TDudette

My 'unkind' was directed to thursday, janisj.

But it's not unanswerable. I've listed comparisons before. Wish I'd taken janis' advice and just asked "What's special in Cornwall?".

janisj

>>"What's special in Cornwall?"<<

Hundreds of things. Amazing coastal scenery, castles, beautiful gardens, some of the best seafood in the world, beautiful fishing villages (think Doc Martin), world famous art galleries . . . could go on and on.

Is it "Better" than Paris? That depends on what one is looking for.

TDudette

'Better' was never a word I used, janisj.

Thanks, I will add your list to that of thursday's. I presume they have googled already for specifics:

<i>People go to Cornwall to spend a week or two at the beach with their kids;

To hike across the moors or along the coast to admire the scenery and/or commune with nature;

To drive between little villages and small towns and beautiful coves.

Also, there is a cathedral at Exeter, art galleries at St. Ives, St. Michael's Mount, assorted country houses, an outdoor theater at Minack and the Eden Project.

Amazing coastal scenery, castles, beautiful gardens, some of the best seafood in the world, beautiful fishing villages (think Doc Martin), world famous art galleries . . . could go on and on.</i>

My friends enjoy fresh seafood very much. That might compel them to give the area a try for their next trip instead of returning to Paris.

tuscanlifeedit

This is an amazingly interesting thread. I'll throw in St Just in Roseland as great place to visit in Cornwall. Very very pretty.

TDudette

Thanks, tuscan, I'll pass this along to them as well.

Yelpir

I love driving slowly along narrow country lanes through green fields and tall hedgerows. I love stopping in at picturesque fishing villages and wandering around, soaking in the atmosphere. I love rugged coastlines, old castles, caves, desolate moors and wild ponies. I spent 2 weeks doing just that in Devon and Cornwall and loved every minute of it. I would not have missed it for the world. On the other hand, Paris is probably the most beautiful city in the world (well, in my opinion anyway). However, since your friends have been to Paris twice and have never been to Cornwall, perhaps it is time for a change of scene?

TDudette

Lovely info, Yelpir and, along with tuscan's, just what I had envisioned for this post!

janisj

>>'Better' was never a word I used, janisj.<<

Never said it was -- it is a word <B>I</B> used. The quotes weren't 'quoting' anyone, but asking the question.

Touchy today?

TDudette

Annoyed would be a better word, janisj. Annoyed with people who don't take the time to help before they make judgmental, unkind statements or make an attempt to help the OP clarify.

I hope you will look at the difference between yours and thursday's responses when compared to Yelpir and tuscan's and try to understand how unhelpful you were.

Anyone who DID get what I was asking the first time can jump in anytime with positive thoughts.

janisj

>>Amazing coastal scenery, castles, beautiful gardens, some of the best seafood in the world, beautiful fishing villages (think Doc Martin), world famous art galleries . . . could go on and on.<<

Yes, I can certainly see how unhelpful I was.

historytraveler

To add to the Cornwall list, the Minack Theatre would be at the top of my list of places to see in Cornwall. The theatre was built by Rowena Cade who worked on the project well into her 80's, along with two of her gardeners. I was very impressed. It's located near Porthcurno about 4 miles from Lands End. An amazing effort in a beautiful location.For more information www.minack.com Polperro is a lovely little fishing village. I will also add that,IMO, Exeter Cathedral is the one of the least interesting cathedrals in the UK.

Also worthy of a visit is Tintagel Castle, Boscastle etc.etc...

In response to your original question, I would visit Cornwall but,then, I've been to Paris about a dozen times and only twice to Cornwall.

Yelpir

I don't know how much time your friends will have on this trip. If it is only 3 or 4 days, Paris might be a better choice. To do Cornwall justice needs at least a week and the longer the better. In my view, to see Cornwall properly you do need to keep moving. If your friends prefer to stay in one hotel for the whole duration, again Paris might be the better choice. On the other hand, if they don't mind packing up and moving on every couple of days, Cornwall would be an excellent choice. Of course, I'm not saying that you couldn't pick a central spot in Cornwall and radiate outwards on a daily basis but that would probably increase driving time considerably, given that the main attractions are fairly well spread.
Personally, I would do a one way trip, starting somewhere around Bideford (yes, I know that's in Devon and travelling south down the west coast and then, if they have more time, east along the south coast until they run out of time.
Places to visit along the way:
Appledore - Nice fishing harbour and narrow streets
Buck's Mills - A pretty little village
Clovelly - A lovely coastal village
Bude
Boscastle - Lovely harbour
Tintagel - Ruined castle, cliffs, Merlin's Cave
Port Isaac - Lovely village and harbour (Doc Martin)
St Ives - Truly beautiful village.
More worthwhile than Land's End, in my opinion, would be the helicopter trip from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly. I went to Tresco for the Tresco Abbey Gardens. You can also do it by ferry if you don't fancy the helicopter.

Hope this helps

MissPrism

Again, the Scillies are beautiful, but you need time for them. Btw, there is no longer a helicopter service. You get there by plane or ferry. Unless you are a good sailor, air is the best bet

annhig

gosh TD - i just found this. sorry the thread seems to have gone "off piste" - don't let that put you/ your friends off coming to Cornwall.

We have many visitors who stay for a whole fortnight and still go home saying how much they have missed. Even a few days are good, but IMO you need at least a week to really see something of the county and absorb its unique atmosphere. you can fly into Bristol, Exeter or even Newquay, or get a direct train from many parts of the UK including London Paddington.

as for what there is to see, there are many excellent ideas above, I'll just throw in that no-one needs to go to Land's End [thoroughly agree about that], Sennen Cove is the place just north of there which is much nicer, Cape Cornwall is the most westerly point in the British Isles and the Lizard is the most southerly. All three easily visited in one day.

any questions and I'll be glad to try to answer them.

TDudette

Thanks historytraveler, Yelpir, MissPrism, and annhig. I've passed along your info and will report back if my friends have any further questions.

latedaytraveler

ANNHIG, glad you jumped in for TDuette on the subject of Cornwall...

janetmcg

The response to this request was timely. We are spending a week in Cornwall and a week in Paris the last two weeks of September. This information will be useful in planning our time in both places. Thank you!

latedaytraveler

JANETMCG, hope you share a trip report with us on your adventures in Paris and Cornwall...

TDudette

How ironic is that, janetmcg! Will is be a first trip?

TDudette

Will THIS be...