Cornwall comes alive in spring as colour blossoms across the cliff tops, little lambs explore fields of daisies, and everyone smiles – thanks to the sun! We’ve put together our Top 10 things to do in Cornwall this Spring, so you can feel the sun on your skin and the Cornish breeze blowing the cobwebs off!
It’s time for you to enjoy this new season in all it’s Cornish glory!
1.Walk through a Bluebell Wood
Bluebells blanket the woodland with a beautiful indigo glow, so why not see it for yourself and get some great photos in the process! The top places to see them are:
- Penrose Estate (Helston) with a freshwater lake.
- Glendurgan Tropical Garden (Falmouth) with a valley and a maze to explore.
- Tehidy Country Park (Camborne) with over 250 acres of quiet woodland.
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan (St Austell) with sculptures, secret walled gardens and plenty of mysterious stories to keep the kids busy!
2.Explore Cornwall’s variety of gardens
As the flowers bloom and the birds start singing, Cornwall’s gardens are the place to be to feel as fresh as a daisy! If you want to stay close to Hendra, check out Trenance Gardens in Newquay with play parks, mini golf and a tiny train for toddlers! Our other favourites include Trerice house and gardens (Newquay), Trelissick Gardens (Truro), Trebah Tropical Garden (Falmouth), and the Eden Project (St Austell) with plenty of activities and tropical sanctuaries for all ages!
3.Look out for wildlife around the coast
Dolphins, seals, and plenty of birds! The Cornish coastline is the place to be in Spring, as the wildlife comes out to play. Take a walk along a cliff and look for fins or jumping marine life in the waves, or seals popping up to say hello! Just be mindful that wildlife scares very easily and can become distressed or even become a danger to you if you get too close, so please keep your distance and don’t make excessive noise around them. If you want to see them up close and personal in a safe setting, visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for a great day out.
4.Walk the South West Coast Path
Whether you want to stay local to Newquay or spread your wings to the opposite coast, there’s a walk for all ages and abilities! This is the best way to see Cornwall’s blue seas and beautiful floral displays. Remember your camera and binoculars in case you see any wildlife! You can also the South West Coast Path’s walk finder to plan your journey.
5.Enjoy a drink in a bar
Hendra’s Deck Bar
If you just want to relax and watch the world go by, take a seat in one of the many bars around Cornwall. If you have little ones, let them play while you grab a drink and a snack! If you’re here with your partner, head down for sunset and enjoy a romantic evening on the sand. You can find a bar on most popular beaches, including Newquay highlights like Fistral, Tolcarne, and Watergate Bay. If you’re looking for a family friendly place to relax, try The Fort Inn in Newquay with indoor and outdoor play. And don’t forget our Deck Bar on site here at Hendra – with live music every evening in peak weeks, and play area right next door!
6.Get in the sea!
If you’re ready to brave the chilly spring seas, pull on your wetsuit and dive into the waves! With the sun smiling down on you and blue blanketing the skies, it’s a great time to try your hand at surfing, bodyboarding, snorkelling or coasteering with a certified guide! If you’re not a big fan of the water, why not have a walk along the beach in your wellies, or dip your toe in the shallows? You might spot some wildlife down there too!
7.Make use of your National Trust card
Lanhydrock House
Cornwall isn’t short of National Trust properties, and most of them have spectacular gardens to explore! They are the perfect day out for all the family. Visit ancient houses, wander the landscaped gardens, or use the National Trust car parks along the coast for a cheap day out – they’re all free to members! Take a look at the full list of National Trust attractions here. We recommend Trerice house (Newquay), Lanhydrock estate (Bodmin) and local beach car parks in Newquay like Crantock and Trevose Head lighthouse.
8.Enjoy an ice cream on the beach
There’s nothing like tucking into a delicious ice cream on the beach – just watch out for the seagulls! Our favourite beaches to visit in Newquay include Fistral, Towan, Tolcarne, Great Western and Lusty Glaze – all within a short distance of Newquay town!
9.Visit a harbour and look out for seals
Newquay Harbour
As the fishermen head out for the day, or come back with a fishy haul, the harbours become a meeting ground for hungry seals! Take a walk around a harbour, such as Newquay, Padstow, Newlyn or St Ives, and look out for their grey furry heads popping up! You might see them beneath the surface riding the waves too. Just make sure you don’t get too close as they can get easily scared.
10.Experience Cornish culture at a Local Festival!
Traditional Cornish Rattler Cyder!
Cornwall’s spring festivals are not to be missed! Through April, May and June the county is alive with food, art, music, and traditional celebrations! Here’s the ones not to be missed:
- Porthleven Food Festival (22nd – 24th April)
- Fowey Literary Festival (6th – 14th May)
- Flora Day, Helston (7th May)
- St Ives Food and Drink Festival (13th – 15th May)
- Cornwall Pride in Newquay (14th May)
- Eden Sessions at the Eden Project (May and June)
- Bude Folk Festival (26th – 30th May)
- Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge (6th – 11th June)
- Penzance Arts Festival (3rd – 19th June)
- Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival (17th – 19th June)
- Tunes in the Dunes (24th – 26th June)
And don’t miss these ones later in the year…
- Boardmasters Festival (10th – 14th August)
- Little Orchard Cyder Festival at Healey’s Cyder Farm (9th – 11th September)
- Newquay Beer Festival (23rd – 25th September)
We hope you enjoy Spring in Cornwall and make some lasting memories!
