While it’s tempting to hibernate in Cornwall in winter, the Duchy has much to offer during the slow, quieter winter months.
It’s a good time to take advantage of all the places and events Cornwall has to offer in low season. Here are 6 of my favourite things to do in Cornwall in Winter.
Winter Beach.
There’s plenty of beaches to explore in Cornwall and over the winter months they’re a pleasure to walk on. For starters they quiet and there’s room to park. Cornwall has plenty of dog friendly beaches too but you don’t have to own a pooch to go for a wander. I personally like a brisk walk to blow off the cobwebs (for some reason it feels like a Sunday thing to do) and then have a delicious warm drink nearby.
Which brings me to…
Winter Warmers In A Beach Cafe.
If you plan your beach visit, you may find there’s somewhere with a sea view for you to sip a hot chocolate and warm your cockles! Gylly Beach in Falmouth has the Gylly Beach Cafe overlooking the wonderful view, as does The Pier House in Charlestown. If you’re on the north coast, The Watering Hole in Perranporth is always popular.
South West Coast Path Exploration.
I love the Cornish coast path. There’s hundreds of miles to explore and the view is never boring. Plus, walking is something you can do whatever the weather as long as you have the right footwear. If you’ve already started exploring the Cornish coastpath, you would’ve seen how different the north (below) and south coastlines are. Both are outstandingly beautiful.
Get Creative.
There are many renowned Cornish or Cornwall based artists, and there’s a reason for that. In Cornwall, we’re spoilt for scenery and artistic inspiration. If you’re up for getting artistic, there’s many places that offer one day or longer courses. Newlyn School of Art do a range of short courses, usually lasting 2 or 3 days throughout the year. Truro Arts Company offers workshops, usually on a Monday, covering a range of subjects from the Cornish coast to silversmithing. Some workshops are free, but for most there’s a reasonable charge. They offer weekly life drawing classes too.
If you don’t fancy getting creative but would like to take in some art, you’re in luck. In Cornwall there’s art galleries galore, with most towns and villages offering something. Places like St Ives and Newlyn are awash with galleries but there are other beauties further afield. One of my all time favourite galleries is the Mid Cornwall Art Gallery, near St Austell. A good stop off point if you’re making your way to Fowey, where you’ll find the Fowey River Gallery, a regular browsing place for me.
Coastal Village Wanders.
I would recommend having a mooch around the seaside and coastal villages and towns while you’re visiting Cornwall. Larger, more tourist favoured spots like St Ives (below) and Padstow will always draw a crowd. Port Issac is worth a visit too, if not just for the timeless sleepiness it offers. Likewise, the Roseland Peninsula may be out on a limb but it has many unspoilt villages and local pubs to acquaint yourself with. Charlestown, near St Austell has expanded quite a lot in the past 10 years. I suspect this is partly due to the presence of Ross Poldark and his camera crew. If he’s not there, don’t worry. There’s usually one or two tall ships to explore, and plenty of places to eat.
Get On Your Bike.
Why not take on some of the cycle routes in Cornwall? Most are flat and all are scenic. In east Cornwall you have the Camel Trail which takes you from Bodmin to Padstow. You can start at Wadebridge though if you’d like a shorter route. You can grab some fish and chips or a good old Cornish pasty at your half way point before you head back. Around the St Austell area is Kingswood, a 2 mile trail popular with dog walkers and families. If you park at Kingswood, the trail takes you to Pentewan where there’s a pub and a couple of seasonal tea rooms. Finally, there’s the Bissoe trail which is much longer. It starts at Deveoran and ends at Portreath, but you don’t have to do it all. Bike Chain has a tearoom which is a popular congregation point for serious and leisure cyclists alike.
I hope I’ve made the winter outdoors in Cornwall tempting, it’s certainly worth exploring. What do you like doing in winter, whether you’re in Cornwall or elsewhere?