October is a great time for a half-term break or romantic escape enjoying Cornwall’s beaches and countryside without the crowds. We have 10 best things to do in Cornwall in October with a cauldron full of Halloween events, supernatural evenings and ghost tours at Bodmin Jail and Celtic song and dance at Lowender Peran Festival.
Tuck into the finest seafood at Falmouth Oyster Festival and sample a “Cream tea with the bees” at Callington Honey Fair. With a host of scenic walks and plenty of Halloween attractions, you really need to visit Cornwall this October!
- Bee at Callington Honey Fair
- Celebrate Celtic culture at Lowender Peran
- Halloween at the Eden Project
- Ghostly goings-on at Bodmin Jail
- Newquay Coasteering
- Autumn walks in Cornwall
- Savour Falmouth Oyster Festival
- Watch fireworks at Flambards
- Stroll the countryside around Lanhydrock
- Join in Halloween events in Cornwall
Bee at Callington Honey Fair
One of Cornwall’s biggest events in October is Callington Honey Fair. It takes place on the first Wednesday in October and is one of the largest fairs in the county. There are plenty of bee and honey-themed activities with bee-keeping displays, awards for local bee-keepers and a competition for the best shop window. School children enter the art competition which is used to decorate the Town Hall.
However, the big draw is “Tea with the Bees” when you get the chance to sit down and enjoy a honey cream tea. Yum! There’s are lots of stalls selling quality honey and bee-themed gifts and the street is alive with merriment from street entertainers. It’s pretty crowded so consider using the park and ride from St Mellion Golf Club.
Celebrate Celtic culture at Lowender Peran
Fans of traditional Cornish music and Celtic dance will appreciate the Lowender Peran Festival. It takes place over nine days at the end of October in various venues in Redruth. It’s an inspirational gathering of like-minded folk who love dance and song done the Cornish way. The festival has been going for over 40 years and attracts hundreds of performers from Celtic nations.
Take part in ceilidhs (a caller helps newbies learn the steps), listen to classic folk songs and enjoy poetry recitals, talks, workshops, street dancing, instrument master classes and even a spot of Cornish wrestling. All the best, or as they say in Cornish Oll an gwella!
Get ready for Halloween at the Eden Project
The Eden Project always has family-themed events during school holidays and the October half-term is no exception. Past years have included learning about Screech Owls brought in from the nearby Screech Owl Sanctuary. They make a blood-curdling cry that’s very apt for Halloween.
As well as the Visitor Centre and tropical biomes, the Eden Project offers activities such as Puzzle Trails to solve, devised by Eureke Escape. Or how about joining a Potion-making Workshop and taking home your own pot of magic?
Ghostly goings-on at Bodmin Jail
The brooding building of Bodmin Jail is the perfect setting for booking a spooky paranormal tour to learn about some of the jails past residents that are still hanging around. There’s an After Dark Experience for those brave enough to spend the night or you can watch a Scary Movie, take a Ghost Walk (Wednesday evenings 8:30pm onwards) or join a Dead Days Tours on Mondays and Tuesdays in October from 6pm.
One thing’s for sure, you won’t sleep well after one of these events. Book ahead for the fright of your life with these unique things to do in Cornwall in October!
Newquay Coasteering
Don your helmet and wetsuit (provided) and head down to Town Head, Newquay for some serious outdoor experiences before the winter storms set in. Suitable for adults (18+) this exhilarating three hour coasteering adventure is led by Barefeet Coasteer and takes place in an area known locally as “The Gazzle” which is protected from prevailing southwest winds.
Get ready to climb, jump and swim with a fully trained and experienced expert. It’s an epic experience you’ll never forget!
Autumn walks in Cornwall
Autumn is arguably the best season for enjoying walking in the scenic Cornish countryside and coast. If you’re staying near Bodmin, there are several circular walks for all fitness levels.
From the pretty village of Blisland, head through Lavethan Wood on ancient manorial estates. The 2.7 mile walk returns via the Holy Well of Hyacinth and St Pratt. St Breward is a stunning moorland community with fantastic views. There’s a 4-mile walk around Stannon Moor with panoramic views, prehistoric burial chambers, stone circles, standing stones and the “rocking boulder” known as Logan Rock to sit and rock on top of Louden Hill.
Of course, the Camel Valley is home to the 17-mile Camel Trail that runs from Padstow to Bodmin (and back) and is ideal for bicycles.
Savour Falmouth Oyster Festival
Taking place on four days over the second weekend In October, Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates its outstanding oysters and diversity & quality of Cornish seafood. It’s held at the Event Square at Port Pendennis and celebrates the start of the oyster season. There are daily demonstrations by top chefs and food experts providing plenty of tips and new ways of enjoying these mollusks.
There’s plenty of wine and ale, live music, a parade, arts and crafts and a lively Working Boats Race. Definitely worth dropping in for these fun events in Cornwall this October!
Watch fireworks at Flambards
Flambards grew up as a family attraction with a recreated Victorian street and some great rides to rival the best theme parks. Feel the G-force on Sky Force with a giddy 360 degree spinning action as its whirls 40 riders 25 metres above the ground. There’s a traditional roller coaster and the white-knuckle Skyraker that gives you amazing views before plummeting to the ground.
During October half-term and Halloween, Flambards goes into overdrive to entertain visitors with special Halloween treats including a Spooky Pumpkin Trail. Everyone who completes the challenge gets a wicked chocolate treat! On the final Saturday there’s a Halloween Fireworks Spectacular which is not to be missed!
Stroll the countryside around Lanhydrock
Lanhydrock estate is a huge National Trust managed house, formal gardens and large estate that is free to wander without paying the NT admission. From epic treks to gentle rambles, the area has some lovely walks to make the most of the changing colours of autumn.
From Respryn car park (Pay & display) you can walk along the winding River Fowey through ancient woodland on the Lanhydrock estate. The one mile walk crosses a wooden bridge and returns on the other side of the river and takes 30 to 40 minutes. You may spot kingfishers and otters here! The Lanhydrock Great Wood and Avenue Walk is 2.5 miles long and explores the parkland including the beech-lined driveway and woods filled with autumn fungi. Pass the imposing gateway and continue along Lady’s Walk, returning past Newton Lodge along Beech Avenue.
Join in Halloween events in Cornwall
Cornwall has a dark and sinister side to its ancient culture and history, and Halloween is a great time to experience it with loads of things to do. There are two sites for Dark Gatherings on the last Saturday in October: at the ancient ruins of Launceston Castle and in Boscastle.
There’s a Halloween Quest at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth based on Cressida Cowell’s “Wizards of Once” novels. Hunt for the ingredients for a spell to get rid of the witch. Falmouth has its own “Monsters of the Deep” exhibit while Paradise Park usually hosts a Pumpkin Trail and creepy crawly encounters.
There’s a Halloween Quest at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth based on Cressida Cowell’s “Wizards of Once” novels. Hunt for the ingredients for a spell to get rid of the witch. Falmouth has its own “Monsters of the Deep” exhibit while Paradise Park usually hosts a Pumpkin Trail and creepy crawly encounters.
Next…
Whether you want a half term family break or a romantic getaway, you can’t beat a cosy holiday cottage in Cornwall this October!
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Cornwall in November.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.