Hi! We are interested in a self catering property located within a resort on the beach. I.e. so we can take advantage of hotel/resort amenities but still get space for family of 4. Carbis hotel is one option. Anything else? It would be for a week long stay.

Thanks!

Hi suetibu, and welcome to Fodors!

I saw that you were interested in Cornwall and immediately opened your thread as that's where I live, but on second thoughts, I may not be the best person to answer your question, as naturally enough we tend not to stay in self-catering properties or hotels in Cornwall.

However, after giving it a bit of thought, I came up with the following:

Headland hotel, Newquay [iconic hotel where Roald Dahl's the Witches was filmed, overlooking one of Newquay's 5 beaches]

https://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/sleep/cottages

https://www.watergatebay.com [not part of a hotel but very close to this lovely one: https://www.watergatebay.co.uk ]

Not exactly on the beach and with a very irritating website but gets good reviews:

https://thecornwall.com

Down on the Lizard in a stunning spot:

https://www.polurrianhotel.com/family-hotel
[mainly a hotel but they say they have a cottage]

At nearby Mullion:

https://www.mullion-cove.co.uk/apartments

Finally, not on the beach in St Ives, but close enough:

https://www.tregenna-castle.co.uk/se...ring-cornwall/

hope that helps - don't hesitate to come back if you've got more questions.

Thank you. I will look into all of these. We are coming in from NY and hoping to spend a week in Cornwall (2nd trip but 1st was just for a day 8 years ago) and then a few days in Cotswolds and London. Do you recommend Cornwall in late aug. I know it’s not going to be hot but hoping kids get to play on the beach. Thanks!!

How do you know it’s not going to be hot in late August? You can’t predict the English summer until after it’s happened. It’s perfectly possible we could get a lovely late summer. Okay, “hot” is relative. But it could be mid-20s. Or there again it could feel autumnal. There really is no point taking the possible weather into consideration (it doesn’t stop Brits enjoying the beach year round).

The key thing is that late August is within the school holidays which means Cornwall is super-busy and accommodation prices are at their peak. Most English schools are off from mid-July till the start of September.

So if you are okay with that, go ahead. Personally I’d choose late June, early July or early September for any Cornish holidays but then I don’t have school-age kids.

Must this trip absolutely be in August? The two places (in England) I would not consider in August are the Lake District and Cornwall. That is the most crowded time of the entire year. Not only are rental rates sometimes twice what they'd be in mid May or early June or even early July (before UK schools let out), the narrow roads will be very crowded and travel very very slow.

Not to put a damper on your plans -- but I've been in 50 mile tailbacks headed south into Devon/Cornwall in August and swore never again . . .

I love Cornwall, and used to take my daughter there every summer. I've been there when it was hot and sunny, and other times when it rained every day. One year the first autumn gale came early, and it was too dangerous to even walk on the beach for a day or two.

August is the month when most everyone takes their holidays, because British schools break up for the summer near the end of July. Not only that, but the last weekend of August is a three-day weekend, and many people who aren't even on holiday head for the seaside to finish up the summer.

IMHO the last week of August is the worst time to go to Cornwall, and if you go then you may discover why so many Brits take their summer holidays in the Mediterranean.

Not to put a damper on your plans -- but I've been in 50 mile tailbacks headed south into Devon/Cornwall in August and swore never again . . .>>

lol, jj - that must have been a while ago. 5 miles perhaps if there has been a smash on the motorway, but I've never come across or heard of anything like that and I've regrettably done my share of travelling to and from Cornwall and Devon on a Saturday. Travelling on a Sunday is much better BTW which is why we used to let our holiday cottage Sunday to Sunday.

As for the end of August, yes it is still within the school holiday time but the last week tends to be less busy as many people like to be at home to get the kids ready for school, but the first week of September would be better if you can manage it. The weather then is just as likely to be hot as in August and I can remember some lovely early September weeks as it's my birthday then and it tends to stick in my mind. Though it could of course rain all week - that's just the luck of the draw.

Hi, yes unfortunately with school age children our dates are inflexible. Thank you for this info. I haven’t had a chance to look at everything in detail but will do so soon. Am sure to have more questions then. Thanks!