Category: Festive

Celebrate by the sea

Create new family traditions and truly memorable festive moments. Coastal celebration brings the awe-inspiring and restorative power of the sea to your Christmas and NYE…

Find out why New Year is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in for the New Year.

Winter might mean wet weather, temperatures that bite and short, dark days, but that doesn’t mean you need to steer clear of the seaside.

In fact, a coastal festive break might be just what’s needed to break out of the yearly cycle of heaving crowds in shopping centres, the last-minute panic buying, the relentless sounds of devices come to Boxing Day and wondering how to make December 31st special.

“An afternoon on a beach you have all to yourselves, before climbing into an outdoor hot tub back at your retreat as the sun sets.”

Image credit: Mia Rumble

Create your klys

The Cornish word for cosy or snug, klys can loosely be equated with the Danish concept of hygge – a way of life that embraces cosiness, warmth and good times with friends and family, with the help of scented candles, cashmere socks, twinkling fairy lights and anything else that says cosy to you.

“Think rugged coastal walks, cliff views and the ocean stretching out before you, ending in a warm and welcoming 12th century pub with delicious local food and drink.”

Where klys differs, is the role the beautiful Cornish wilderness has to play. Immerse yourself in the raw elements of our winters outside, before heading indoors to warm your soul in front of a log fire and a hot cup of cocoa.

Think rugged coastal walks, cliff views and the ocean stretching out before you, ending in a warm and welcoming 12th century pub with delicious local food and drink.

Or an afternoon on a beach you have all to yourselves, before climbing into an outdoor hot tub back at your retreat as the sun sets.

Celebratory splash

It might seem ridiculous – or completely insane – to plunge into freezing water when the mercury is dropping rapidly outside, but the effects of cold water are well known. Chief among them, that natural high thanks to the heady rush of chemicals, endorphins and hormones circulating around your body, lifting your mood, making you feel alive. Really alive.

Image credit: Mia Rumble

That cold rush surrounded by Cornwall’s varied and beautiful coastal landscapes is an unrivalled feeling.

Local favourite locations include Christmas day gatherings in Sennen Cove, Porthtowan beach and Coverack harbour on The Lizard, where you’ll be joined by other brave souls.

Don’t stay in too long, be aware of how you’re feeling and prepared – with warm clothes at the ready for when you get out. For cold water novices, check out the Outdoor Swimming Society and RNLI guidance.

Auld Lang Syne to a new scene

From assembling, hand-in-hand on a deserted beach at midnight to usher in the new year to gathering round a fire with the sound of the sea in the distance, the ocean is an epic backdrop for special celebrations.

Image credit: Mia Rumble

It’s a time of high drama at sea, with waves crashing into harbour walls and barracking monumental cliffs. Sealife of the most epic proportions can also be spotted in winter months, so keep those eyes peeled for fin or humpback whales cresting the surf.

“Think celebratory evenings filled with talk, laughter, insight and meaningful connection.”

Make a visit to some of the most impressive vantage points we have, like Cape Cornwall – exposed to the full might of the Atlantic and part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Or share warming refreshment and celebrations at your retreat, while drinking in the expansive sea views – so you get the best of both worlds.

Deep connections

It’s Christmas Day afternoon or post New Years’ Day lunch. You’ve eaten too much, you’ve drunk too much, and now you’re slumped on the sofa in front of the TV surrounded by your family and friends. No-one’s really talking to each other. Sound familiar?

What if, you swapped the TV for a crackling fire with a sea view or candle-lit coffee table? Like staring at the sea or the stars, flickering flames are mesmerising and elemental. And in the winter months, they can be a source of warmth, literally and figuratively.

Think celebratory evenings filled with talk, laughter, insight and meaningful connection. Play cards or be more profound: explore your family’s or friends’ deeper selves: what are their private joys, fears, regrets and hopes? What do they wish they could do in a utopia and why? Celebrating by the sea could turn out to be more surprising than you expect.

Discover fresh perspectives and exciting ideas for the new year!

Gather and celebrate on the beach or find just the place to huddle up for the festive season.

Create Christmas at the coast

Christmas at the coast begs to be made different, from re-styling the decorations, mixing-up the festive food, sparking Christmas countdown imaginations and reimagining traditions…

GATHER AND CREATE

Go gathering along the coast to bring creativity to your Christmas scene-setting and dining table. On the beach, pieces of colourful glass smoothed by the ceaseless rolling of the waves make for exciting finds: treasure to decorate your retreat, or to leave with the carrot and midnight snack for Santa?

Family on a beach in winter clothing

At the shoreline, nori or laver seaweed thrives in the winter, a real forager’s treat for those getting out and about. This glossy, marine alga has been a Cornish staple for centuries, bringing nutrition and umami flavours to a festive feast.

“Nori or laver can be harvested and dried at home, ready to be incorporated into a range of seasonal dishes,” says Rachel Lambert, forager, guide and author of Seaweed Foraging in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (where she guides you through 16 seaweeds with 32 recipes).

“Laverbread, a traditional Welsh delicacy, can be made by slowly simmering the nori until it forms a rich, savoury paste that pairs beautifully with bacon or toasted bread at breakfast.”

Here’s Rachel’s tips for how to harvest in the wild: “Only take what you need – no more than a third of the plant – and avoid pulling the seaweed from its root to allow it to regenerate,” says Rachel. “Always respect the power of the sea and check the tides, water quality and local guidelines, as some beaches may have specific foraging restrictions.”

Woman foraging on beach

“You can crispen dried nori in the oven to create your own seaweed crisps or use it as a garnish for seafood dishes. Laverbread, a traditional Welsh delicacy, can be made by slowly simmering the nori until it forms a rich, savoury paste that pairs beautifully with bacon or toasted bread at breakfast,” she adds.

“Alternatively, mix it into soups, or serve it as part of a Christmas Eve seafood platter. With its rich vitamin content, nori adds flavour and a healthy twist to holiday meals.”

MIX IT UP

While warming mulled wine and sparkling Champagne will always have their place at festive gatherings, 2024 is undoubtedly the year of tequila. Premium tequilas have seen a surge in popularity in the UK, moving away from their image as a student bar staple.

Couple drinking margaritas

Now crafted for sipping and savouring, the high-quality varieties made from 100% agave, are increasingly favoured by discerning drinkers for their smooth flavours and artisanal production methods.

Festive margaritas

“At Sauce, we believe the perfect way to kick off any celebration is with a margarita, and right now, spicy margaritas are the star of the show,” explains Will Bickham, owner of Sauce, a Cornish-based pop-up bar and catering company.

Will’s – pre-batched margarita recipe

Make in advance; takes seconds to serve – perfect for entertaining over the festive season.

Pre-batch your ingredients by mixing the following in a jug or bottle (measurements per cocktail): 50ml Blanco tequila, 20ml golden agave syrup, 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice, pinch of sea salt, 50ml water.

Keep it chilled in the fridge until ready to serve.

When it’s party time, add chamoy (a fruity Mexican sauce) to the rim of each glass and dip into Tajin (a chilli and lime seasoning) – for the right kick of spice, a hint of saltiness and touch of citrus.

Then, pour your tequila mixture over ice into your prepared glass and enjoy!

For an alcohol-free shoreside-inspired alternative, try Pentire’s wintery aperitif of Coastal Spritz (blended with blood orange, sea rosemary and oakwood) and tonic.

DRESSING UP

Fancy changing the palette of the festive decorations, taking inspiration from the world of festivals and celebrations?

String vibrant papel picado garlands along your mantelpiece, doorways and windows. Opt for designs featuring Christmas themes like stars, angels or Christmas trees, in bright pinks, oranges, blues and greens to add a hint of tradition.

Festive table layout

For Christmas dinner, bring along table runners and placemats with a pop of colour, like these from Cornish homeware designer Jenny Aves. Bring the outside in, with natural coastal elements as table-settings: driftwood candle holders, seashells, or turquoise-coloured glassware to merge Mexican vibrancy with seaside charm.

Family around a Christmas cactus

“String a set of fairy lights from a Swiss cheese plant or hang some bright baubles from a cactus, for a touch of festive flair minus the pine needle stress.”

A Mexican piñata marks a special occasion, so incorporate them into your tree decor. Hang mini piñata stars as ornaments or use one as a Christmas tree topper.

Christmas tree with coastal decorations

And rather than sourcing and setting up a Christmas tree, why not decorate the houseplants instead? String a set of fairy lights from a Swiss cheese plant or hang some bright baubles from a cactus, for a touch of festive flair minus the pine needle stress.

CORNISH CUSTOMS

While overwintering along the Cornish coast, you could also take the time to enjoy some locally-sourced customs. Cornwall is rich in unique festive traditions, especially around the winter solstice on 21st December – a time for reflection, gathering around fires, and watching the sun set over the rugged moorland.

“A forerunner to mistletoe, this globe-shaped decoration is made from hoops of wire decorated with evergreen foliage like holly, ivy and mistletoe. A large red apple is hung in the centre to symbolise fertility and abundance.”

The Montol Festival in Penzance is reviving ancient Cornish traditions, culminating in a masked procession with flaming torches and the burning of the ‘Sun Resplendent’ effigy that marks the gradual return of the light. Quieter, mystical winter solstice celebrations take place on Bodmin Moor at Trethevy Quoit or The Hurlers, ancient stone circles that align with the solstice sunset.

Welcome a long-held Cornish custom into your retreat by making a kissing bush, also believed to hark back to pagan solstice celebrations. A forerunner to mistletoe, this globe-shaped decoration is made from hoops of wire decorated with evergreen foliage like holly, ivy and mistletoe. A large red apple is hung in the centre to symbolise fertility and abundance. Add even more decoration, from colourful ribbons to dried fruit.

Letters from the North Pole

“I remember my mum saying to me, there’s been a lot of stories written about Santa Claus, and there’s been a lot of songs written about Santa Claus. But truth is, nobody knows what Santa really looks like because nobody has even seen Santa Claus in real life. And that was that. That was the answer that I needed to keep the magic alive, you know, because it’s the not knowing – that’s magic.”

Graphic designer for film and author Annie Atkins told us why she jumped at the chance to write her new book Letters from the North Pole.

Letters from the north pole bookCredit: Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins and Fia Tobing

After spending the last 15 years making fake letters for characters in film, Annie has turned her passion for letter writing to imaginary correspondence between children and Father Christmas – and his workshop.

In the book – hoping to spark imaginations during the Christmas countdown – children write to Santa with ideas for new inventions and new toys that the North Pole-based elves could create. The letters from the North Pole feature intriguing technical drawings – direct from the workshop.

If the children are away for Christmas, they might need to give Santa directions to their coastal holiday home to avoid being missed on Christmas Eve.

Letters from the north pole bookCredit: Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins and Fia Tobing

And the creativity doesn’t stop there, Annie’s making time between Christmas card correspondence and decoration-making to run festive letter writing workshops, featuring stamps creation and fictional franking marks. Find @annieatkins on Instagram to find out when and where.

Light-up your Christmas countdown imagination, bring a twist of Cornish and coastal inspiration to Christmas this year.

Get creative, get coastal, choose where you’ll be to celebrate Christmas differently by the sea…

New traditions

As the festive season approaches, create new traditions by the coast on a Christmas holiday in Cornwall. From Christmas morning sea dips to boxing day drinks at your favourite sea-view pub, spending Christmas in a different landscape means creating new festive rituals to return to year on year.

Add that little extra magic to your stay and form lasting memories with these new coastal traditions you could try. Think:

  • A Christmas morning sea dip
  • Festive drinks
  • Coastal walks
  • Family beach games
  • A shoreline scavenger hunt
  • Stargazing
  • A seafood Christmas dinner

Visiting with a large group? Discover our large holiday homes perfect for big families or friend groups.

Christmas morning sea swim

This one is local tradition: every year you’ll see Cornish folk (many with santa hats on) running into icy waters on Christmas morning.

Start the day with a dash of exhilaration and dip in the closest sea to your retreat. Then, return back to your retreat, light the fire and get cosy as you unwrap presents with your loved ones.

Christmas drinks

On Christmas afternoon, swap the living room for a seafront pub and raise a glass to coastal wonder. There’s sure to be a lively festive atmosphere, and heading out for a drink is a great way to fight the post-lunch slump whilst taking in some of Cornwall’s incredible views.

If you’d rather stay in the warmth of your retreat, check out our festive drink recommendations and enjoy a cocktail making session.

A man and woman enjoying a cocktail in a stylish property

Christmas Day coastal walk

Another way to wake yourself up after your festive feast is to refresh with a Christmas Day walk along the South West Coast Path. Rather than nodding off in front of the TV after one too many pigs-in-blankets, get the kids togged up and set off in search of sea vistas.

Beach games

The classic beach day isn’t just for summer, and despite the chillier weather, kids enjoy spending time at the beach all year round. This Christmas, get togged up and pack some sand-based activities for family fun on the shore. Think sand tobogganing, beach cricket, boules, sandcastle competitions, pebble skimming…. when the beach is your playground, the possibilities are endless.

A dad and two boys playing with a toboggan on a beach

Beach scavenger hunt

A tradition that the little ones especially will enjoy. Set out on a Christmas treasure hunt along the shoreline, investigating what’s been washed in by the tide. Keep what you find as a Christmas keepsake, or search for a pretty shell or interesting rock to trade with one another. It’s a great way to get the little one’s appreciating nature’s wonder and make gift giving about small acts of love.

Stargazing on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, trade the twinkling indoor lights for the celestial wonders above. Wrap up warm and take a blanket on the beach (or your balcony), gaze at the starlit sky, and share stories beneath the cosmic canopy. It’s a quiet and magical prelude to the days of celebration ahead.

Seafood dinner

When you stay in a self-catered retreat, you have the freedom of your own space to cook, sip and lounge in. Why not switch it up and cook something based around the delightful local produce which the fishermen bring in every day? Sure, seafood isn’t typically included in traditional Christmas cuisine, but if you’re spending the season in Cornwall, infusing your Christmas dinner with a local twist adds all the more novelty to the task of cooking the big lunch, and will have the family coming back for seconds – and thirds.

If you’d rather skip the cooking all together, many of Cornwall’s restaurants host delicious Christmas dinners. Dine in an award-winning Cornish restaurant with a sea view and make your festive stay extra special. Be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Image credit: Graham Gaunt photowork

A family sit round a table enjoying Christmas dinner

Escape the ordinary and embrace coastal wonder this Christmas with Beach Retreats, creating new traditions by the coast. Book your Christmas stay.

Klysa in Cornwall

Klys

adj cosy; snug

With winter around the corner, we explore what it means to get ‘klys’ on the Cornish coast, and discover this cosy concept’s ties to its Danish cousin, hygge…

Find out why Christmas time is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in at Christmas time.

The year is 2016, and a Scandinavian cultural phenomenon is sweeping the world. Candles are being lit, cashmere socks pulled on, cinnamon buns baked, and cups of cocoa nursed – all in the name of ‘hygge’.

Defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing,” this Danish term derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian word, hugga, meaning ‘to comfort’, and has long been a part of the Scandi lifestyle.

Meik Wiking, C.E.O. of Copenhagen think tank the Happiness Research Institute and author of the best-selling The Little Book of Hygge, explains hygge as “the art of creating a nice atmosphere. It’s about togetherness. It’s about pleasure. It’s about warmth. It’s about relaxation. And that is a key cornerstone of Danish culture.”

“If hygge has reached saturation point, then the Cornish ‘klys’ comes as a metaphorical blast of fresh, coastal air.”

Strip away the ‘stuff’ – those fluffy shearling slippers and heart-topped hazelnut lattes – and hygge is at its core all about a feeling, which cannot be bought, but can be created.

A Cornish feeling

While no direct English translation for hygge exists, there is a little-known word that comes very close. And it just so happens to be Cornish.

‘Klys’ is listed in the Cornish Dictionary (AKA the ‘Gerlyver Kernewek’) as an adjective, meaning ‘cosy; snug’, with the verb, ‘klysa’, meaning ‘to make snug’.

If hygge has reached saturation point, then the Cornish ‘klys’ comes as a metaphorical blast of fresh, coastal air. In Cornwall, for every glowing pub fire, there’s the mind-clearing clifftop walk to reach it; for every cottage window seat to curl up in, there’s the spectacle of Atlantic storm-watching.

 “From sharing comfort food with friends and family, to lighting spirit-warming scents and singing folk songs in remote coastal pubs, the opportunities for stoking conviviality and contentment are as varied as they are plentiful.”

Experiencing klys in Cornwall centres on a sense of balance, with the outdoor elemental wilderness making the indoor cosiness feel all the more inviting and impactful.

And with winter around the corner, klys is about to come into its own.

Sublime contrast

Winter in Cornwall stands in sublime contrast to summer. Crowds dissipate, waves crash against harbour walls, congested coast paths clear, villages light up, locals gather, log fires burn, and beaches stretch out, gloriously unspoilt. In short, it’s an unexpectedly brilliant time to visit. Channelling the concept of klys during your off-season stay offers a way to celebrate, rather than shy away from, all that’s soul-stirringly unique about a Cornish winter.

“For a suitably klys experience, why not take an exhilarating natural shower in the sea spray and skin-pummelling rain along the wintry coast path, followed by a mug of mulled wine, with eyes bright and face glowing?”

So how best to cultivate those ‘klys’ feelings on your next getaway to the county? From sharing comfort food with friends and family, to lighting spirit-warming scents and singing folk songs in remote coastal pubs, the opportunities for stoking conviviality and contentment are as varied as they are plentiful – and reach a peak around Christmas. After all, what could be more klys than a festive escape to the sea, complete with blustery beach walks and evenings together by the fire exchanging stories of the day’s adventures?

The village of Mousehole does December in true klys style – festooning its harbour in a spectacularly nostalgic display of Christmas lights. Meanwhile, over in Porthleven (the pin-up of Cornish winter storms), huge seas explode against the clock tower as captivated onlookers watch from within the warmth of the atmospheric Ship Inn.

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything the area has to offer.

For a suitably klys experience, why not take an exhilarating natural shower in the sea spray and skin-pummelling rain along the wintry coast path, followed by a mug of mulled wine, with eyes bright and face glowing? Or, for a less intrepid interpretation of klys, curl up with a book by candlelight or take an essential oil-scented bath while the rain batters the windows of your retreat.

Welcome to cosy season, Cornish-style…

Browse our Cornish locations and find the right coastal spot for your klys retreat….

Explore how to refresh and restore with land&water, your ultimate guide to rejuvenating experiences.

Shoreside inspired drinks

Christmas cocktail nights, seasonal hosting, or settling down with a warming drink over ice on a dark evening, add some coastal flavours and inspiration to your glass…

House seaweed bitters for umami notes, gin that could only have been made in St Ives or an oakwood and sea rosemary, alcohol-free, take on an after-work classic. What will it be?

Only in St Ives

St Ives Gin came into existence around six years ago in a restaurant looking out to St Ives harbour, says Tim at St Ives Liquor Company (Silco): “Considering the amount of G&Ts we sold and the fact we made everything else ourselves it made sense to make our own alcohol.”

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Image credit: Silco St Ives Gin restaurant

What started with a locally-sourced and made gin has expanded to nine drinks: other gins, liqueurs and ready-to-drink cocktails are now on the menu at Eat Silco.

Image credit: Silco St Ives Gin

“From day one, we’ve foraged for botanicals from the surrounding area. No air miles, sustainable, and, so, competitively priced,” explains Tim.

The west Cornwall coastal stars of the show at Silco are bladderwrack seaweed and the shoreline plant samphire. “Their minerality and salinity really balance drinks nicely,” says Tim.

“We have always used gorse in our drinks; we find the slightly bitter coconut flavour works so well in cordials and infusions. We also use seaweed to add an additional umami note.”

Spritz sans-alcohol

Days spent in the north Cornwall surf as instructor and evenings at work in London bars led Alistair Frost and Ed Grieg-Gran to create Pentire, a maker of non-alcoholic spirits, aperitifs and cocktails founded on botanical flavours native to the Cornish coast.

And Pentire has just released its own sea-influenced take on an after-work classic, originating from Italy: the spritz. Like other Pentire drinks, this one has been “crafted in collaboration with some of the world’s best bartenders, who share our love for the outdoors,” says Alistair.

Image credit: Pentire Coastal Spritz

The Pentire Coastal Spritz aims for a balance of natural bitter flavours and refreshing coastal tones, taking the company’s signature coastal blend and combining it with tastes of blood orange, sea rosemary and oakwood.

The core flavours in Pentire drinks came together during experiments in a kitchen in Port Isaac, after Alistair’s discovery – with the help of a botanist – of 1000 different plant species growing along just one Cornish headland.

“It’s a naturally bitter and refreshing aperitif,” says Alistair.

Discover the best places to eat and drink by the sea, exploring coastal dining spots that offer delicious cuisine and breathtaking views in Cornwall.

Foraged cocktails

At Tom Thumb cocktail bar in Newquay the drinks menu is currently all about the RNLI with a selection of sea-themed spirits ready to mix. These reach further along the coastline to the Channel Islands, including Salcombe Island Street Rum and a Tidal Rum from Jersey.

 Image credit: Jamie Mitchell, Tom Thumb

The ingredients that go with the spirits though come from much closer to the bar. “We always forage for local ingredients,” says Jamie. “We are blessed to have many naturally occurring products to use along the coast. We have always used gorse in our drinks; we find the slightly bitter coconut flavour works so well in cordials and infusions.

“We also use seaweed to add an additional umami note. The added saline from seaweed also brings underlying notes and can add another element to the drink almost as if its seasoning the drink for us.”

On the current lifeboat-themed menu is The Oggin (an old maritime word for the sea). “We infuse gorse and cacao nibs through a pear cognac, and add a number of other ingredients all bought together by our house seaweed bitters,” says Jamie.

Another drink on the menu takes its name from an active member of the Newquay RNLI. The Dangerous Bri is a cherry-flavoured carbonated Negroni, made with Tidal Rum and a kelp seaweed dilution.

A measure of coastal plant-infused spritz with soda, something stronger with seaweed bitters or the fresh taste of the sea with tonic, just some of the shoreside inspired drinks produced and mixed around Cornwall. Why not add a splash of coastal wonder to your drinks line-up this festive season.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a hot tub? Check out our cottages with a hot tub for a relaxing getaway.

Festive Nights at Watergate Bay

From 1 December, Watergate Bay is lighting up with a festive spirit. From new shorefront dining experiences, wreath making, Champagne tasting, live music and a dozen Christmas trees each telling a different story, discover the advent of Festive Nights on the beach this December. Here’s what’s on at Watergate Bay this Christmas.

Find your retreat by the bay

Find out why December is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our favourite winter retreats.

Twelve Trees of Christmas

Pearly oyster shells and bee-friendly flower seed packets, beach-found Lego bricks and hand-tied botanical decorations – this year the iconic Christmas trees around Watergate Bay will do more than just look beautiful; they’ll be telling stories too. Twelve Trees of Christmas draws on twelve different friends, partners, suppliers and team members, each will decorate a tree in their own unique way. Expect sustainable, organic displays from Emily at 3 Acre Blooms; recycled, repurposed decorations from Beach Guardian; botanical aromas from land and water, and coffee card baubles from Origin Coffee Roasters.

If you’re staying in the area, be sure to wait until dusk and experience the trees as they light up by the ocean.

Craft workshops

Through December Watergate Bay Hotel is hosting a full calendar of winter events to spark that Christmas feeling, including hands-on wreath making, monoprinting and calligraphy workshops. Feel festive whilst crafting a perfect gift to take home to a loved one- book your session here.

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Zacry’s on the sea wall

From the start of December, the popular modern dining hub of Zacry’s is moving to the seafront position down on the sea wall, directly overlooking the tidelines of Watergate Bay. Tuck into a seasonally changing three-course menu, bringing the best of Cornish sea, sky and field to the table. If you’re staying with us in the area this winter, be sure to book your table.

Curry Fridays at The Beach Hut

Warming spices and local hero ingredients, head to The Beach Hut for their new Curry Fridays. Every Friday through November and December they’ll be cooking up authentic Indian feasts, with lively Bengali curries, and all of the extras; lemon turmeric rice, warm chapati, spiced carrot pickle, onion bhaji and quince ‘mango’ chutney.

Book your retreat by the bay and experience the seasonal magic of North Cornwall

Discover more about the area around Newquay and Padstow, and find out about Morwenstow, the often-forgotten area of Cornwall.

New Year in Cornwall

Wondering what to do on New Year’s Eve in Cornwall? Welcome in the New Year with a bracing sea dip, don fancy dress and party on the streets of St Ives, or watch harbourside fireworks reflect into moonlit seas.

Here are some of our favourite ways to bring in the New Year in Cornwall.

Find out why New Year is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in for the New Year.

Dress up for a street party, St Ives

This idyllic Cornish fishing village hosts one of the UK’s most famous New Year’s Eve parties, which sees crowds come from far and wide to hit the streets in fancy dress. Spectacular costumes and vibrant parades floods onto the beach and harbour, where food stands serve up festive treats. Listen for the chime of the bells at midnight, when fireworks fizz and pop over the ocean, bringing in another year in style.

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

harbour beach st ives

Watch fireworks over Newquay Harbour

Another seaside town that hosts an almighty New Year’s Eve party, the highlight of New Year’s Eve in Newquay is the spectacular fireworks display over the harbour and ocean at midnight. Make your way through streets packed with party goers in fancy dress, squeeze into local taverns or book a table at a sea-view restaurant, and make your way down to the harbour for the countdown to the incoming year.

Have a New Year’s day sea swim, Bude

Blast away the cobwebs and embrace the New Year with an invigorating dip in the ocean. The craze of shedding your wetsuit and leaping into the icy waves has become a New Year’s Day tradition across Cornwall. Join in the icy experience at Crooklet’s Beach in Bude, or head to Summerleaze tidal pool for a more sheltered dip.

Want a relaxing holiday in Cornwall? Check out our favourite spas and saunas for a truly relaxing getaway

Dine by the sea

Fancy food, fine wine and starlit seas. Book a table at a restaurant with a sea view and dine beside the waves. If you’re not big on partying, this is the perfect way to see in the New Year in style, without the headache the next morning.

Enjoy a beach walk

A New Year’s break in Cornwall isn’t all about revelry. Welcome in the New Year at a more relaxing pace, with a stroll along the beach or the South West Coast Path, enjoying the eye-popping scenery as the sea breeze brings a glow to your cheeks. We recommend the 2-mile walk from Watergate Bay to Mawgan Porth, hugging the cliff-tops and keeping your eyes peeled for seabirds and seals at the pristine Beacon Cove along the way.

Book your New Year retreat and welcome in 2024 by the shoreline.

5 retreats for Christmas

The scent of pine needles, wood fires and sea salt. Christmas lights glinting from harbour waters. The chorus of waves from outside your window. Christmas spent by the coast invites you to step away from the busyness of this festive period and reconnect with the senses, making time to cherish loved ones, good food and relaxation. Because after all, that’s what Christmas is about.

Looking to celebrate the festive season, coastal style? Here’s our pick of five winter retreats with availability this Christmas.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a log burner? Check out our cottages with a log burner for a cosy getaway.

Ellenglaze, sleeps 10, Holywell Bay

The ultimate decadent, glamorous retreat for anyone wanting to celebrate in style. Ellenglaze, a beautiful Grade II listed farmhouse tucked away in acres of land near Holywell Bay. Inside, you’ll find a heated swimming pool and a hot tub with a movie projector – we can’t think of a better way to watch a Christmas film. You can also keep cosy with the Aga and large fireplace, perfect for festive evenings.

Gwynver Beach Cottage, sleeps 10, Sennen Cove

Beach chic meets elegance at Gwynver Beach Cottage, a stunning retreat with almost instant access to one of the most beautiful stretches of West Cornwall coastline. Here, the little ones can play in the glass-walled garden room, with views of the ocean, as you relax with a newspaper. Plus, the chance to spot dolphins on Christmas Day from Sennen Cove is not to be missed.

Check out our other Sennen holiday properties from Beach Retreats.

Gwel Teg, sleeps 12, Porth

Ideal for a large family looking for a North Coast escape, Gwel Teg is just moments from Porth beach, meaning Christmas morning walks await. Stride all the way along the South West Coast Path to Watergate Bay, where you can enjoy a seasonal feast or warming hot choc with all the toppings.

Inside, Gwel Teg is stylish and modern, featuring a games room and hot tub, ideal for hosting a large family get-together.

Swell, sleeps 8, Falmouth

Spend Christmas on the South Coast at Swell, a modern and light filled family retreat seconds from Swanpool beach in Falmouth. Here, you’re close to Falmouth’s array of restaurants and bars, but far enough away to enjoy the peace and seclusion of Swanpool beach. There’s also a great coastal walk from here to Maenporth beach.

Seamist, sleeps 16, Watergate Bay

Our largest retreat, Seamist, sleeps 16 just a few minutes from the Watergate Bay shoreline. Here, there’s plenty of room for a multi-generational family to dine, watch Christmas films, unwrap presents and make memories by the coast.

Read our blog to find out more about what Watergate Bay, Newquay has to offer at Christmas, especially at night.

Stay by the sea this Christmas, with selected retreats offering up to 15% off and open for short breaks of 4 nights or more. 

National Trust at Christmas

Get into the festive spirit at the National Trust’s houses and exotic gardens, which transform every year into winter wonderlands. From holly-adorned great halls serving up mulled wine, woodland strewn with fairy lights, wreath making and Santa’s grotto, these Cornish heritage sites are the ultimate Christmas delight.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a log burner? Check out our cottages with a log burner for a cosy getaway.

Here’s a run down of what’s on.

Find a festive retreat in Cornwall

Cotehele

Visit this atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, with a mill on a historic quay, and a vast estate and garden to explore. This grand home, near Saltash, is a festive wonder, with a 60-foot garland in the Great Hall, festive lights along the stream and choir performances throughout the season.

See this year’s garland in all its glory from daily Saturday 18 November – Sunday 7 January, 10.30am-4pm. (Closed 25-26 December).

Trelissick

This lovely house and garden, set in an estate with maritime views and woodland walks, gets festive year on year. With Father Christmas in residency, mulled wine and spiced apple juice in the café, Christmas gifts in the shop and festive cheer in the stable yard, this is the perfect day out for all of the family. This year, pick up (or make) some Christmas gifts at the Christmas craft fair and festive weaving workshop.

Find Trelissick in Feock, near Truro, with Father Christmas around from 2 – 23 December.

Lanhydrock

Enjoy woodland magic and festive delight at Lanhydrock. This late Victorian country house features a countryside trail, Father Christmas’s woodland grotto and plenty of surrounding land for winter walks and bike rides. With frost-dusted trees and a festive cheer in the air, Lanhydrock makes for a perfect wintry visit. Open throughout the festive season.

Discover the essence of Cornish cosiness with Klysa, where every moment embraces the warmth and charm of this unique tradition.

Trerice

Trerice, near Newquay, is an Elizabethan manor house bursting with colourful plants by summer and a festive ambience by winter. This year, experience storytelling with Father Christmas, wreath making in the hayloft, and festive performances from the volunteer choir, the house and barn adorned with traditional decorations and festive cheer.

Father Christmas will be at Trerice on Saturday & Sunday 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and then daily between Monday 18 – Saturday 23 December.

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Godolphin

Open throughout the festive season except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Godolphin hosts a range of Christmassy activities and events. From Christmas wreath making, craft sessions, candle and lip balm making, and a variety of Christmas performances, head here for a fun day out. The 500 acres of countryside are also perfect for a winter walk.

Godolphin is near Helston, experience the Christmas House Sat 2 – Sun 3 Dec, Sat 9 – Sun 10 Dec, Sat 16 – Sun 17 Dec, 10.30 am – 4pm (last entry at 3pm).

Find your Christmas retreat in Cornwall and be here for the holidays.

What’s klys to you?

Sauna-side chats, a growing community, warming cuisine in a warm environment and feelings of home. Here’s what klys means to Cornish experience creators, community farmers and chefs…

Find out why December is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our favourite winter retreats.

As the curtains close on our exploration of klys, we visit local growers at the Loveland community farm, the new home of Situ café, Olla Hiki’s seaside sauna and the team at Canteen to find out what the ancient word means in our coastal community. While the specifics vary, at its essence, klys often encapsulates a glowing gratitude for being together and with nature. Opportunities in abundance here in Cornwall.

Find a klys retreat by the sea.

“The winter months are a more restful, recovery period for both the land and growers so there’s more time to chat over tea and biscuits”

Shared rest and recovery

The community field and vegetable garden in south Cornwall, Loveland, is alive with klys all year round. Gathered in waterproofs and wellies, locals plant trees and vegetables as wind whistles through trees and the earthy soil slides away to an ocean horizon.

Finn, Loveland’s coordinator, says: “Klys is that feeling of sharing seasonal food with friends and feeling the warmth of community. I’m always amazed by how many volunteers turn up even when the weather is awful, there’s something special about the fresh air and collectivity.

Image credit: George Brynmor

“We’ve even hosted some group events, including a traditional Cornish Apple Wassail ceremony to bless our community orchard. The winter months are a more restful, recovery period for both the land and growers so there’s more time to chat over tea and biscuits or around a fire.

“We have some winter vegetables growing, like broad beans and garlic, but it’s about nourishing the land to prepare for the growing season.”

“In terms of cosiness and flavours, Situ has warmth running through it. Our masala chai and golden turmeric milk are both naturally very warming drinks, with the spices brought over from India.”

A warm environment

After years on the move, the Ugandan-Asian inspired café Situ has opened up a permanent site that oozes sophisticated comfort from the moment you step inside. The brainchild of life partners, Sham and Alexa, there’s a tender attention-to-detail everywhere you look, from the hooks to hang up your coat, to the vases of dry flowers and the community notice board.

“Situ means environment so everything we do is conscious about space, the environment and how it makes our guests feel. We’ve incorporated pockets of autumnal greens and oranges to bring in the nature that our guests love,” Sham says.

“In terms of cosiness and flavours, Situ has warmth running through it. Our masala chai and golden turmeric milk are both naturally very warming drinks, with the spices brought over from India.

Image credit: Kasia Murfet

“Our menu is what we call heritage food, influenced by my own Indian-Ugandan roots. Last week, our featured dish was a hearty dahl and this week it’s a chickpea potato tamarind, which is a soupy curry. We combine traditional recipes and cooking techniques with locally-sourced ingredients to keep reinventing and moving modern cuisine forward.

“Situ brings together all the things that were comforting to me growing up. From the warming flavours and speciality coffee to the welcoming café culture. Hopefully, we can be a comfort to our guests, that’s our dream. That’s what klys means to us.”

“For me, klys is the feeling of opening up the sauna, lighting the fire with a crackle and looking out to the sea. It’s hearing people begin to chatter and laugh in this shared, safe space.”

Leave refreshed

From beaches to clifftops, the mobile Olla Hiki Sauna embraces the extremes of the soothing inside and the wild outdoors. Olla Hiki, which means to have a sweat in Finnish, is an immersive experience with an expansive sea view. From the revitalising warmth of the sauna, you can step out directly into nature and, for brave souls, venture into the salty water.

“I really missed sauna culture when I moved from Germany to the UK ten years ago. Especially during the winter months, they warm up your bones and feel extra cosy,” founder Sarah says.

Image credit: Evie Johnstone

“My whole idea is to connect people with their bodies, nature and each other. I want people to step out of the sauna and feel grass or sand under their feet, becoming completely present in the moment surrounded by the dramatic Cornish landscape.

“For me, klys is the feeling of opening up the sauna, lighting the fire with a crackle and looking out to the sea. It’s hearing people begin to chatter and laugh in this shared, safe space. It’s seeing people who arrive tense and leave refreshed. It feels such a beautiful thing to be able to provide.”

“I think we create a feeling of home at Canteen and you can’t get more klys than that.”

Feel at home

Nestled in the rugged landscape of Cornwall’s north coast, Canteen at the Eco Park has the ambiance of a snug living room that welcomes you home at the end of a long day. Its colourful, heart-warming menu experiments with vegetables grown just minutes away on the encircling land.

Chloe, the Canteen’s chef, says: “The space itself is quite like a cottage or ski chalet with its wooden-finish and natural materials. I think we create a feeling of home at Canteen and you can’t get more klys than that.

Image credit: Chloe Knight

“Our menus depend on what’s been grown so we have to be creative. It reminds me of my grandma opening the fridge and whipping something together with the ingredients we have. We always try to be inspired by the upcoming weather so, during the winter months, our meals are especially warming, filling and nourishing.

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

“Today, we cooked beetroots on the fire, skinned them and made a puree for our beet borani, mixed with cardamom and cumin. We also had spicy rice, flatbread with sweet potato butter, crispy chickpeas, tahini, pickles and our famous mayo potatoes.

“At the heart of Canteen, we say it’s good people, good food. From the first-time customers who become regulars to the close-knit staff community, we’re one big family.”

Find your place by the sea for a klys break

Experience the magic of the season and discover festive nights at Watergate Bay.