Is there actually anything to do in Cornwall in Winter?
This is a question I ask myself every year as the weather gets steadily worse.
There’s no doubt that Cornwall is fantastic in Spring, Summer and Winter. If you have doubts about that, you can get out (or just go here and here to change your mind). Meanwhile, Winter can be questionable.
It takes some effort to be creative and think of things to do each year when this season rolls around, so I thought I’d write it here instead, to save you (and future me) the trouble:
1. Go ice skating at Eden
I haven’t actually been yet this year, but the rink is open from 17th October ’til the 18th February, so there’s plenty of chances to go. It’s a great excuse to go there to explore the biomes too (hot and undercover, so perfect for Winter!).
2. Eat a hot pasty on the cliffs
One of my favourite things to do on a Winter Saturday is head down to Hayle, grab a pasty (from Philps, obvs), and drive up to the cliffs to look out to sea while we eat from the warm dryness of the car!
3. Go on a course
Learn a new skill or just do something different by going on a day course. Whether it’s photography or breadmaking, there’s plenty to choose from in Cornwall.
4. Add some artistic culture to your life
You can easily spend hours wandering around the Tate gallery in St. Ives. Plus (if it’s not chucking it down outside), you can always grab a coffee and walk along the beach promenade afterwards too. It’s so empty and peaceful in Winter!
5. Go swimming
If you’ve got kids (or just want a day being a big-kid), try Ships & Castles in Falmouth, Waterworld in Newquay, or Hendra Waterpark in Newquay for slides, whirlpools and more. Or, if you fancy a more peaceful swim, there are plenty of hotels that offer day access to their spa and leisure facilities (try St. Michaels in Falmouth, or Penventon in Redruth).
6. Have a hot chocolate with a view
There are several places I can recommend for this: Blue Bar overlooking Porthtowan beach, Gylly Beach Cafe at the edge of Gyllingvase beach, or The Watering Hole on the beach in Perranporth!
7. See some theatre
Book a show at Hall for Cornwall OR watch it on screen at one of Cornwall’s cinemas. I have never done this but I’ve heard it’s a great way to experience it!
8. For the kids – play areas
Cornwall’s Crealy is open in Winter and has some great indoor play areas that can easily keep you busy for the whole day. Alternatively, Kidzworld or Jungle Jacks are also fairly inexpensive!
9. Take a book to an independent cafe
Wander around one of Cornwall’s quaint towns or villages and find a small cafe to sit in and chill. You could try Bone China in Truro or Dolly’s in Falmouth for a vintage afternoon tea!
10. Have lunch (or dinner) at a Cornish pub
Sometimes nothing can beat some hot pub grub in Winter, and luckily in Cornwall we aren’t short of pubs.
Visit your local or (for something a little bit fancy), book a table at The Old School Bar & Kitchen in Mount Hawke!
Folk dancing at ‘The Front’ pub in Fal on a Monday night :D orrrrr sitting by the log fire at Beowulf book pub (also in Fal) with a drink and a friend ^_^ -those are some of my favourites.
I really love winter walks, I actually feel that I enjoy winter far more in Cornwall than in Bath where there’s ‘lots to do’. Cornwall without emmets is sublimely dreamy :D The January-March lull is a little bleak but nothing a pasty can’t solve ;)
I really love the swimming pools but I find that Oasis and Waterworld are normally closed in Winter :( You can use the main pool at Waterworld but the fun pool is often closed which is mega sad cause I LOVE THE GIANT HIPPOS. My childhood is built on those hippos :P xxx
I’ve never been to folk dancing night at the Front! Bet that’s fun :D
Do it, it’s actually really fun! Loads of old cheery men who LOVE to teach newbies, though expect to be utterly exhausted, and pretty drunk by the time you finish (folk dancing is hot stuff and has to be paired with a lot of cider to keep you cool!) xx
Owh what I didn’t know that about the pools! Thanks for the heads up :( I miss those giant hippos.
Loving your suggestions here :) I need to go to Falmouth more it sounds…x
I haven’t done the ice skating in Eden yet, and I really want to! Might have to suggest that to the boyf for this weekends’ activities :P and you definitely can’t beat a hot chocolate at Gylly! I love it when it’s stormy outside and you can sit inside (or outside with the hot lamps if you’re brave!) and watch the weather fly by :)
It’s very festive there with the rink up :) And yes, you should also try the white hot chocolate at the Blue Bar too if you haven’t already! x
I LOVE this post, and actually miss Cornwall in the winter a lot! Hence visiting next weekend for a whistle stop tour of wintery bliss! Another thing I’ll add, because it was probably the best thing I did the whole time I lived in Cornwall is try Gig Rowing! Go for a few free rows at a local club (there are tonnes all around Cornwall) to see if you like it – the main rowing season is during the winter and you can either do it socially or competitively and is it the BEST! You get to see bits of the coastline you wouldn’t otherwise see, do some exercise and meet some really cool people! :) Nankersey 4 Lyf…innit! ;) xxx
I really enjoy seaside places in the winter, there’s so much peace and quiet to enjoy.
As an outsider who gets to Cornwall every 3 months, winter is my favourite season. I love cliff-top walks, storm-watching, being able to drive from A-B without traffic, and hot chocolate at Watergate Bay’s Beach Hut.
I’m a winter girl rather than a summer girl anyway so i absolutely love this time of year! I love wrapping up warm and going for long walks, especially when the weather is bleak – it adds a touch of mystery to the woodlands and coastline. I love that it’s so quiet in Cornwall during the winter – sometimes it feels too hectic in the summer with so many people around. Another of my favourite things to do when it’s stormy is to go wave watching in places like Porthleven – it never gets boring! :)
Jessica x
Cruelty Free Cottage
Great list! Whenever I am in Cornwall over winter I spend all of my time outdoors – there is something magical and mystical about Cornish evenings in winter when the mist is rolling in from the sea and the gorse bushes make weird shadows in front of you and the sound and smell of the sea – aaah, bliss!