Category: Festive

12 Days of Christmas in Cornwall

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Looking for a reason to visit Cornwall this Christmas or looking for inspiration for what to do? You’re in luck. Here’s how we do the 12 Days of Christmas in Cornwall, by Beach Retreats. Book your Christmas break with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

1. Ice skating at the Eden Project

Our favourite festive activity is back at the Eden Project from 14 October until 18 February. Get your skates on and book your spot here.

2. Outlaw Christmas Market

Not your usual craft event, the Outlaw Christmas Market will come to Falmouth town centre in December (dates to be confirmed). Celebrate handmade and artisan gifts this Christmas.

www.outlawevents.co.uk

3. Padstow Christmas Market

Cornwall’s favourite festive family market is back for its eighth year from 7-10 December. With more than 100 crafts folk and producers, 40 star chefs, fireworks, santa fun run and lots more, it draws a crowd of 45,000 and an electric atmosphere.

www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk

4. Mousehole Lights

Visit the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole on 16 December at 7pm for the big ‘switch on’ of the iconic Cornish illuminations. Or visit them in your own time until 6 January.

www.mouseholelights.org.uk

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything the area has to offer.

5. Christmas Day swims

For the brave – or mad – only. From Penzances’ promenade, Hayle and Gwithians’ golden sands to Sennen Cove or Polzeath. There will be an organised Christmas Day swim somewhere near you.

6. Watch a show

From the creative team that brought you hit shows Dick Whittington and his Mousehole Cat! and Jack and the Beanstalk, Hall for Cornwall are proud to present its own home grown production to enchant and entertain adults and children alike. Edward ‘Kernow King’ Rowe and Granville Saxton return in this year’s Christmas show Sleeping Beauty, the final chapter in a trilogy of adventures featuring our much loved Cornishman, Kenwyne and his extended family.

Purchase your tickets here.

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/sleeping-beauty

7. Boxing Day walks

Blow away the cobwebs with a Boxing Day walk on your favourite Cornish beach. The perfect family activity and antidote to one too many sherries and mince pies on the big day. Here’s some inspiration.

8. Montol Christmas Festival

A six day arts and community festival in Penzance celebrating the midwinter solstice and Cornish traditions of the past, culminating in the main event on Montol Eve on 21 December. There’s a main parade, lantern making, storytelling, carol singing and more, take a look here.

9. Reindeer Parade

Meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and the rest of the herd in November as as they parade through Truro starting from Victoria Square. A magical experience for children. Dates to be confirmed.

10. Cotehele decorations

Visit the father Christmas of all Christmas decorations at Cotehele – the famous 60-foot garland made with tens of thousands of flowers grown in the gardens of the National Trust estate. Gawp above and then stick around to eat, shop and sing with various happenings from November through to December.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

11. Pick your Christmas tree

Search for your favourite Christmas tree among hundreds in Cedar Croft Nurseries near St Tudy. Tie your personalised ribbon around your chosen tannenbaum and it will be cut fresh for whenever you want it.

www.cedarcroft.co.uk

12. Shop Cornish at Christmas

From coal and logs for a roaring fire, to mince pies and mistletoe, fine wine and fantastic food, Cornish Food Market have everything you need. All delivered in time for a proper Cornish Christmas.

www.cornishfoodmarket.co.uk

Check out our 10 favourite retreats for Christmas to celebrate the season in style.

Book your Christmas break with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.

Cornish New Year's resolutions

Fun activities & new skills that you’ll actually enjoy doing in 2019 – our list of top New Year’s resolutions based around Cornwall. Join us in 2019.

Master the chef

Padstow Seafood School

When you’re among the best chefs and restaurants in the South West, why not join them and learn how to cook your favourite dishes. You can iscover how to cook some of Rick Stein’s own recipes but seafood isn’t the only thing on offer; Indian curries, Italian favourites, Spanish tapas and patisserie are some of many day courses.

www.rickstein.com/school/

Dive into something new

Cornish Rock Tors

Coastering with Cornish Rock Tors isn’t just about trying a new extreme sport. By scrambling, climbing, jumping and swimming along the Cornish coast you’ll also get a whole new perspective of Cornwall. They have various activities running from Polzeath on the north coast and the Roseland on the south, with two distinctly different vibes.

www.cornishrocktors.com

Be a culture-vulture

Across Cornwall

If you’re feeling jaded from far too much of everything over Christmas then get reacquainted with some culture. From Tate St Ives and Truro’s Hall for Cornwall performance space, to Open Studios Cornwall and our county’s brilliant museums, there’s plenty to make you’ll feel revitalised.

Get fit Cornwall style

Across Cornwall

Forget the gym. Getting fit in Cornwall is all about enjoying the great outdoors: surfing, coastal running, cycle trails, sea swimming, walking the coast. The best bit? It doesn’t feel like exercise at all.

Forage and feast

With the Fat Hen, West Cornwall

Join Caroline Davey in Cornwall’s wild west and forage, cook and feast the freshest of local produce. There’s gourment weekends, game, fish and bread making courses amongst others. It doesn’t get fresher than this.

www.fathen.org

Credit James Bowden

Spend more time with the family

With Beach Retreats

Building sandcastles on the beach with your youngest. Learning to surf with your teenagers. Walks on the beach with your partner. Holidays in Cornwall with Beach Retreats are made for spending more time with your nearest and dearest.

Book your stay in 2019 with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.

Amazing events for your 2018 Cornwall diary

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic events to choose from in Cornwall throughout 2018.

We’ve hand-picked our favourites to add to your calendars. How many will you visit?

Discover unbeatable savings and unforgettable experiences with Beach Retreats’ exclusive special offers.

Porthleven Food Festival

Porthleven 20 – 22 April

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, this is a festival we highly recommend for your foodie diary. Bringing around 30,000 people together in and around the stunning harbour in Porthleven, the event brings national and international chefs into the theatre, food stalls, street food, music day and night and entertainment for all. What are you waiting for? See you there…

Discover our Porthleven holiday properties.

St Ives Food & Drink Festival

St Ives 11 – 13 May

Get yourselves down to Porthminster beach in St Ives for another foodie treat. Attracting over 12,000 visitors each year, this festival brings you plenty of Cornish food stalls, Celebrity Chef Demos, pop up BBQs, music and more. Whilst you are in St Ives, we recommend a coastal walk along its white sand beaches.

The Great Estate

Redruth 1 – 3 June

A new event for 2017 and now returning for its second year, The Great Estate is a festival for all the family. Expect major international headline acts, a mix of comedy, theatre, music and the arts, all within the beautiful grounds of Scorrier Estate. Look out for their vintage fairground, woodland silent disco, secret gin garden, burlesque sessions, classical corner and the Swamp Circus. Buy tickets.

Royal Cornwall Show

Wadebridge 7 – 9 June

On its 223rd year and one of Cornwall’s biggest events, the Royal Cornwall Show hosts an exciting schedule of events exhibits, competitions, shopping, family activities and more. As an agricultural show, visitors can expect plenty of animal shows including the popular annual dog show, as well as a fascinating glimpse into rural life. Apart from the livestock judging, there is the famous flower tent, show jumping and a fast and furious inter-hunt relay.

Rock Oyster Festival

Rock 6 – 7 July

Located right on the famous Camel trail, making it one of the few festivals that can be easily accessed on foot or by bike, the Rock Oyster Festival is a haven for seafood lovers. This midsummer celebration of food, music and art, invites visitors to eat their way through thousands of Cornish oysters, as well as listen to live music, watch circus acts and enjoy children’s entertainment, alternative performing arts and a shopping bazaar. What more could you ask for?

Lusty Glaze Sundowner Sessions

Newquay, Various dates

Awarded the No.1 spot by The Times for ‘Most picturesque live music venue in the UK’ Lusty Glaze hosts various live acts throughout the summer months with in an incredible setting. Imagine a beer in hand, sand beneath your toes and a stunning sunset whilst watching your favourite band? Lusty Glaze welcomes Morcheeba 22nd July, a British band from the 90s, with other acts to be announced shortly.

Port Eliot Festival

St German 26 – 29 July

Port Eliot is a festival unlike any other. Whether you’re swimming in the estuary, picnicking under a 300-year-old tree, rocking out at the Park Stage, canoeing on the river, catching an intimate gig in the church, watching a cooking demo in the Big Kitchen or dancing in the Boogie Round. Make sure you save some time to look around Port Eliot House, a Grade I listed house over 1,000 years old. Will you walk up all 11 stair cases?

Boardmasters Surf & Music Festival

Newquay & Watergate Bay 8 – 13 August

The famous Boardmasters Festival is back offering a fantastic music and surf festival over two locations. Head to Fistral beach in Newquay for the main surfing and skate competitions, along with food stalls and music, or head to Watergate Bay where this year’s top acts include Craig David, The Chemical Brothers and Annie Mac.

Following the success of 2017, The Financial Times said Boardmasters is “fast becoming one of the UK’s most enticing summer music festivals”, while NME described the festival as “a perfect weekend mix of sun, surf and music in Cornwall.” See the full line-up and purchase tickets on the Boardmasters website.

British Stand Up Paddle Boarding National Championships

Watergate Bay 13 – 14 October

Celebrating its 6th year, the British Stand up Boarding Association National Championships returns to the bay. Over the course of two days there will be three main competitions, Men’s Open, Women’s Open, & Junior Under 16s. Wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate from The Beach Hut and enjoy the action. Stand by for a fiery autumn sunset.

Padstow Christmas Festival

Padstow 6 – 9 December

See this Cornish fishing village come alive with celebrity chefs, culinary delights and festive fun. The free-to-attend spectacle has grown into one of the largest food festivals in Cornwall, with 45,000 visitors expected across the four days. This year sees 65 separate cookery demonstrations, workshops and masterclasses happening across two stages, with culinary names from Rick Stien, Paul Ainsworth, Nathan Outlaw and James Martin confirmed to attend.

But it’s not all about the food.

The popular Christmas market will also be open from midday Thursday with stalls featuring arts, crafts, food and drink producers from across the south west. Padstow’s shops and galleries will be open for extended hours offering special discounts throughout the four days, plus there will be a fantastic fireworks display.

Do you know any other events that should be added to our 2018 calendar? Let us know by joining the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Want a relaxing holiday in Cornwall? Check out our favourite spas and saunas for a truly relaxing getaway

Book your Beach Retreats self-catering holiday.

Two extra days free in Cornwall in November

If you book a three or five-night break between 1 November and 20 December 2015 with Beach Retreats, we’ll give you two nights extra for free. What would you do in Cornwall with your extra days? If you’re interested in booking your holiday just search for your dates and call 01637 861005.

Discover unbeatable savings and unforgettable experiences with Beach Retreats’ exclusive special offers.

 

For families

Bonfire night

Cornwall goes off with a bang on 5 November. At Porth, The Mermaid Inn puts on a fantastic firework display set off from Porth Island (6pm-9pm) with the £3 carpark charge going to charity. In Penzance, head to Penzance AFC for a BBQ, music from the Golowan Band and fireworks at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm).

Ice skating at The Eden Project

Eden’s popular ice-skating rink has frozen over and opened up early this year from Saturday 17 October until Sunday 28 February 2016. It’s worth booking in advance are sessions are popular. Penguin skating aids are also available for younger and more wobbly skaters.

Book your tickets online here.

 

For foodies

Fifteen Cornwall Winter Fayre

Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall is putting on winter version of its popular food festival overlooking Watergate Bay on Saturday 28 November. This is your chance to pick up Christmas treats from local producers or some cooking tips from the demonstrating chefs. Jack Stein of Stein’s with Ross Geach of Padstow Kitchen Garden and Mathilda and John Eldridge from Strong Adolfos have been confirmed for the chef’s theatre. The free event will also have plenty of activities for children.

Here’s what happened at their Spring Fayre.

Fancy staying in Padstow? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Padstow.

 

For that festive feeling

Christmas processions and fairs

The City of Lights parade will light up Truro on Wednesday 18 November with handmade withy lanterns, dance and music – there’s late night shopping too. The Christmas City Markets will be open from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November selling a high quality selection of food, drink, art and crafts. Or try the Made in Cornwall Christmas Fair in Truro’s Piazza from 25-29 November for a handmade focus. On the weekend of Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, its Trereife Christmas Fair near Penzance, where you’ll find carol singing, a traditional brass band alongside food producers and craft stalls.

For culturists

The Nutcracker by St Petersburg Classic Ballet

The award-winning St Petersburg Classic Ballet is brining the eternal seasonal favouite to The Hall for Cornwall in Truro between Wednesday November 18 and Saturday November 21. The Nutcracker is the perfect introduction to ballet. With Tchaikovsky’s endearingly familiar score performed by a live orchestra, this an unmissable family treat.

Book your tickets online via The Hall for Cornwall.

Building Cotehele’s giant garland with the National Trust

Cotehele will be building this year’s 60ft Christmas flower garland on 10 dates between Thursday 5 and Saturday 14 November. ll of the flowers were grown and dried on the estate. There were 36,000 in 2014. How many will there be in 2015?

If you book a three or five-night break between 1 November and 20 December 2015 with Beach Retreats, we’ll give you two nights extra for free. Search for your holiday dates and call 01637 861005.

Start November with a bang by exploring the best local firework displays for Bonfire Night, offering spectacular shows and festive fun for the whole family.

Christmas in Cornwall – top five must dos

Christmas in Cornwall

December is almost upon us, which means we can officially start to feel festive. Christmas in Cornwall is a truly magical time, with lots to see and do for the whole family. It was hard, but we’ve whittled down our top five Cornish Christmas must dos.

Find out why Christmas time is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in at Christmas time.

Take a dip

Nothing shakes away the Christmas feeling of excess better than a Christmas or Boxing Day swim. And we’re talking about nothing more than a bikini or shorts and a string of tinsel. At a cool 10 degrees Celsius, it’s certainly bracing, but you’ll be surprised to find quite a few others getting into the spirit of things and taking the plunge. Organised swims take place at Bude, Gwithian and Sennen, but Watergate Bay is great for warming up with a hot chocolate afterwards.

Have a look at our Bude holiday properties & book your stay in Bude.

Ice skating at the Eden Project

Visit a rainforest and go ice skating all in one Cornish afternoon at the Eden Project. The covered ice rink is open until 22 February and costs £6 per person (in addition to an Eden admission ticket) for a 40 minute session starting on the hour. For little ones, penguin skating aids are available to lean on and hold on to.

Padstow Christmas Festival

The gastronomical delight that is Padstow Christmas Festival returns from 4-7 December, starring award-winning chefs and more than 100 artisans and producers. See Santa arrive on his horse-drawn Victorian bus, spectacular fireworks, live music, carol singing and a lantern parade, plus lots more. Over on the south coast at Fowey Christmas market from 6-7 December, you can expect BBQs, Cornish traders, mulled wine, Santa arriving on a boat and even a sheep competition.

Cornish gardens and the National Trust

Nothing feels more festive than wrapping up in a bobble hat and gloves and visiting one of the many beautiful gardens or old properties in Cornwall. At Cotehele, see the famous 60-foot flower garland in all its glory – and help if you wish. Meanwhile, Trelissick house and gardens will be illuminated and decorated during certain weekends in December, and the Elizabethan manor house Terice will be a craft heaven of Christmas tree decoration and mincemeat making workshops.

Santa Fun Runs

Don a red suit and white beard and take part in one of Cornwall’s many Santa Fun Runs in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. Events are taking place across the county in Truro, Newquay, Padstow, Falmouth, St Austell plus many other locations. If you’re not feeling up to it, it’s still a great event to support and watch go buy from the comfort of the side lines.

 

Thinking about staying for the New Year as well? Find out the best way to celebrate and spend the New Year in Cornwall.

What’s on in Cornwall this winter

Christmas is a magical time in Cornwall. The county really gets into the festive spirit, lighting up harbour sides with festive illuminations, hosting food festivals and carol services and of course braving the sea in a Christmas day dip. There is so much to do in the county it’s hard to fit it into one post, but to start us off here are our top five events happening in Cornwall.

Find out why New Year is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in for the New Year.

Keep checking back as we add more in the run-up to the most wonderful time of year, Christmas.

1. The Eden Project and ice rink

One of Cornwall’s most visited and iconic attractions, the Eden Project has a wonderful programme of events throughout the festive season from the extremely popular ice rink to lantern parades. Visiting the Eden Project at Christmas is a must.

2. Visit Mousehole

Mousehole, a picturesque village in South West Cornwall, puts on what’s argues to be the best Christmas lights display anywhere in the country. For two weeks the fishing village is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights all around the harbour and in the hills above.

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything the area has to offer.

3. Take a dip

It’s traditional to take a Christmas Day dip in Cornwall, but we suggest taking a dip regardless of what day it is. Take a deep breath and jump in the cold winter water and then head home for a well-deserved hot chocolate.

4. Truro Cathedral

Head to Truro Cathedral for their Christmas service, where real live stock feature in the best nativity you’ll ever see.

5. Christmas Markets

There are a host of Christmas markets to visit throughout Cornwall during the Christmas season all showcasing the delicious local produce Cornwall has to offer. Pick up some last minute gifts and indulge in some fine food and drink.

    • Fowey Christmas Market: 29th November – 1st December
    • Victorian Christmas Market, Truro: 10th – 15th December

Discover the top 5 places to see Christmas lights in Cornwall, where festive displays illuminate the Christmas spirit across charming towns and coastal villages.