We also do the 7pm departure. Depending on how you drive and what part of Cornwall you go to the journey doesn't need to be much more than 5/5.5hrs, allowing for a quick pit stop. Always preferable to get there as quickly as possible, spend minimal time on the road, maximum time there.

Alternatively if you have to travel on a Saturday, leave at 6am in order to avoid the holiday motorway traffic.

I would def 2nd eating early, putting the children in the car in PJs & leaving at 7pm so you don't have to break your journey going down & maybe break your journey coming back.

We always make a pit stop at Darts Farm less than 5 mins from the M5 south of Exeter. Great playground for the kids to have a charge around, delicious food to eat there and stock up for the holiday. Feels like our holiday starts when we get there! Not an overnight stop, but a great stop off point!

http://www.dartsfarm.co.uk/

Great ideas for breaking up the journey.
Depending on if you decide to break it up both directions/ whether your children are good car sleepers - I really recommend driving down at bedtime so they sleep in the car.
We usually do early dinner, bath time, put little ones pyjamas on then hit the road before 7pm. Means we get a peaceful journey, unload and into bed before midnight. If you're self catering most places have key boxes now so doesn't matter too much what time you arrive...
Anyway just a thought! Have a fun holiday

Loads of great ideas there - thank you!

Hi, I had done an itinerary for my sister who had a similar journey a few years ago. They have two boys (albeit older than yours). Maybe some of the ideas will work for you?
http://fromthepoolside.com/road-trip-ho ... challenge/

Hi
We're going to Cornwall for a week in August and hoping to break the journey on the way down by staying a couple of nights somewhere around Bath / Somerset / north Devon...can anyone suggest anywhere nice (not too expensive!) that would suit 2 children aged 2 and 5?
All suggestions v welcome - hotel / B&B / self catering etc, just want somewhere child-friendly. Thanks!