Reasons to spend Christmas in Cornwall

There are few better places to visit during the summer on a staycation in the United Kingdom than Cornwall. The beaches, sun-kissed countryside and slower pace of life are just a few reasons why Cornwall is such a sought-after holiday destination.

But what about the rest of the year? With Christmas now on the horizon, you might be thinking of taking a break in the county over the festive period and with cheap caravans in Cornwall l that you can stay in and special offers for stays at holiday parks, you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

Read on to find out just some of the reasons spending Christmas in Cornwall is a great holiday idea.

Christmas events in Looe

The Christmas holidays in Looe are always a delight, attracting visitors to the popular coastal town. Looe puts on a number of Christmas events over the festive season, all of which can be enjoyed when you decide to stay at our Looe caravan park.

Some of the fantastic Christmas events in Looe include:

Looe Lantern Procession – The parade carrying illuminated lanterns will march around West and East Looe before congregating at the Quayside Centre for carols and other planned activities. Visitors will also see the switch on of Looe’s Christmas lights.

Christmas Craft & Produce Fair – Visitors can expect to see stalls selling Christmas recipes, gifts and produce. The market also welcomes reindeer and live music in the Quayside Centre.

For the latest information and dates for Christmas events in Looe, take a look at the Visit Looe website.

Festivals and fairs

Christmas in Cornwall is a treasure trove of lovely festivals and fairs. If you decide to visit Cornwall at Christmas, exploring the county will allow you to experience a range of events for food, crafts, and festive cheer.

Some of your options include:

Newquay at Christmas

Newquay’s celebrations are ready to light up the town at the start of December in a spectacular start to the festive season.

Visitors can look forward to live music, Christmas carols, a light switch on, fireworks, street performers, a Christmas market, and a shop window competition.

Pencarrow Artisan Christmas Fair

If you want to make the best Christmas dinner or just want inspiration ahead of the big day, then you should visit the Pencarrow Christmas Fair.

Usually taking place on a weekend towards the end of November, Pencarrow welcomes many of the best craft makers and food producers in the county.

Whilst you are there, you can explore the magnificent Pencarrow House and Gardens and find out more about some of the films and TV programmes that have been filmed there.

Discover more Christmas events at Pencarrow.

Padstow Christmas Festival

Showcasing Padstow at its best, the festival is one of the UK’s largest, bringing together chefs, local food producers and crafts to celebrate Christmas in a captivating waterside setting. Attracting over 40,000 visitors, the festival sees an increase in popularity each year.

Embrace the festive season with a trip to Padstow’s annual Christmas Festival and see this Cornish fishing village come alive with celebrity chefs, culinary delights and festive fun.

Winter walks

You can make the most of the shorter days with a winter walk, as Cornwall is home to some stunning landscapes. From picturesque countryside trails to dramatic coastal paths, wrapping up in a cosy jumper and coat and going for a walk is a great way to really appreciate your surroundings.

Enjoying a walk with the family at Christmas has become a tradition for many, and it is exciting for the children to explore the remote corners of the county or head along the coast before the family warms themselves up with some food at a local pub or restaurant.

Cornwall boasts over 2,400 miles of footpaths, so you are guaranteed to find a route that suits you. From Newquay to Looe, choose between the expansive moors or winding coasts, with each walk as beautiful as the next.

Going on a winter walk is something Claire, who is the writer behind the travel blog Tin box Traveller, highly recommends when you are in Cornwall over the Christmas period.

“It’s so easy to completely unwind during a Christmas break in Cornwall. Everywhere is a lot sleepier but still as stunningly beautiful. We love winter walks on the beach and warming up with a hot chocolate afterwards.”

Visiting the Eden Project

As a year-round attraction, the Eden Project is a must-visit whenever you come for your Cornish holiday, but it becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas. There are events and activities organised that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Christmas at the Eden Project gets bigger every year, with the Mediterranean and Rainforest biomes awash with colourful lighting, live musicians playing all your seasonal favourites, and an ice-skating rink. Even the waterfall in the biomes will be illuminated!

As well as all this festive fun, you can gorge yourself silly by tucking into mince pies and other festive-themed foods. Father Christmas will also be in attendance, but if you have children who want to meet him, you will need to book a slot in advance.

Claire from the Tin Box Traveller told us that she loves the Eden Project and feels it is one of the best attractions to visit at Christmas in Cornwall.

“One of the best attractions to visit at Christmas is Eden Project. They have an ice rink and put on amazing light shows in the biome. This is one of our best memories from our last Christmas in Cornwall.”

Go seal spotting

There are many animals that live in Cornwall, but seals are one of the main attractions for wildlife enthusiasts. Seals are non-migratory and can be seen all year round in Cornwall, but for grey seals, pupping time runs from September through to January, and it is, therefore, a great time to see them.

Travel blogger Victoria runs the Travel Vixta site, and she recommends anyone who is staying in Cornwall over the Christmas period to wrap up warm and go seal spotting.

“Whilst many visit Cornwall in the summer, the winter is ideal to avoid the crowds and benefit from the therapeutic benefits of the fresh sea air, sounds of waves crashing, and wrapped-up winter walks along the beach and stunning coastline.

“A unique and memorable recommendation is to go seal spotting at Mutton Cove in Godrevy. Seal numbers increase through the autumn until January, and if you’re lucky, you can see up to 100 seals lying on the beach at Mutton Cove! It’s a protected beach for seals only, which you can view from the cliffs above from the coastal path.

“Be sure to time your visit right by checking the tide times to make sure the beach is as uncovered as possible to increase your chance of seeing plenty of seals.”

READ MORE: What wildlife can you see in Cornwall?

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are one of the most popular attractions in towns, cities and villages across the country during the festive season. The smell of fragrant foods fills the air while you shop for handmade gifts and sample local fayre. Across Cornwall, you will be treated to a great number of markets that are perfect for getting you in the festive spirit.

Some of the most popular markets in the county are the Fowey Christmas Market and the Jubilee Wharf Christmas Fair in Penryn. Both of these markets have live music, a selection of delicious foods and drinks to try and gifts that you can buy.

READ ALSO: What are the best Christmas Markets in Cornwall?

The Beaches

Of course, beaches are closely associated with the summer season, particularly in Cornwall. But you will not be the only one wanting to make the most of the coast during your stay at our Looe holiday park.

Crowds descend upon the southernmost tip of England in their millions, but during the winter, you have much more freedom. Forget scrambling for a parking space; you have more than 300 beaches to choose from in Cornwall ,all of which are as beautiful in December as they are in July. Swap your swimwear for a warm jacket and woolly scarf as you stroll along the tranquil coastal paths and through the sand.

It is a perfect afternoon activity with the family to help blow away the cobwebs you might have or to burn off some of those mince pies.

READ MORE: Which beaches in Cornwall have Blue Flag status?

Try warming Cornish food at Christmas

A traditional Cornish pasty is something that everyone can enjoy any time of the year. But when the temperature drops and you need comfort food guaranteed to warm you up, a freshly baked pasty will certainly hit the spot.

Pasties date back to the 1300s but became a popular dish for the masses between the 17th and 18th centuries. Possibly Cornwall’s most famous food, there’s even a World Championship competition held to find the best pasty. But for a real flavour of the area, it must be traditional.

To qualify, a traditional Cornish pasty must contain beef and vegetables and be made within the county lines. However, if you want to try something a little different, opt for a flavourful and festive variation like beef and stilton.

READ ALSO: Where to get a Christmas pasty in Cornwall?

Cornwall is full of award-winning foods and businesses, many of which are recognised nationally. There are, in fact, more than 330 registered food and drinks producers.

Why not top your mince pies with some Rodda’s clotted cream? Or try a British staple, fish and chips, on your holiday in Looe. Described as the nation’s favourite meal, Cornwall’s vast coastline means that fishing is ingrained in its people. From pubs to the local chippy, you will find some of the freshest and most delicious offerings in the country.

READ MORE: Tips for making Cornish foods at home

Christmas Day swimming

If you are in Cornwall on the big day, then you and the family should brave a Cornish tradition and take part in one of the Christmas Day sea swims that take place.

Every year, there are thousands of people who gather on Cornish beaches to take a dip in the sea or, those who are not quite brave enough, can just spectate.

Seeing the stunning Christmas Lights

From the cities and large towns to the small Cornish fishing villages, during your Christmas break in Cornwall, you can enjoy all the lights that are put up around the streets.

One of the most impressive displays is in the little fishing village of Mousehole, where a host of Christmas lights are put up around the harbour. The Mousehole Christmas Lights are a hugely popular attraction to visit over the Christmas and New Year period, as on top of the display of lights, you can enjoy music and lots of Christmas treats.

These are just some of the reasons why Cornwall is a magical place to visit over the festive period. To recap, we’ve listed some of the reasons to spend Christmas in Cornwall.

• Christmas events in Looe
• Festivals and fairs
• Winter walks
• Visiting the Eden Project
• Go seal spotting
• Christmas Markets
• The Beaches
• Try warming Cornish food at Christmas
• Christmas Day swimming
• Seeing the stunning Christmas Lights

To read more articles and guides like this, check out our blog section. If you would like to experience Cornwall this Christmas season, book your stay at our Cornwall holiday park.