The Cornwall Blog

Originally published in December 2016, previewing performances at Hall for Cornwall in January 2017. We had just passed the shortest day, which was certainly worth celebrating, but there was still a long way to go before those bright summer evenings returned. The dark nights called for cosy evenings at home, or perhaps a rather more glamorous night out. One performance that caught our eye was the classic ballet Swan Lake , which came to Hall for Cornwall in Truro on 18 and 19 January 2017. Tchaikovsky’s score is sensational. The story follows Odette, fated to live as a swan by day and a princess by night. When she meets Prince Siegfried, a tale of love, magic and betrayal unfolds in one of ballet’s best-known works. Hall for Cornwall’s winter programme at the time also included live music, theatre and tribute shows celebrating performers including Fleetwood Mac, Elvis, ABBA and the Beach Boys.

Deep beneath St Austell Brewery, its historic cellars were transformed for the 18th annual Celtic Beer Festival on Saturday 26 November 2016. The festival brought together almost 200 ales, stouts and lagers, including St Austell favourites such as Tribute, Proper Job and korev. Live bands performed throughout the day and into the evening, while the brewery said that all profits would support its charitable work across the South West. Beer and live music in the brewery cellars The Celtic Beer Festival offered the chance to try familiar favourites alongside guest beers, limited editions and rather more adventurous brews, all within the atmospheric surroundings of the brewery’s Victorian cellars. A long tradition of Cornish brewing St Austell Brewery traces its story back to 1851, when Walter Hicks began working as a wine merchant and maltster. He later started brewing at the Seven Stars Inn in St Austell, before the business moved to i...

The kids may well have gone back to school but Cornwall is still buzzing with plenty to do. This month we have a food festival in Truro, a fish festival in Newquay, and a design festival at Trereife House - and Looe hosts its music festival! Looe is a vibrant harbour town and once a year down on the beach crowds flock to hear a real variety of bands in this much loved festival. This year the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are taking to the stage where previous acts have included The Darkness, Reef, The Stranglers, Levellers and Seth Wakeman to name a few. Its an eclectic line up of national and international bands with music workshops and live music on every corner of this seaside town. And in some what of a change of direction, Laurence Fox, Detective Sergeant James Hathaway in ITV drama Lewis will be seen heading out on his first tour at the Looe Music Festival. Bringing indie sounds from his debut album Holding Patterns . As the festival grows year on year so does the fringe...

There is so much to do in Cornwall in August! When the weather is like today (a scorcher) then the coast will always be a pull but there is always so much to do inland too. Take the Cornish Steam and Country Fair, previously known as the West of England Steam Rally. Located at the Sithians show ground outside Truro, the fair first took place back in 1955 with just six steam engines. Today over three days you can see almost 100! So what can you expect? Plenty of shiny brass, vintage cars, tractors, motor cycles, heavy horses - the list goes on. You can also see how things worked on a farm in way back when. There are dog agility shows, brass bands and a traditional fun fair! Something for everyone. Running from the 19th to the 21st of August 2016. You can find out more at their website.

Not long now to the first North Cornwall Gin Festival ! Hosted by Wadebridge Wines , in the heart of the North Cornish town, on the 23rd of July. The festival charges a small entrance fee and provides 50 different gins to try! This promises to be a truly grown up affair with interesting and unique stalls, fresh lemon and limes and herbs, exclusive chocolates, live music and lawn games. You can find out more at the Wadebridge Wines Facebook page, or check their website .

Each June, the Royal Cornwall Show draws huge crowds to the showground near Wadebridge. The event began more than 200 years ago as a ploughing competition and has grown into one of Cornwall’s best-known annual gatherings. Alongside the livestock and animals, you will find Cornish wrestling, flower displays, local food, show jumping, a steam fair, dog shows, crafts, live music and a huge range of Cornish businesses. It is the sort of day where there always seems to be something happening. The Royal Cornwall Showground is just outside Wadebridge, and the event brings together farming, food, crafts, entertainment and much of what makes Cornwall distinctive. It is a brilliant place to enjoy the buzz of a crowd and see an enormous variety of Cornish life in one place. Find current dates, tickets and visitor information on the Royal Cornwall Show website .

It seems you can't move for festivals these days - and Cornwall is no different! Having said that they are loads of family friendly fun. This month, Sunday 15th May, we have Lostfest , in my neck of the woods, Lostwithiel. The event raises money for FLEET, a charity who provide equipment for emergency services in Cornwall. For those who don't know, Lostwithiel is a charming ancient stannary town which is nestled quietly a little in land in a wooded valley. Well, normally quiet, but come Lostfest the streets are buzzing with life. Expect delicious food lining the streets, traditional crafts, handmade gifts, medieval re-enactments, a vintage fair and a couple of local bands. From by the river, to under the trees, the church yard, museum, the shops and cafes - all over this little town fun is unleashed. Lostwithiel is such a pretty place to visit, just up the hill you will find the Restormel Castle. There are two parks that follow the Fowey river and the Tudor bridge is a...