What to do in Cornwall in April?
One of the best ways to shake off winter is by spending a few days in Cornwall in spring and one of the best months you can visit the Duchy is in April. The county emerges from hibernation and comes alive during the month as the evenings get brighter, the temperatures rise and the beaches begin to get busier once again.
With Easter also on the horizon, it is the perfect time for you and the family to pack up your things and book one of the cheap caravan holidays in Cornwall that are on offer at this time of the year. If you have booked your trip and are looking at what to do in Cornwall in April, then read on as our guide shares the best events that are taking place and the top attractions you can visit.
Best events in Cornwall in April
- Porthleven Food Festival
- Endellion Easter Festival
- Roseland Festival
- Rattler Fest
- St Agnes Bolster Festival
Porthleven Food Festival
Date of event: 22-24 April
If you are staying in our Looe holiday park in April, then one of the best festivals you can visit is the Porthleven Food Festival. It is an award-winning, community-led not-for-profit event that brings families and foodies together to enjoy eats and beats around the picturesque Cornish harbour.
Jenna Sobey, who helps to organise the festival, told us about this year’s event and what you can expect to see: “We’re offering an entirely free event this year after what has been a tumultuous two years for the events industry, and for those who have desperately missed this kind of interaction.
“Our theme this year is Food for Thought, which is so relevant after living through the lockdowns. We’re supporting The Sea Sanctuary as a charity partner, which is one of the world’s leading exponents of blue health – the concept that ‘blue spaces’, such as the sea, are beneficial for people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
“We have a huge amount going on this year in the village. We have two days of chef’s demos from the county’s finest chefs – including a guest appearance and cook-off by our Patron Antony Worrall-Thompson.
“This year we’re launching The Diners Club, which is a concept that will enable visitors to buy small pots of food from the vendors around the site, so they can trial smaller portions but more of them. A real chance to sample everything that the festival is offering by way of culinary delights.
“In the daytimes, we also have live music, and a children’s tent, as well as an Ann’s Pasties tent offering great food and entertainment throughout the weekend. In the evenings live bands will light up the harbour and give a real festival vibe for those wishing to make a night of it. We honestly can’t wait for this year. It’s going to be beyond brilliant to see the return of this festival.”
As this year’s festival is free, organisers are asking anyone who wishes to support the festival to make a donation on their Just Giving page.
St. Endellion Easter Festival
Date of event: 9 – 17 April
This year will be the 49th St. Endellion Easter Festival and it is set to be one of the best yet in its long history. The event takes place in the 15th century Collegiate Church of St. Endelienta in St. Endellion, and it will play host to a musical experience not to be missed.
You can expect chamber, orchestral and choral concerts with some of the leading soloists in the country set to attend.
Suzanne Doyle & Katy Thomson, the Co-Chairs of the St. Endellion Easter Festival, spoke to us about what you can expect from this year’s festival: “Celebrating spirituality in the arts, the festival programme is packed with events to suit every taste: from late-night candle-lit jazz to lunchtime literary events and a host of classical chamber concerts as well as two performances of Bach’s epic masterpiece, the St. Matthew Passion, with Mark Padmore as the Evangelist. This festival really does have something for everyone. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment, and we look forward to welcoming you to festival events soon!”
Roseland Festival
Date of event: 23 April to 7 May
If you combine history and art, films and photography with folk, jazz and choirs, then you’ll get the Roseland Festival. This festival is renowned for its diverse range of events that offer something for everyone, and this year is set to be no different.
Some of the events that will be taking place as part of the 2022 festival include:
- A Cornish Folk Concert
- A Book Talk called ‘Troubled Waters’ by Nigel Sharp
- St Just Gardens Tour
- Tresillian Singers – a choir that will perform at St Just Church
- Vineyard Tour at Knightor Winery
- A Spinning and Weaving Talk and Demonstration
- A showing of the Frenchman’s Creek Film
- A talk from The Coastguards
- A performance from Jacka Jazz Entertains
- Book Talk by Jo Jakeman
- The Harbour Gallery Jenny Aitken Exhibition
- The Gardens of Glendurgan tour
- Ross Morris Classical Guitar Concert
- Philleigh Way Fish Cooking Demonstration and Lunch
- Foraging at Pendower
- A tour to see the Hall for Cornwall’s Transformation
- A guided visit to St Anthony Church
Rattler Fest
Date of event: 22-24 April
RATTLER FEST 2022 from Tam Johnstone on Vimeo.
This will be the second year of the Rattler Fest and as it describes on the festival’s website, it is set to be ‘bigger, better and more fun than ever before!’
It is an adult-only celebration of all things Rattler, the three-day event will see live music, a Spring Break Pool Party and celebrity DJs, a Silent Disco, Apres Ski Lodge Sessions and the Rattler Olympics taking place!
Held at Healeys Cyder Farm, the lineup for this year’s music event includes Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, The Feeling, Utah Saints, Bob Marley Revival and Company B.
Tickets are on sale with prices starting at £40, but only people aged 18 and over can purchase them.
St Agnes Bolster Festival
Date of event: 30 April to 1 May
The St Agnes Bolster Festival is a huge celebration of Cornish music and a procession that features life-size puppets, a drum band and a 28ft giant effigy re-enacting the famous Cornish legend of the giant called Bolster.
It is said that long ago Cornwall was full of giants and one of them, called Bolster, terrorised the north coast of Cornwall by eating their children and this event celebrates the demise of this giant. As well as the pageant, there is a lantern procession, a bonfire and a BBQ.
The second day of the event sees the Knight Sir Constantine and the bolster drummers parade the streets of the village in search of Bolster. It is the perfect family day out if you are on holiday in Cornwall in April.
Best attractions to visit in Cornwall in April
- The Minack Theatre
- Newquay Zoo
- Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Minack Theatre
Image source: Lynn Batten
The plants are not the only thing to come alive in April as the Minack Theatre springs back into life with a whole host of performances taking place during the month.
Watching a performance at the Minack Theatre or even just visiting it, is one of the top things to do in Cornwall no matter what time of the year you are visiting. 2022, however, is Minack’s 90th anniversary year and as part of the celebrations, you should look out for a special exhibition about the beginnings of the theatre in 1932 and the very first production that took place here. This Rough Magic will be opening at the Minack this Easter.
Vanessa Jackson, the Marketing Manager at The Minack Theatre, told us a bit more about why you should visit the Minack Theatre in April: “The Minack is an entrancing place to visit at any time of year, especially in spring as the weather grows warmer and plants begin to wake up from their winter slumber (Are we the only theatre in the UK to have a garden actually in the auditorium?). Discover the extraordinary story of Rowena Cade and how she built this amazing space, literally with her own hands. Enjoy the breathtaking views over Porthcurno Bay and look out for the seals and other marine mammals that visit our shores in spring. And don’t forget to enjoy a cream tea or a snack in our panoramic café or picnic on our grass terraces.
“The Minack is first and foremost a theatre, and we have a full programme of events happening in April including Hetty Feather our Easter production which runs from 10 – 21 April. Originally planned for Easter 2020, this production was postponed due to Covid, only a few days before it was due to open. We’re delighted to bring it back to life at last and share this vibrant adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s much-loved tales a little girl whose dreams become dangerously entangled when she runs away to the circus in search of her mother.”
The Minack is always busy in holiday seasons and advance booking is advised for all visits and performances is strongly advised at any time and is essential during school holidays.
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is another great attraction that should be on your must-visit list in April as there will be lots of different events and activities taking place throughout the month and during the Easter holidays.
There will be animal talks every day at Newquay Zoo, and from Monday, 4 April, there will be a range of free activities themed around nature, including making your own seed bombs!
A spokesperson from Newquay Zoo said that the zoo can get busy during the Easter holidays, and they shared their tips for visiting during this time of the year:
- Make sure to book ahead
- Don’t forget that you can buy a saver ticket for two adults and two children
- When you arrive, make sure to check out when and where the animal talks will be taking place each day, as you won’t want to miss out!
Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan are one of Cornwall’s premier tourist attractions and for good reason as the 200 acres of land boasts a fascinating history and some spectacular gardens that can be enjoyed all-year round.
If you are wondering what to do in April in Cornwall, then the Lost Gardens of Heligan is one attraction which should be near the top of your list of places to visit as not only can you enjoy the stunning gardens but there are some great events that take place during the spring.
One event that is taking place in April is The Lost Gardens of Heligan’s Nature’s Superheroes. As part of the event, you will be able to choose your superhero and follow a quiz trail mission map that will take you across the Heligan estate. You will learn about the lives of these ‘nature superheroes’ and how they affect ours and what we can do to help them survive. The nature superheroes include the super bee, the mighty oak, the super cow, the terrific tardigrade to name just a few.
Here at Dolphin Holidays, we are one of the top holiday parks in Cornwall and the festivals and attractions featured in this guide are just some of the amazing places you can visit and events you can attend in April when you are staying with us. To read more articles and guides like this, check out our blog section.
