As the weather becomes more wintery and the long, dark nights draw in it would be very easy to just stay at home and hibernate until spring, but, of course, if you do decide to venture outside there is always something wonderful to do in Cornwall!
Here is our guide to some exciting, unusual and magical things to do in Cornwall this winter!
Rogue Otherworld at Tehidy – Winter Wood
Discover the magic of storytelling in a wild landscape as the ever imaginative Rogue Theatre weave wonder amongst the trees at Tehidy again this December.
Winter Wood is for those seeking the magic that surrounds us all but which we often forget or fail to see. It is the star-studded crown of Rogue’s annual cycle of seasonal events in Tehidy Woods. Just pass through the Woodland Gate, follow the twisting path, listen to the festive, seasonal tales told by Old Man Winter, discover the faeries and the hidden Midwinter Grotto and lose yourself in this immersive, theatrical adventure.
9th – 30th December
Montol, Penzance
On the 21st December the streets of Penzance will come to life with the annual Montol procession. This colourful mid-winter festival is a revival of old Celtic celebrations and customs that date back hundreds of years and mark the turning of the seasons and the arrival of the winter solstice.
Expect weird and wonderful costumes, carol singing, lantern sculptures, wild music and dancing, maybe the odd fire-eater! The atmospheric processions, which are the culmination of a week-long arts festival, start after dark, usually around 4pm, with the main procession at 6pm, when the dancers and musicians making their merry way around the streets – a feast for the eyes and senses. There will be beacons lit around the town and the traditional burning of the Cornish Yule Log too.
For more information try: Montol Festival – Winter Solstice in Penzance
Heligan Night Garden
Deep in the Cornish countryside this world famous estate is already a magical place to spend time but during the winter visitors can follow a spellbinding after-dark trail. Leading you through Heligan’s lost gardens and the surrounding woodlands the path passes imaginative illuminated displays.
The idea behind the event is to hold up a nocturnal magnifying glass to the often-overlooked wonders and beauty of the nature on our doorstep. From badgers to fungi, bees to butterflies, and a joyful family of cheeky Tamworth pigs, this wonderful seasonal trail creates a treasure-filled space for families and friends to discover these beautiful indigenous species.
For more information try: Heligan Night Garden – a magical Christmas light show event
Tom Bawcock’s Eve, Mousehole
On the evening of the 23rd December each year the little fishing community of Mousehole holds a very special kind of celebration. Tom Bawcock’s Eve marks a dramatic event in the village’s history, when one man saved the population from starvation by bringing in a catch on a very stormy night.
Mousehole celebrates Tom’s bravery with a beautiful lantern parade around the picturesque harbour, much singing in the local pubs and the eating of Stargazey Pie!
And finally . . .
If all that still seems a bit too much why not relax and unwind from your Christmas stress in Penzance’s geothermal pool – the first of its kind in the UK! Bathe in natural salt water heated to between 30-35 degrees by Cornwall’s very own geothermal well.