6 Reasons to Stay in Cornwall in Winter

Have you ever considered a winter in Cornwall by the sea?

Cornwall in winter is truly magical and the perfect opportunity for a coastal break without the crowds.

Read on to discover things you can see and do for a memorable Cornish winter getaway…

1. Wild wintry walks on the coast

Walks in winter on Cornwall’s rugged coast offer the perfect way to blow away the cobwebs after festive food comas and Christmas party drinks.

Wrap up warm and enjoy a bracing beach walk on one of St Ives or Carbis Bay’s beautiful beaches.

Join the South West Coastal Path for a wild cliff top walk this winter in Cornwall for dramatic views and landscapes.

After your rejuvenating stroll, find one of the many cosy pubs in St Ives to warm up in.

Many have roaring log fires, including The Lifeboat Inn in St Ives, The Watermill in nearby Lelant, and The Tinner’s Arms in Zennor.

2. Cornish comfort food

Many traditional Cornish foods are already great winter warmers. Cornish pasties make an ideal and hearty meal during winter in Cornwall.

There are lots of festive varieties of pasties to discover during the festive period too!

Tuck into a Philips Famous Pasty from Hayle, or grab one from the St Ives Bakery to enjoy in your Carbis Bay holiday cottage.

Fish and chips were made for the beach and are a delicious, filling meal. Enjoy then in Cornwall in winter after a beach walk, sitting on the sand or a seaside bench watching the waves.

Take in the harbour view as you tuck into a tasty meal from Harbour Fish and Chips in St Ives; just remember not to feed the seagulls!

3. Cold water surfing

Perhaps you’ve been surfing during the summer a few times and fell in love with it or you’d like to start surfing regularly to improve?

Well, you can’t become a seasoned surfer unless you brave the waters in winter in Cornwall.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, you’ll definitely be needing a winter wetsuit! You might also need some other surfer’s accessories such as a hood, gloves and boots.

Once you have all the right gear and you’re ready to go, there’s a few other things to remember before you embrace the winter waves.

Firstly, prepare for when you get out of the water by having your towel and warm clothes handy. Cornwall in winter can get pretty chilly!

Next, do a warm-up before you get in the water – try a few stretches followed by a jog down the beach to get the blood pumping.

Finally, once you’re in the water try not to sit still in the surf. It is better to have a shorter, more active surf than it is to sit around and get cold.

You can hire surfboards and equipment from St Ives Surf School for a fun and active winter in Cornwall.

4. Wild weather watching

Cornwall in winter can bring some pretty wild weather. Gale force winds and relentless waves have shaped the Cornish coast into the rugged landscape that it is today.

There are plenty of scenic storm watching spots to choose from near St Ives.

The Old Coastguard in Mousehole has dramatic views out over the sea with a cosy log fire inside. Tuck into some delicious food whilst you shelter from the wild weather and watch the waves from the window.

Porthleven is another popular storm watching spot during winter in Cornwall. Its clock tower provides a great backdrop for the ferocious waves.

Duck into Origin Coffee Roasters for a brilliant view of the harbour and watch the stormy weather with a warming drink.

Other exciting storm watching spots include Sennen, Botallack, Cape Cornwall and Penzance.

Just remember to consider safety first; photo opportunities are not as important as your life!

Keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and watch indoors from a pub or cafe where possible.

5. You get the whole place to yourself

The strong winds and massive waves can make going outdoors during winter in Cornwall an exhilarating experience.

But cold, crisp, and cloudless days are absolutely beautiful too.

There are more than 300 beaches in Cornwall, and in winter, they are blissfully quiet.

Take advantage of the peaceful settings in Cornwall in winter for romantic strolls on the sands, or kicking a ball around with the kids.

Explore the Cornish coast in your warmest winter clothes, and plan your walking routes around a cosy pub or café.

The South West Coast Path and the miles of beaches will be virtually empty, so you can explore to your heart’s content.

You might even be lucky enough to see the beaches covered with snow; a real treat during a winter in Cornwall!

6. Cosy Cornish cottages

After a busy day exploring the Cornish coast, it’s always good to have somewhere warm and cosy to return to.

Think warming woodburners or open fires and entertainment on rainy days with board games and Netflix.

This winter in Cornwall, after bracing walks on the beach, or braving the water for a surf, return to a Carbis Bay Holidays cottage.

There are lots of sea view apartments in St Ives to choose from for the dramatic weather watching. Or find a host of Carbis Bay holidays with hot tubs for a luxury winter warming experience.

Ready to start planning your winter in Cornwall?

Find the perfect Cornwall winter break for you and your loved ones with Carbis Bay Holidays.