Tag: festival
What’s On In September
August 12th, 2019
As summer is coming to an end and its time we welcome in autumn, don’t feel disheartened, because, in September 2019, Cornwall is hosting an array of exciting events! From food festivals and summer activities to car shows and sailing festivals, there is plenty to keep you busy during your holiday!
Summer on St Michael’s Mount
2nd – 4th September 2019
Summer on St Michael’s Mount is the perfect activity to spend some quality time with your loved ones and to let the kids get creative. Once you have paid admission to St Michael’s Mount, you can enjoy some crafty family fun free of charge! All of the activities are connected to the Mount stories, and the band of storytellers perform these tales every day during the school holidays!
On Monday, the event that takes place is called “Tall Stories of the Castle” and this is where you can learn all about Cormoran the Giant. You will also get the opportunity to model your own giant’s head using clay and other natural materials. As well as clay modelling, you can also make your own mini catapult!
On Tuesday, it’s all about the “Myths and Legends of the Sea”. Here you get the chance to create your own mini reed boat and test them on the rock pools! You can also collect some seashore treasures and create your very own underwater world.
On Wednesday, it is “Garden Magic on the Mount”, and this is your opportunity to explore the glorious colours of the gardens through the kaleidoscope or create a giant mandala! Furthermore, you can make your own flag using the art of Hapa Zome; this is where you collect numerous natural prints, such as leaves, and paint them to then decorate the flag by pressing the colour down!
St Ives September Festival
14th – 28th September 2019
Back in 1977, the first-ever St Ives September Festival took place, and it has been successful for the last forty years. St Ives is a picturesque seaside town in Cornwall that is very popular with visitors, primarily due to is stunning scenery! From music and comedy to workshops and street entertainment, this is a festival worth attending. With so much to do, you can choose how you spend your time. You could decide to take the active route and join in on walks and workshops, or you might prefer to relax and unwind by watching some plays and listening to live music.
Taste of Scilly Food & Drink Festival
1st – 30th September 2019
The Isles of Scilly are just off the coast of Cornwall and can be accessed by a boat service, plane or helicopter. There are multiple islands; St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martins, Bryher, St Agnes and the uninhabited islands! The stunning Isles of Scilly hosts a food and drink festival throughout the month of September and offers a range of locally sourced produce. To start the event, on the 1st of September, there is the Low Tide Experience; at the sandbank between Tresco & Bryher, visitors roll up their trousers and visit the mini food festival. Here you can try some garlic mussels, seafood paella and much more! Along with the delicious local food, you can enjoy some live music with a gin cocktail or prosecco.
Something new for 2019 is series of Distillery Tours and Gin Schools! At the Spirit Scilly distillery on St Mary’s, you can browse a selection of botanical cabinets, and craft your own juniper creation to take home – the perfect holiday souvenir! In the evenings, you can expect family-farm tours, gin tasting, baking competitions, and so much more! With an abundance of things to see, do, and of course taste, this is an event that cannot be missed. Visit the spectacular islands, meet the local producers and try some of their exquisite food and drink!
Cornwall’s Motorsport Month
1st – 30th September 2019
Cornwall is most well-known for sailing, but many forget its passion for motors! September is the month for cars, motorbikes and everything a petrolhead could dream of. Throughout the month there are different occasions; some of the highlights are the 4 x 4 event, Greenpower and Classic Car Show, Motorfest and Motor Cycle Trial.
Showcasing some fantastic cars and bikes, the Greenpower and Classic Car Show is hosted at the Truro Girls School and is a great day out. On the 8th of September between 11 am and 3 pm, there will be over 150 classic cars, motorbikes and a selection of military vehicles from WW2! As well as all this, there will be a market full of food and drink stalls selling some delicious goodies!
If you are looking to visit Cornwall in September, we hope we have encouraged you to visit some of these fantastic events while you are here. When planning a trip with the kids it can be tough to find suitable accommodation. Here at The Valley, we offer family-friendly holidays in Cornwall with our range of self-catering cottages! Perfect for a family getaway, we are situated in a great location, so you can visit as many events as you desire!
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival and Classics Regatta
June 05th, 2019
The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival will be back again this year for more boat related singing and festivities. Occurring each year at the same time as the Falmouth Classics Regatta, there will be plenty of ship and sea related activities to get involved with. Here is all you need to know!
The Falmouth Classics Regatta
Between the 14th and 16th June, classic boats will sail to the area for a fun three-day event. Competitors from around the country will arrive across the waves for the biggest classic boating event in the UK, with races and parades. Last year, 192 boats arrived for the event, with over 60,000 people visiting to see it all take place! The classic boats are a sight to behold, with some even dating back as far as 1882!
One of the main highlights of the event is the Parade of Sail and Power, which sees the delightful restored ships and classic boats, accompanied by some larger vessels, sail in a parade out of Falmouth Harbour. For unparalleled views of the parade head to Pendennis Point!
If you would like to get involved in the regatta but aren’t fortunate enough to own a classic boat, bring along a dinghy, or borrow a rowing boat to enter the Saturday afternoon fun rowing and sculling competition!
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Making the perfect partner for the regatta is the Sea Shanty Festival, celebrating the history of Tall Ships and promoting the maritime heritage of Falmouth and the surrounding area. In addition, the festival aims to raise money for the RNLI, who play a major role in a coastal county like Cornwall.
The Cornish heritage of storytelling and song comes to life in these sea shanties, with live performances from over 50 groups from Cornwall, France and the UK!
The festival is billed as the biggest free festival of maritime music in the world, and lasts the three days of the Falmouth Classics Regatta, on the 14th to 16th June. Join in the fun and learn about the seafaring history of this impressive harbour town through song.
If you’d like to see all of the boats in action, why not enjoy a luxury family holiday in Falmouth for some seaside fun!?
Image Credit: Tim Green
The River Fal Festival 2019
April 26th, 2019
Next month, the renowned Fal River Festival will return to one of Cornwall’s most popular holiday destinations. The charming harbour town of Falmouth will host the fantastic ten-day event, which will run from Friday 24thMay to Sunday 2ndJune. The celebration, which is now in its 13thyear, will hold over 150 events, from music and drama shows to sporting events and everything in between. For anyone staying in our luxury Cornish cottages during this time, we’ve created a guide to each area of events and when they’re happening so that you can plan your holiday in Cornwall accordingly!
Music and Drama
For those with a love for all things show business, the River Fal festival won’t disappoint, with a diverse range of performances scheduled over the ten days. Head out on the 24thMay to celebrate opening night with Betty Stoggs and the Beer Fleet revellers at the Greenbank Quay, enjoying Cornwall’s best Ceilidh and Barndance Band SPLANN. A Jazz night will take place on the Quay on the 27thMay or check out the talented solo violinist Thomas Bowes on the 30thMay. Whichever event you choose, the atmosphere is sure to be second to none as you enjoy some of Cornwall’s best talents.
Arts and Crafts
Numerous exhibitions will pop-up for the festival, including sightings of Morgawr, meaning sea giant in Cornish, at the Fish Factory Art Space. St Ives artist Kate Nicholson will also exhibit a wide range of her work, demonstrating the breadth of her creativity at the Art Gallery. The picturesque village of Flushing, which faces Falmouth from across the river will also get involved, with houses and businesses displaying their favourite works of art in windows for all to admire. From jewellery-making to political postcards, there’s any number of workshops over the ten-day festival, so be sure to browse their website to see if there are any that you and your family would like to get involved with.
Water-inspired Activities
Given the purpose is to celebrate the river, there is no shortage of water-inspired activities to take part in over the festival. Watch the beer fleet, which opens the festival, with boats of all shapes and sizes entering the harbour. Those looking for more adrenaline-fuelled activities can enjoy 50% off watersports at Swan Pool Beach on 29thMay, while those looking to relax on their holiday can buy tickets for either a Gin cruise (31stMay) or a Fizz and Chips cruise (1stJune). Do your bit for keeping Cornwall such a lovely place to visit and opt for cleaning the creek by canoe on 2ndJune.
Gardens and Walks
There are any number of fascinating walking tours or visits to local gardens that are sure to provide you with interesting information about the area. Take a history tour of Flushing, forage for wild food and seaweed and learn how to prepare it, keep your eyes on the skies during a bird-watching trail or release your inner child with a night-time rock-pooling session. The ancient Enys Garden will host a fun-filled fair on 1stJune, aptly named, Truly, Madly, Cornish, which is the perfect place to pick up some local souvenirs.
Food and Drink
The fantastic food and drink that is available in this beautiful part of the world has not been forgotten in the Fal Festival celebrations. Children with an interest in cooking can head to famous chef Rick Steins restaurant on the 28thMay for a very fishy workshop where they’ll learn all about the fish in our local seas and how to cook them. A mini beer fest on a working boat will take place over the bank holiday weekend whilst those looking to experiment with cuisine are welcome to attend the wood-fired goat festival on 26thMay. Tarquin’s Gin will be hosting a club evening on the 29thMay that is perfect for adults with a taste for gin.
Literature
Book-worms are not forgotten during the River Fal celebrations and can hear all about shipwreck survivors at the NMMC from 27thMay – 1stJune. A short film cruise will depart from the harbour on the evening of the 29thMay where you can enjoy a fantastic independent film, asking the director any questions you may have about the feature immediately after. The 30thMay sees a Words Out event hosted by Fish Factory Arts where you can enjoy an evening of supper and storytelling.
That concludes our guide to just some of what is happening during the River Fal Festival at the end of May. As any who have attended can attest, the family-friendly event hosts a range of celebrations, each as delightful as the next, with some of which you may only find in Cornwall.
Music Festivals in Cornwall 2018
March 22nd, 2018
While summer may seem a while away, the sunny days are soon going to be upon us and with them comes the exciting festivals and events taking place throughout Cornwall at this time. With so much coastline in Cornwall, scenic beaches take up much of the county, making it the perfect spot for some fantastic seaside musical performances. We take a look at some of the best festivals on offer this year:
Tunes in the Dunes
Tunes in the Dunes is one of the earlier festival offerings for 2018, running from the 8th to the 10th June on Perranporth Beach. This year is bigger than ever, with four stages spread out across the beach area, bringing a wide range of different atmosphere. With big acts performing on the impressive main stage, and local Cornish artists taking to the St Pirans stage, there are plenty of acts to support. Friday night sees Protoje, The Skints, Auction For The Promise Club and Rosie the Crow take the stage. Headlining Saturday is UB40 originals Ali, Astro and Mickey, as well as Current Swell, Matthew Mole and Echo Town. Taking the stage on Sunday are Pixie Lott, Gypsy Queens, Company B, Fishermans Friends and Backbeat Soundsystem.
As the big names settle down for the night, head to the After Party Stage and dance all night long! Like many places in Cornwall, the surfing spirit is at large here, so bring your board along to catch some waves while you enjoy the exciting mix of tunes!
Leopallooza
Unlike the other big festivals in Cornwall, Leopallooza is hidden away in a valley framed by trees, rather than right on the beachfront. But with three days and nights of incredible performances, free camping and a great atmosphere, Leopallooza is a fantastic deal! This year the family-friendly festival runs from the 27th to the 29th July.
While the Friday night headliner has yet to be announced, Kelis will be taking to the stage on Saturday night, and St Paul & The Broken Bones are set to headline Sunday. Other acts performing over the weekend include Rat Boy, Tom Grennan, Estrons and Idles. With skate ramps, silent discos, karaoke bars, and comedy acts, among other activities, Leopallooza offers up plenty to keep everyone entertained. Already confirmed acts for ‘The Funny Side’ comedy stage are Josh Widdicombe and Russel Kane!
Boardmasters
This is the big one for Cornwall; running from the 8th to 12th August, Boardmasters will be taking over Watergate Bay. Friday sees Catfish and the Bottlemen take the stage, with The Chemical Brothers taking over headlining duties on Saturday, and George Ezra on Sunday. Other big names include Rag’n’Bone Man, Years & Years and Kano, with hundreds of acts performing from a wide variety of music genres. At the end of each nights headlining performances, there is an After Dark party, featuring DJ sets until the sun starts to rise!
Over on neighbouring Fistral Beach Cornwall’s love of surfing is certainly on display, with surfing competitions for all levels, surfing lessons and sessions, and spaces for skating and BMX. If you’re not one for the heart-racing activities, then chill out at the health and wellbeing area with yoga and pilates classes, meditation sessions or a massage and sauna session at the Boardmasters Spa!
Looe
A little later in the year, and therefore, comfortably out of the summer heat, musicians take the stage in Looe. Around 90 acts are said to be performing over five stages between the 21st and 23rd September. The headlining acts take place on the beach so you’ll be right on the coast for all the action, meaning you can surf and sun while listening to the live tunes. Friday night sees Finnish country-metal sensations Steve ‘n’ Seagulls take the stage with some of their specialty barn-rock! They are certainly bound to get the party started for following acts Himalayas, John Otway and Martin Harley and Daniel Kimbro among others! Headlining Saturday night are The Waterboys, and Sunday sees The Stranglers taking the stage!
If you’d like somewhere a little more luxurious than a tent to stay during these festivals or would like to stay on in Cornwall for a proper holiday after the music events, then take a look at our range of luxury Cornish cottages. They are perfect for short breaks, family getaways or just to relax by the coast!
Celebrating the Daffodil in Cornwall
March 16th, 2018
As one of the clearest signs of spring, the bright and bold daffodil has long held a connection with Cornwall. With spring on the way, daffodils have burst into bloom in fields and gardens. To celebrate the much-loved flower, there are a number of daffodil themed events taking place throughout Cornwall.
Daffodil Weekend, Trelissick, 17th-18th March
Each year Trelissick plays host to the annual Daffodil Show, celebrating the beautiful blooms lovingly grown by the finest growers in Cornwall. The stables are exploding with colour, where the delightful displays of daffodils are on show. Over a hundred different varieties will be exhibited. There is also a children’s daffodil trail throughout the gardens to entertain the little ones.
Now that Spring is here, the gardens at Trelissick are bursting to life with buds blossoming into vibrant blooms. While there, wander through the winding paths and enjoy the gorgeous camellias, magnolias, bluebells, wildflowers, and wisteria that come to life at this time of year.
Heligan Daffodil Fair, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, 10th-24th March
Over the past couple of years, over 50,000 Cornish Daffodils have been planted at the Lost Gardens of Heligan; so you can expect vast expanses of vibrant yellows and dainty white blooms dotted throughout the estate. If that isn’t enough daffodil for you, then there is also the fair area, where heritage varieties will be put on display in flower show style. There will be over 120 types of the plant on show here.
Daffodil Gold Rush, Falmouth, 2nd-31st March
A celebration of the daffodil heritage in Cornwall, this exhibition explores the history of Cornwall in relation to the nation’s favourite spring flower. With archive photography, botanical paintings and evocative artwork, the Daffodil Gold Rush will detail the relationship between Cornwall and these vivid flowers, with stunning creativity.
For those unaware of this connection, Cornwall has been key in the growth and distribution of this springtime flower for many years, with the Great Western Railway constructing a line to transport the so-called ‘golden harvest’ of daffodils from the Isles of Scilly, Tamar Valley and West Penwith to awaiting flower markets across Britain. Percival Dacres Williams, a daffodil breeder in the early 20th century, was known as the ‘Daffodil King’ in Cornwall, where he grew over 500 varieties of daffodil. These bulbs were bought by collectors and transported worldwide; some bulbs even being bought for the equivalent of £460 each in today’s money!
Join in the springtime celebrations in Cornwall with our child-friendly holidays in Falmouth!
Festival of Light and Sound
November 29th, 2017
The Eden Project is an incredible place to visit at any time of the year, but you can make your Cornwall Christmas holidays even more special by taking a trip to the indoor rainforest during the Festival of Light and Sound. The Festival will entail a display of music, light and colour, featuring light projections and dramatic soundscapes.
Experiencing the Eden Project Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes after-dark is a thrilling event in itself, but viewing them from above, on the 50-metre high lookout as choreographed performances of light and sound occur around you is certainly something else! Last year, the event reached the top of The Guardian’s list of top Christmas spectaculars, and it is set to be just as incredible this year.
The Festival of Light and Sound is a collaboration between the Eden Project, their creative partners, EdenLAB, and Chris Levine, an artist renowned for working with lights. Levine is the artist responsible for creating the laser light tribute to David Bowie at Glastonbury festival last year, so his work is innovative and highly commended. Working alongside them are a number of songwriters, spatial audio artists and designers to form the magically entrancing sounds that will accompany the light show. Marco Perry, Bjork’s spatial sound designer, forms part of this team too, making this one captivating experience you will not want to miss.
The Mediterranean Biome will also be playing host to a bar, where you can treat yourself to a nice bottle of bubbly or a warming mug of mulled wine and tasty nibbles. Here, local choirs, singers and performers will be entertaining visitors.
The event will be running on a number of dates, starting from the weekend of the 1st-3rd December, and the following dates; 8-10, 15-23, 27-30 December, from 5pm until 8pm. It is free to attend with a standard admission to the Eden Project, and no pre-booking will be required.
While you are at the Eden Project, join in with the other festive fun on offer there, such as ice skating, meeting Father Christmas and getting creative with some seasonal crafts!
Don’t Miss The Amazing, Action-Packed Sea Shanty Festival in Falmouth this June
June 06th, 2017
The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival is just two weekends away. From Friday 16th June to Sunday 18th June, the stunning seaside town will come to life and be filled with energy, fun, music and food.
The Fal River Festival Is In Full Swing
May 30th, 2017
The annual Fal River Festival is well under way, located in many locations around the infamous Fal River, including Falmouth, Truro and The Roseland. Hosting 150 events over the week, from music gig racing, there is plenty for you to enjoy while you are on your luxury Falmouth holidays. The festivities started on the 26th May, but don’t worry if you missed out on these, as the event is going on until the 4th June! If you’re looking for some family-friendly fun on your holiday, then make sure you attend one of the many events lined up over the next couple of days. With a host of events from the world of music, food, theatre, art, storytelling, adventure and sports, there is something for everyone at the biggest cultural event in the area.
