We know our county is a popular destination for holidaymakers, and everyone that stays with us seems to have a wonderful time exploring – yet we really feel we should bring to your attention 5 reasons for avoiding Cornwall.
Too many beaches
We know what it’s like in some places in the UK and even abroad; there’s one big beach, and as soon as the sun comes out for more than 10 minutes everyone in the surrounding 20 miles heads straight there. Sure, you may be elbow-to-elbow with another 4 families, your view of the sea may be blocked by a festival-sized encampment of wind-blocks and pop-up tents, you may have to circle the car-park for half an hour before finding a spot, but you don’t have to spend time deciding where to go. Compare that with Cornwall. Do you want a wide sandy bay, or a cosy little beach? Wild and rocky with steep cliffs, or gentle and open with sand-dunes? A good beach for surfing, snorkelling or sun-bathing? An accessible beach with great facilities, or a quiet unspoilt cove? See what I mean? Hopeless!
Too many places to eat
For such a sparsely populated county, Cornwall has far too many great places to eat. What happened to popping down to the only local pub to serve food, for a stodgy pie and chips? Now, we poor Cornish folk have to decide between seafood bistros and Spanish tapas, Michelin-starred restaurants and rustic farm shops, artisan bakeries and gelaterias, traditional pubs and cafés. Alarmingly, this problem seems to be getting worse. This past year, a Cornish restaurant in Port Isaac has been named the best in the entire country while several more have won the Bib Gourmand (representing affordable quality).
Too many top attractions
It’s nice to have something to see when you’re down here, but Cornwall offers far too much. You’re only here for a week, you say? Well don’t forget to visit a tin mine, a beach, a National Trust house, a theme park, a castle, a public garden, a steam train, a museum, an art gallery, a wildlife sanctuary, an Iron age village, a moorland tor, a theatre, a festival… oh but you really must try surfing… and you can’t miss the Eden Project… and that fishing village is a must too. And of course, you mustn’t forget that it’s a holiday, so you need some time to do nothing. Some chance!
Too much history
Yes, we might have world-leading modern attractions like Tate St. Ives and The Eden Project, but don’t you think there are far too many old things in Cornwall? When you include listed buildings, monuments, gardens, battlefields etc., the South-West accounts for nearly a quarter of the entire country’s historic sites. We have some of the best preserved historic houses in the country, from Tudor mansions to Victorian estates. Whether your preferred history is of the King Arthur type, or the Downton Abbey, it’s tricky to whittle down your options. And let’s just add that if you possess a National Trust or English Heritage membership, you’re going to have some hard work deciding which places to visit.
Too difficult to leave
Despite all of the above issues, we find that many visitors really struggle to leave this county. This can have quite serious repercussions on the final days of a stay – for some, it casts an increasing gloom as they count down their last few hours – for others, it means frantically racing around trying to tick off their Cornish bucket list. Many sufferers also experience a condition known as Cornwall withdrawal once they have left, which from experience is only treatable with a cream tea, a pasty, and booking your next break. It is often described as having left a piece of your heart here. You have been warned.
Well there you have it. It’s a miracle anyone comes to visit us at all. If I haven’t put you off completely, then you may like to browse our award-winning cottages in the Upper Tamar Valley. We will do our best to help you come to terms with these problems, though as a word-of-warning, you may also find our 2 acres of secluded grounds and gardens only may it harder to leave!
Do you have any other reasons to avoid Cornwall? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.
