There are many wonderful and amazing things to see in Cornwall. Because there are so many places and sights to see it can be hard to fit them all into one visit. Because of this, we have decided on our favourite place in Cornwall as well as a few runners up to give you a place to start on your first time or if you are returning for another holiday.
Runners Up
Sennen Cove
Just down the hill from the town of Sennen is a beautiful cove with views full of sea and sunshine. This is also one of the most popular surf hotspots as the cove is known for its large waves and beautiful waters. The beach is great for bathing and there are flagged areas which move frequently to follow tidal movements so that you know where it is safe at all times.
If you are more inclined to see the incredible views this cove has to offer you can head to the Pedn-men-du, a promontory located at the southern end of the bay, and use the lookout point. You will see spectacularly blue waters and clear skies for miles around. The granite cliffs below are also a popular attraction for those that enjoy climbing.
Praa Sands
The first thing you’ll notice when visiting this beautiful beach is how white the sand is, it’s almost blinding! The reason the sand is so white is because it is made from seashells that have been pulverised by the waves over millions of years. Located between the Lizard and west Penwith, this mile-long beach is perfect for families with children to entertain. The sand is perfect for sand castles and the shoreline is great for splashing around in.
This is another great spot for surfing too as there are some surprisingly large waves that form further out. If this isn’t your scene there’s no need to worry as you could just grab a coffee and sit back on the beach soaking up the sun.
Roskilly’s Ice Cream
This quaint little farm is located in St. Keverne and is a great place to visit whether you have children or just love ice cream. You can visit the farm for free, that’s right free!
You can walk around the meadows and relax by the ponds with a tub of fresh and organic ice cream that is made on site. You can even visit the cows that make the milk and see how it’s done yourself. A great place to let your children roam and explore while enjoying some of the best ice cream in Cornwall.
Minack Theatre
This is Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre which is carved right into the granite cliff of Porthcurno Bay. This stunning and incredible feat of ingenuity looks like something straight out of a movie and overlooks the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The Summer season runs from May to September and includes drama, musicals and opera so make sure to visit during this time so that you don’t miss out.
If the theatre isn’t your thing, you can always visit the sub-tropical gardens that are another favourite attraction at this incredible location. They grow on the open cliffside and provide a beautiful dash of colour to the Minack all year round.
Another thing to look out for is the Rowena Cade Visitor Centre which tells the incredible story of how a girl from Cheltenham in the Victorian era grew up to build the internationally famous theatre. There’s even a café where you can relax and soak in the amazing views that Minack has to offer.
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno, which is located in the far west of Cornwall, is described by many as being an absolute paradise. The area has won plenty of awards and if you visit this area it’s easy to see why. The sea turns a beautiful shade of turquoise in the sun and the sand is pearly white and soft to the touch. The incredible high cliffs on either side provide shelter to everyone enjoying the beach.
The beach is very popular with families and has a stream that flows down one side where children can enjoy paddling while being safely watched over. Above on the cliffs is the amazing Minack Theatre, see above for more information, which gives an incredible view of Porthcurno and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is also dog friendly, unless you visit between the 1st of May and 30th of September when there is a seasonal ban, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for an adventure.
Just a 30 minute walk away is the famous Logan Rock which is an 80 ton granite rocking stone. Also close by is the fascinating Porthcurno Telegraph Museum which tells the story of how Cornwall played an important role in the pioneering days of global communications.
Trebah Gardens
This beautiful sub-tropical ravine garden spans over 25 acres of wooded area and descends down to its own beach located on the Helford River. There is a natural spring at the top of the garden that drops into a Koi Pool surrounded by breathtaking colourful waterside plantings.
A mixture of plants from the Mediterranean and southern hemisphere can be found here alongside Trebah’s grove which is full of huge Australian tree palms and ferns. There are also huge patches of bamboo and gunnera which give the garden a sense exotic wilderness. It has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world! There is also an award winning Visitor Centre which houses a Mediterranean-style restaurant, terrace, plant and gift shop.
Porthleven
Porthleven is the most southerly working port in the entire United Kingdom. It has to offer some amazing views and an interesting granite harbour with plenty of buildings to explore and visit. The sea walls are huge and face south west into the prevailing wind making it a popular place for people to visit during the winter. Many come to watch the storms that cause huge waves which crash against the sea defences that are in place.
This area has been inhabited for over a 1,000 years but the fishing village that is located here was started back in 1811 when the harbour first began construction. This place is very popular due to its location as it is close to many of Cornwall’s theme parks and attractions.
The village is home to several restaurants, its world famous clock tower, a pier and a pretty little beach. It is always a great atmosphere and is a nod to the old world as it hasn’t been ruined by progress.
Gwithian Towans Beach
Gwithian Towans is always full of kites blowing in the wind and avid windsurfers riding their water blokarts. There are plenty of sand dunes with wild grass to lie on and relax while you watch all the commotion.
When the tide is out, there is plenty of sand to play in and large rock pools and caves which are great for the little ones to explore.This beach is another popular surf spot as there is a constant flow of waves for people to catch and the ocean provides good all year round conditions.
Seals are a regular sight near the beach as well as large colonies of seabirds due to the area being a breeding ground for guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and more. There is also a nice little café and bar, The Sunset Surf, which overlooks the beach and is open all year. They serve locally sourced and seasonal ingredients whenever it is possible for them to do so.
Just a short walk away is the Jam Pot Café and Shop which is a former 19th century coastguard lookout. Here you can enjoy home cooked snacks and look out at the stunning natural views of St. Ives Bay.
Our Number One Favourite Spot
St. Michael’s Mount
Visit this fantastic island and you’ll see why we chose it for our number one spot. You can walk across the granite causeway and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and, as legend has it, the mythical giant. All you have to do is hop onto a boat and travel to this sub-tropical island where you will discover a historical sights such as a medieval castle, a fortress, priory, harbour and home.
You can stray from the mainland on foot or by boat to get up close and personal to the castle-topped island that is standing tall in Mount’s Bay. Come with the family or take a tour of the castle and gardens by yourself, either way you will have a magical time exploring all the sights.
You can climb the castle turrets, straight out of an old movie, for amazing views and listen to live music on the greenery of the village that is close by. If you fancy a bite to eat, travel to the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant which both serve fresh local food.
Visit the sub-tropical gardens which can be found clinging to the granite slopes, the terraced beds of the gardens travel all the way down to the edge of the ocean and boast many exotic plants from places such as the Canary Islands, South Africa and Mexico.
Summer may seem a long way off and the weather outside is certainly not swimsuit grade yet. Nevertheless, it is never too early to start planning and what better to cheer you up than getting the holiday booked and out of the way? After all, you’ve been working hard and you deserve the perfect holiday for you and your family.
Make sure that you get everything sorted and there are no hiccups! Here are a few tips that will help you plan for the best time to suit everyone.
Location
The first thing you’ll want to establish is exactly where you want to go and what you want to do.
Focusing on the latter, your location should be based on what exactly you want to do on your holiday, giving your plans a structure. This avoids you just showing up and realising there is nothing there that interests you. For example, you wouldn’t go to Spain if you wanted to ski, so make sure that everyone is on board and the activities that you want to complete are going to be provided in the area.
Another important aspect of choosing the location of your holiday is where you want to be staying there. You should look at hotels that are relatively close to everything you want to do while on holiday, so there is no unnecessarily long road trips or walks to waste your time instead of enjoying yourself. Sometimes you can’t have everything though, so make sure that you have travel plans and know the best routes and methods of getting to locations beforehand.
Reservations
What’s worse than travelling all the way to say, a nice restaurant and then being turned down because you didn’t make a reservation? That’s correct! Finding out that the hotel you had your heart set on has no more room because you didn’t plan ahead in time and reserve yourself a spot.
If this does happen you’ll find that all your other plans may be affected as you might have to find somewhere further away or in an entirely different town. This can be a real shame and can bring on the holiday blues, so try to avoid this by simply giving yourself plenty of time not to worry and book your hotel as soon as possible.
You should also consider any transport you might need to take, whether it’d be renting a car or travelling publicly via plane/coach/boat, and is well booked in advance. Nothing ruins a holiday faster than not being able to get there or do any of the activities. Don’t leave booking transport till last minute, as if you have paid for everything else not only do you not get to have your holiday, but you lose out on all the money you’ve spent.
Activities
As mentioned earlier, you should make sure that the area you are visiting includes the activities you want to complete, and it should be easy to organise it around your time.
The activities you do should be more than one-sided. This is so that you are getting the most of the summer fun out of your holiday and enjoy more time with the family. For example, activities like bike riding are fun for the entire family, but they can be enjoyed along with going to the beach or can lead to the next activity. Activities should be enjoyable to both adults and children, especially during the school holidays within summer!
You should consider flexibility when booking activities, alongside having backups in place just in case anything happens that could cause plans to change. Things like what the weather is going to be like and how bad the traffic is going to be are not always predictable.
Problems can occur, so having plans in place that are flexible can help you to avoid being stuck doing nothing. Not all activities may be for you and your family as well. Consider looking into a various range of activities that everyone will enjoy.
Insurance
This is especially important if travelling abroad! Not all countries have the privilege of free national health. You don’t want to add a bunch of hospital fees to your souvenir list!
Everyone is susceptible to getting ill, and this is especially true when on holiday as you may come across an illness your body is not used to. This alone can ruin the holiday let alone having no insurance and having to pay out of your own pocket.
Also, if you don’t have insurance, the likelihood of you being seen as soon as possible is very slim and you may end up having to stay there for a while. This affects the whole family and can lead to problems at home. This can vary from work-related dates to missing other important plans. Make sure you have good travel insurance and read between the lines so you aren’t left in the dust!
Travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver in some cases. There are some really nasty diseases out there and they are more likely to infect you, especially if it is your first time visiting a new location.
If you don’t have good travel insurance, you may get stuck in a hospital which may have low standards, alongside not receiving the best medical treatment possible. This can further delay going home and can lead to your problem getting worse. This is a terrible cycle leaving you with massive bills and even in rare cases can lead to permanent health problems. This is the last thing you need, so do the sensible thing and get your whole family insured on a good plan!
This historic garden replenished itself after the first world war ended. In time, it has become one of the most incredible attractions within the UK, let alone in just Cornwall. The stunning views of its beauty make it a memorable experience.
Based on the south-west coast of Cornwall, the Minack Theatre brings the previous generations back. The very same style Shakespeare had once performed in. This theatre brings in more than 100,000 people a year.
It can be rightfully said that this theatre is the UK’s most famous outdoor theatre. It can most certainly make you want to come back and experience its setting again and again.
The Tresco Abbey Gardens is just a boat trip away from Cornwall. This beautiful tropical garden has more than 20,000 plants across 80 different countries making the trip worth it. Established in the 19th century, means that it is full of history with the ruin remains of the Benedictine Abbey. The flowers here flourish with vibrant colours during spring so you won’t want to miss this stunning experience.
Within St. Ives lies the Barbara Hepworth Museum, home to one of the greatest artwork and sculptures from across the world. It is said that the sculptures here span over from the 1920s.
Born in the early 1900s, Barbara from a young age began to develop this museum. Just from looking at the sculptures inside, you can see where all of her inspirations came from.
The Tintagel Castle is located at the very north coast of Cornwall. You can find it surrounded by the rocky rugged coast home to the historic legend King Arthur.
Immerse yourself within its history and experience the vibrant beauty that surrounds the castle. The two separated cliffs have been united with a new footbridge. This allows you to immerse yourself at the heart of the Tintagel Castle. Image Source: english-heritage.org.uk
Following up from the Tintagel Castle, right next to it is St Nectan’s Glen. You can visit here just after the Tintagel Castle on your day out.
Relax with a nice cream tea or coffee going through walk-in waterfalls and ancient woodland. You would never forget the colourful beauty that lies within. It’s diverse animal, bird and plant nature has even captured the attention of the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)!
Welcome to one of the world’s most stunning beaches, here at Kynance Cove. This place has always been a magnet to tourists and once you visit, you will know why. The seas here overlaps a white sandy beach contrasting with the coloured rocks makes Kynance Cove a vibrant place to be.
At the most southern part of the British mainland, the Lizard Point is said to have a very distinctive feature. Looking down the peak, you can overlook one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Surrounded by the diversity of animal life is a bumpy landscape which is known as Lizard Point. From the name, you can tell that there is a history behind this point. When stood at the peak, you will taste the breeze of the Lizard Point and breathe its clean refreshing air.
Cornwall is a beautiful place perfect to go during the school holidays. While it has some amazing beaches and all sorts of things to do outside, the weather does not always stay sunny and is quite unpredictable as the rest of England. While this may be negative on some people’s plans, there are plenty of other things to do in Cornwall when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Here is a list of our favourite indoor places to enjoy in Cornwall so that holiday goers can still have as much fun as possible:
Eden Project, St. Austell
The Eden Project is one of the most famous attractions in Cornwall and for good reason. You can take an educational trip through the many environments and biomes to explore throughout the giant domes that make it so famous.
Aside from all the different ecosystems that you can explore, there are many other activities to partake in such as visiting the ice rink during winter do some skating or even visiting the many indoor activities and exhibits that can be found in The Core. This is the perfect opportunity for a family day.
You can even enjoy seasonal meals and delicious ice creams that are served there. There is even a tractor train that can take you up and down the quarry and leads directly to the entrance to the gift shop so you can buy some mementoes and knick-knacks to remember your trip by.
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
This incredible aquarium has a selection of over 40 natural sea habitats where you can discover all sorts of creatures and fish that are native to Cornish waters and even some tropical creatures from other parts of the world.
The aquarium includes some star attractions like the elusive jellyfish, terrifying sharks and everybody’s favourite - turtles! There is also a gift shop where you can take home souvenirs and the Blue Reef Café where you can get a bite to eat and something refreshing to drink. This is a great place to get an ocean experience if you do not want to get wet at the beach from bad weather. It is well worth a visit.
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno
This peculiar place is home to what was once the largest telegraph station in the world! It was here since that the first undersea cable was laid all the way back in the late 18th century and is also home to historic tunnels used built during World War 2.
You can explore many exhibits and follow quiz trails as you learn more and more about the incredible history of how Cornwall was at the centre of the communications revolution. You can also find out all the science behind telegraph communication and discover the people who came up with it all and changed the world forever. The best part is that it is only a stone’s throw away from Porthcurno beach so if the rain does stop you can go there for the rest of the day and enjoy the sun while you can.
Carnglaze Caverns, St. Neot
These beautiful and unique caverns are an ideal attraction for when the weather is rough. A good mix of adventure and history can be found in these incredible and natural underground caverns which are located on the southern end of Bodmin Moor. Descend over 60m below the ground to explore the caverns and take a self-guided underground tour to escape the rain. Learn about the once former slate mine and find out about the miners and their daily routines. The tour finishes at an amazing underground lake full of beautiful clear waters that have a sensational green tint which allows for the perfect photos and memories.
Bodmin Jail, Bodmin
Bodmin Jail, an after-dark held event. Find out what life was like for prisoners behind bars and discover areas like the execution pit and the cells that they used to call ‘home’. This giant granite jail was built by the prisoners themselves and is an eerie sight to behold. Take a tour through six floors of this ancient building and experience what life was like for many Cornish wrongdoers back in the day all while staying dry and inside. This building is also said to be one of Cornwall’s most haunted so if you are brave enough to enter after dark, you can book a ghost tour or a seat for a scary movie night to remember.
Jungle Jack’s, Newquay
Jungle Jack was created as a jungle barn intended to be a perfect play area for children of all ages and is a great place to spend a rainy day. ‘Full of fun’ activities and surroundings your little ones can enjoy exploring and making new friends all while keeping dry.
There are over 1,700 square feet of play frame to run around in and explore. With rope bridges, crawl tubes, slides and much more, there is something that everyone can enjoy here. There is even a dedicated baby and toddler soft play area, so even the really young ones can have a good time. If they could describe it, they would describe it as a paradise park made just for them.
There is even stuff for adults to do while their children are occupied. You can sit back and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and some cream teas in the well-stocked café which alongside this, also offers free WiFi. You can do this all while keeping an eye on your little ones as the area was specifically designed so that you can see all the areas and ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Things to do on a Rainy Day in Cornwall
Rainy Days In Cornwall
Cornwall is a beautiful place perfect to go during the school holidays. While it has some amazing beaches and all sorts of things to do outside, the weather does not always stay sunny and is quite unpredictable as the rest of England. While this may be negative on some people’s plans, there are plenty of other things to do in Cornwall when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Here is a list of our favourite indoor places to enjoy in Cornwall so that holiday goers can still have as much fun as possible:
Eden Project, St. Austell
The Eden Project is one of the most famous attractions in Cornwall and for good reason. You can take an educational trip through the many environments and biomes to explore throughout the giant domes that make it so famous.
Aside from all the different ecosystems that you can explore, there are many other activities to partake in such as visiting the ice rink during winter do some skating or even visiting the many indoor activities and exhibits that can be found in The Core. This is the perfect opportunity for a family day.
You can even enjoy seasonal meals and delicious ice creams that are served there. There is even a tractor train that can take you up and down the quarry and leads directly to the entrance to the gift shop so you can buy some mementoes and knick-knacks to remember your trip by.
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay
This incredible aquarium has a selection of over 40 natural sea habitats where you can discover all sorts of creatures and fish that are native to Cornish waters and even some tropical creatures from other parts of the world.
The aquarium includes some star attractions like the elusive jellyfish, terrifying sharks and everybody’s favourite - turtles! There is also a gift shop where you can take home souvenirs and the Blue Reef Café where you can get a bite to eat and something refreshing to drink. This is a great place to get an ocean experience if you do not want to get wet at the beach from bad weather. It is well worth a visit.
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno
This peculiar place is home to what was once the largest telegraph station in the world! It was here since that the first undersea cable was laid all the way back in the late 18th century and is also home to historic tunnels used built during World War 2.
You can explore many exhibits and follow quiz trails as you learn more and more about the incredible history of how Cornwall was at the centre of the communications revolution. You can also find out all the science behind telegraph communication and discover the people who came up with it all and changed the world forever. The best part is that it is only a stone’s throw away from Porthcurno beach so if the rain does stop you can go there for the rest of the day and enjoy the sun while you can.
Carnglaze Caverns, St. Neot
These beautiful and unique caverns are an ideal attraction for when the weather is rough. A good mix of adventure and history can be found in these incredible and natural underground caverns which are located on the southern end of Bodmin Moor. Descend over 60m below the ground to explore the caverns and take a self-guided underground tour to escape the rain. Learn about the once former slate mine and find out about the miners and their daily routines. The tour finishes at an amazing underground lake full of beautiful clear waters that have a sensational green tint which allows for the perfect photos and memories.
Bodmin Jail, Bodmin
Bodmin Jail, an after-dark held event. Find out what life was like for prisoners behind bars and discover areas like the execution pit and the cells that they used to call ‘home’. This giant granite jail was built by the prisoners themselves and is an eerie sight to behold. Take a tour through six floors of this ancient building and experience what life was like for many Cornish wrongdoers back in the day all while staying dry and inside. This building is also said to be one of Cornwall’s most haunted so if you are brave enough to enter after dark, you can book a ghost tour or a seat for a scary movie night to remember.
Jungle Jack’s, Newquay
Jungle Jack was created as a jungle barn intended to be a perfect play area for children of all ages and is a great place to spend a rainy day. ‘Full of fun’ activities and surroundings your little ones can enjoy exploring and making new friends all while keeping dry.
There are over 1,700 square feet of play frame to run around in and explore. With rope bridges, crawl tubes, slides and much more, there is something that everyone can enjoy here. There is even a dedicated baby and toddler soft play area, so even the really young ones can have a good time. If they could describe it, they would describe it as a paradise park made just for them.
There is even stuff for adults to do while their children are occupied. You can sit back and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and some cream teas in the well-stocked café which alongside this, also offers free WiFi. You can do this all while keeping an eye on your little ones as the area was specifically designed so that you can see all the areas and ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Cornwall is accounted as being the 41st most densely county in the UK out of 47. Now that isn’t a lot when there is around 550,000 living within the area however that does mean that there are a lot of places to go to. It is the 9th biggest county and within the county, there are many gardens to explore. There is a lot of natural beauty and it has some surreal natural environment making you think, are we actually still in the UK?
Caerhays Castle and Gardens
Caerhays Gardens is situated in 60 acres of woodlands gardens within the valley of South Cornish Coast, overlooking Porthluney Cove. This place alone has many historic events as it was owned by the Grandson of Micheal Williams, J.C. Williams who established it from just a castle into a garden.
The garden had been created under the inspiration from an expedition in China and was created using the plants; rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias.
Rhododendrons Azaleas Magnolias Camelias
These flowers are breathtaking to look at during its peak when it has bloomed hence the reason as to why it is known as a spring garden. Another reason for this is because of the fact that the garden is only open during the period of Spring, 7 days a week between 10 am and 5 pm.
Many plantsmen and gardeners throughout the UK are very fond to come to this lush garden. There are over 80 UK record-sized trees in the gardens and those who get a chance to take a little snap of the vicinity could potentially get themselves a couple of pounds by selling the picture on to a website or a photography competition. You could even be a photographer on the day for someone who may have a special event going on. Who knows? You can even hold your wedding here.
With a unique microclimate, why not come down and visit the garden while you can.
Contact Details
Cornwall, St Austell, Caerhays Castle, Gorran, PL26 6LY
The image above looks like a tropical rainforest. But you’re quite mistaken. This is from the Trebah Garden. Open all year round, is a sub-tropical paradise that you’ve never seen before. With over 175 years of dedicated planning, it has been created into a stunning valley with a backdrop leading into an alluring coast. This would be a perfect excuse to walk your dogs down and take a look at nature at its best.
With 4 miles of footpaths within the garden, you can get lost, meet new friends or have a freshly brewed coffee whilst the children have some entertainment. You can walk in groups and if there’s someone that you know that can’t walk for long or is disabled, you can borrow their motorised buggy free of charge.
Rated one of the 80th finest gardens in the world, it is definitely a place you should have on your bucket list. For more information, you can contact Trebah Garden.
Contact Details
Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth Cornwall, TR11 5JZ
Tresco Abbey Garden is home to thousands of exotic plants from across the whole world. In this garden, there is a microclimate perfect to experience what it is like to be in a tropical paradise. Adding onto the paradise is a museum which features relics and figureheads from shipwrecks around the islands nearby.
Image Sources: Great Gardens of Cornwall
To get there you can either take a flight to a neighbouring place, St Mary’s from Lands End, Newquay or Exeter. If you want to take your vehicle with you, you can take a ferry from Penzance. In the near future, there is a plan to establish a direct helicopter link to the garden. Whan an entrance that would be.
Now after the trip you could take a boat but why not spend some time in a luxurious cottage large enough for your whole family. If that’s too traditional for you, why not take a couple off in the Sea Garden Apartments overlooking the serenity of the garden. During spring, flowers bloom earlier on the mainland and once its near summer you really notice the colours of the garden. Now let’s say you want to come here as a group or even as a school. Well, that’s something this garden can accommodate. Just get in contact or if you have any other enquiries contact them on the below.
Contact Details
Copyright Tresco Estate, Island Office, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, TR24 0QQ
You’ve probably heard of the Eden Project. This is Cornwall’s best-known attraction after all. It consists of landscaped greenhouses, biomes consisting of varied temperature and tropical plants. The greenhouses or best known as a dome recreates the temperature that you expect to feel at a tropical rainforest in South America, Africa etc and you may think it’s small. However, it is big enough for you to understand what there is outside of the UK. There is always something new to learn at Eden.
Image Source: Great Gardens of Cornwall
Getting to Eden requires a bit of travelling. However, if you were to end up walking or taking a bike, you can get yourselves a discount whilst children the age of 15 goes free with you. There’s something for you to do with your family ranging from Ice skating to taking part in programmes.
Give it a think and if there are any queries ask away on the following;
In this article, we will go through the top events that are happening throughout December of 2019 for you to check out in Cornwall!
Sterts Theatre
Date: 21st & 23rd December
Upton Cross, near Liskeard Cornwall PL14 5AZ
As it starts to get near the festive spirit, Sterts Theatre is preparing some festive shows for your entertainment! On Sat. the 21st December (7 pm, £8/6 tickets), you can warm up to celebrate the start of Christmas with the Sterts Singers singing the classic Christmas Carols all in good fun to raise money for charity! Also, on Mon. the 23rd December (4 pm, £6 tickets), get ready for the ‘Christmassy Christmas Show’! From fir trees, fairy lights and snowflakes to crackers, presents and puddings, come join us for a delightful Christmas time! Come get the Christmas spirit!
Polurrian on the Lizard, Polurrian Road, Mullion, Cornwall TR12 7EN
(Booking required) Come to the Woodfire Sessions every Sunday from the 8th until Christmas for warming drinks, beautiful relaxing music and food made with passion, the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday! From 12 pm - 4 pm, come check out the Woodfired Sunday Lunch! Made with passion and care that you can’t get anywhere else in Cornwall. Starting from 4 pm, live performed music will be played, and Woodfired Pizzas will be available from 6 pm! #WoodFiredSessions
Watergate Bay Hotel, Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4AA
(Booking required) Come visit Watergate Bay Hotel to get the scent of warm cider and after-work crowd-ins with that festive spirit. With a new pre-dinner drinks list in the living space, along with Christmas Parties and New Year’s Eve besides the beach nearby, come by and visit for a friendly relaxing vibe at our hotel! Spend the night with our two miles of sand and cliffs and beautiful views this Christmas. Christmas Nights are coming to Watergate Bay this December. Pre-dinner drinks, Vermouth cocktails and festive feasts are all available at each of our different segments here at Watergate Bay at our Living Space & our Beach Huts.
The Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth, near Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4BU
(Online booking only) Did you hear the news?! Father Christmas had to do an emergency landing right here at the Bedruthan Hotel! A hotel-wide made event for the kids to enjoy! Take a look around to find parts of his sleigh that are scattered everywhere! Can you find all his pieces to fix his sleigh? Come meet Tomte and Astrid, the friendly Christmas elves along with the adorable reindeers! Visit the Ice Queen in her snow cavern, make snow angels and throw snowballs all in good fun! You will get some freebies along the way, and meet Father Christmas himself!
Taking a break from the festive events, Truro Primestock is hosting a magnificent farming event! With it being based in the Lemon Quay, the Primestock Show kickstarts at 9:30 am to showcase its close hand to Cornwall with its beef cattle and sheep! Throughout the mid-day, a wonderful farm produce exhibition show will be taking place, along with beautiful sights around the place of their amazing art and photography! As the day moves on, at 2:15 pm, there is a short event of fundraising to the ‘Auction Of Promises’ and at 2:30 pm an auction begins to take place of all the sheep and cattle there! Considering its beautiful landscape and great spirit, a popular and entertaining event takes place at 6:30 pm called the ‘Young Handlers’ competition! This is where children and young people of the local farms attempt to show their skills of leading and handling the dairy and beef calves! Then wrapping up the day at 8 pm, a Charity Auction takes place to help the nearby charities of Cornwall! Come on the 4th December for an action-packed Wednesday!
Cornwall is a prime location for holidays in the UK as it is such a beautiful and elegant part of the country. There are so many locations to visit such as incredibly bright coastlines, historical towns and many activities to be had such as surfing. Cornwall is a must see place so if you are planning a visit, or are just curious; then read on to see 10 of the most beautiful places in Cornwall.
Botallack Mine
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Botallack mine is a former tin mine that is located in between Penwith and Pendeen which are both villages in St. Just. These mines are long abandoned and are a beautiful piece of Cornish history and are a testament to Cornwall’s industrial past. This mining area was made even more famous after being featured in the 2015 series Poldark as the setting for Nampara House. The best thing about this attraction is that it is completely free so you can take a long 1.6km walk through the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and discover the giant stone engine houses. After this, be sure to head on over to Botallack Count House which used to house the mine captains.
The Camel Estuary
Credit: intocornwall.com
North Cornwall is home to the popular destination known as the Camel Estuary. This breathtaking area is full of beautiful scenic views such as luscious green fields and beautiful crystal waters. The Camel Estuary is also home to other incredible areas too such as Daymer Bay and the Rock of Polzeath which are both great places to see amazing views of the Cornish coast. You can walk or cycle through this incredible scenery and discover creeks, rivers and seren farmland all teeming with life and natural beauty.
Newquay
Credit: cornwalllive.com
Newquay is considered the place to be in the UK if you want to surf. The patchy beaches along Cornwall’s coast that make up this area attracts many people who want to practice their surfing or just relax. Also, Crantock Beach is located just outside of the City Centre which is great for people who prefer a larger beach to just spend time with friends and family relaxing and sunbathing. Great Western Beach is another popular beach in the Newquay area and is home to many cafés for you to stop and get a bite to eat and a cuppa. Near this beach is also the Headland Hotel which overlooks yet another beach, Fistral Beach. This hotel is a stylish red brick Victorian building so it stands out among the rest and you won’t miss it.
The Minack Theatre and Porthcurno Beach
Credit: whatstacydid.com
This area of Cornwall is located in the far west of Cornwall and is home to the Minack Theatre which is carved into the cliff above the scenic views and open air of Porthcurno Beach. This beach is also famous for being one of the UK’s most romantic beaches and has incredible views of the majestic Atlantic ocean.
St. Loy
Credit: iwalkcornwall.co.uk
If you go towards the south west coast of Cornwall and you will discover a beautiful area full of valleys, boulders and beautiful sandy beaches. You can see all the incredible sights and beautiful Cornish coves by taking a 9km hike which follows the section of the South West Coast Path. This is convenient because the path finishes close to the Lamorna Cove Hotel which is located through some woodness and past some historical monuements. After that long of a hike there is no doubt you will want somewhere to sit, eat, rehydrate and sleep and there is no better place as Lamorna Cove Hotel. Also close by is the Logan Rock headland which is located over Lizard Point which is the UK’s most southerly tip.
The Lizard and Kynance Cove
Credit: visitcornwall.com
As mentioned earlier, close to the Lamorna Cove Hotel and is the UK’s most southerly point. It is also an idyllic peninsula surrounded by farmland which contrasts with the beautifully aquamarine coloured Atlantic Ocean. There is no other area in Cornwall, or in fact the UK itself, that has such beautiful contrast between ocean and greenery. Located around this area are other natural beauties to be discoverd like Trebah Garden and the Helford River.
Trevose Head
Credit: nationaltrust.org.uk
This is one of many locations in Cornwall which start with the letters ‘Tre’. These letters mean ‘homestead’ and this place is certainly a breathtaking one. Home to many amazing panoramic views all the way up the north coast of Cornwall. This area is also neighboured with the county of Devon. So if you feel that you want a change of scenery for a day then you could always head to Trevose Head for the views and then pop into Devon for the day. Trevose Head watches the sea between Newquay and Padstow and has been safely guiding fishermen and the likes to shore ever since 1847. More amazingly, the lighthouse is still active today and you can see the beams from up to 37km away!
Eden Project
Credit: visitcornwall.com
This globally recognised attraction is an incredible sight to behold and is something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It is home to three giant domes each holding their own unique and wonderful biomes arising from the former clay pits that surrounds the site. The Eden Project is also the world’s largest indoor rainforest and is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. There are also a range of exhibits and events that are held here so there is entertainment for everyone.
Bedruthan Steps
Credit: cornwallscottages.co.uk
In between Padstow and Newquay lie the Bedruthan Steps which are stone stacks that have been separated from the mainland over hundreds of years due to sea erosion. There is a local legend that a giant named ‘Bedruthan’ used these stones to make a shortcut across the bay for him to walk across. These steps are close by the south west coast path too so you can take a short walk and then relax at the Carnewas Tearoom which is the best angle to see the Bedruthan Steps.
The Roseland
Credit: visitcornwall.com
This area in Cornwall is incredibly unspoilt and the views here are amazing. From beaches, rivers, woodland and countryside there is nothing here that won’t cease to amaze. There are also a handful of small villages located nearby which are St Mawes, St Just in Roseland and Portloe. You can also take a ferry or kayak down the river and discover areas of incredible beauty.
There is always something happening in Cornwall as it is such a luxurious and beautiful area of the UK. Music, literature, arts & craft, food and drink and much more are in abundance in events at Cornwall. If you are thinking of visiting this incredible part of the country then check out what’s on this month to see if it peaks your interest. Soon enough, you’ll be joining the locals in celebration and be surrounded by an atmosphere of Cornish culture.
Craft Workshops at Bedruthan Hotel
08/09/2019 - 28/11/2019
Credit: Visitcornwall.com
At this event you can learn from an expert tutor how to make something amazing. This craft workshop also offers a range of courses throughout the year for anybody wanting to learn the ways of the craftsmen. This event is located in Mawgan Porth on the North Coast of Cornwall.
Creative Tensions Exhbibition
14/09/2019 - 16/11/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
This is the latest exhibition to be included at Penlee’s House located in Penzance in the West of Cornwall. This exhibit brings many different artists' works and puts them together to create a centre for art from the 20th century.
Otobong Nkanga at Tate St. Ives
21/09/2019 - 05/01/2020
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Famous Nigerian-born artist Otobong Nkanga is to add new and existing works to the art gallery of Tate St Ives. St. Ives is a small town located in West Cornwall.
Events at Carnglaze Caverns
28/09/2019 - 23/11/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
This event is on at Bodmin Moor + Tamar Valley and is set in the Carnglaze Caverns. At this event you will step deep down underground and experience live music like never before.
Wood to Water by James Dodds
02/10/2019 - 01/09/2020
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Located on the South Coast of Cornwall in Falmouth, artist James Dodds will be showing off his work in his latest exhibition which is Wood to Water. James Dodds was inspired to do this work by the small boats that can be seen in the South West of Cornwall.
Sterts Theatre Autumn
2019 03/10/2019 - 21/12/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Head on down to Bodmin Moor + Tamar Valley in Liskeard to see what is going on at Sterts Theatre during the Autumn of 2019.
70th Anniversary Exhibition
05/10/2019 - 02/11/2019
Credit: penwithgallery.com
This exhibition is made up of work that has been created since 1961 by key members of the the Penwith Society. It also looks at the impacts that these members have had on the art world. This event takes place in West Cornwall, St. Ives.
The Woodfire Sessions
06/10/2019 - 22/12/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Come to the West of Cornwall to experience some great food, refreshing drinks and listen to some live music. What better way to spend a Sunday?
Ice Skating at the Eden Project
12/10/2019 - 23/02/2019
Credit: edenproject.com
The Eden Project, located on the South Coast of Cornwall in St. Austell, is once again opening up it’s ice rink. Everyone is welcome, from pros to beginners, to join in the fun.
Halloweden
19/10/2019 - 03/11/2019
Credit: edenproject.com
Another even hosted at the Eden Project, that will be going for two weeks so there is plenty of time to attend. Welcome to a world of magical beasts and mythical creatures for you to discover on you Halloweden adventure.
Halloween at Paradise Park
19/10/2019 - 03/11/2019
Credit: paradise-park.com
Located in the West of Cornwall is Paradise Park and for this Halloween you can come along and take a trip around the Pumpkin trail and ride the ghost train! There’s even a disco for children to dress up as their favourite monsters for a disco.
Spooks and Smugglers Season
21/10/2019 - 03/11/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Taking place at the Old Sardine Factory Heritage Centre this Autumn is the Spooks and Smugglers Season event. Uncover tales and mysteries of secretive smugglers and hear the spooky stories that come with them. You will also have a chance to discuss Cornish Folklore and create your own puppet at the puppet making workshops. The Old Sardine Factory Heritage Centre is located on the South Coast in Looe.
Firework Displays across Cornwall
2019 23/10/2019 - 05/11/2019
Credit: cornwalllive.com
Come to Cornwall and you won’t be able to miss the many fireworks displays that will be taking place this Autumn.
Halloween at Pendennis Castle
25/10/2019 - 03/11/2019
Credit: falmouthpacket.co.uk
This Halloween, head down to Pendennis Castle on the South Coast in Falmouth to get the scare of your life! It’s fun for all the family and children can join the quest around the castle to discover creepy crawlies. The adults can wait until nighttime for a guided tour through the shadow-world of ghosts!
Lowender Peran Festival
30/10/2019 - 03/11/2019
Credit: visitnewquay.org
Taking place in Newquay on the North Coast is the Lowender peran Festival. This festival will celebrate traditional music, dance, storytelling, songs and their Celtic links to Brittany, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Scotland. The Singer Gwenno will be headlining the festival this year.
Unbounded at the Eden Project
02/11/2019 - 26/01/2020
Credit: edenproject.com
The Unbounded event is an exhibition of contemporary art and explores some of the many of Cornwall’s beautiful environments. The Eden Project is located on the South Coast in St. Austell.
Big Doggy Day Out Christmas Festival
02/11/2019
Credit: eventbrite.co.uk
If you head to Wadebridge on the North Coast on Saturday the 2nd November you can join in the first ‘Big Doggy Day Out Christmas Festival’ at the Royal Showground.
Gatsby’s Gamble
07/11/2019
Credit: eventbrite.co.uk
Occuring on the South Coast in Cornwall is a 1920s themed party held by Mr. Jay Gatsby himself. Be prepared for an evening of fine dining and luxury.
Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival
08/11/2019 - 10/11/2019
Credit: planetmosh.com
This event has a very ambitious lineup and is made up of great artists from the UK and other parts of the world. This event will be hosted in Bude on the North Coast.
Etsy Made Local Christmas Fair 2019
15/11/2019 - 17/11/2019
Credit: blog.etsy.com
This year the venue is much bigger and in a new location on the South Coast which is perfect to host the Christmas fair. There are 70 talented makers, designers and illustrators who will be gathering at the fair with their stalls full of homemade items and decorations. For anyone looking for an original Christmas present then this is the place to be.
Cornwall Rocks
15/11/2019 - 17/11/2019
Credit: visitcornwall.com
Cornwall Rocks is a brand new festival taking place on the South Coast. The main headliners are The Quireboys, Diamond Head and Massive Wagons so be sure not to miss it!
The Cornish Winter Fair
16/11/2019
Credit: royalcornwallshow.org
The Cornish Winter Fair is a free event taking place in Wadebridge along the North Coast. This event is held undercover within the Exhibition Halls at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre. The event is to celebreate everything to do with farming and food in Cornwall and there is free parking on site.
Truro City of Lights
20/11/2019
Credit: artistresidence.co.uk
Taking place in Truro on the South Coast is the spectacular festivity that is Truro City of Lights. People gather in weird and wonderful attire and everything is illuminated throughout the streets.
Healey’s Cornish Christmas Markets
23/11/2019 - 16/12/2019
Credit: cornwalllive.com
Hosted on Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, located between Newquay and Truro on the North Coast, is the Cornish Christmas Markets event. Head on over to Healey’s to experience the only Christmas market set on a working farm in Cornwall.
Bedruthan Christmas Fair
23/11/2019 - 24/11/2019
Credit: bedruthan.com
Featured at this fair are some of the most talented craftspeople from the South West gathering in Mawgan Porth on the North Coast. There are three levels of stalls which inclue art, ceramics, illustration, fashion, textiles and much, much more.
Made in Cornwall Christmas Fair
27/11/2019 - 01/12/2019
Credit: ciosgrowthhub.com
Taking place in Truro on the South Coast is the Cornwall Christmas Fair which features handcrafted wall hangings, jigsaw puzzles, pottery and calendars just to name a few.
St. Austell Brewery Celtic Beer Festival
30/11/2019
Credit: staustellbrewery.co.uk
This is going to be the biggest party of the year for everyone who loves everything to do with beer. Come and try a true taste of the South West in St. Austell.
Flambards Christmas Craft Fayre
30/11/2019 - 01/12/2019
Credit: flambards.co.uk
Taking place in Helston, West Cornwall, is the Flambards Christmas Craft Fayre which is always packed with festive cheer and family friendly activities.
Bedruthan Sugar and Spice Grotto
30/11/2019 - 23/12/2019
Credit: bedruthan.com
Returning once more to Mawgan Porth on the North Coast is the Bedruthan Sugar and Spice Grotto. Bringing you a magical experience like no other, ensure you head on over this year to discover the magic for yourself!
Father Christmas at Eden
30/11/2019 - 23/12/2019
Credit: edenproject.com
Taking place in St. Austell on the South Coast and being hosted by the Eden Project is yet another Christmas event. Meet Father Christmas and all his elves at the Eden Project this Christmas!
Waterworld is quite small park but nevertheless it is packed with fun for the whole family! It includes a main pool which has many exciting features and two slides that lead to it. It also includes a gym which has state of the art equipment and a smaller 25m swimming pool for people who want a more leisurely swim.
This theme park claims to be the largest inflatable theme park in the South West and include 10 large bouncy castles and slides as well as free face painting and entry for adults. There is also an under 5 year old’s zone that is filled with a soft play zone, inflatable play park and smaller bouncy castles. There are also characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse that will show up and interact with the children and parents.
Kidzworld is an outdoor adventure park where families of all ages can connect and have fun with the wide range of activities available there. Kidzworld is a traditional play centre with soft play, slides, ball pools, trampolines, roller skating and soft ball cannons. There are also bumper cars, mini golf and the daring Sky Trail climbing frame so there is definitely something for everyone here, even the adults can have fun! Kidzworld also offer birthday packages for you to choose for your little one’s special day. Some activities are only available during the local term but for the most part everything is available.
Flambards Theme Park has plenty of rides and other attractions to choose from. From sky-high thrill rides to undercover soft play areas and even dinosaurs in the Jurassic Journey area this place is sure to kill your boredom. Also, there is a life-size Victorian Village where you can step back in time to see what it was like and also a Blitz experience where you can learn and have fun at the same time! Even on rainy days there is plenty to enjoy inside!
Surrounded by 111 acres of Cornish countryside this adventure park is packed with family-friendly rides, giant play areas and animals. Camel Creek Adventure Park also has 40,000 square feet of indoor play area and 35 acres of outdoor play area filled with hundreds of friendly animals to interact with. This park was voted Best Family Attraction in Cornwall by readers of Primary Times magazine in 2016.
Oasis Fun Pools has two big family-friendly swimming pools, one of which is inside so that you can still enjoy the fun on a rainy day. There is also a river rapid ride and water cannons and geysers for soaking your friends. There are also a plethora of fountains and waterfalls as well as a giant tap and three water flumes. There is the high speed aqua whiz flume, the 265ft super flume and the gentle slide for those who don’t feel up to the other two and for young children.
This discovery park is an adventure for all the family where discovery and exploration is the game. There are outside trails, Moriarty’s Missions which are fast paced and fun and also general exploration of the park which is home to many unique landscapes. The Forbidden Mansion contains many weird and wonderful rooms as well as secret passageways and Moriarty’s Missions. You can even take a train ride around the park on the Porterswick Junction Light Railway. If you find yourself feeling peckish then no need to worry there is an on-site restaurant which servers delicious food, teas and cakes as well as a range of gifts from the gift shop.
This park is an any weather family fun day out and includes large indoor and outdoor play areas and animals. There is also ten pin bowling, a games arcade, bumper cars and a restaurant & bar. The indoor play area includes a soft play area, tots tractors, an assault course, pillow bash, disco dome, bungee run, astra slide, drop slide, a multi-level ball blasting area, a sand pit, ball pools and also a few trampolines. In the outdoor area there are paddle boats, a climbing wall, jumping pillow, crazy golf, aerial glide, adventure climbing frame, zorb football just to name a few. You can also feed some of the animals and there is also free WiFi and a free car park.
This place hosts children and adult’s birthday parties, hen do’s and team building exercises. This park is often related to total wipeout and other similar activity shows and is fun for all the family.
Are you looking for places that you and your pooch(es) can visit together for a nice meal? Look no further. We’ve got a pretty comprehensive list of dog friendly eateries in Cornwall, all within easy travelling distance of our fabulous facilities at Twice As Nice Chalets.
Tel: 01736 731222 The Old Coastguard
The Parade, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6PR
This is another great spot for surfing too as there are some surprisingly large waves that form further out. If this isn’t your scene there’s no need to worry as you could just grab a coffee and sit back on the beach soaking up the sun.
Just a 30 minute walk away is the famous Logan Rock which is an 80 ton granite rocking stone. Also close by is the fascinating Porthcurno Telegraph Museum which tells the story of how Cornwall played an important role in the pioneering days of global communications.
You can stray from the mainland on foot or by boat to get up close and personal to the castle-topped island that is standing tall in Mount’s Bay. Come with the family or take a tour of the castle and gardens by yourself, either way you will have a magical time exploring all the sights.
You can climb the castle turrets, straight out of an old movie, for amazing views and listen to live music on the greenery of the village that is close by. If you fancy a bite to eat, travel to the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant which both serve fresh local food.
Visit the sub-tropical gardens which can be found clinging to the granite slopes, the terraced beds of the gardens travel all the way down to the edge of the ocean and boast many exotic plants from places such as the Canary Islands, South Africa and Mexico.
As mentioned earlier, you should make sure that the area you are visiting includes the activities you want to complete, and it should be easy to organise it around your time.
The activities you do should be more than one-sided. This is so that you are getting the most of the summer fun out of your holiday and enjoy more time with the family. For example, activities like bike riding are fun for the entire family, but they can be enjoyed along with going to the beach or can lead to the next activity. Activities should be enjoyable to both adults and children, especially during the school holidays within summer!
You should consider flexibility when booking activities, alongside having backups in place just in case anything happens that could cause plans to change. Things like what the weather is going to be like and how bad the traffic is going to be are not always predictable.
Problems can occur, so having plans in place that are flexible can help you to avoid being stuck doing nothing. Not all activities may be for you and your family as well. Consider looking into a various range of activities that everyone will enjoy.
This is especially important if travelling abroad! Not all countries have the privilege of free national health. You don’t want to add a bunch of hospital fees to your souvenir list!
Everyone is susceptible to getting ill, and this is especially true when on holiday as you may come across an illness your body is not used to. This alone can ruin the holiday let alone having no insurance and having to pay out of your own pocket.
Also, if you don’t have insurance, the likelihood of you being seen as soon as possible is very slim and you may end up having to stay there for a while. This affects the whole family and can lead to problems at home. This can vary from work-related dates to missing other important plans. Make sure you have good travel insurance and read between the lines so you aren’t left in the dust!
Travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver in some cases. There are some really nasty diseases out there and they are more likely to infect you, especially if it is your first time visiting a new location.
If you don’t have good travel insurance, you may get stuck in a hospital which may have low standards, alongside not receiving the best medical treatment possible. This can further delay going home and can lead to your problem getting worse. This is a terrible cycle leaving you with massive bills and even in rare cases can lead to permanent health problems. This is the last thing you need, so do the sensible thing and get your whole family insured on a good plan!
Cornwall is a 
This incredible aquarium has a selection of over 40 natural sea habitats where you can discover all sorts of creatures and fish that are native to Cornish waters and even some tropical creatures from other parts of the world.
The aquarium includes some star attractions like the elusive jellyfish, terrifying sharks and everybody’s favourite - turtles! There is also a gift shop where you can take home souvenirs and the 
Cornwall is a 
This incredible aquarium has a selection of over 40 natural sea habitats where you can discover all sorts of creatures and fish that are native to Cornish waters and even some tropical creatures from other parts of the world.
The aquarium includes some star attractions like the elusive jellyfish, terrifying sharks and everybody’s favourite - turtles! There is also a gift shop where you can take home souvenirs and the 
