Best Things to do in Cornwall in the Winter (2024)

These things to do in Cornwall in the Winter, cover the best attractions, festive events and light shows, perfect for a UK Winter Break.

Cornwall is a place that’s famous as a summer holiday destination in the UK, with its many beaches and sunny maritime climate making it the perfect family break in the UK. But did you know that it’s just as great a holiday destination during the winter as well?

If you want to avoid the crowds, avoiding the summer might be the better choice! While you might not want to brave the chill of the winter waters, there are a wealth of other activities that Cornwall has to offer during the colder months of the year.

So, before you book any activity holidays in the UK, consider these options for things to do on a winter break in Cornwall.

Best Things to do in Cornwall in the Winter

Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan after dark

Like many places in Cornwall, The Lost Gardens of Heligan are an incredible treat at any time of the year. But it’s during the winter months that the gardens are transformed into something extra special with the Heligan Night Garden.

From mid-November to early January, the gardens are transformed after dark with a variety of lights, lanterns and installations. The trail changes every year, offering new experiences to visitors who wander along the mile or so of pathways through the garden grounds. 

Along the way, there are fire pits for gathering round and toasting marshmallows, as well as spots to enjoy some hot food and drinks.

You can meander through the gardens at your own pace, enjoying the marvels of the lanterns, the natural surroundings and the magical wintery atmosphere before heading back to the warmth of your car.

Visit the Mousehole Harbour Lights

Far down in the south of Cornwall sits the fishing village of Mousehole, home to one of the most beloved local winter traditions. The Mousehole Harbour Lights have been a December staple since 1963, although they’ve gotten a little bigger and brighter since then.

These days, the little village becomes home to more than 7,000 individual light bulbs and LEDs, with many of them to be found decorating the harbour itself.

There’s really no describing the magical atmosphere and the sight of all the colourful lights reflecting in the bobbing waters of the harbour – so, you’ll just have to see it for yourself!

Even if you don’t visit for the switching-on ceremony in December, the lights remain in place until early January, so there’s a good window of time to visit.

If you’re feeling especially brave, try out the traditionally Cornish stargazy pie – which often features in a less-edible form within the light display itself.

Go ice skating at the Eden Project

The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s most famous locations and a must on your UK Bucket list.

Still, it’s undeniable that Eden’s iconic domes look especially impressive when lit up against the dark of winter evenings. And they form an incredible backdrop for the seasonal ice-skating rink!

Between October and February, the Eden Project adds an ice rink to its attractions, giving visitors even more to do during their time at Eden. Sessions are open to all ages and skill levels, with cute penguin and snowman skating aids available to help the kids out on the ice.

Try to book ahead where possible, and make sure to leave at least 30 minutes between your arrival at Eden and the start of your session to give yourself ample time to get down to the rink.

If you’re looking to warm up after your time on the rink, then head into the rainforest biome for a change of pace and temperature that’s sure to cure any chilly hands or faces.

Enjoy having beaches to yourselves

Winter isn’t the time for a spot of sunbathing, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good time to head down to one of Cornwall’s many beaches. For one thing, during the winter off-season, you’ll find that there are a whole lot fewer people to share the sands with!

The chances are that you’ll have the beach almost entirely to yourself if you head down to the waterfront during the winter.

This is also an excellent time of year to plan a dog-friendly trip to the beach, as the strict dog bans are lifted from all the region’s beaches outside of the summer months. So, if you want to treat your dog to some long walks across some of the most beautiful sands in the country then winter offers the perfect opportunity.

Just be ready to wrap yourself up warm in plenty of layers, as the wind can be pretty harsh coming in off the Atlantic during the winter. There are higher odds of rain, too, but you’ll find that there are some incredible views and impressive waves to enjoy that more than makeup for it. Plus, it’s an excellent excuse to head into a toasty Cornish pub or café to warm up when your time on the beach is up.

Explore stately homes decked out for Christmas

Besides the beaches and fishing villages, Cornwall is also home to its fair share of historic stately homes. Many of these are run by the National Trust – along with several old engine houses and tin mines – so it might be worth picking up a membership if you’re planning to visit a few different sites on your trip.

Of course, the winter season is a particularly atmospheric time to visit, as these beautiful houses are fully decked out with tasteful festive lighting, garlands and Christmas trees. It’s a great way to enjoy some history and get into the seasonal spirit at the same time – or even steal some design inspiration for your own Christmas décor!

A particular standout is Trelissick, situated near Truro with a grand house and extensive grounds set on its own peninsula overlooking the Fal estuary. Throughout December, the house is beautifully decorated and features local choirs performing carols to set the festive mood. And if the weather isn’t too cold, you can head out to explore the gardens and wider grounds to make a whole day trip of your visit.

And, for the kids, there’s also the chance to meet Father Christmas in the stable yard, which is sure to create some priceless memories to last a lifetime.

Be surrounded by light at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum

If you’re looking for some perfect photo opportunities, head to the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown. For the whole of December – excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day – visitors to the museum can experience the Tunnel of Lights.

Aside from the tunnel filled with fairy lights, there’s the giant snow globe area where you can play around in the snow to experience a taste of a white Christmas. It’s a lovely activity for families, with the chance to create Christmas crafts, post a letter to Father Christmas and enjoy some tasty seasonal treats.

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And that’s only scratching the surface of all the different holiday activities that Cornwall has to offer during the Winter, not to mention all the natural beauty there is to enjoy. In fact, you can probably find enough activities to keep you coming back year after year to experience everything that the county has to offer as a winter getaway.

So, wrap up warm and get ready to make some magical memories as you head out to enjoy some seasonal activities on your winter visit to Cornwall.