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Cornwall - Bude and Tintagel with kids... (Read 3117 times)

nik at work

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Cornwall - Bude and Tintagel with kids...
August 02, 2020, 10:22:01 pm
I’ve got a week near Bude followed by a week near Tintagel coming up. Obviously spoilt for choice for sea cliff based adventure but...

If one was in those areas and was looking for child friendly bouldering areas (as in for children to boulder) where would one head? The children in question are 8 - 14 years old and all of them can “climb”. Ideally quiet places for obvious reasons...

On a side note if anyone has any MTB trail type recommendations in the area, botheasy steady half days out for the family type things and challenging rides for a reasonable teenage MTBer I’d love to hear about them as well.

As ever thanks in advance.

turnipturned

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Tintagel has lots of approachable things away from the main boulder. (Approach is quite steep but fine for old kids)

Godrevy a bit further south is good for a day out. You could have a beach day and a bouldering all in one.

Bude area: Northcott is good with a beach. Places like hartland are great but the best things are on the cave and carnage wall.

Not mountain biking, but if you are in the tintagel area, you will have to defo do the camel trial, great fun day out 👍

jstrongman

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For the bike stuff there are a lot of trials and bike parks not too far from Tintagel near Bodmin for all abilities https://www.moredirt.com/mapsearch/?location=Bodmin&distance=20 From great single tracks all the way up to stupidly massive stuff at places like Woodys bike park https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-cornish-freeride-with-tom-isted-live-to-ride-ep-7.html. For the bouldering would second all the above.

Duma

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I'm not sure I'd take kids to tintagel unless they were keen climbers. The approach is fine but steep and requires care, and there's not much else to do once you're down. Its a rock platform rather than a beach, the easier stuff is either more tidal or a bit highball, and the rock is often very sharp. The trench at Hartland would be good for kids, though you'll run out of stuff quickly nik unless you wander over to ache ball. Beach at low ride is nice too. Carnage wall is the best climbing but nothing easy and not really kid friendly approach. Godrevy and Northcott might be better for keeping them entertained.

nik at work

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As ever UKB delivers. Thanks all, wads to follow...

I’m not too bothered about stuff for me to climb, more concerned with options for the kids. So sensible height stuff from easy to F6b/c ish would be the ideal. The MTB options sound perfect, and I’ll check out the camel trail.
Cheers folks  :)

Bradders

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As ever UKB delivers. Thanks all, wads to follow...

I’m not too bothered about stuff for me to climb, more concerned with options for the kids. So sensible height stuff from easy to F6b/c ish would be the ideal. The MTB options sound perfect, and I’ll check out the camel trail.
Cheers folks  :)

I thought the trench at Hartland was brilliant for a circuit in the 6s, really lovely rock and a very friendly height, perfect for kids I imagine.

AJM

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As ever UKB delivers. Thanks all, wads to follow...

I’m not too bothered about stuff for me to climb, more concerned with options for the kids. So sensible height stuff from easy to F6b/c ish would be the ideal. The MTB options sound perfect, and I’ll check out the camel trail.
Cheers folks  :)

I thought the trench at Hartland was brilliant for a circuit in the 6s, really lovely rock and a very friendly height, perfect for kids I imagine.

How long a walk and across how faffy a beach?

I have a 3.5 year old who seems to enjoy coming out and clambering on bits of rock and playing. With a second who is very young my easiest available weekend pass is if I take him with me (we went to Dartmoor this weekend gone and had a good trip, that's probably premier League for this sort of thing right now).

But he's at that awkward stage where he's rather heavy to carry (especially with pads and all) but not keen for enormously big walks yet. From the above (and a parallel thread on ukc) it sounds like Tintagel, where I'd love to go, is maybe a bit too much, but the trench was also on my radar as a possibility (perhaps combined with Northcott or something).

duncan

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Sandymouth has a lovely beach. Dave Westlake’s guide makes the bouldering look decent albeit limited in quantity and with nothing very hard (as is the trad. climbing).

BrutusTheBear

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As ever UKB delivers. Thanks all, wads to follow...

I’m not too bothered about stuff for me to climb, more concerned with options for the kids. So sensible height stuff from easy to F6b/c ish would be the ideal. The MTB options sound perfect, and I’ll check out the camel trail.
Cheers folks  :)

I thought the trench at Hartland was brilliant for a circuit in the 6s, really lovely rock and a very friendly height, perfect for kids I imagine.

How long a walk and across how faffy a beach?

I have a 3.5 year old who seems to enjoy coming out and clambering on bits of rock and playing. With a second who is very young my easiest available weekend pass is if I take him with me (we went to Dartmoor this weekend gone and had a good trip, that's probably premier League for this sort of thing right now).

But he's at that awkward stage where he's rather heavy to carry (especially with pads and all) but not keen for enormously big walks yet. From the above (and a parallel thread on ukc) it sounds like Tintagel, where I'd love to go, is maybe a bit too much, but the trench was also on my radar as a possibility (perhaps combined with Northcott or something).
  Tintagel long walk in for a 3.5er and the approach will require a carry for sure. If the word 'beach' conjures up images of golden sand for Hartland, think again.  There is a little sand available at low-tide but alas the walk in to the trench is a fair distance scrambling over rocks and large pebbles, again probably not great for a little un.  There has been some hefty rockfalls on the cliffs on the way to the trench, don't walk high up the beach people!  J-LO/Watford Gap area at Northcott is fairly accessible.  Take a look on Google maps (satellite mode) to get a sense of the distances and terrain.  I think the first area you get to at Godrevy is great for little ones and good if they are into having a go at climbing too.  Bonehill is the perfect family venue, no walk in lovely flat grassy areas between the boulders etc..  Things are always a bit more spread out and involved on the coast with tides to consider too.  The SW peninsula is currently inundated with staycationers, certainly the beaches here in N Devon are chocablock and traffic is heavy around the honey pots but once your out at the bouldering spots things are much quieter.  Take care out there people and don't be bringing none of them lurgys with you.

AJM

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Tintagel long walk in for a 3.5er and the approach will require a carry for sure. If the word 'beach' conjures up images of golden sand for Hartland, think again.  There is a little sand available at low-tide but alas the walk in to the trench is a fair distance scrambling over rocks and large pebbles, again probably not great for a little un.  There has been some hefty rockfalls on the cliffs on the way to the trench, don't walk high up the beach people!  J-LO/Watford Gap area at Northcott is fairly accessible.  Take a look on Google maps (satellite mode) to get a sense of the distances and terrain.  I think the first area you get to at Godrevy is great for little ones and good if they are into having a go at climbing too.  Bonehill is the perfect family venue, no walk in lovely flat grassy areas between the boulders etc..  Things are always a bit more spread out and involved on the coast with tides to consider too.  The SW peninsula is currently inundated with staycationers, certainly the beaches here in N Devon are chocablock and traffic is heavy around the honey pots but once your out at the bouldering spots things are much quieter.  Take care out there people and don't be bringing none of them lurgys with you.

Thanks that's v helpful. Yeah I wasn't expecting sand - I probably should've said but I did a fair bit of culm trad in my younger days including a decent chunk at Screda so I've looked north from that pub before but never with bouldering glasses on.

I was at Bonehill on Saturday and it was good, just looking around really to see what variety I can find in the short-weekend sort of range. There's 1-2 of the Portland bouldering venues that fit the bill, and that's my local, but they're pretty hot this time of year. Whilst Dartmoor holds all the cards for convenience it's nice to check out other options and that granite is all rather sharp...  :)

Andy W

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I'd second Godrevy as a good kid friendly spot, if it's in range. Tintagel definitely not.

Ged

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Tintagel long walk in for a 3.5er and the approach will require a carry for sure. If the word 'beach' conjures up images of golden sand for Hartland, think again.  There is a little sand available at low-tide but alas the walk in to the trench is a fair distance scrambling over rocks and large pebbles, again probably not great for a little un.  There has been some hefty rockfalls on the cliffs on the way to the trench, don't walk high up the beach people!  J-LO/Watford Gap area at Northcott is fairly accessible.  Take a look on Google maps (satellite mode) to get a sense of the distances and terrain.  I think the first area you get to at Godrevy is great for little ones and good if they are into having a go at climbing too.  Bonehill is the perfect family venue, no walk in lovely flat grassy areas between the boulders etc..  Things are always a bit more spread out and involved on the coast with tides to consider too.  The SW peninsula is currently inundated with staycationers, certainly the beaches here in N Devon are chocablock and traffic is heavy around the honey pots but once your out at the bouldering spots things are much quieter.  Take care out there people and don't be bringing none of them lurgys with you.

Thanks that's v helpful. Yeah I wasn't expecting sand - I probably should've said but I did a fair bit of culm trad in my younger days including a decent chunk at Screda so I've looked north from that pub before but never with bouldering glasses on.

I was at Bonehill on Saturday and it was good, just looking around really to see what variety I can find in the short-weekend sort of range. There's 1-2 of the Portland bouldering venues that fit the bill, and that's my local, but they're pretty hot this time of year. Whilst Dartmoor holds all the cards for convenience it's nice to check out other options and that granite is all rather sharp...  :)

Hopes nose beach (Torquay) is worth look. I go down there with my nearly 2 year old. A breezy not too hot day is best. Its a bit of a slog back up the hill afterwards, but should be OK.

Also torcross boulders. Not loads to do, but enough for a day. Excellent 7B+. And nice sandy beach.

Sorry for tge south Devon hijack. Back to you grant!

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Would agree wholeheartedly with everything above just to mention that most ofntje stuff at duckpool in daves guide no longer exists as it is beneath a not inconsiderable amouny of cliff fall.

Northcott is probably the most family friendly especially on a low tide as you can walk the entire way along the beach!

Enjoy!

BrutusTheBear

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Tintagel long walk in for a 3.5er and the approach will require a carry for sure. If the word 'beach' conjures up images of golden sand for Hartland, think again.  There is a little sand available at low-tide but alas the walk in to the trench is a fair distance scrambling over rocks and large pebbles, again probably not great for a little un.  There has been some hefty rockfalls on the cliffs on the way to the trench, don't walk high up the beach people!  J-LO/Watford Gap area at Northcott is fairly accessible.  Take a look on Google maps (satellite mode) to get a sense of the distances and terrain.  I think the first area you get to at Godrevy is great for little ones and good if they are into having a go at climbing too.  Bonehill is the perfect family venue, no walk in lovely flat grassy areas between the boulders etc..  Things are always a bit more spread out and involved on the coast with tides to consider too.  The SW peninsula is currently inundated with staycationers, certainly the beaches here in N Devon are chocablock and traffic is heavy around the honey pots but once your out at the bouldering spots things are much quieter.  Take care out there people and don't be bringing none of them lurgys with you.

Thanks that's v helpful. Yeah I wasn't expecting sand - I probably should've said but I did a fair bit of culm trad in my younger days including a decent chunk at Screda so I've looked north from that pub before but never with bouldering glasses on.

I was at Bonehill on Saturday and it was good, just looking around really to see what variety I can find in the short-weekend sort of range. There's 1-2 of the Portland bouldering venues that fit the bill, and that's my local, but they're pretty hot this time of year. Whilst Dartmoor holds all the cards for convenience it's nice to check out other options and that granite is all rather sharp...  :)

Hopes nose beach (Torquay) is worth look. I go down there with my nearly 2 year old. A breezy not too hot day is best. Its a bit of a slog back up the hill afterwards, but should be OK.

Also torcross boulders. Not loads to do, but enough for a day. Excellent 7B+. And nice sandy beach.

Sorry for tge south Devon hijack. Back to you grant!
cheers Ged, should really get down south myself check these spots sometime.  If you're willing to make the trek to the Exmoor Coast, Lynmouth East fits the bill perfectly for family friendly summertime bouldering. Easy walk in tends to be in better condition during the summer months and a great kids circuit on smaller blocks too.. I hear there's a really cool website with plenty of info. including new developments. 😉  exmoorbouldering.com

SA Chris

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Sandymouth has a lovely beach. Dave Westlake’s guide makes the bouldering look decent albeit limited in quantity and with nothing very hard (as is the trad. climbing).

Second Sandymouth. Great for a combo of beach fun and a a bit of boulderng. Just be aware that it's all very tidal in that area, check magicseaweed.com for tides and waves, you don't want to get caught out and have to wade out through chest deep water in near darkness with a pad balanced on your head (I speak from experience!).

 

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