Planning 2022

[Moonraker 2]

Right, I have made the decision and, next year (tomorrow night basically) I am going to start planning and I have decided at last it is time to go to Cornwall.
Foreign travel still rather tricky so the English Riviera calls.
I have always thought they were anti van down there so have never been (with the van) but, needs must and I shall shelve my principles temporarily.
I will mainly use sites, the c&cc have some temporary sites, with a few days wilding if possible. I really want to see the famous gardens.
I was thinking of going end of May so any tips would be most welcome. Has anyone been to the Scillies??

 

[1807truckman]

Right, I have made the decision and, next year (tomorrow night basically) I am going to start planning and I have decided at last it is time to go to Cornwall.
Foreign travel still rather tricky so the English Riviera calls.
I have always thought they were anti van down there so have never been (with the van) but, needs must and I shall shelve my principles temporarily.
I will mainly use sites, the c&cc have some temporary sites, with a few days wilding if possible. I really want to see the famous gardens.
I was thinking of going end of May so any tips would be most welcome. Has anyone been to the Scillies??

I've been to the Scilly Isles but not with the van, as far as I remember it wasn't cheap for the ferry. As for wilding you might be able to find one or two places for a night.

 

[alcam]

Right, I have made the decision and, next year (tomorrow night basically) I am going to start planning and I have decided at last it is time to go to Cornwall.
Foreign travel still rather tricky so the English Riviera calls.
I have always thought they were anti van down there so have never been (with the van) but, needs must and I shall shelve my principles temporarily.
I will mainly use sites, the c&cc have some temporary sites, with a few days wilding if possible. I really want to see the famous gardens.
I was thinking of going end of May so any tips would be most welcome. Has anyone been to the Scillies??

Wander round Cornwall you will find places . Avoid bank holidays

 

[Robmac]

I've been to the Scilly Isles. Lovely place and quaint. It's only 28 miles offshore so day trips by boat are possible to see the gardens of Tresco.

I went on a small plane which the pilot allowed his learner co-pilot to fly. That I wouldn't recommend! I travelled back on a fishing boat and we were followed by Dolphins much of the way. That I would recommend.

 

[colinm]

The Scilly's are a great place to visit for a few days, if not longer, you'll not get your van there, but can use ferry(usually rough crossing), or aircraft. I'm guessing you want to visit Tresco, the islands have small passenger ferries shuttling back and forth between the islands so you could stay on any, for Tresco itself you could stay on the island or it's easy to hop a ferry from St Mary's or Bryher. My favourite island is St Agnes.

 

[Norfolk NewBoy]

My thoughts about Cornwall revolve around narrow roads. Here in Norfolk I sometimes scrape on bushes in hedgerows: in Cornwall the road margins are often rock, sometimes hidden by a thin layer of plant life. Drive with care: keep your headlights on to warn approaching drivers that you may be a hazard!

Enjoy a lovely area - Gordon

 

[barryd]

Had a couple of good trips to Cornwall and Devon in the past in the van. Once was in September which was ideal as the weather was still great and most of the crowds had gone home but I wonder what it would be like now as September this year in Scotland at least was busier than August. The other time was over Christmas and new Year where we spent a week on the Isle of Wight followed by three weeks in Devon and Cornwall.

On both occasions we pretty much just used the CL network apart from the odd night wilding. I found wilding in Devon and Cornwall not that easy and this is going back a few years. The CLs were great though. Might consider it again myself for 2022. Im thinking late May and June though then maybe back up to the Lakes and Arran again for August / September.

 

[Millie Master]

We went to Devon & Cornwall earlier this year and not in a main holiday period and to say the least, it was manic and this combined with the bloody awful drivers these days 50% of which don't know the widths of their vehicles and 75% of which do not have any road manners as well as being so very impatient, well to be honestly truthful, we hated almost every single moment of it, so for us these 2 beautiful counties have now been firmly crossed off our lists!

 

[colinm]

We where in Cornwall the week after last half term holiday, no problems at all.

 

[barryd]

We went to Devon & Cornwall earlier this year and not in a main holiday period and to say the least, it was manic and this combined with the bloody awful drivers these days 50% of which don't know the widths of their vehicles and 75% of which do not have any road manners as well as being so very impatient, well to be honestly truthful, we hated almost every single moment of it, so for us these 2 beautiful counties have now been firmly crossed off our lists!

What month was it?

It would be interesting to know which are the busiest months for motorhome and caravan usage. Im going to say I bet its not July and August. However there is so much other accommodation in Devon and Cornwall its bound to get stacked and as you say the roads become an issue. Not so much an issue for us as we tend to park on a remote CL and use the scooter but I still wouldnt want to be anywhere thats full to bursting but at the same time if we have to stay in the UK again in 2022 I dont want to go when the weather is rubbish either (not that its ever that great anyway).

 

[GMJ]

We have a favourite site In Cornwall which we have been to for the last couple of years: lovely walks and good ebike cycling (cycle tracks); site right on beach; free wifi; 2 village pubs plus resto and takeaway on site; plus the nicest Cornish pasties sold in the shop! Bus stop right outside to local attractions and towns plus a large supermarket 4 miles away for provisions.

We go outside of school holidays and it's never rammed.

 

[Debroos]

Definitely avoid school holidays.
If you have a motorhome as opposed to a camper van then avoid the really narrow roads.
If you like gardens then Tresco is superb.
Definitely worth using c.ls or css if you don't like big sites.
The last 2 years have been manic but hopefully more folks will go abroad next year.

 

[trevskoda]

I've been to the Scilly Isles. Lovely place and quaint. It's only 28 miles offshore so day trips by boat are possible to see the gardens of Tresco.

I went on a small plane which the pilot allowed his learner co-pilot to fly. That I wouldn't recommend! I travelled back on a fishing boat and we were followed by Dolphins much of the way. That I would recommend.

Once i get this sorted rob i will take you up.

 

[Deleted member 84699]

Ive been to cornwall loads. It's a fabulous place to visit.

If the van you're going in is the blue one in the profile picture then you'll be fine with the narrow lanes.

North coast is best for surfing and body boarding but you'll need a wetsuit.
South coast beaches are equally nice but less waves.
Definitely visit st Michaels mount.

If you like industrial history then geevor tin mine is a must see. It's really fabulous.

St Ives and Padstow are nice to spend a day at and they've got park and ride. Falmouth is also worth a visit and you take the boat into town from the park and ride !!

There's so many great places it's too many to list

I cant comment on wild camping we always stayed on sites but it will be possible if you are away from the coast.

Hope you have a lovely time there.

 

[blights]

I have wilded all over Cornwall and Devon with no problems at all, I have also doen so in July, August and September in the van you see int he picture , yes the roads are narrow they have passing bays and houses down most of them which means a bin lorry also goes down there, if that gets down there so do I , I always look for Bins and Bus stops if I see either I am a going too. You will hve a great time the towns and tourist spots are busy of course but wilding you know you are visiting the busy area and elaving later on to find a nice secluded spot of which there is many . I had no problem at all finiding palces to stay using the POI and my eyes when moving to each area. Have a good one .

 

[Debroos]

Ive been to cornwall loads. It's a fabulous place to visit.

If the van you're going in is the blue one in the profile picture then you'll be fine with the narrow lanes.

North coast is best for surfing and body boarding but you'll need a wetsuit.
South coast beaches are equally nice but less waves.
Definitely visit st Michaels mount.

If you like industrial history then geevor tin mine is a must see. It's really fabulous.

St Ives and Padstow are nice to spend a day at and they've got park and ride. Falmouth is also worth a visit and you take the boat into town from the park and ride !!

There's so many great places it's too many to list

I cant comment on wild camping we always stayed on sites but it will be possible if you are away from the coast.

Hope you have a lovely time there.

Bear in mind that last summer Padstow council's park and ride changed to park and walk and it is a long uphill slog back. Best to go early and get a car park.

 

[Millie Master]

What month was it?

It would be interesting to know which are the busiest months for motorhome and caravan usage. Im going to say I bet its not July and August. However there is so much other accommodation in Devon and Cornwall its bound to get stacked and as you say the roads become an issue. Not so much an issue for us as we tend to park on a remote CL and use the scooter but I still wouldnt want to be anywhere thats full to bursting but at the same time if we have to stay in the UK again in 2022 I dont want to go when the weather is rubbish either (not that its ever that great anyway).

We were there in July and it was truly manic wherever we went despite it not being during school holidays that we always avoid like the black death!

Our worst driving experience was on a narrowish road near Woolacombe when a man driving a brand new Hyundai refused to go any closer than 2 ft. from the hedge on his nearside, there was a queue of traffic at least 40 cars long in both directions! Those coming in the opposite direction were having to drive into the offside hedge so as to squeeze by him whereas if the idiot had taken the advice being given to him to get closer to the hedge on his side there wouldn't have been any problem whatsoever.... This little fiasco took getting on for an hour to clear!!

There were countless other incidents where similar problems were happening and then there were all the impatient, ill mannered plonkers who steadfastly refused to pull into the pull in bays to let vehicles pass in the opposite direction.

Heaven knows what would have been happening on the very narrow Cornish roads near to Treyarnon Bay, Talland Bay, etc. etc.

So it is our decision to go to less popular but still spellbinding locations in other areas of this amazing country of ours for our beach walks

 

[Moonraker 2]

Thank you for all your comments.
MillieMaster, that's how I have felt for the last 5 years so I thought I would have another go.
I will probably use CL sites and will avoid as many of the narrow roads as possible.
I am thinking June might be the best time.

 

[colinm]

Back in 'the good old days' (pre covid) we often did one way walks taking bus back to start. The bus drivers in Cornwall have to be very patient, but if they can manage it so can we.

 

[Debroos]

Thank you for all your comments.
MillieMaster, that's how I have felt for the last 5 years so I thought I would have another go.
I will probably use CL sites and will avoid as many of the narrow roads as possible.
I am thinking June might be the best time.

I would say April/May would be better if you are not after heat. You get the spring flowers then (them narrow lanes are a delight with wild flowers). Outside the school holidays of course and don't forget the private schools have longer holidays.
Whichever you do you will be fine and your van is small enough to cope. Enjoy!

If the beach areas are full up go then go in the evening. They are mostly deserted then and you can really appreciate the beauty.
Make sure you do the coast road from St Just to St Ives on a sunny day...stunning.

Ooh, I'm getting all inspired now and I live here!