The Cornwall Blog

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 set.

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 Harbour craft beer this popular vineyar

Pencarrow's Snowdrop Weekend is such a happy fixture in the calendar. It marks the promise of spring and the soon to be end of winter. This year the event falls on the 11th and 12th of February with a suggestion of £5 per person supporting two great charities. The Pearl Exchange and CLEAR, both focussed on helping young people.  Great causes but also a beautiful place to explore. If you don't know Pencarrow House and Gardens , just outside Wadebridge, then you are missing out! This ancient house is still family owned by the Molesworth-St Aubyns and is a wonderful day out. The snowdrop weekend makes the most of the sprawling grounds and woodland, but I would encourage you to come back when the house if fully open to book a tour and see the layers of history in every room. The gardens are charming with grottos, and iron age fort and Italian styled vistas with a cafe that serves delicious light lunches and cakes. I just love the wondering peacocks showing off their plumage.   Dog

Our island nation is a rich hotch-potch of culture, history and heritage. There is so much to explore, especially in Cornwall. This September why not visit one of the county's Heritage Open Days , they are all free and there's lots of opportunity to get involved, running from the 9th - 18th September. Just a few of the places open to you this month are: Gribbin Daymark : This is an instantly recognisable landmark is in my neck of the woods that I love to spot on coastal walks or at the beaches along the south coast. Built in 1832, the views are worth the climb! The historic tower is open Sunday the 11th September, 11am - 5pm.  Godolphin : This house and gardens near Helston will be holding some specialist guided tours looking at Godolphin's mining history. The garden will also be free to enter between the 9th - 18th September.  Cypres Well : Up in Launceston you can visit the home of Cornish poet Charles Causley CBE, normally closed to the public but used for writers as a r

Starting off July in style, the Sea Salts & Sail Festival  takes place in the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole. Running from the 1st of July to the 3rd this biannual event is a sight to behold.  From the Friday the horizon begins to fill with historic vessels, some the last examples of their kind. Crews skilfully navigate 'the gaps' fitting into the narrow 500 year old entrance.  Its a wonderful day out for all the family, with music, poetry, crafts, food and drink.  I love this little corner of Cornwall, though I don't make it down there as often as I would like, had my first taste of crab here! When the sun shines it really is quite breath-taking.  If you don't make it for the festival never fear, Mousehole is a great place to visit regardless, and they have a brilliant village hall packed full of year round events to tempt you!    

It's not long now until I take my mum to see Diana Ross at The Eden Project! She is very excited, me too! Quite a legend. I thought it might be good to share some of the other musical events up and coming this month and beyond.  It really feels that after a few years away from living life fully we are finally able to. This summer promises to be a bumper one for Cornwall with so many festivals coming back to us, and what a eclectic mix... Sundays from May to September are seeing Truro's Victoria Gardens ' band stand put to good use. Local brass bands and orchestras will be delighting folk from 2.30 to 4pm. Also in Truro, at The Alverton's beautiful gardens, they are welcoming back the Summer Garden Sessions . Think a sun-drenched terrace, stunning tunes and a cocktail or two. This month sees Hannigan, Rue and Ash Harding take to the stage. Speaking of Eden's Sessions , their line up this year includes other big names such as Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Ni