10 THINGS TO DO IN THE WINTER

Winter in Cornwall can be magical! Finding warmth in the quiet moments, escaping the dreariness and enjoying beauty without the crowds. From the warmth of Ocean Villas, you can sit curled up by the windows and look out towards St Michael’s Mount or across Mounts Bay, and watch the storms blow across, the tide sweep in and out ... and see the clouds and sunsets and amphibious machines! There’s space to breath deep, relax and recharge, and then be ready for the race of spring again!

Morning sunrise lights up the Mount; evening sunset glitters over Mousehole. During the Christmas season, there are glorious illuminations on the Mount, in Marazion and in Mousehole to view.

Think long, refreshingly blustery walks along wind-whipped beaches, then mugs of steaming hot drinks from the Copper Spoon or Jordans on the way back. You are discovering Cornwall at its most peaceful. 

Frost-bitten coastal paths. Snoozy sunrises. Heart warming local delicacies. Winter in Cornwall is a magical time of year. We’ve come up with some wonderful things to do during winter in Cornwall that’ll keep you occupied come rain or shine, so come on down!

1.    Embrace the winter chill and the windswept coastline for a BEACH WALK!  Wrap up warm and head across to the beach for a stroll  - you can walk to Penzance along the coastal path and it’s not muddy; promise!  Or at low tide, walk across the causeway to The Mount. It’s free to everyone during the winter months, and the village shops, art gallery and café are open (although not the house)  and there are free guided walks too. See more details here. Or Steps Beach, up the road and turn right at The Copper Spoon (pick up a hot drink to take with you!) to go rock pooling or to enjoy throwing stones in the waves. (Check the tide carefully to get back up the steps before high tide!)

Guaranteed to put some colour in your cheeks, a wind-whipped beach is the best place for a winter adventure.

2.    Enjoy a wood fired- sauna by the beach. Hayle and Falmouth are both within easy reach. Book here: https://escape-unplugged.co.uk Join a communal session or book a private session with family or friends. Authentic wood fired stone saunas, with  therapeutic steam, while you look out over the sea!

3.    Visit some local cultural experiences. What about the  National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, or the Tate Art Gallery in St Ives, or  Truro Cathedral? Then,  in Penzance there is a gorgeous art gallery with café at the Penlee Museum https://penleehouse.org.uk  and the gorgeous Morrab Library,  an independent library established in 1818, situated in Penzance’s Morrab Gardens overlooking the sea. It’s rare because it is the only one in Cornwall and there are only approximately 60 surviving in the United Kingdom. It is one of the largest, with more than 70,000 volumes and is strong in literature, history, biography, antiquities, poetry, art and  travel, both historical and contemporary.https://morrablibrary.org.uk/static-home-page/

4.    Go STORM WATCHING! Watch from the windows in Ocean Villas if it’s too bad to go out; but otherwise, now is a great time to watch some awesome storms. Experience the colossal power of the ocean with a (cautious) walk or drive to some of the more rugged coastal spots. Nothing beats sitting in a warm car with a piping hot pasty or a flask of steaming coffee or tea whilst watching the foamy waves crash against the headland. In Penzance, the waves often  smash over the Promenade; or drive south to the lovely fishing village of Porthleven , which famously sees gigantic waves break over the harbour walls in the winter.

5.    Puppies – you can run wild on the beach!  The dog beach bans are lifted during the winter months, and you can run and chase balls and bark and have a wild wonderful time! Swim, paddle, and then shake the sea drops all over your owners! Ocean Villas each accept one well behaved dog, so come on down!

6.    WINTER WALKS IN THE WOOD. why not try a walk inland, perhaps in the woods? How about -

Tehidy Country Park (30 mins away) The largest area of woodland in West Cornwall with over 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of peaceful woods and lakes to explore. Stroll around the lake, explore different areas of woodland or be immersed in the rich flora and fauna at any time of year. With over nine miles of paths and 250 acres of wooded areas, Tehidy Woods offers a peaceful oasis to explore lakes, leafy glades and wilder areas on the estate. Together with the cafe and picnic area, this is the perfect winter walk for all the family. Immersed in flora and fauna, escape to this enchanting woodland this season.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/tehidy-country-park/

Or try Trelissick (40 mins)away) It sits on its own peninsula with water on three sides. There is a lovely walk which  follows the River Fal and offers contrasting views between narrow creeks and wide expanses of water.Perfect for a crisp winter morning, you can walk along the oak fringed creek side, stroll over a timber framed bridge and see historic sights, such as the promontory fort and 18th century quay at Roundwood.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trelissick/trelissick-to-roundwood-quay-walk

7.    Walk the coastal path – Ocean Villas sit right on the path! For an easy stroll, head right along the seafront, to Penzance, taking in views of St Michael’s Mount and Newlyn Pier. It’s a one hour walk each way, or you could walk in and take the bus back. The walk goes right into the bus station, and coming back, the bus stop for us is just around the corner. Easy! On the way into Penzance, pick up a hot take away drink from Jordans, or the Hoxton as you leave Marazion. (both are usually open during winter months).

Or go left, up through the village, still on the coastal path and follow the signs back to the coast, to walk to Perranuthnoe, a surfing beach just around the headline. It’s really not far, and the Beach Cabin Café is usually open in the winter too.  Although our other favourite is just up the road by the art gallery - The PepperCorn Cafe.

For a more challenging hike, drive west and then take the south west coast path towards Lamorna Cove. Going down in steep, narrow cliffs and uneven terrain, this Cornish walk is definitely on the more challenging side, but the views are definitely worth it. The path down ends in the tranquil setting of Lamorna Cove, made famous by the Lamorna school of artists and the book (and film) “February in Summer.” Or drive to Treen, park in the village car park and do a circle walk out to Logan’s Rock and back along the coastal path and inland again. You’ll spot the Minack Theatre across on the further headland west, and Logan Rock has an iron age fort on its headland, so lots to explore. Then enjoy the Logan Rock Inn back in Treen. (SUNDAY ROASTS ARE GREAT!)

8.    Rise and shine – get up to watch the sunrise! At low tide, run down on to the beach and watch the sun come up and highlight the side of the Mount. It’s just magical! Or walk up behind Ocean Villas, take the footpath up to The Beacon and have a wider view. There will be a slight crisp chill in the air, or wispy clouds, and sometimes the rising sun glimpsed through it all is stunning. And no need to set an early alarm – the darker mornings in the west mean sunrise isn’t too early here! That means though that the evenings stay lighter a little longer than elsewhere, an added bonus in the winter months.

9. Curl up with a Cornish Book!  If the rain is slicing horizontally or the storm is blowing a hoolie, settle down under our warm throws to read. Ocean Villas each has a great selection of books set in Cornwall. No need to bring your library! Downstairs, in Ocean Villa 1, sit in the old Windsor chair in front of the French windows in the warmth of the sun – we’ve even had the doors open in January sometimes.  In Ocean Villa 2, rock comfortably in the rocking chair with the warmth of the Everhot stove at your feet, alternately reading and watching the waves!

10. BRAVE THE SEA! Take a winter dip. Apparently it’s really exhilarating, and well worth doing! We’ll believe you; and if you fancy it and feel brave, why not head to the Mousehole (pronounced Mowzelle) rock pool, a man-made tidal pool with the most breath-taking views out to the Atlantic, or to a sheltered beach like Falmouth’s Gyllngvase or St Ives’s Porthmeor for a ‘refreshing splash.’

11 - one for free! Spend a day wandering around St Ives. With no crowds to worry about, and plenty of parking spaces, it’s a must for a glorious day. Taste Tarquin’s gin or even book to make your own; browse the independent shops, many of which will be open; climb up to the headland and pop into the Coastwatch lookout to discover how they protect the area; wander the narrow allies and streets; and try a Cornish Crab sandwich - make sure the gulls don’t snatch it from you! We love it in winter even more than the summer.

 So here’s the answer to those ‘winter blues’ -  plan a night or three in Cornwall over the next few weeks!

And use code DISCOUNT20 at checkout for a 20% discount on all bookings! Hurry - book here