Cornwall in August. Everyone said we were mad. "It'll be rammed." "You'll never find parking." "The beaches will be chaos." Well, they were right about the crowds, but wrong about it being a bad idea—especially with our trusty roof box.
Why August Cornwall?
School holidays meant we had no choice on timing. But here's the thing: peak season also means the best weather, warmest sea temperatures, and all the attractions fully open. We decided to embrace it rather than avoid it.
The Roof Box Advantage
Spontaneous Beach Hopping
Popular beaches packed at 11 AM? No problem. We'd just drive to the next cove. With all our beach gear, towels, and clothes in the roof box, we had everything we needed without the car being cramped. Found some absolutely stunning quiet beaches this way.
Compact Parking
Yes, the roof box adds height, but it freed up our car interior completely. We could fit into tight parking spots easily because we weren't overflowing with bags.
Our Favorite Discoveries
- Porthcurno Beach: Turquoise water, soft sand, arrived early (9 AM)
- St Agnes: Charming village, amazing ice cream, less touristy
- Kynance Cove: Worth the hype, go at low tide
- Padstow: Rick Stein's fish & chips - queued 45 mins, worth every second
- Eden Project: Rainy day savior, kids loved the Mediterranean biome
Surviving the Crowds
Our strategy:
- Early starts (beach by 9 AM)
- Late afternoon activities (3-6 PM when everyone's heading back)
- Midweek beach days (Tuesday/Wednesday quieter than weekends)
- Have a Plan B always ready
The Wet Gear Reality
Nobody talks about this enough: Cornwall weather changes every hour. We'd leave the beach in sunshine, return to rain, then sun again. Wet towels, sandy beach toys, damp wetsuits—it all went in the roof box for the drive back to our cottage.
Kept the car interior clean and dry. Game changer for comfort.
Cost Breakdown
- Roof box rental (1 week): £40
- Extra fuel (vs without box): ~£25
- Value of stress saved: Priceless
Totally worth it. Next year, we're doing it again—maybe even buying our own box!
Anyone else braved Cornwall in peak season? What are your survival tips?
