange rate usually fluctuates between when I pick a place to book and we actually stay there.

NS_Crowgirl

Annhig - our 'to do' spots include St. Michael's Mount, Chysauster Ancient Village, and a number of the standing stones/stone circles in that immediate area, plus the Tate Gallery in St. Ives, generally taking in scenery and likely some walks.

I'm an archaeology student so definitely 'old stuff' is high on the list.