My guide to exploring Devon & Cornwall with a disability

Pasty shops make Devon and Cornwall more accessible (seriously).

Plymouth

Plymouth has a seafront but outside of that it is quite a normal city therefore probably most attractive to people visiting from the country. I had holidays here when I was child. There are lots of restaurants and cafes: the Promenade Cafe on the Hoe is nice because it has an outdoor space and my mum and I have found Coffee #1 in the city centre to be really disability-friendly. Royal William Yard is impressive - it was a military depo so has an unusual open layout but one problem might be that the car park is slightly raised and paved with gravel.

Fowey

Fowey is a really classic Cornish town with pretty seaside vibes but narrow streets. I have seen a shuttle minibus in the summer but it's a very steep climb back up to the main car park and it has been a worry for both me and my mum in the past.

Paignton

I hadn't heard of Paignton before I moved to Plymouth 5-6 years ago. I've only been there once but has a bit of a town plan and features of what I imagine Blackpool is like.

Penzance

Is more of a wild card than it should be. There are interesting streets and places here and don't forget that Cornish trains are really affordable. I saw notices for a pirate festival in the summer. I stayed here in December which was fun for me - I didn't know it at all which was sad after so long living in Plymouth.

Newquay

I went to Newquay last summer for the first time (at the ripe old age of 30 years-old). It had a surfer vibe as you might expect so cool and didn't really have narrow winding streets which could be helpful depending on what your disability is, but probably gets really busy in the summer.

Falmouth

Really worth a trip and don't forget to check out the beaches here because you might miss them since they aren't parallel to the High Street like you might assume. I went there for the first time last week after more than 5 years. I think because it's fairly far into Cornwall: 2 hours from Pymouth is usually too far for a day trip by car, and you have to change trains (at Truro) which can make things seem all a bit too difficult sadly. I got there in the end on my own by train - it is in my opinion accessible and seems quite relaxed.

Polzeath

Travel in the spring if you can though I know this isn't an option for many people. I went to Polzeath in the summer 5 years ago and realised how fortunate I've been not to have to holiday in the summer much because it was crazy hot and packed.

Tintagel

There is a long steep walk down from Tintagel to the Castle but if you can go in June you'll see all the wildflowers there. I went late afternoon and it was quiet.

St Ives

St Ives is beautiful, and is a short train ride from the main Plymouth-Penzance train-line. It's close to Penzance which has a travel inn, for anyone needing a guarantee of a comfortable bed.