Top Ten Things to do in Cornwall this Spring

March 11th, 2022

Known for its coves, spectacular beaches and coastal paths, Cornwall is a beach-lovers paradise. The county is also home to many spectacular gardens, a thriving art scene and water sports activities for everyone to enjoy.

Cornwall is beautiful throughout the seasons, but Spring is a particularly good time to visit as there is a more relaxed pace compared to the bustling summer time. If you’re looking for inspiration for what next to do on your holiday to Cornwall in the spring, take a look at our top ten recommendations:

Discover some of the most historic gardens in the country

Cornwall is home to some of the country’s most historic gardens. With 50 sites dotted around Cornwall, the National Trust offers an abundance of choice; Trelisick, Cotehele and Godolphin are just a few of the gardens to visit. In spring time you can enjoy the delights of bluebells at Cotehele. 

If you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten track, the Lost Gardens of Heligan or Caerhays Spring Gardens and Castle, both located in St Austell, are family friendly choices for the adventurous at heart.

Explore Cornwall’s art scene

With the picturesque landscape, colours and light of the Cornish coast, it’s no surprise that many artists have taken inspiration from the area.  

The Newlyn Art Gallery was opened in 1895 for this very reason. If you want to explore more contemporary art in the area, their sister gallery, The Exchange is the place to go. 

If you’re an art lover, a trip to St Ives in spring is a must. Described as the ‘jewels’ of St Ives, the Tate and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Museum are well worth a visit.

Stroll through carpeted bluebell woods

Weave through the carpets of bluebells which emerge in Cornwall at spring time. Some of the best spots to see these blue-headed beauties are Cardinham Woods, Tehidy Woods,Cardinham Woods, Enya Garden and Lanhydrock Estate. 

Other budding flowers such as wild thrift and daffodils are also on display during the spring. Just another reason to enjoy wandering in the woods at this time of the year.

Traverse the Cornish Coastal Path

Stretching a considerable 630 miles, there is plenty of ground to cover when it comes to walking the Cornish coastal path. Spring is the perfect time to walk the coastal path, as it won’t have the peak foot traffic of other months later in the year.  

Whether you want to complete a circular day walk, or fancy tackling longer stretches of the scenic coast there’s a route to suit everyone. The South West Coast Path have even included a helpful ‘distance calculator’ on their website to help you map out your journey.

Have a go at water sports

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or it’s your first time stepping foot on a board, Cornwall has so many great surfing and paddle boarding spots to choose from. 

Whilst we can’t guarantee that the water will be warm in Spring, the swell and waves are a happy medium between winter and summer. Fistral beach in Newquay and Widemouth Bay in Bude are some of the most popular spots for beginners. 

If surfing’s not your thing, there are also plenty of spots where you can go wild swimming and take in the serenity of your surroundings (with the comfort of knowing you’ve got warm clothes and a comfortable home to return to at The Valley!)

Easter egg hunts

If you’re looking for an activity which will keep both kids and adults entertained, there are a whole host of Easter Egg hunts taking place across Cornwall. The National Trust’s Trelissick and Cotehele are amongst the favourite places to find what the Easter Bunny has hidden around the gardens. 

An event not to be missed whilst staying with us is our annual Easter egg hunt in our thirteen acres of woodland and gardens. If you’re looking to take part in traditional Cornish customs around Easter, you could visit Consols Pond Boat Race in St Ives on Good Friday or Duke Street in Padstow on Easter morning for their rolling of decorated Easter eggs down the streets.

Explore the Eden Project

The domes at the Eden Project are home to some of the world’s most fascinating plants. A great day out for any age, journeying through the rainforest all the way to the Mediterranean can be particularly fun for children. 

With a spell-binding collection of plants and activities for all the family this is a firm favourite when visiting Cornwall. What’s even better is that over Easter, the Eden Project organises a range of egg-cellent games and activities for children of all ages.

The Minack Theatre

The magic of the Minack Theatre is truly felt by audiences who enjoy the open-air setting and fresh breeze from the Cornish cliffs. There are some delightful shows such as The Piskie in the Garden showing throughout Spring. Even if there isn’t a show on, the Minack theatre and the Minack gardens are well worth exploring.

Dog friendly beaches

Bringing our four legged friends on holiday can be wonderful. This is why we offer dog-friendly accommodation options. They love the scenery and wide open beaches of Cornwall as much as we do! 

However, some beaches in the county impose restrictions on where dogs can go, often during peak summer time. The best time to take your four-legged friend to their favourite beach location is Spring but it is always advisable to check the information for specific beaches before travelling.  
Take a look at our Guide to Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall to discover some of our favourite places to take pups.

Go nature spotting

Cornwall is renowned for its breath-taking coastal location. Perhaps you’re an avid Poldark fan or simply want to enjoy all the hidden coves, harbours and sandy beaches that are on offer. 

Nature lovers will enjoy venturing to St Ives’ Seal Island, Polurrian Beach, Pendennis Point and other spots in Penzance are well known for their seal and bird populations. If the sun is shining, a picnic or fish and chips on the beach can be a treat in itself.

If you’re interested in taking a stroll through the bluebell-filled woods, diving into clear blue Cornish waters or taking part in some well-loved Cornish traditions this spring, why not consider booking a stay at The Valley? 

Located between Falmouth and Truro, our guests have described us as ‘the perfect location’ to explore Cornwall from. With six types of luxury cottage to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect place to stay with us this spring.