February in Cornwall means half-term holidays, Valentine’s Day romance and St Ives Feast Day. Watch the rough and tumble of Cornish hurling or spot thousands of migratory birds. Coastal walks offer stunning sea views and sunsets while woodlands are adrift with snowdrops.
We cover different ways to enjoy the beach in Cornwall in February, perhaps with a rock pool net or through the window of the Carbis Bay Hotel Spa! PK Porthcurno and the Eden Project both have special events in February making Cornwall a natural destination for a well-earned getaway.
Here’s our Top 10 things to do list for you to check them off…
- Celebrate St Ives Feast Day
- Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day meal
- Best place for a sunset in Cornwall
- Enjoy a day at the C Bay Spa
- Enjoy a history lesson at PK Porthcurno
- Enjoy a winter walk
- Poke about in rock pools
- Discover the supernatural world!
- Admire thousands of Snowdrops in Cornwall
- Go bird-watching
Celebrate St Ives Feast Day
St Ives is a lovely coastal town to explore in winter when summer crowds have left. Locals celebrate with St Ives Feast Day that takes place on the first Monday in February. It starts with a Civic Parade to the Well of St Ia where the silver ball is blessed
The main event is the Hurling of the Silver Ball from the St Ia Church Wall on Monday at around 10:30am. The ball is tossed to players down on the beach and a fearsome game of Cornish Hurling ensues. There is no pitch, so teams chase around the town as they try to keep possession of the ball.
At noon the ball is delivered to the Mayor at the Guildhall and the winner is declared. The game is followed by plenty of festivities and feasting around the town. It’s one of the few festivals that takes place in Cornwall in February and is well worth attending as it’s so unique.
Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day meal
If you’re visiting Cornwall in mid-February for a romantic break, you need to book a special Valentine’s Day meal. In past years, the main attractions in Cornwall such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Eden Project have hosted romantic candlelit feasts. It’s worth checking their websites for current Valentine’s events.
Of course, all the top hotels and restaurants in Cornwall will have special menus for Valentine’s Day but you need to book ahead. Spoil your partner with a surprise booking at Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac or head to Padstow where Rick Stein’s Cafe, Caffe Rojano and Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 hang out.
For more affordable choices, Cornwall has several noteworthy Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. These include The Sardine Factory in West Looe, The Square, and Kota at Porthleven.
Best place for a sunset in Cornwall
Some of the best sunsets can be enjoyed in Cornwall in February, so where’s the best place to head for? If you’re staying near Marazion, the nearby coast offers some superb beauty spots with views of St Michael’s Mount against the vibrant sunset backdrop. You might want to head down to Land’s End if it’s not too windy, and look out west across the Atlantic Ocean.
Godrevy Lighthouse is another iconic landmark which can be seen against the sunset from Porthreath and Basset’s Cove.
Remember, the sun goes down in Cornwall around 5:30pm in February so you need to be in place about an hour before to get the full effect.
Enjoy a day at the C Bay Spa
You can still enjoy the beach if you book a spa day at Carbis Bay Hotel. Give the outdoor pool a miss and head into the calm oasis of C Bay Spa that overlooks this beautiful Blue Flag beach.
Candlelit treatment rooms are the perfect place to relax at the fingertips of trained masseurs and beauty therapists. Sit in your fluffy robe nursing a hot mug of herbal tea (or a glass of champers) in the relaxation lounge before returning to Planet Earth.
The outdoor Hydropool is open all year round and is a stunning place to wallow and watch the clouds chasing across the sky.
Enjoy a history lesson at PK Porthcurno
PK is the telegraphic code of Porthcurno which is a rather unlikely place to find a scientific breakthrough in telecommunications. In 1870, it was the point from which the first undersea telegraph cable message was sent, opening the door to global communications.
This award winning museum in West Cornwall is a family-friendly place to visit in February with plenty to see and do. Discover how today’s digital communications continue to open up the world, see informative exhibitions and join in some of the hands-on challenges from writing with feather quills to composing your own climate message.
Enjoy a winter walk
Cornwall in February is a fabulous place to enjoy breezy coastal walks, forest trails and bike rides along former rail trails. One of my favourite walks in winter is the cliff path from St Ives to Zennor but it can be slippery after rain. Alternatively, explore St Michaels Way from Lelant through Steeple Woods to Marazion (about 12 miles) combining coast and country. Check local bus times if you don’t want to walk back as well!
NT Bedruthan Steps is another favourite place to visit in winter. Make use of the National Trust car park and walk down the carved cliff steps to the stunning beach below. Or skip the walk and head straight to the tea room which is open year-round and has amazing views.
Poke about in rock pools
Who says you can’t have fun on a beach in Cornwall in February? You might not want to jump in for a swim but the firm-packed sands are perfect for walking and most beaches are dog-friendly in winter.
Opt for a beach with rock pools such as Hannafore Point at West Looe, Talland Bay, Polzeath and Duckpool Beach near Widemouth Bay. Sheep’s Pool on Gwithian Beach is a deep pool if you want to see some larger fish.
Take a net, or a stick to lift the seaweed strands and see what’s hiding beneath. Each rock pool is a miniature ocean with crabs, prawns, mollusks, baby fish and other marine life. Bring a bucket to collect your finds but make sure you return them to the ocean at the end of your adventure. It’s fun for all ages!
Discover the supernatural world!
Head down to the Eden Project in February and join in one of their special winter events. Currently in 2022/23 they are hosting a special event called Super Natural – and it is!
Learn how plants feed, house, heal and empower us by providing the air we breathe and the materials we need for homes, food and more. Understanding the careful balance between humans and the natural world is the first step to eco-conservation and protecting our planet. Admission to the event is included in regular admission.
With its giant tropical biomes, the Eden Project is a great place to visit in winter, whatever the weather. Check out their calendar of events and find some great things to do in central Cornwall, even in February!
Admire thousands of Snowdrops in Cornwall
Many National Trust properties have long-established estates and parkland with carpets of white snowdrops peeking through the earth in early February. Visit the Great Wood in Lanhydrock and explore Garden Drive – you don’t need to pay admission to visit the wider park and woodland.
The Upper Gardens and orchards at the mediaeval house at Cotehele is another great place to find snowdrops. Tucked away in the Tamar Valley, the estate offers some lovely walks starting from the Quay.
If you’re staying in North Cornwall in February, St Nectan’s Glen near Tintagel has peaceful woodland walks to the waterfalls with plenty of snowdrops.
Go bird-watching
Many migratory birds spend the winter in Cornwall, and you’ll see them in their thousands at some of the nature reserves. Pack a bird book and binoculars and head to Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve which is a gathering place for vast numbers of teals and widgeons in winter. Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve has reed beds that are a favourite feeding ground for rare bitterns and aquatic warblers.
Admission to both these reserves is free, but donations are welcome.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Cornwall in February so get your holiday cottage booked and get down here without delay!
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Cornwall in February.
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.