Escape to the Cornish coast for the ultimate August Bank Holiday getaway

Escape To The Cornish Coast For The Ultimate August Bank Holiday Getaway

Friday 28th – Monday 31st August 2026

There is something about the final Bank Holiday of summer. The school holidays are drawing to a close, the Cornish sea has had all season to warm and light evenings still leave plenty of time for one more sea swim before dark.

It is a chance to make summer last just a little longer and there is no need to board a plane to do it. On Cornwall’s north coast, days unfold at an easier pace: breakfast outdoors, afternoons beside the sea and evenings that end with quite the sunset show.

Whether you are planning a family escape before the school run returns, a restorative break for two or a long-overdue weekend with friends, Trevornick makes an excellent base. Choose a caravan, luxury lodge, cottage, Ready Tent or a pitch beneath the stars and allow the last great weekend of summer to begin.

Here is how we would spend it.

Friday 28 August

4pm | Check in and switch off

You have arrived at Trevornick.

The car is unpacked, the beds have been chosen and, suddenly, there is nowhere else you need to be.

Before you have finished unpacking or putting up the tent, the kids will probably have spotted the play area and started to make new holiday friends.

Early evening | Time to explore

Before dinner, wander around the park and get to know your home for the weekend.

Stop at the Farm Shop for breakfast supplies or treat everyone to an ice cream as you explore. Wander through the woods, visit the fishing ponds or let the children have their first go on the zip wire.

It is the best way to settle in: no itinerary, simply a first glimpse of everything waiting to be enjoyed. There may even be time for a dip in the heated outdoor pool or a turn on the zip wire before dinner.

Evening | Dinner and entertainment

Leave the cooking for another night and head to Woody’s Bar & Restaurant for dinner, or pick up a takeaway and enjoy on a picnic bench overlooking Gulls Rock Beach.

As the evening continues, you have to go to The Farm Club for Trevornick’s family entertainment. Friday night means live acts and a well-stocked bar – Rattler and Tribute all night long.

It’s a brilliant way to start the weekend – be prepared for dancing, it’s impossible not to.

Saturday 29 August | Beach day

Morning | Breakfast, then the beach

Start the day with a breakfast that will keep everyone going until lunch because today is all about the beach. Use the goodies you picked up from the Farm Shop yesterday to make breakfast and then pack up all the gear and set off in search of Hoywell Bay Beach.

From Trevornick, Holywell Bay Beach can be reached on foot via the path through the dunes. It is a beautiful approach, although smaller legs may find the sandy climb a challenge. Families can also drive to the National Trust car park or check the local bus service before setting out.

However you arrive, the first sight of the bay is worth lingering over: a generous sweep of sand backed by towering dunes, with the distinctive Gull Rocks rising offshore.

You can walk from Trevornick along the path through the dunes, although the sandy route can be challenging for little legs. Alternatively, drive to the National Trust car park or hop on the bus that leaves from just outside the park and drops you off in the village centre so you’re within easy walking distance to the beach.

Find your perfect spot

On breezy days, the dunes make a brilliant natural windbreak and children will happily spend hours running up and sliding back down them.

Families with younger children might prefer to settle near the shallow stream. With a few buckets and spades, it quickly becomes a place for dam building, boat races, sand kitchens and all kinds of imaginary adventures.

If you have older children or you’re looking for waves, head towards the lifeguarded section of the beach with your surfboards and bodyboards. Always follow the latest safety advice and swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty.

Lunchtime | Lunch beside the sea

There is no need to leave the beach when lunchtime arrives.

Pick up tacos, wraps, nachos, ice creams and iced coffees from the beach hut, or take a short walk to Holywell Bay Beach Bar. Find a table in the garden, order lunch and enjoy a little shade before heading back onto the sand.

It is relaxed, easy and exactly how a beach-day lunch should be.

Afternoon | Swim, surf or slow down

The afternoon can be as active or as lazy as you like.

Go for a swim, catch a few waves or take a walk along the shore. At low tide, you can head towards the cave at the northern end of the beach to find the natural spring known as the Holy Well. Remember to check the tide times and allow plenty of time to return safely.

Alternatively, let the children return to the dunes while you read a book, enjoy a snooze or simply watch the waves.

Some of the best holiday afternoons are the ones without a plan.

Evening | A sunset supper

As the beach begins to quieten down, stay a little longer and turn dinner into a sunset picnic.

Pack a cool box with plenty of easy favourites and find a sheltered spot in the dunes. If barbecues are permitted and local conditions allow, cook something simple while the children play. Otherwise, sandwiches, snacks and a few Cornish treats will do the job just as well.

Have one last kickabout, paddle at the water’s edge and watch the sun sink towards the Atlantic.

Then it is back to Trevornick for warm showers and an early night after a full day at the beach.

Holywell Bay welcomes dogs throughout the year, so four-legged family members do not have to miss out.

Sunday 30 August | Explore Newquay

Morning | Take it slowly at Trenance Gardens

After Saturday’s beach adventures, enjoy a gentler start and head into Newquay for the day.

Begin at Trenance Gardens, a peaceful green space just outside the centre of town. The flat paths around the boating lake are ideal for little ones riding bikes or scooters, while the play park provides plenty of space to burn off some energy.

Feed the ducks, wander around the gardens or stop for a coffee while the children play.

There is plenty more nearby if you want to extend the morning. Visit Newquay Zoo, try the trampoline park or take a ride on the Little Western Railway, Cornwall’s oldest miniature railway.

Dogs are welcome in the public gardens, although individual attractions have their own policies. Newquay Zoo does not admit pet dogs, so check before visiting if you have brought yours on holiday.

Lunchtime | Lunch with a sea view

When you are this close to the coast, lunch should come with a sea view.

For a relaxed pub meal overlooking the harbour, head to The Fort Inn. Its elevated position provides brilliant views across Newquay Bay and plenty to keep children interested while they wait for lunch.

If you would rather watch the surfers, choose Boardmasters Beach Bar at Fistral Beach. Order lunch, find a table overlooking the sand and see who can spot the best wave of the day.

For a quieter pace, head around the coast to Lewinnick Lodge on Pentire Headland. Its clifftop position and wide Atlantic views make it ideal for a slower lunch.

The Bank Holiday weekend is likely to be busy, so booking ahead is recommended.

Afternoon | Attractions or coastal adventures

After lunch, choose an afternoon to suit your family.

For younger children, Lappa Valley is a great option. The day begins with a train ride into the attraction, where you will find play areas, boats and more miniature railways. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too, so the whole family can join in.

If the weather turns, Blue Reef Aquarium offers an indoor alternative beside Towan Beach.

If walking is more your thing, join the South West Coast Path and follow the route from Porth towards Watergate Bay. With plenty of clifftop views and sea air, it is a brilliant way to see more of the coastline.

Alternatively, return to Trevornick and walk towards Polly Joke Beach. This quieter cove sits between Holywell Bay and Crantock and feels wonderfully tucked away.

Evening | Back to Trevornick

After a busy day exploring, head back to Trevornick for a relaxed final evening.

Have dinner at Woody’s, collect a takeaway or prepare something easy at your accommodation. Give everyone a little time to recharge before heading to The Farm Club for more entertainment.

Whether it is bingo, karaoke or another evening of live music, it is a chance to enjoy one last night together before the journey home.

Monday 31 August | Make the most of the final morning

Morning | Coffee and one last swim

The final morning does not have to be rushed.

Start with freshly brewed coffee and a breakfast bap from The Shack, then enjoy a quiet moment while the park wakes up around you.

If time allows before departure, head to Trevornick’s heated outdoor pool. The children can fit in one last swim while the grown-ups relax beside the water.

It is a simple but lovely way to spend the final few hours of your Bank Holiday break.

Prefer something quieter?

If fishing is more your style, make the most of Trevornick’s two coarse fishing ponds.

Find a peaceful place beside the water and see what you can catch before heading home. If you have not brought your own fishing tackle, equipment can be hired from the Bait Shack beside the ponds. Daily passes are also available.

One last adventure

Before everyone gets back into the car, stop at the Forest Trail for one final adventure.

Let the children climb through tunnels, tackle the obstacles, scramble across the nets and fly down the zip wire. It is a fun way to finish the weekend—and might help tire them out for the journey home.

Then it is time to collect the last bags, check beneath the beds and say goodbye to Trevornick.

This is how to spend an August Bank Holiday in Cornwall

An August Bank Holiday at Trevornick is not about trying to squeeze everything into one weekend.

It is about slow mornings, long beach days and evenings spent together. It is watching the children make new friends, discovering somewhere new for lunch and fitting in one final swim before heading home.

You can fill every day with adventures or simply enjoy having nowhere else to be.

That is the best thing about a Trevornick holiday: you can spend it your way.

Book your August Bank Holiday break

Ready to make the final Bank Holiday of summer one to remember?

Explore Trevornick’s accommodation and availability and start planning your Cornish getaway.