Why a holiday in Cornwall in September or October is the best time to visit.
Autumn is an enchanting time in Cornwall, as the seasons change, the summer sun lingers, and the leaves slowly begin to fall. There is so much to enjoy in September and October with the quieter beaches, woodland walks and the beautiful earlier sunsets become even more spectacular: expect to see more reds, oranges, yellows and pinks. Bliss.
Food and Drink in Cornwall this Autumn
It is not only the landscapes that are a feast for the eyes as autumn, the harvest time is celebrated across Cornwall with food and drink festivals. Cornwall does food and drink well, with our brilliant natural resources, farmland, and micro-climate; Cornwall’s food and drink scene is well and truly thriving.
Autumn is the best time to sample the food and drink Cornwall has to offer too, whether you are visiting Farmer’s Markets and Food Festivals, or you choose to sample some of Cornwall’s most renowned restaurants, after the summer crowds have dispersed.
On the 7th of September head down to Newquay Harbour for the Newquay Harbour Festival. Expect food demonstrations from top-chefs, traditional Cornish dishes, and international flavours, along with entertainment throughout the day from 10am.
Visit Newquay Farmer’s Market on the 21st of September, held on the Killacourt which has fantastic views over to the harbour.
At Hendra Holiday Park, you will find the Newquay Beer Festival, a charity event held by the Newquay Lions. This event is back for its 11th year and there will be entertainment, local beers and entertainment.
At the end of September there’s Truro’s Food Festival. Cornwall’s capital becomes a melting pot of Cornish food and world-wide cuisine, from the 25th – 29th of September.
Sand and Sunsets: the best autumn beaches
A stroll along a beach in Cornwall during the autumn time can be a very special thing. With less crowds, the beach is lovely and peaceful, and with the bonus of those brilliant autumn sunsets.
Our favourite autumn spots are:
Fistal Beach
Bustling in the summer, Fistral is a lot calmer in September and October, so you can truly enjoy the beauty of this famous surfing beach. A long strip of perfect golden sand, backed with dunes and beautiful coastline, there is no better place to have a walk, whatever the time of day. Enjoy a morning coffee, Fish and Chips or a curry from Rick Stein’s Fish and Chip shop for lunch or dinner or relax at the Fistral Beach Bar with a cold drink in the evening – a perfect sunset watching spot.
Porth Beach
This long beach is popular with families in the summer and throughout the year, as well as couples, and dog-walkers with the dog ban being lifted after August. This beach has Porth Island on one side and coastline leading to Newquay on the other. Porth Island is sure to make your heart soar with gorgeous views over to Watergate on one side and over to Newquay on the other. For a truly breathtaking experience watch the sunset here.
Crantock Beach
This beach can be reached via Hendra by driving to the National Trust car park here, or you can walk here from the Gannel, when the tide is out. This is an expansive beach, backed with large dunes, and beautiful countryside. Look out for blackberry bushes around the coastline in early September to make a real autumn treat: a blackberry crumble. And when in Cornwall, you must serve it with a large dollop of Cornish Clotted cream for the perfect combination of tart blackberries, crunchy and buttery crumble and the creamy and rich clotted Cornish cream! Divine.
But before that treat, Crantock is a good place to work up an appetite with lots of beach and coastline to discover.
Blissful Cornish Gardens
Now the roads are clearer, why not take a day trip to one of Cornwall’s beautiful gardens while they are still full of summer flowers? On the South Coast there’s Trelissick, just outside of Truro, a National Trust House and Gardens, with maritime views and woodland walks. Also, further down there’s the heavenly Trebah Gardens, which has many brightly coloured flowers and access to its own private beach. Next door you will find another National Trust gem, Glendurgan, complete with a maze, and access to its own beach.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Head up the coast to one of Cornwall’s most well-known gardens: when you visit you will see why. The Lost Gardens of Heligan has ample space to explore and enjoy the fun of autumn, with 200 acres of garden to discover. Heligan was rediscovered amongst the brambles 25 years ago after being neglected since the first World War. Here you will find something for everyone’s tastes with Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds, Farm, and woodland, as well as a jungle. The jungle takes you on a sub-tropical journey through bamboo tunnels, ponds, giant rhubarb, banana plantations and avenues of palms.
Afterwards you can get some refreshment in the Heligan Kitchen or Steward’s House.
Crunchy Cornish walks
Woodland walks are a must in autumn, and Cornwall has some good walks in the woods. Yes, our coastline is amazing, but we do think that you will love these woodlands too.
Kennall Vale Woods
In Ponsanooth, near Truro. A magical and calm woodland valley with an explosive past! The Kennall Vale gunpowder factory was situated here, and ruins can be seen today. The combination of nature and history makes this woodland a unique place to visit while on holiday in Cornwall.
Cardinham Woods
Cardinham, near Bodmin is a mixed woodland which offers walking and mountain bike trails, and family-friendly play and picnic areas. Also, you will find a cosy café here, perfect for a post-walk or cycle refuel.
Tehidy Woods
Tehidy Woods, west Cornwall, past Portreath, with over 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of peaceful woods and lakes to explore, Tehidy is the largest woodland in West Cornwall. Afterwards why not get a coastal fix by heading to Portreath? A small coastal village, with a sandy beach, tall cliffs and great Bar: Blue Bar.
Cosy Pubs in Cornwall
Embrace the evening chill with a visit to one of Cornwall’s cosy pubs. Who can resist a pub fire?
Nearby to Hendra we have a few great choices:
The Smuggler’s Den Cubert. This 16th century, thatched pub, set in the Cornish countryside, is a real gem of a pub. Cosy up inside or sit overlooking the countryside in the beer garden. Serving bistro food, and local ales, we are certain that you will love this one.
The Two Clomes, Quintrell Downs. This traditional pub is just up the road from us at Hendra, serving delicious home cooked food, with a great atmosphere.
The Farmers Arms, St Columb Minor, near Newquay. Just outside of Newquay is St Columb Minor village. With traditional pub food, darts, pool table, and beer garden this is a very cosy pub. There are some great walks to be had here too, from the village to Porth.
September Sun and Autumn Breaks
We hope that this has convinced you to take a break away this autumn to Cornwall. September and October are truly beautiful times to visit Cornwall and there are some real treats to book up here at Hendra. Why not take a look for yourself?
