weekend away in Cornwall/Devon?

Hi all,

Bit o/t but we are thinking about having a weekend away and I'm thinking of Cornwall or Devon, either coast or countryside.  So far I'm thinking St Ives or Padstow but not sure.

Just wondered if anyone can recommend anywhere if you live in Devon or Cornwall or if you've ever visited. 

We do live on the coast in Dorset but I don't think it will be too similar.  I quite fancy somewhere a bit "olde worlde" with a few shops, restaurants and pubs but dont mind somewhere more remote as long as there is a village or town nearby - we will have our car and don't mind getting buses or taxis.

We want to get it right so that we have a lovely break away possibly at the end of April/beginning of May as we need a good getaway! Things have been stressful recently with illness and worries in the family and our ongoing on/off house sale!

Any help much appreciated.  We are also open to other suggestions within a few hours form Dorset (not brighton, london, stratford as we've been there and fancy somewhere we've never been before)

Thank you!

Hiya, I live in Devon.

I would definately recommend Padstow, we love it there and always go down in the summer. Its very 'olde worlde' with lots of little streets, little gift shops, restaurants and a few pubs. Rick Stein is taking over more and more every year it seems. There is also the 'camel trail' where you can hire bikes and cycle to Wadebridge which comes highly recommended, will try it this year now the kids are older. There is a pub at either end I believe, so you can stop for a drink, or meal when you get there.

Looe is ok, bit more commercialised but the beach is right around the corner from the shops.

We have family in Dorset and we go to Sandbanks every time we go there its stunning!!! We especially love to celeb spot! Padstow is like that though, last time we went down we saw Debbie Dingle from Emmerdale lol!!

I live near sandbanks and we go down there often, it is lovely!

Wherever I go I always seem to miss celebs.  My sister's always spotting people.  Once she went to legoland and found herself stood next to the Beckhams with their children!

I have a friend who also loves Padstow and recommends it.  Is there much of a beach there or is it more of a harbour.  I have looked at photos and it does look lovely.

Its mostly harbour on the Padstow side, but there is a strip of beach across the water which you can get to by a short boat/ferry ride, not sure what its called and have never been there. I could quite happily live there though!

I like Dartmouth