Shannon
16 October 2019
Christmas in Cornwall is a magical experience. From the twinkling lights that illuminate the villages to the quaint markets and fantastic places to eat on Christmas and Boxing Day. Whether you’re a local or travelling from afar for a festive family get-together, discover the very best of a Cornish Christmas today…
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Where to go
What to do
Where to eat on Christmas Day
Where to eat on Boxing Day
Things to do on Boxing Day
Where to stay
Where to go
During the winter, Cornwall is a fantastic place to be. With the dog-friendly beaches, the stunning scenery and quieter season, this is the best chance to explore at your own pace. Plus, unlike other seaside destinations, the whole place doesn’t close down once summer ends! There are so many wonderful places to explore; a few of our favourites include Falmouth, Bude, Bodmin, St Austell and Mousehole, but continue reading to hear more about the towns and villages that come alive with events and markets at Christmas.
What to do
No matter what time of year you choose to explore the Cornish coast and countryside, you can rest assured that there will be plenty going on. November and December tend to be focused around the best Christmas markets, of which there are many! But there are also a number of non-shopping orientated events for the more experiential amongst you. The Christmas lights in Mousehole are a must-see, The Eden Project has an array of family-centric activities, Padstow has its own little festival and many of the National Trust grounds are suitably decorated for the season!
Where to eat on Christmas Day
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of cooking on Christmas day? We don’t blame you! Luckily some of Cornwall’s fine eateries will be open on the 25th December to cater for your festive feast. Here are a few of the places we’d recommend looking at…
The Alverton, Truro - £89.00 per person
Offering: A three-course festive feast in a stunning setting.
The Beach Hut, Newquay - £70.00 per person, £35 for under 12s
Offering: A Christmas celebration by the sea with all the trimmings.
The Working Boat, Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth - £49.00 per person, £25 per child
Offering: A pub-style three-course lunch with beautiful views of Falmouth harbour.
Mount Haven Hotel, Marazion - £90.00 per person
Offering: A fine four-course menu with meat, fish and vegetarian options.
The Oystercatcher, Polzeath - £57.95 per person, £27.50 for under 12s
Offering: A three-course lunch in the cosiest of country pub settings.
Where to eat on Boxing Day
Whatever your plans are for Boxing Day, you’ll want to find somewhere good to eat. Although only a limited number of places are open, so we’d recommend booking early, they all offer delectable dishes for all the family.
The Gannet, St Ives - £28.95 per person
The Riverside, Boscastle - £18.95 per person
Lanhydrock Hotel, Bodmin - £26.95 per person, £18.95 for under 10s
Fifteen, Newquay - £60.00 per person, £30.00 for under 12s
Silks, Newquay - £49.00 per person
Things to do on Boxing Day
The day after Christmas is a wonderful time to get the family together and head off on an adventure in Cornwall. Depending on whether you’re feeling brave enough to head for a sea swim or would rather just stick to a short stroll to one of the fantastic restaurants serving Boxing Day lunch that we’ve mentioned above, here are some of the activities to consider for your itinerary…
Eden Project
The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions, and the good news is, it’s open on Boxing Day! Here the festivities continue into January, with the ice-skating rink, twinkling lights and seasonal displays charming guests of all ages. If you’re spending Christmas with the wider family, this is the place to be to please every single member!
Boxing Day swims
Boxing Day swims are somewhat of a tradition across the South West, with locals and visitors all joining together to brave the waves. Usually taking place between 10am and 12pm at some of Cornwall’s favourite beaches, it’s an experience not to miss. A few of the beaches that host the swims are: Portreath, Poldhu, Perranporth, St Ives, Charlestown, St Austell, and Newquay.
Walks
There’s nothing like a crisp winter walk to start the day and in Cornwall, you’re never far from a picturesque trail. Head to the beach with your four-legged friend, tread a segment of the South West Coast Path, or head off on a historic pathway to learn of the local legends. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not see if there are any Geocaching treasure trails nearby on the app?
Pantomime
This year’s panto is Treasure Island, which is on show at the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, between the 13th December and the 5th January. The nautical story pairs perfectly with a coastal stay in Cornwall, and is a great way to wind down from the excitement of Christmas day, so kick back and relax for a few hours with the family.
Where to stay
On the hunt for an elegant celebration house or a cosy Christmas cottage? Our collection features a broad selection of properties to meet your every need, including dog-friendly abodes and some with a splash of luxury with their own private hot tubs! Here’s a little bit of inspiration on where to stay for Christmas.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.