Starting to hink about Cornwall for May 2006
Jul 26th, 2005, 03:54 PM
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Starting to hink about Cornwall for May 2006
Was planning to go to Hawaii or Caribbean in May 2006 to celebrate our 14th anniversary but have started to think we are about due for a trip to the UK. Have always wanted to go to Cornwall. Will be using public transportation as driving in England freaks us out. Any hotel suggestions for St Ives? Something by the sea.
Jul 26th, 2005, 04:21 PM
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We stayed at the Counting House, a B&B w/ocean views but above the main part of town and a *really* strenuous walk up a hill!! So while I cannot recommend that particular establishment, I can very much support your decision to go to St. Ives in May. We went in May of 1998 and had the most glorious weather you could ever imagine. A huge bonus was that it was before the main British tourist season and so the place was idyllic. I would go back there any time I had another opportunity to go in May. We went by train from London and it was a simple trip. We just had to take a cab from the train and after we walked wherever we went. We were there only a few days. Had we been there longer, we would have availed ourselves of the many outings offered to interesting Cornwall locales.
You may have already seen this but it is pretty... http://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/
You may have already seen this but it is pretty... http://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/
Jul 27th, 2005, 07:55 AM
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Most of the good hotels in St Ives are actually not right by the sea but have fantastic views over St Ives Bay.
Probably the nicest hotel is the Garrick Hotel which has a fantastic reputation for its food too.
A small hotel that has been recently renovated and is getting good press in the British papers is the Primrose Valley Hotel which also has the benefit of being very close to Porthminster Beach and the excellent Porthminster Beach cafe
Other options include the Tregenna Castle which is right at the top of the hill and has stunning views and excellent facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and golf course
The most convenient if you are travelling by public transport is the Pedn Olva which is in a great location overlooking the harbour. However I believe the hotel ownership has recently changed hands and it may have gone more downmarket.
Hope though this gives you a good guide to start your search.
I'm sure although St Ives may not have the weather of Hawaii or the Caribbean it's clear light and special atmosphere will more than make up for this
Probably the nicest hotel is the Garrick Hotel which has a fantastic reputation for its food too.
A small hotel that has been recently renovated and is getting good press in the British papers is the Primrose Valley Hotel which also has the benefit of being very close to Porthminster Beach and the excellent Porthminster Beach cafe
Other options include the Tregenna Castle which is right at the top of the hill and has stunning views and excellent facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and golf course
The most convenient if you are travelling by public transport is the Pedn Olva which is in a great location overlooking the harbour. However I believe the hotel ownership has recently changed hands and it may have gone more downmarket.
Hope though this gives you a good guide to start your search.
I'm sure although St Ives may not have the weather of Hawaii or the Caribbean it's clear light and special atmosphere will more than make up for this
Jul 27th, 2005, 08:57 AM
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We stayed at the Garrick in fall of 1998. I would assume there's been the usual remodeling and upgrading since then. It was small enough that the owner came and chatted with us over our Irish coffee.
Because it was on the hill overlooking the town and harbor the view was lovely. Yes the food was excellent! As I recall, when we wanted to see the town we walked down and hired a taxi back. I remember loving all the slate roofs with their odd little chimneys. If you stay in St. Ives, take the old, slow road south along the coast.
Because it was on the hill overlooking the town and harbor the view was lovely. Yes the food was excellent! As I recall, when we wanted to see the town we walked down and hired a taxi back. I remember loving all the slate roofs with their odd little chimneys. If you stay in St. Ives, take the old, slow road south along the coast.
Jul 27th, 2005, 09:09 AM
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I've lived in the UK my entire life. The reason that I never go to Cornwall is that it's not cheap, and the weather is far from guaranteed fair.
Every car park (I'm talking about fields on the edge of cliffs here, not multis) is charged i.e. not free, and there are crowds of people. The local restaurants are pretty dire, and once again not cheap. Despite the fact that it wouldn't cost me more than a tank or so of petrol (and in the UK that isn't exactly good value either) it's not somewhere I'd ever consider.
You're mentioning the Caribbean, go there, or if you want European do Spain or France or Italy, they're so much more "authentic" and everything is far more reasonable. Oh, and the weather will be fabulous too. Cornwall isn't a quarter as charming as it appears.
Every car park (I'm talking about fields on the edge of cliffs here, not multis) is charged i.e. not free, and there are crowds of people. The local restaurants are pretty dire, and once again not cheap. Despite the fact that it wouldn't cost me more than a tank or so of petrol (and in the UK that isn't exactly good value either) it's not somewhere I'd ever consider.
You're mentioning the Caribbean, go there, or if you want European do Spain or France or Italy, they're so much more "authentic" and everything is far more reasonable. Oh, and the weather will be fabulous too. Cornwall isn't a quarter as charming as it appears.
Jul 27th, 2005, 10:23 AM
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"I never go to Cornwall" - surely that is to Cornwall's benefit.
And IF you truly never go there how do you know what you are talking about?
orangetravelcat: Don't let m_kingdom put you off. Cornwall is lovely. It DOES get very crowded on Bank holiday weekends and in the high summer. But you are going in May and that won't be a problem at all. Just do try to avoid the first and last weekends of the month - both are holidays.
I personally prefer Devon - but there is more lovely scenery, fishing villages, gardens, castles etc in Cornwall to more than fill a week's stay.
A midweek stay in May, even in a popular place like St Ives will not be a hassle at all . . . . . .
And IF you truly never go there how do you know what you are talking about?
orangetravelcat: Don't let m_kingdom put you off. Cornwall is lovely. It DOES get very crowded on Bank holiday weekends and in the high summer. But you are going in May and that won't be a problem at all. Just do try to avoid the first and last weekends of the month - both are holidays.
I personally prefer Devon - but there is more lovely scenery, fishing villages, gardens, castles etc in Cornwall to more than fill a week's stay.
A midweek stay in May, even in a popular place like St Ives will not be a hassle at all . . . . . .
Jul 27th, 2005, 02:47 PM
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I used to go to Cornwall many decades ago, it was relatively unspoilt, and more what one would think of as "typically British"...also it was much much cheaper!
It really isn't worth your time, if you were in the UK then perhaps it's worth a few days, but you can do so much better - San Sebastian has Michelin starred restaurants, beautiful hotels, fabulous weather, a golden sand beach, and it's at half the cost of Cornwall.
It really isn't worth your time, if you were in the UK then perhaps it's worth a few days, but you can do so much better - San Sebastian has Michelin starred restaurants, beautiful hotels, fabulous weather, a golden sand beach, and it's at half the cost of Cornwall.
Jul 27th, 2005, 07:19 PM
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M Kingdom 2, we're not looking to spend a fortune but we are not necessarily looking for cheap so cost would not be a reason to rule out Cornwall. Everyone else - thanks for the tips on where to start my research. I have some tentative dates in mind and it looks like there is availability on American Airlines for frequent flyer miles tickets so I think I will put some flights on hold while I check out hotels.
Jul 28th, 2005, 02:21 AM
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"M Kingdom 2, we're not looking to spend a fortune but we are not necessarily looking for cheap so cost would not be a reason to rule out Cornwall"
When I talk about it being expensive perhaps I don't make myself clear. You're paying a relatively high price, but it's not clear to see the rewards. For the price (for you as you're not already in the UK) you could have a far more luxurious time in more picturesque surroundings, with finer food and wines in Spain and you'd have great weather too.
When I talk about it being expensive perhaps I don't make myself clear. You're paying a relatively high price, but it's not clear to see the rewards. For the price (for you as you're not already in the UK) you could have a far more luxurious time in more picturesque surroundings, with finer food and wines in Spain and you'd have great weather too.
Jul 28th, 2005, 03:00 AM
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I think we can reasonably assume orangetravelcat doesn't want Michelin starred restaurants, beautiful hotels (a contradiction in terms, unless you live in a slum, since no hotel can be as comfortable or pleasant as home), fabulous weather (whatever that's meant to mean, since personally I find Spanish weather unbearable), or a monotonous beach.
Nor does OTC want downright wrong information about crowds of people (non-existent in May), or irrelevant claims about the price of carparks since OTC isn't driving.
But orangetravelcat might ask orangetravelcatself how they're going to visit "Cornwall" if they're based in St Ives and averse to driving. Getting there and back's easy enough. Getting round the rest of Cornwall from a St Ives base without a car really is a challenge. And I really do wonder how long St Ives' charms will entertain you if you're not a painter.
Other posters may have cracked the problem: but the reason Cornwall is one part of England where I don't claim expertise on public transport is that, outside the suburbs of Plymouth, I've virtually never seen a bus in the county. In fact,last time I was in Cornwall for a family event (about a year ago, if anyone's interested, so I'm not dredging up decades-old memories), I really did not see a single bus in the whole trip.
Nor does OTC want downright wrong information about crowds of people (non-existent in May), or irrelevant claims about the price of carparks since OTC isn't driving.
But orangetravelcat might ask orangetravelcatself how they're going to visit "Cornwall" if they're based in St Ives and averse to driving. Getting there and back's easy enough. Getting round the rest of Cornwall from a St Ives base without a car really is a challenge. And I really do wonder how long St Ives' charms will entertain you if you're not a painter.
Other posters may have cracked the problem: but the reason Cornwall is one part of England where I don't claim expertise on public transport is that, outside the suburbs of Plymouth, I've virtually never seen a bus in the county. In fact,last time I was in Cornwall for a family event (about a year ago, if anyone's interested, so I'm not dredging up decades-old memories), I really did not see a single bus in the whole trip.
Jul 28th, 2005, 03:17 AM
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I think we can reasonably assume orangetravelcat doesn't want Michelin starred restaurants, beautiful hotels (a contradiction in terms, unless you live in a slum, since no hotel can be as comfortable or pleasant as home), fabulous weather (whatever that's meant to mean, since personally I find Spanish weather unbearable), or a monotonous beach.
But hotels offer something more sociable than home, and a change of scenery, and different comfort, but let's not get into a discussion about that. I too can't bear lying by beaches or pool, I love to walk along a beach.
Spanish weather in May is most pleasant, and preferable to rain, in my opinion anyway.
Cornwall just seems a peculiar place to make a special trip to. It's all very well for UK residents as it's a car journey, and doesn't seem so "drastic", but making a transatlantic voyage seems madness.
But hotels offer something more sociable than home, and a change of scenery, and different comfort, but let's not get into a discussion about that. I too can't bear lying by beaches or pool, I love to walk along a beach.
Spanish weather in May is most pleasant, and preferable to rain, in my opinion anyway.
Cornwall just seems a peculiar place to make a special trip to. It's all very well for UK residents as it's a car journey, and doesn't seem so "drastic", but making a transatlantic voyage seems madness.
Jul 28th, 2005, 04:28 AM
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Cornwall County Council actually pays a huge subsidy to provide a good public transport system. They publish a comprehensive timetable booklet which you can pick up free in tourist offices. "Must see" tourist towns like St Ives, Padstow and Fowey have at least an hourly bus service. In fact, the last time I went to Padstow, the busiest bus was the "park and ride" bus taking people to a car park outside the town. All the attractive coastal towns have similar arrangements in tbe peak season, so car drivers need to use buses. In May, getting around Cornwall will be easy. St Ives can be reached by train, and has buses to Penzance and Marazion (for St Michael's Mount), amongst other places. The last time I stayed in St Ives, I found a good bed & breakfast near the station with rooms with a sea view, but I didn't note the name of the place.
Jul 28th, 2005, 05:33 AM
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HI orangetravelcat and flanneruk--just to let you know, there were *many* small tours and trips w/drivers offered in St Ives, even in May--before actual tourist season--when we were there. One need not worry about boredom or lack of ability to explore Cornwall, even if one is traveling w/o a car!!
Also, it is a short, simple 15-20 min train ride from St Ives to Penzance if one wanted to take an excursion there.
Also, it is a short, simple 15-20 min train ride from St Ives to Penzance if one wanted to take an excursion there.
Jul 28th, 2005, 05:40 AM
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BTW mk--if someone from another part of the world told me they had decided to visit Cape Cod in my adopted state of MA, I would not tell them to go to some beach in Mexico b/c it would be potentially cheaper and the weather more predictable. That would be comparing apples and oranges. Just b/c both offer a beach, that does not mean they offer interchangeable travel experiences!!
Jul 28th, 2005, 05:46 AM
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Ok, let me present you with a worked example regarding San Sebastian and Cornwall.
Cornwall costs say 150 in petrol to get there and back and tour a little. Hotel will be 100 a night at least without breakfast. On my two meal a day diet, say 10 for breakfast for two, and 50 for dinner/drinks. So that's 160 a day including hotel. Attractions and carparking I'll factor in at 15 a day. So now it's 175 a day. Hence a week costs 1400 (I've rounded it up) pounds.
Now San Sebastian would cost say 300 in transportation (GBP), 80GBP per night in a reasonable hotel, and 60GBP per day for excellent food and drinks. That's 1300 (again rounded) in total.
Obviously those are rough estimates, but that's my logic. Also, Cornwall is full of screaming children, and not one fashionable shop.
I hope you end up in Cornwall, I'll be interested on your views. Perhaps Americans view it as "quaint". Quaint it ain't, certainly not compared to its former life decades ago.
Cornwall costs say 150 in petrol to get there and back and tour a little. Hotel will be 100 a night at least without breakfast. On my two meal a day diet, say 10 for breakfast for two, and 50 for dinner/drinks. So that's 160 a day including hotel. Attractions and carparking I'll factor in at 15 a day. So now it's 175 a day. Hence a week costs 1400 (I've rounded it up) pounds.
Now San Sebastian would cost say 300 in transportation (GBP), 80GBP per night in a reasonable hotel, and 60GBP per day for excellent food and drinks. That's 1300 (again rounded) in total.
Obviously those are rough estimates, but that's my logic. Also, Cornwall is full of screaming children, and not one fashionable shop.
I hope you end up in Cornwall, I'll be interested on your views. Perhaps Americans view it as "quaint". Quaint it ain't, certainly not compared to its former life decades ago.
Jul 28th, 2005, 05:50 AM
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Britain is so lacklustre these days, the youth culture has none of the edge of the Mods/Rockers/Teddy Boys, and it's just chav style (not even chav chic) everywhere. Only London had a pretty cutting edge music scene giving inspiration to fashion.
If you insist on somewhere British then I'd recommend the Isle of Man which is nowhere near as touristy as Cornwall. Is far more beautiful, and has a fabulous atmosphere. That certainly isn't fashionable, but then it's not pretentious.
If you insist on somewhere British then I'd recommend the Isle of Man which is nowhere near as touristy as Cornwall. Is far more beautiful, and has a fabulous atmosphere. That certainly isn't fashionable, but then it's not pretentious.
