Cornwall stretches west for 70 miles or so from the Devon border to Land’s End. Sandwiched between the Bristol Channel / Celtic Sea and the English Channel, it tapers westwards to the famous headland at Land’s End, England’s most westerly point.
Tucked away in the southwest “toe” of England, Cornwall remains a top tourist destination year after year. So what’s the big deal? Could it be the idyllic sandy coves, quaint cottages and smugglers’ inns? Perhaps the fresh sea air, miles of walking and cycling trails, and the chance to surf with the pro’s.
Cornwall’s fabulous food and drink, arts, music and culture are all celebrated in festivals. These entertaining themed events all contribute to the unique sense of heritage and culture that Cornwall is so proud of. Follow our suggestions below and time your visit to join in the free fun.
We also uncover a plethora of helpful tips and local secrets to help first-time visitors to Cornwall to really get the most from their visit. Whatever your age or interest, there’s somewhere perfect for you to explore. So check out the regions, attractions and things to do below, and then book yourself a holiday cottage in Cornwall for the best UK holiday ever!
Welcome…
Kernow a’gas dynergh – Welcome to Cornwall!
If you’ve never visited Cornwall, you might be wondering what’s the big attraction. This southwestern-most peninsula is one of the most visited counties in the UK. Visitors and locals rave about the stunning coastline, unspoilt moorland, heritage attractions and timeless villages. If you’re a foodie, there are many more tasty reasons to visit. Smugglers pubs and Michelin star restaurants serve up the freshest seafood, award-winning local wines, rich dairy treats and field-to-table seasonal produce.
The mild climate extends the tourist season in Cornwall, so even in spring, autumn and at Christmas, holiday cottages in Cornwall remain popular. Cornwall is a great place to get out and enjoy your favourite pastimes, whether it’s walking the dog along the breathtaking coastal path, cycling on traffic-free rail-trails, fishing, surfing, enjoying watersports, coasteering or just relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach.
Despite its small area, Cornwall is home to some of the UK’s top attractions including the National Maritime Museum, the Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Flambards Theme Park, Land’s End, Bodmin Jail and Tintagel Castle. For a slower pace of life, visit one of the castles, grand houses and stunning gardens managed by English Heritage or the National Trust.
With its unique culture, history and heritage, Cornwall really knows how to put on a great show with a full calendar of festivals. From seafood, beer and Boardmasters to literature, performing arts, jazz and world-class music, Cornwall rocks!
Ancient myths and superstitions abound at cultural events such as Golowan, Helston Furry Day, St Agnes Bolster Festival (it’s not what you think!), Lowender Peran, Trevithick Day, Wassailing and Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Most of these events are fun and free to attend, and let’s face it, you’ll never find them anywhere but Cornwall!
It’s no wonder more than 5 million tourists head to Cornwall each year. And after reading our First-Timers’ Guide to Cornwall, we hope you’ll make it 5 million and one!
Which area’s best for you?
One mistake first-time visitors to Cornwall make is to think they can explore the whole of the county from one location. Think again. Cornwall may be small but it makes up for it with miles of narrow, winding lanes, ensuring you don’t get anywhere in a hurry. You need to decide what you want to do during your stay, and then pick out the best place for your base from our suggested guidelines.
Whether you’re a foodie, historian or art lover, and whether you’re visiting with teens, youngsters or solo, we’ve picked out some of the best areas for first-time visitors to head for, depending on your particular interests and needs. Find your perfect niche below…
Best places in Cornwall for families
Cornwall is a great pick for a traditional bucket-and-spade family beach holiday. In fact, generations of visitors continue to enjoy their summer hols in places they fell in love with as children. The south coast area around Looe is perfect for families with calm waters for safe bathing. There are rock pools a-plenty around Hannafore Point and if you fancy a day out with the little monkeys, Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary is always popular.
Just inland at Menheniot, Adrenaline Quarry offers karting, zip-lines, axe throwing and an Aqua Park suitable for children aged 6+.
Neighbouring Whitsand and Downderry offer a glorious four-mile stretch of golden sand at low tide, but it can be hard to access with youngsters. Seaton has flat beach access straight from the car park, but it is mainly pebbles. It does have a cafe and toilets though.
On the north coast, Bude is hard to beat for families with plenty of sand, a compact town centre, amusements, cafes, take-aways and a canal for pedaloes and kayaks. It’s relatively easy to reach from the A30 ensuing a shorter drive with youngsters who repeatedly ask, “Are we there yet?”
Best places in Cornwall for families with teens
Older children will probably prefer a bit more action. Perranporth has excellent surfing without all the bright lights and crowds of Newquay. The town has a good choice of cafes, shops, amusements and family-friendly eateries and is relatively safe for older teens to explore independently.
It’s also just 23 miles from Flambards Theme Park (a must for older kids wanting the buzz of white-knuckle rides).
Best places for nightlife in Cornwall
Newquay is the hub of Cornwall’s nightlife with plenty of bars, pubs and nightclubs that keep the party going till the small hours. Visit during Boardmasters Festival (August), Newquay Beer Festival (September) or Cornwall Street Festival (June) and you’ll have a blast!
By day, Newquay has a number of beaches where you can flop on a sunbed and catch up on your beauty sleep. Shopaholics will find a good choice of local shops and wildlife lovers can enjoy dolphin boat tours, a day at Newquay Zoo or the Blue Reef Aquarium.
Best places for surfing in Cornwall
For surfing, you can’t beat Fistral Beach in Newquay. It has consistent wave action with gentler waves to the south. There’s also great action for intermediate and advanced surfers riding the peeling right-handers. Fistral Surf School has everything you need from equipment hire to first class tuition. And of course, Fistral is the home of Boardmasters Open Surf Competition with the main arena at neighbouring Watergate Bay.
Other popular surfing haunts in Cornwall include Widemouth Bay at Bude, Towan Beach Newquay, Sennen Cove, Crantock Beach and Perranporth.
Best places for sailing & watersports in Cornwall
Newquay is an excellent choice for daring watersports enthusiasts with coasteering adventures, paddleboarding, surf rafting, kayaking and Giant SUP on offer at Newquay Water Sports Centre in Newquay Harbour.
Rock is the hub for sailing and water-skiing, along with inland lakes and reservoirs. Check out Siblyback near Liskeard, and Stithians Lake near Truro which is the largest inland water in West Cornwall. Both have extensive watersports and outdoor activity centres.
There are plenty of places to stay nearby and enjoy the quieter rural surroundings.
Best holiday destinations in Cornwall for boaters
Padstow, Newquay and Mevagissey all have a flotilla of boats offering coastal cruises and mackerel fishing trips. If you want to get behind the wheel yourself, Falmouth is a great centre for boating with easy self-drive motor cruisers available by the hour or by the day from Falmouth Boat Hire.
Falmouth is one of the deepest natural harbour in the world with countless creeks, inlets and waterside pubs to explore by boat. It is also home to the National Maritime Museum where you can further indulge your passion for maritime history. For more excitement, book a trip with Orca Sea Safaris and spot whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks and seabirds.
At the end of the day, enjoy some of the freshest seafood at one of the many restaurants lining Falmouth’s waterfront.
Best places in Cornwall for foodies
Cornwall is synonymous with outstanding food and drink, making it the perfect choice for gourmands and food lovers. You can treat yourself to decadent dining by world-class chefs for a fraction of the price of London eateries. Don’t overlook the sensory delights of a perfect Cornish pasty or elegant afternoon tea as part of your epicurean experience.
Plan to stay within easy reach of Port Isaac, Newquay or Truro and you’ll have an outstanding choice of great food, from a tasty breakfast of local produce to a mouthwatering dinner with a tasting menu. You’ll be within easy reach of Trevilley Farm Shop, Healeys Cyder Farm, Camel Valley Vineyard and Polgoon Vineyard for hands-on tours and tastings.
Seafood lovers should stay close to Padstow, Falmouth and St Ives for the best experience.
For a more off-the-beaten path experience, head to Kingsand and Cawsand in southeast Cornwall, or to St Agnes on the north coast. Both areas have a growing reputation for fine dining in cosy chef-owned restaurants and gastropubs.
Best places in Cornwall for culture vultures
Truro, Cornwall’s capital, heads the list with a magnificent cathedral (guided tours available) and the Hall for Cornwall events space for theatre, comedy, music (from tribute bands to symphony orchestras), and lectures from the likes of Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
The Lizard Peninsula is home to the breathtaking clifftop Minack Theatre with its outstanding backdrop of the sea. This should be on the bucket list of any serious theatre-lover, if only for the location and ambience.
Cornwall for history buffs
Poldark Mine, Tintagel Castle (legendary birthplace of King Arthur), St Michael’s Mount and the Lanhydrock Estate near Bodmin all capture different aspects of Cornwall’s history and heritage. These are all great reasons to stay nearby and explore.
Penzance’s narrow streets are lined with historic museums, smugglers’ pubs and unique architecture, such as the incongruous Egyptian House. And did you know that 10 areas in the Westcountry make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Best places for art lovers
St Ives tops the list for art lovers as it is home to Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden and a plethora of studios, potteries and galleries. The quaint town became an artists’ colony in the 1920s with many famous artists and potters moving to the area attracted by its extraordinary quality of light.
Bring your sketchpad and palette and capture the scenic natural beauty, explore local studios and attend one of the local arts festivals. The September Festival of Arts allows you to immerse yourself in art, poetry, music while the St Ives Arts Club hosts the St Ives Literature Festival in May.
Best places in Cornwall for walkers and cyclists
If you’re heading to Cornwall for some serious hiking, staying close to the coast puts you within easy reach of the 630-mile South West Coast Path. It runs continuously around the coast of Cornwall (and beyond). It is traffic-free, pretty hilly, and guarantees the best coastal views at every step.
The Camel Trail connects Padstow with Bodmin while the Bude Canal Towpath offers a circular 6.4 mile trail for birdwatchers, hikers and mountain bikers.
The Coast-to-Coast Trail is a fairly level 11-mile route connecting Cornwall’s north and south coasts between Portreath and Devoran (told you it was a small county!) Other trails include the Tehidy Trail, the Great Flat Lode Trail and the Redruth and Chacewater Railway Trail among others.
For cyclists, the 180-mile Cornish Way runs from Land’s End to Bude in two different routes before merging with the West Country Way to Bristol.
So now you’ve picked your base and where to stay, let’s check out some of the great things to do in Cornwall.
Cornwall’s amazing attractions
So now you’ve picked your base and where to stay, let’s check out some of the great things to do in Cornwall.
Theme parks in Cornwall
Check out the main theme parks at Cornwall that include fun rides for young visitors and some white knuckle thrillers!
- Flambards: Adrenalin junkies will enjoy an unforgettable day out with a nice balance of white knuckle rides (think Thunderbolt and Skyraker) along with go-karts, a log flume and the award-winning Victorian Village diorama.
- Camel Creek Adventure Park: There’s something for all ages at this theme park which has water slides, fun rides and animal handling sessions. It’s good for a rainy day with plenty of indoor attractions too.
- Lappa Valley Adventure Park: More than just the steam train ride, Lappa Valley offers family-friendly rides, boats, soft play in the Engine Shed, country walks and a very pleasant cafe.
Animal attractions in Cornwall
Everyone loves animals and Cornwall has a host of sanctuaries, bird and animal parks that provide much needed homes for some rare and vulnerable species.
- Cornish Seal Sanctuary: Learn more about the seals that live in the waters around Cornwall’s coastline. This Gweek attraction also offers superb views of the Helford River.
- National Lobster Hatchery: Explore marine conservation at work at the National Lobster Hatchery with its award-winning visitor centre and new hatchlings.
- Dairyland: Dairyland Farm Park gives visitors a hands-on down-at-the-farm experience from pony rides and petting corner to the farm museum. Bottle-feed baby lambs in season and don’t miss the Bull Pen with its drop slides, scramble nets and soft play.
- Paradise Park and Jungle Barn: Beautiful gardens are the setting for Paradise Park which is home to 1200 colourful and exotic birds along with red pandas, penguins, owls, pygmy goats and more.
- Monkey Sanctuary: See over 40 rescued monkeys in their purpose-built home near Looe. Get even more hands-on as a Primate Keeper for a Day!
- Screech Owl Sanctuary: See a host of birds, meerkats, wallabies and other animals that need a home at this amazing wildlife sanctuary. Handle an owl, watch free-flight displays, see feeding sessions and listen to talks from keepers and staff at this fascinating animal attraction.
- Newquay Zoo: Meet 100 of the world’s rarest and endangered animals at this conservation charity and get up-close to your favourites!
- Blue Reef Aquarium: Right on the seafront in Newquay, the Blue Reef Aquarium houses a diverse array of underwater creatures in 40 displays and aquariums. Enjoy interactive talks, feeding sessions and sign up for an underwater safari!
Immerse yourself in Cornwall’s history and heritage attractions
Learn more about Cornwall’s fascinating history and heritage at these attractions…
- Bodmin Jail: Discover the grim life of a prisoner in an 18th century jailhouse on the edge of Bodmin. Take a tour… or stay the night if you dare!
- Bodmin and Wenford Railway: This full-size railway offers 13-mile trips through Cornish countryside with all the nostalgia of a steam locomotive. Indulge in a cream tea or sign up for a Murder Mystery event.
- Jamaica Inn: Nestled on Bodmin Moor, Jamaica Inn is home to the Cornish Smuggling Museum, Daphne du Maurier Museum, Farm Shop, Gift Shop and a giant pirate ship kids can climb on. They serve great pub food too!
Museums and galleries in Cornwall
From national artworks to shipwreck treasures, these museums and galleries are a family-friendly day out.
- Shipwreck Treasure Museum: Located on the quay at historic Charlestown, this collection of over 8,000 local shipwreck artefacts will spark the imagination of every curious visitor.
- National Maritime Museum: Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum has 15 galleries of boats, maritime exhibits and fascinating stories of survival. Peer through the underwater window into the harbour waters and see what’s swimming by.
- Tate St Ives: Discover how St Ives became a hub for artists and view the ever-changing modern art exhibits at Tate St Ives. Views from the rooftop cafe and terrace are breathtaking!
- Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden: Admire the workshop and sculptures of this iconic 20th century sculptor in a unique outdoor garden setting.
More one-of-a-kind attractions in Cornwall
And here’s a few miscellaneous attractions in Cornwall that break the mould!
- Hangloose: Fly above the Eden domes on England’s longest and fastest zipline. Climb the High Ropes course or ride the Giant Swing if you dare!
- Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm: Learn more about the humble apple with a guided tour of this award-winning attraction. Sample cyder, wine and preserves at Cornwall’s oldest distillery, ride a tractor and meet farm animals while you’re there.
- Land’s End: This world-famous landmark offers 100 acres of natural beauty at the end of the world (almost!). Visit gift shops and family entertainment and stay late for the fireworks on select evenings in the summer.
Cornwall’s top historic attractions
Get hands-on with Cornish history at these attractions…
- PK Porthcurno: Named after its telecommunications call sign, PK Porthcurno was the site of the first undersea telegraph communication. Imagine that!
- Tintagel Castle: Explore the remains of this clifftop castle, said to be the birthplace of legendary King Arthur. The new bridge across the gully is simply amazing!
- Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre: Located at RAF St Mawgan, this is the place for history lovers and airplane buffs to stroll through the hangars of bombers, jet fighters and training aircraft. You can even take the controls of a flight simulator!
- Geevor Tin Mine: Go underground in the steps of Cornish miners at this award-winning former tin and copper mine. Don your hard hat, pan for gold and explore the interactive Hard Rock Museum.
- Pendennis Castle: Climb the keep of this coastal fortress and learn more about wartime Britain at this English Heritage
Gardens and National Trust properties
Cornwall gardens and National Trust estates come in all shapes and sizes!
- Eden Project: This global garden is an award-winning eco-friendly attraction near St Austell. Housed in giant biomes in a former quarry, the Eden Project takes you through steamy rainforests and canopy walks.
- Pinetum Gardens: The largest and latest modern garden created in Cornwall, Pinetum has one of the largest plant collections in Cornwall on a 30-acre site.
- St Michael’s Mount: Cast away in Mounts Bay near Marazion, St Michael’s Mount is a historic fortified home, chapel and subtropical gardens set on a rocky tidal island dating back to the 12th century.
- Trerice: A Grade I listed Elizabethan Manor with pretty gardens and fine interiors.
- Trebah Garden: A subtropical garden paradise leading down to a private beach near Magnan Smith.
- Trengwainton: Wooded paths are a highlight of this award-winning sheltered garden with superb sea views across Mounts Bay.
- Trelissick: This garden estate has woodland walks and panoramic views of the Fal Estuary.
- Lost Gardens of Heligan: Restored after almost 100 years of neglect, these stunning gardens extend to a Lost Valley, Kitchen Garden, Jungle and Victorian Pleasure Ground. It’s on 200 acres with lush tree ferns, giant rhododendrons and ancient woodland.
These amazing Cornwall attractions are recommended for first-time visitors, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. Wherever you choose to stay in Cornwall there will be even more local attractions and things to do!
Getting there and getting around
Most visitors staying more than a few days in Cornwall will find a car very handy, especially if you’ve booked a holiday cottage in Cornwall that’s a little off-the-beaten-track. If you’re arriving by train or plane, you can easily rent a car for a few days and explore some of the county’s amazing attractions, country pubs and natural sights.
Here are a few more tips that first time visitors to Cornwall might find super-helpful when getting around.
By air
If you’re planning to stay in or around Newquay, the easiest way to arrive is by air, especially if you’re only dropping in for a short stay. You can fly direct from London airports in about 75 minutes.
Currently Newquay Airport is served by EasyJet, Eastern, Ryanair, British Airways, Loganair, Aer Lingus, Edelweiss, Skybus and Eurowings.
UK routes include direct flights to / from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Teesside and Aberdeen. International routes include Dublin, Alicante, Faro and other major European cities.
By train
If you plan to travel to Cornwall by rail, there are many options. For example, you can catch the train from London Paddington to Newquay with First Great Western and direct services take about 5¼ hours. The journey along the south coast runs right along the water’s edge in places and is very scenic.
Getting around by train is equally scenic. Cornwall’s mainline service runs from Plymouth to Penzance and the main railway stations include Bodmin Parkway, Penzance and Newquay.
There are five branch lines which make it very easy to explore without having to worry about parking and navigating. They all offer outstanding scenery.
These include the Atlantic Coast Line (Par to Newquay), Looe Valley Line (Liskeard to Looe), Maritime Line (Falmouth to Truro), St Ives Bay Line (St Erth to St Ives) and the Tamar Valley Line (Gunnislake to Plymouth).
By road
Getting to Cornwall by road is pretty straightforward and two major routes cross the county border via the A30 and the A38. On Bank Holiday weekends and Saturdays in summer, it’s advisable to avoid arriving around midday or later. Long queues build up due to the sheer volume of traffic, caravans and boats all heading southwest. Travel overnight / early in the morning or book your holiday cottage accommodation with a changeover day on a Sunday or a weekday to avoid road stress!
Parking can be expensive and hard to find in popular tourist hotspots such as St Ives, Bude, Newquay, Port Isaac and Padstow. Do some research ahead of time and use Park and Ride if available, or park on the outskirts of the resort and walk in. You can always drop off beach gear and accompanied youngsters before looking for a parking spot further afield.
If you fancy exploring some of Cornwall’s coastal harbour communities and villages, many roads are barely a car wide. The high grassy banks hide another hazard – stone walls! Drive slowly and with caution, and remember any passing places as you’ll probably have to reverse at some point in your journey.
Having said all that, there’s nothing more idyllic than driving around Cornwall’s scenic country lanes taking in quaint cottages with blooming gardens, rolling pastures of grazing animals, high banks of wild flowers, extraordinary rock formations dotted across the moors, and occasional glimpses of the sea as you top the brow of a hill.
By bus
Cornwall has many local bus services which are a good way to explore. Check out the Go Cornwall Bus website for more information. You can buy tickets online that can be used on all bus services in the county, including Stagecoach. One-day tickets for adults cover unlimited bus travel in Cornwall for just £5; 7-day unlimited travel tickets are £20.
Car rentals
Car hire is available from Dollar, Enterprise and Alamo at Newquay Airport. Hertz also offer a meet-and-greet service for pre-booked car hire.
You can also book a hire car from Cornwall Car Hire with pick-up points at Truro Station, St Austell Station, Newquay Station & Airport, Bodmin Parkway, Camborne, Liskeard, Padstow, Penzance and Falmouth.
Prices vary according to the size of car and seasonal demand.
Best time to visit Cornwall
Anytime is a great time to visit Cornwall, but perhaps I’m a little biased!
If you want the best weather, the summer months from late May to late September have the longest days with average daytime highs reaching 19ºC+ in July and August. The county has an average 7 hours of sunshine per day from May to August, and slightly less in April and September. The least rainy months in Cornwall are April through September but you can still expect light showers delivering 60mm rainfall in a month.
If you want to enjoy lower prices and avoid the crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn in Cornwall are perfect. Outside school holidays and half-term, even busy places like Newquay and St Ives suddenly become easier to park or get a table at your favourite restaurant without a wait.
Cornwall is known for its mild winters and coastal communities rarely get frost. Bodmin Moor may have a light dusting of snow, but otherwise it’s a great time to visit for Christmas shopping, winter walks and snuggling up in front of cosy log fires.
Best places for shopping
If you fancy some serious retail therapy during your visit to Cornwall, Truro is a lovely city with all the main chain stores lining the narrow cobbled streets. It also has a huge covered shopping centre (Lemon Street Market), a Pannier Market with a host of stalls and traders, independent stores, charity shops and a farmer’s market on Lemon Quay on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s also a huge Christmas Market, a Summer Market and Antiques and Collectibles Markets on Lemon Quay on various dates.
Falmouth has a good mix of independent retailers and high street names along with surf shops, cafes and more. St Georges Arcade brings together an assortment of small retailers and speciality shops in a covered arcade setting.
Newquay has plenty of mainly independent shops with everything from local speciality stores to high street names. Surf and beach shops line the area around the harbour and elsewhere gift shops do a bustling trade.
St Ives is a great place if you like browsing and window-shopping. It has plenty of art galleries and gift shops along with delicious bakeries, bookstores, craft shops, home furnishing stores, fashion boutiques and more. The great thing about shopping in St Ives is that you can find things there that you won’t find anywhere else.
St Austell High Street was once a bustling town centre but now it has mainly small independent shops. Many businesses have relocated to out-of-town hubs such as Par Market and Food Hall or Stadium Retail Park. This 145,000 sq.ft. shopping centre includes the massive Cornish Market World, the largest indoor market in the southwest. Also in St Austell, White River Place is home to banks, mobile phone stores, New Look, Poundstretcher, Wilko, Superdrug and more. It also has a cinema, restaurants and a car park.
The upscale Kingsley Village is just off the A30 in Fraddon. It has a huge M&S, TKMax, Boots, Next and Mountain Warehouse sharing the chic new setting.
Bargain hunters will not want to miss a day at Trago Mills and yes, you really can spend a whole day there! There’s a superstore on the A38 near Liskeard and another in Falmouth. Inside, this cut-price emporium has a host of departments including furniture, home furnishings, clothing, footwear, sports and leisure, electrical, garden, DIY, arts and crafts and motoring needs. The car park at Liskeard has a pleasant riverside park with ducks and outdoor food trucks offering tasty hot snacks and drinks.
Bude High Street is well endowed with independent retailers and take-aways and there’s good parking nearby.
If you’re staying in Penzance, the main shopping hub is Wharfside Shopping Centre next to Warrens Bakery (just saying!).
Language
If you’ve been on holiday abroad, you’ll be familiar with hearing different languages and accents, and visiting Cornwall is just the same. Locals may speak with a Westcountry drawl, and some even keep the ancient Cornish language alive. You’re likely to come across some novel words and phrases as part of the local vernacular, so let me talk you through them…
- Dreckly: Dreckly is the Cornish equivalent of mañana. Although it means “directly”, it translates into something much, much slower.
- Maid / me luvver: Political correctness is slow to reach the Westcountry and you may be addressed by complete strangers as “Maid”, “Me ‘ansum” (my handsome) or even “Me luvver”. It’s meant as a friendly greeting, so best not take offense.
- Proper job: A term of approval for something well done.
- Kernow: Kernow is the Cornish word for Cornwall. You’re most likely to see it on signs saying Kernow a’gas dynergh – Welcome to Cornwall!
- Oggy: Local term for a pasty.
- Emmet: Cornish term for a tourist or holidaymaker.
- Up the line: Anywhere beyond Cornwall!
- Wasson?: A shorthand way of asking what’s happening.
Cultural festivals and events
Cornwall marks the seasons with a series of cultural festivals and annual events. Many of them are rooted in ancient Celtic myth and superstition.
One of the most well-known Cornish festivals is Helston’s Furry Day with the lively Floral Dance performed through the streets by locals who take the opportunity to dress up for the event.
The Lowender Peran Festival takes over the town of Perranporth to celebrate Cornish heritage through music, dance and drama and the May Day Pee-Whip Ceremony and St Ives Feast Day’s Hurling of the Silver Ball keep ancient traditions alive.
Local saints and heroes are remembered on Trevithick Day and St Piran’s Day (5th March).
The quarterly solstices are an integral part of Cornish heritage as the county has always been dependant on good fishing and a plentiful harvest to survive. Penzance Golowan Day is one of the festivals marking the Summer Solstice while the Montol Festival in Penzance marks the Winter Solstice with lantern parades and “River of Fire”.
There are many more festivals celebrating Cornish mining, steam history and even an ancient giant. You can enjoy a full run-down of all the most popular cultural festivals and events in Cornwall.
Music, literature and the arts are a big part of the Cornish way of life and of course they are celebrated in a host of arts festivals and events. Daphne du Maurier was the inspiration for the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature while the September Arts Festival in St Ives includes open galleries and film nights. Sea shanties and classical music all have their place on Cornwall’s festival calender.
We’ve already covered some top places for foodies to stay in Cornwall, but time your visit during one of the top Cornish food and drink festivals and you’re in for a real feast! From Falmouth Oyster Festival and Redruth Mining and Pasty Festival to the St Austell Brewery Celtic Beer Festival there’s something for all tastes!
These linked articles give a thorough overview of Cornwall’s annual festivals and events, but you’ll want to stay tuned for news of other events that pop up every year.
We’ll see you in Cornwall
So what are you waiting for? Find your favourite place to visit and book your holiday cottage in Cornwall without delay!
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.
