Winter in Cornwall offers you the chance to explore the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the country at a quieter time of the year. As well as the gorgeous beaches and countryside surrounding each of the towns in the county, there are still a number of exciting activities and events taking place over the winter months! We’ve put together a guide to some of the highlights!
Ice Skating, The Eden Project
A winter wonderland awaits at the Eden Project, trading the tropical for the snowy with their impressive ice rink. Open now until the 23rd of February, the ice rink is open for skaters of all abilities, with novices and pros alike taking to the ice for a 40-minute skating session. Warm up afterwards with a toasty mug of hot chocolate or fuel a second spin around the rink with a burger! For those looking to learn, skating lessons are on offer, allowing you to impress by performing a few moves on the ice. Play sessions are also on offer for the little ones with fun skating games and icy activities perfect for both toddlers and children.
Heligan by Night, The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Experience the magic of the Lost Gardens of Heligan in a new light with the incredible illuminations from light artist Ulf Pedersen. Stroll through the gardens after dark to witness a unique display of sound and light in this stunning immersive experience. See the grounds in a unique way, as you traverse through the landscape of vibrant colours, as the natural world is somehow transformed into something entirely more sensational! Heligan will be illuminated on a number of dates in December and January: 19th-23rd December, 27th-30th December and 2nd-4th January.
Event tickets must be booked in advance with an allocated time slot. First entry starts at 5.30pm, with sessions starting every 15 minutes, with the last slot beginning at 7.30pm. The incredible journey through the grounds should take around an hour, so be sure to wrap up warm!
Lanterns and Lights, National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Christmas at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall has taken on the theme of Lanterns and Lights this year, with plenty of festive fun on offer from Saturday 21st of December until Sunday 5th January. Follow glistening light trails through the Museum and see the traditional wooden boats adorned with festive decorations and lights, as a Maritime version of a Christmas tree! Before Christmas, Make and Take workshops will involve creating festive macramé lanterns, or after Christmas, you can create lit paper boats that will be displayed in the Main Hall.
Unbounded, The Eden Project
An exhibition of contemporary art, Unbounded explores the social and environmental landscapes of Cornwall, and all the complexities these offer. Showcasing a range of artists from, or connected to, Cornwall, the exhibit will be held in the Core Exhibition Gallery in The Eden Project until the 26th of January 2020. Entry to this event is included with the Eden Admission, Pass or Membership.
St Ives Feast Day
Celebrating an ancient tradition that dates back hundreds of years to the 1400s, the St Ives Feast takes place on the 10th of February 2020! The most important part of the day is the ‘Hurling of the Silver Ball’, a Cornish custom that has been enjoyed for almost a thousand years. Now only celebrated in two towns in Cornwall, including St Ives, this old form of rugby sees participants attempting to grab the small silver ball from each other around the town, with some people even braving the chilly sea to get away with the ball! The winner is the person who can deliver the silver ball to the mayor at the St Ives Guildhall at midday, and they will be awarded with a silver coin!
If you’re looking for a quieter getaway over the winter months, or even to celebrate the New Year somewhere new, our luxury Cornish cottages provide the perfect haven for you and your family. For more information on booking your dream Cornish family holiday, please get in touch with our team; our contact details can be found at the bottom of the page!