The Cornwall Blog

I so love May in Cornwall. It’s like a taste of summer before the madness descends! Though this year, the weather has kept us guessing. I have been both sunburnt and blue with cold! Half term is starting soon, and we have our second bank holiday of the month, so I thought I would share some of the shenanigans going on around Cornwall that are worth rocking up to. Starting with food... Falmouth Food Festival Falmouth Food Festival is a delicious affair. I found it by chance a few years ago while having a long weekend away, and we were really spoilt for choice. Local favourites shine, and good music brings those festival vibes. It runs from 22 to 25 May. The Great Estate For something to take you through the looking glass, Scorrier House hosts The Great Estate , known as ‘the most rambunctious garden fête’. It’s a ticketed festival full of music, art, theatre and comedy, with some big headliners too. It runs from 29 to 31 May. Wild W...

I am almost too scared to say it, but the sun is actually out, and it’s half term. Of course, it might be short-lived. We’ve had rain and wind and mizzle and fog galore of late. In little Cardinham, it’s rained every day since the start of the year! But come rain or shine, there is always something to enjoy in Cornwall this half term. Here are just five... Screech Owl Sanctuary Opens Just for this half term week, the sanctuary welcomes visitors to see these majestic birds in flight. And it’s not just birds. They are passionate about other wildlife too, and their resident fox is a beauty. It’s a lovely day out, just outside Indian Queens. The Tide Climbing Centre If the rain does persist, this is a great option. Near Wadebridge and Padstow, the centre has more than 100 bouldering problems to try, suitable for beginners and experienced climbers. Eden Project: Hangloose I’ve mentioned Eden a few times on here, but never t...

It really is a sight to behold, and a colourful reminder of a wonderful summer: the Cotehele flower garland . When everything feels a little gloomy, with shorter evenings, endless rain and a rather relentless wind, this Tudor National Trust house brings a glorious burst of sunshine into winter with its annual display of dried flowers. A record-breaking garland The tradition dates back to 1956. In 2025, the garden team at Cotehele grew, picked, stripped, dried and prepared a record-breaking 38,000 flowers on the estate. The finished garland stretched 60 feet, or around 18 metres, through the Great Hall. Every flower was prepared by hand. The whole process took almost a year, from sowing the first seeds to hanging the finished garland, with assembly taking around 10 days. It is simply stunning. Exploring Cotehele in winter While parts of the house close over winter so essential conservation work can take place, the estate is still beaut...

Archive note: This article looks back at February half term in Cornwall in 2025. Events, offers and opening arrangements may have changed. For more recent inspiration, read Five Fun Things This February Half Term in Cornwall . It felt as though we were powering through the year, I don’t know about you. For our February blog story, I thought I would look at some of the great things that were happening in Cornwall over the 2025 half-term break. Although many things in Cornwall don’t really seem to get going until Easter, there was still plenty for families to enjoy. Here are a few of the ideas we found. Cycle the Camel Trail A good idea whatever the season is cycling the Camel Trail , a favourite with families young and old. In summer, the pathways lining the estuary can become a little congested, which is one reason this route can be particularly enjoyable in February. Perhaps the most popular stretch is from Wadebridge to Padstow. There’s something quite motivating about the ...

It totally feels like summer is here! Something I love doing in the summer months is enjoying one of the outdoor events available across the county. We have amphitheatres and beaches offering outdoor theatre and cinema, as well as county houses and gardens serving up fab live entertainment in the most beautiful surrounds.  I really like the events Pencarrow House and Garden host, between Bodmin and Wadebridge their events calendar is always immense fun, and in the most tranquil of surroundings. This summer there is plenty to see, the Summer Craft Fair 20th - 21st July is shaping up to be a really beautiful selection of stalls and sellers.  With the backdrop of the Italian gardens you can also enjoy Beauty and the Beast (31st July), The Upbeat Beatles (8th August) and Live Queen Experience (9th August) followed by From Penzance to Broadway on the 21st Aug.  These events are always great enjoyable - with something for everyone. You can bring your own picnic and dr...

Oh I love this time of year, the colour, the crunch under foot, the invigorating air. As long as I am armed with plenty of layers, and the promise of a hot chocolate, there is no place better to explore in October than Cornwall.  As it is a tad warmer down here, the sea having had a summer of sun is ripe for a dip. From sea-swimming to surfing, October is a great time to be on or in the water (especially if you have a decent wetsuit!) Head to Fistral beach 7th-8th of October and you can watch the Korev Surfing Championships . If you prefer your water a little more calm, there are plenty of places where you can hire a kayak or take up SUP. Try the Camel Ski School at Rock or perhaps Encounter Cornwall at Golant near Fowey, such a peaceful spot. More beaches welcome dogs this time of year and that just opens up so many walking opportunities for our fury friends. I love walking the coastal path from Par to Polkerris and finishing with a drink at the Rashleigh Inn , watching the sun ...

Up and down the country communities are celebrating with their carnival weeks, this being Cornwall we also have plenty of regattas to enjoy. Regattas are more than just boat races, with all sorts of competitions and entertainment, yummy food and music. Fowey's one is the closest to me and is probably one of the best, people come from miles around. From Sunday 13th to Saturday 19th of August, Fowey's Regatta is the place to see some beautiful boats. There will be dingy races, fishing boats, cruisers and Troys - a sailing boat built only in Fowey. This event has seen a few royals attend in the past, including our late queen and Victoria and Albert, it dates way back to 1835.  Another place I just love to go (especially in the warm summer evenings) is Charlestown. Famed for many period dramas as the go-to harbour location, they always have some beautiful boats to peruse. Already in full swing, Charlestown's Regatta runs this year from Saturday 29th July to Friday the 4th of ...

  And we are off! Easter holidays are in full swing, this is the time all Cornwall gears up for - the start of the warmer weather, and the tourist season. There's so much see and do, I have just picked a few events up and down the county that will hopefully provide something for everyone! 1) Have you heard of Discovering42? An award winning art and sustainability museum in Bodmin, perfect for kids this Easter with science experiment mocktails!  Find out more  at their website.  2) For those who are marine minded, at the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow kids can learn how to be Mini Marine Biologists! Running throughout the holidays, find out more  here .   3) For the artistic head to  Penwith Gallery  in St Ives and view Mark Verry's wooden reliefs. Eight years in the making and a great opportunity to see these striking works altogether.  4) Challenge your tastebuds with Knightor Winery's  Chilli and Beer Blowout . Teaming up with Ha...