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Top Ten Things to do in Cornwall this May

1. May Day in Padstow, 1st of May

The event of the year for every Padstonian. Come and enjoy Padstow’s famous festival – Obby Oss day. Locals decorate the streets with bunting, flowers, flags, a maypole, and greenery. In the morning two “osses” are released from their stables, swirling and dancing as they move through Padstow taunted by a Teazer, who leads the dance with theatrical movements. The accompanying people dance along to the drum, dressed in white and donning spring flowers. The festival ends with the followers of the “osses” singing a traditional May song. The festival is loved by many and the town is sure to have a fantastic atmosphere.

2. Smugglers’ Den Inn Pie and Ale Festival, 3rd – 6th of May

The Smugglers’ Pie and Ale Festival is an annual festival enjoyed by many at this beautiful 16th Century thatched inn nestled in the Cornish countryside. There are over 80 ales and 20 ciders to choose from, along with homemade pies and great food. There’s a Victorian Terrace, children’s play area and ample parking.

3. St Ives Food and Drink Festival, 10th – 12th of May

St Ives is always a great place to visit, with its balmy beaches, harbour, boutiques, galleries and numerous places to eat. There is another great reason to visit this weekend with the added bonus of a food and drink festival. Expect taste buds to be tantalised, with an Artisan Market, Street Food and demonstrations from local and national chefs. There is entertainment and kids’ fun, fireworks along with evening music sessions (ticketed).

4. Dick Vs Dom at The Eden Project, 25th of May to the 1st of June

Visit the biomes and enjoy all they have to offer, including Dick and Dom and other half-term fun.
The show is a unique comedy experience the whole family will never forget. The audience is split in half and the two sides battle it out with interactive games, songs and general insanity. On arrival at Eden families will be assigned to their different teams and enjoy a whole host of fun activities leading up to Dick and Dom’s appearance on stage.

Dick V Dom is a live 60-minute stage adaptation of Dick and Dom in da Bungalow and has proved hugely popular on tour.

Red Panda at Paradise Park5. Bug and Butterfly Quest at Paradise Park, near Hayle, May half-term

Paradise Park is set around Glanmor House (not open to the public), with sheltered and exotic gardens to walk around, you can see why it is called Paradise Park.

There are macaws, flamingos, parrots, lorikeets, different species of owls, and Kookaburras, with over 650 species of birds in total! There are also red pandas, Humboldt’s Penguins, and a petting zoo with farmyard animals. There’s outside play, a train that goes around the Park, flying displays and a fantastic indoor play area, the JungleBarn. Here you will find multi-level indoor play zones, astra slide, double drop slide, ball pool slide, toddlers’ area and snack bar.

This half-term complete the bug and butterfly quest around Paradise Park to learn about colourful butterflies, barmy bugs and creepy insects.

Answer all the questions and claim your special bug or butterfly chocolate reward.

6. Seth Lakeman at the Fowey Festival, 10th of May

This ticketed event stars Seth Lakeman, a South West favourite and folk singer-songwriter. This concert follows his ninth solo album The Well Worn Path, which was recorded in his Dartmoor studio. This year he has been nominated for ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the 2019 UK Americana Awards, following the album entering at No 1 in their Americana charts. Expect foot stomping, fiddle bow-shredding and soaring vocals.

Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available before the start of the concert and during the interval.

7. Art 8 Festival Newquay, 10th – 12th of May

Newquay’s annual art and culture festival returns. This is a community event which is supported by local businesses. There’s plenty to get involved in with pop-up craft events and craft fair, a live drawing class, live art battle, story-telling, a pop-up art gallery and more. These are held at establishments over the town.

flowers 8. Newquay Orchard’s Spring Fayre, 18th of May

This Spring Fayre is a family fun event with a Farmer’s Market, family games, music, local food vendors, local crafts and Orchard produce. A great way to get some local goods whilst on holiday.

9. Trenance Gardens Funday, Newquay, 19th of May

Just minutes away from Hendra, Trenance Gardens is a beautiful place to visit with children’s play park, train ride (charge applies) cafes, and paddle boats.
The Trenance cottages are three cottages which were restored by the community over many years, with parts of the cottage dating back to the early 1800s.
On the 19th, the Friends of Trenance Gardens invite you to a colourful combo of charity stalls, fairground rides, games and entertainment at the Gardens. There’s live music and dancing, BBQ, bouncy castle, inflatable sumo wrestling and the famous duck racing, all the family is set for a fun day!

The park is free to enter and is a charity event in support of the Trenance Cottages Project.

10. Fistral Beach Clean, 25th of May

Protect what you love – Cornwall! Every month there’s a community beach clean on Fistral, Cornwall’s famous surfing beach. Why not get involved and have a hand in keeping Cornwall clean? Meet some locals, look at the sea and do something good. Afterwards reward yourself with a treat in one of the nearby cafes.