Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day Sea Swims in Cornwall 2023
Every year on Christmas day, boxing day and new years day, people voluntarily run into the Cornish sea in...
by Tony Townsend / Blog
Living in Cornwall means you are never far from the 400+ miles of dramatic coastline hosting winding pathways, hidden coves and iconic beaches.
In fact, no inland area is more than 20 miles from the sea.
As well as being spoilt by our quick access to the coast, life in Cornwall is rich with locally sourced food and drink, a wholesome community Cornish spirit and outdoor activities that keep you busy 12 months of the year.
Take a look at the reasons why people love to live in this beautiful part of the world and understand what life in Cornwall is like for folks who call it home.
With over 400 beaches to explore and discover on foot. Cornwall’s unique beaches are the most varied in character in the UK and arguably the world.
There are two distinctive coastlines that Cornwall is made up of, the wild North and the serene South. Together they make up Cornwall and illustrate the diversity of the Duchy:
Those living on the north coast are close to large stretches of sandy beaches, windswept cliffs and sand dunes. Being exposed to the Atlantic swell, you will find surfers are located closely by to take advantage of the outstanding surf.
North Coast Beaches:
By comparison the South Coast is more sheltered with hidden coves, picturesque fishing villages and a legendary coastal landscape home to historic castles and woodland. You will find tranquil waters on these beaches and calm estuaries.
South Coast Beaches:
Both coastlines are populated all year round by both tourists and locals alike. Life in Cornwall includes doing all these amazing things on the beach:
See a list of secret beaches and coves around Cornwall.
Life in Cornwall is known for being enhanced by the turquoise waters surrounding the county. There are multiple ways to explore and enjoy Cornish waters.
Because of the diversity of the coastline, you can SUP on calm waters between coves and also ride rough waves in the same day!
Here’s a list of things the people of Cornwall get to before and after finishing work.
Take a look at the watersports activities available in St Ives
It’s no secret that Cornwall is a beautiful place to live, however, it’s also home to some of the best local food and drink in the country.
Life in Cornwall is filled with multiple food festivals throughout the year, let’s take a look at where Cornwall celebrates its food and drink throughout the year.
In 2018 this event that attracted around 40,000 food lovers to the harbour of Porthleven. A lively three day festival with national and international chef demos, food stalls, street food and music and entertainment throughout the day and into the night.
Join for the 11th year on Friday 26, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of April 2019.
Life in Cornwall isn’t just about the cider, we’ve got award-winning Cornish gin and wine companies making their roots in the county. St Ives hosts a boutique, artisan event with the atmosphere of a garden party hosted in the Springtime.
2019 Dates – TBC
The largest annual event in the Cornish calendar, needs no introduction. If you live in Cornwall, this three day extravaganza celebrates Cornish culture through and through.
You are never far from a stall packed with locally produced and sourced food and drink.
2019 Dates: 6th, 7th & 8th June, Wadebridge
Since 1754, Mevagissey has invited One & All to the celebration of the ‘Feast of St Peter’. A very special time for this old fishing village, this community event welcomes locals, exiles and visitors to feast, dance and celebrate Cornish tradition.
2019 Dates: 23rd – 29th June
Imagine thousands of Cornish Oysters and a few more lemons and dashes of Tabasco being eaten in the Cornish midsummer. Locals and visitors alike dance, sing and celebrate food, music and art at Rock’s Oyster Festival.
Taking a breather this year, this celebration will be back in 2020.
Life in Cornwall means you are never far from freshly caught fish, crabs, mussels, oysters… you name it. Newquay celebrate all things seafood right next to the Atlantic with live cookery, fish filleting, a fishy beach BBQ and more.
2019 Dates: 13th – 15th September
Party like a Cornishman with Healy’s Cider Farm as they put on modern take on a drinks festival. Music includes a silent disco, a BBC introducing stage and some live big bands in the mix. They also line up ‘Secret Cider Walks’ and cider tasting with cider from all over the UK. And don’t worry about driving, camping and glamping is available too!
2019 Dates: 13 – 15 September 2019
Hosted by Porthminster Beach Cafe, a weekend festival with street food, an artisan market, a selection of bars and chef demos with local music all day and into the night.
2019 Dates: 11 – 12 May
Four days of feasting on Cornish seafood and celebrating its diversity. This happens annually in Falmouth at it’s Fal Oyster Festival. The celebration marks the beginning of the oyster dredging season and hosts cooking demos, live music and independent trade stalls.
2019 Dates: Thu, 10 Oct 2019 – Sun, 13 Oct
If you are visiting Cornwall, you would’ve heard about this Cornish delicacy. Hosted by the Eden Project, pastymakers of all ages from near and far, line up to have their pasties judged. A day packed with entertainment and delicious smells, this event keeps the art of pasty making proud and alive. Life in Cornwall isn’t complete without a trip to the pasty shop every now and again.
2019 Dates: 2 March
Known as one of the biggest festivals celebrating the Cornish fishing Industry, this magical festival will be back in 2020 with a bang. Before we’ve seen luggers in the harbour, trawlers racing, gigs sprinting, two musical stages and of course crab picking demonstrations, fish displays and cookery demonstrations. We look forward to 2020!
Life in Cornwall has more to offer than stunning coastlines, golden beaches and amazing food. In land, the Cornish countryside is rich with woodland, cycle trails and waterfalls. Read on to see how the Cornwall is top
Bodmin Moor alone has ample landmarks within is vast landscape but the Cheesewring is a special and bizarre collection of granite rock formations on the edge of Bodmin Moor.
Where: Minions, Cornwall
Another Bodmin Moor speciality there stands an ancient woodland on it’s southern fringe. This beauty spot has a river that falls 90 meters through a rocky gorge.
Where: Draynes Bridge, St Cleers, Cornwall
Pentargon is a hanging valley that lies just north of Boscastle, on the north Cornish coast. Plunging down a sheer cliff to the rocky shore below, these stunning waters fall where seals often bask in the sun below.
People are often moving to Cornwall for a healthier lifestyle. Cycling, walking, running and horse riding to name a few out of water. Nestled amongst the old quarries and smoke stacks of yesteryear Cornwall, explore the 60k of old trade routes in the between Deveron and Portreath.
18 miles of a disused railway lies between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. It was transformed into a surfaced, virtually level multi-use trail that is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and wheel-chair users. Stunning views, picnic areas, rivers and pubs are hidden along the tracks.
This semi-natural ancient woodland is the perfect setting for a fun family day out. Famed for its bluebells, 10 Acre Wood has been lovingly restored to its former glory and a woodland activity area is great for keeping the kids entertained post-picnic.
A woodland of great archaeological and wildlife importance, this picturesque Cornish Mining World Heritage Site us an old gunpowder works. A stunning hidden treasure and a fascinating piece of Cornish history.
Tehidy is the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall and hosts a different type of beauty each season. Visitors can stroll leisurely around lakes, explore the leafy glades or immerse themselves in the rich flora and fauna. Which pathway will you choose to take?
Life in Cornwall is full of annual events, local community treasures and scenery that you makes you want to move to the Duchy immediately.
But nothing makes Cornwall feel like home than the warm hearted, Cornish folk who live there. Be prepared to say hello in the street, make lots of friends and enjoy a slower pace of life compared to the big cities.
To visit West Cornwall and get a taste of what life is like in the Duchy, book a cottage in St Ives with Carbis Bay Holidays.
by Tony Townsend / Blog
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