Out-of-Season's Greetings

Of course I am biased but I have to say that we do Christmas so well in Cornwall.  With so many Christmas Markets and Fairs vying for shoppers attention they begin in November so it all kicks off fairly early.

It feels like the season formally begins with Turo’s City of Lights (Wednesday 18 November from 7pm) which sees a dazzling procession of withy and tissue lanterns float through the streets.  They are handmade and carried by professional artists, Cornish school children and local community and youth groups. The event includes the official switch on of Truro’s Christmas lights, plus music and dance from Truro School of Samba and other local bands. 

After this the markets and fairs come thick and fast, here’s a round-up:
Trereife Christmas Fair, Penzance - 20–22 November
Made in Cornwall Christmas Fair, Truro - 25-29 November
Padstow Christmas Festival, Padstow - 3-6 December
Fowey Christmas Market, Fowey -  4-6 December (Kate’s favourite)
Outlaw Christmas Market, Falmouth - 10-12 December
Jubilee Wharf Christmas Fair, Penryn - 12-13 December
Heartlands Christmas Market, Pool - 12 & 13 December

Then it’s time for the ‘big switch on’ with the Mousehole Lights, which are stunning Christmas lights with floating displays in and around the harbour (around 30,000 people visit each year).  The display runs from December 12 until 2 January from 5pm-11pm.

Newlyn lights are also excellent and a park and ride service runs from Penzance Harbour car park. The lesser known display (but growing in popularity) are the lights in the village of Angarrack, Hayle, you pass the village on the way home from Mousehole so worth a visit.

Outdoor theatre comes in the form of Rogue Theatre’s Winter Wood.  Voted in The Guardian as one of the 10 top Christmas walks and playing in the fading light of the woods at dusk King Arthur, will lead the audience through the trees of Tehidy Woods on a path that journeys from the rugged North cliffs of Cornwall deep into a world of myth. With Rogue’s wild mix of spectacle, powerful narrative, dance, theatre, live music, fire, physical performance, humour and imagination this is an experience for brave families and adults.  There are three performances a day, and each adventure lasts for about two hours. Performances take place from 11 December – 30 December (not 17^th Dec or 25 Dec). Tickets are £7.50 per person (under 3s free) and include hot chocolate, face painting and winter decoration making.

Indoor theatre comes from the unassuming but excellent St Austell Players', located just up the road from Poltarrow at St Austell Arts Centre.  The amateur company's next production is A Christmas Carol, to be performed at the between 25th and 28th November. 

The Eden Project celebrates the festive season really well and offers something for everyone with theatre provided by renowned company Wildworks as well as ice-skating on the magically lit rink surrounded by Christmas trees and silver birch twinkling with fairy lights.  Children are also able to visit Father Christmas and his real reindeer who arrives at the end of November.

 

 

The Lost Gardens of Heligan put on a varied calendar of events from crafting workshops to the obligatory visit to Father Christmas.  Beginning in late November there are festive offerings every week with highlights including Lantern Lit evenings where you are able to absorb the unique atmosphere of the gardens at night and listen to the enchanting sounds of the hammered Dulcimer in the Melon Yard before returning to the Tearoom to enjoy a mulled wine and soak up the joyful sounds of local choirs.

If your little ones are keen on trains then Lappa Valley (small gauge railway) and Bodmin and Wenford Railway are a must.  Each offer the opportunity for atmospheric train rides with presents for the children as well as mulled wine (for the adults!) and mince pies.  Father Christmas is on board at Bodmin and Wenford and there are various entertainers and clowns at Lappa Valley.  We have already booked tickets to take Guy and Edward on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway as it does get booked up quickly.

 

The National Trust pulls out all the stops at this time of year giving you the opportunity to visit a Tudor Father Christmas (dressed resplendently in Green!) at Trerice, or meet real Reindeer at Trelissick or perhaps discover how many of the traditions we enjoy today originated with the Victorian’s Christmas at Lanhydrock (I always enjoy the sentiments in the family’s old Christmas cards that are on display).  

 

For me it all culminates with the Cathedral’s Nine Lessons and Carols Service on the 23rd and 24th, made all the more special because Truro is where this service originated in 1880, created by the first Bishop of Truro.  The lights are shut off as a solitary choirboy’s voice, singing the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City, is carried through the darkness. The lights come back on as the enthusiastic congregation join in the rest of the carol and a feeling spreads that it is now only hours until the much anticipated big day.

 

Another highly enjoyable service in the cathedral is the popular Children and Pets Carol Service (27th December at 2pm) when the aisles are overflowing with pets of all shapes, sizes and level of furriness! You can read more about this unusual service in the December edition of Country Living - there's some wonderful photos of lots of pets (and their owners!).

The list goes on and has not been exhausted here but these are some of the events which will keep us entertained over the season and of course the beach is always calling for a bracing stroll to work off the excesses of this time of year.

Spence and Guy walking at Caerhayes last Christmas

Short breaks are available in the cottages throughout November and December and if you are quick there is still some availability over the Christmas and New Year breaks – do give us a call to discuss your requirements on  01726 67111.

Sika Cottage decorated for Christmas

Out-of-Season's Greetings,

Kate
Poltarrow Farm
Self Catering Cottages and Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast in Cornwall