Our Top Five Tips for A Magical Cornish Christmas
November 12, 2024Coastal landscapes are dotted with twinkling lights, bobble-hatted families soak up the festive atmosphere, and cosy pubs draw us in with warm hospitality. There’s little wonder why this little corner of the UK attracts merrymakers looking for a wholesome Christmas. From Boxing Day swim locations to the best places to order your Christmas dinner, our team knows just where to go for a Christmas experience that is distinctively Cornish. So read on for our top five tips to have a magical Cornish Christmas…
1. Where to Join a Boxing Day Swim in Cornwall
The sea is cold but there’s a warm community feel on the beaches… Join residents of Cornwall’s coastal towns as they plunge into the sea for a Boxing Day dip. Sea swims are often spontaneous, but during a Cornish Christmas, it’s a chilly ritual performed year after year. Here’s where you can join merry folk in swimsuits and Santa hats…
Charlestown Beach: There’s not a wetsuit in sight at Charlestown on Boxing day, as dippers run across the shingle beach and into the English Channel.
Porthminster Beach, St Ives: Wetsuits are welcome here! This one’s for charity so it’s all about taking part.
Poldhu Cove: One of the largest Boxing Day swims in Cornwall, be among elves, giant turkeys and Santas as they hit the waves. This one is always a roaring – or squealing – success.
Perranporth Beach: No wetsuits allowed “by order of the captain”, feel refreshed (to say the least!) at North Cornwall’s Boxing Day dip.
Here’s where to stay, close to all the cold water action…
Casa Bella, St Ives
St Ives Bay is the backdrop to this chic family home, where merrymakers will enjoy drawn-out evenings overlooking the sea. Roll the classic Christmas films and huddle on the sofa, or walk into St Ives where festive cheer, pretty lights and cosy pubs will warm your heart and cheeks. Reach Porthminster Beach in less than fifteen minutes on foot.
Sleeps 8, 1 dog
The Salt Lodge, St Ives
When it comes to jackpot locations, The Salt Lodge is perfectly placed for the Boxing Day swim in St Ives; simply turn right for the beach and left for the harbour! Gems Interiors have worked their magic here, transforming this coastal cottage into what feels like a warm hug.
Sleeps 6, pet free
Meadow’s Nest, Callestick
Near to the vast sandy beach of Perranporth, Meadow’s Nest is an immaculate home for two. Here it’s all about wellness and relaxation, encouraging you to end the year feeling looked-after and ready for 2025. Warm up in the hot tub after your bracing dip!
Sleeps 2, 1 dog
Headlands, Charlestown
Headlands is an ideal Christmas getaway, particularly for groups who enjoy both indulgence and natural beauty. Inside there’s ample room for gatherings, paired with breathtaking sea views. The open-plan layout is perfect for cooking and dining together, and the coastline on your doorstep invites scenic winter strolls.
Sleeps 10, pet free
2. Where to Watch Christmas Lights in Cornwall
Cornwall’s coastal towns are illuminated with colourful lights throughout December, so if you love the Christmassy feeling in the lead up to the 25th, we say head to the harbour. The best places to see Christmas Lights in Cornwall are Mousehole and St Ives, but for something totally unique, you could head to the Eden Project to see the Mediterranean botanicals all lit up in rainbow colours.
Mousehole Harbour Lights
A must-see during your Cornish Christmas… Since first switched on in 1963, the display has grown into one of the most magical light shows in the UK, attracting thousands of visitors.
Set against the backdrop of Mousehole’s harbour, the lights are spread across the water and nearby buildings, glowing up the village. We recommend getting to Mousehole before it gets dark to get a spot in the main car park at the top of the village.
Gull Cottage, Mousehole Harbour
This traditional cottage which has been transformed completely into a high-spec, creatively designed home for two. Front row sea views and dreamy interior design make this an uplifting escape for a Cornish Christmas.
Sleeps 2, 1 dog
St Ives Christmas Lights Display
St Ives comes alive in December with its glow of Christmas lights. They create a trail above Fore Street, wrap around the square, and brighten up the streets. The harbour lights are switched on in early December by Santa himself, who arrives by boat.
Pednolver, St Ives
Pednolver is one of St Ives’ most stylish townhouses, located in a jackpot location overlooking the bay. The spacious layout is perfect for family gatherings. Enjoy mooching down to the town in 5-10 minutes, where independent shops and oldie-worldie pubs create a wholesome feel for family outings.
You can browse all of our St Ives homes here.
Sleeps 10, 2 dogs
3. Where to Order Your Cornish Christmas Dinner
If there’s one time of year when you can truly indulge, it’s Christmas and New Year. Our friends at Cornish Food box curate Christmas dinner boxes packed full with an array of local, seasonal produce from Cornwall’s farms and fields. We’re talking fresh sprouts, rich red cabbage, and the heartiest potatoes, followed by a warm Christmas pudding and velvety clotted cream…
So why brave the supermarket chaos when the bounty of Cornwall can come to you this Christmas? Brimming with optional extras – from artisan cheeses to festive bakes – and all delivered to your holiday door. Be sure to place your order before December 15th, with the final deliveries making their way on December 23rd. You can choose from high-welfare goose, turkey or vegetarian options.
Here’s some spectacular settings for your Christmas dinner…
The double height dining area at Porthilly is simply stunning with handcrafted Tom Raffield pendants and so much light and space for all of the family to gather in. But there’s plenty of time for cosiness too, beside the roaring fire in the living room which is just perfect after blustery walks on the nearby 7 bays.
Sleeps 8, 2 dogs
A Cornish Christmas dinner on the beach? You’re not far from the experience at Compass House. Settled above Porthminster Beach, this Edwardian Villa boasts some of the best ocean views around. You’re also perfectly placed to join the Boxing Day swim!
Sleeps 6, pet free
4. Enhance Your Winter Wellbeing
Within the whirlwind of Christmas music and festive cheer, steal a quiet moment for yourself. The soothing touch of WiseSage – our experience partners specialising in massage – melts away stress, relaxes your body and revives your spirit, helping you to feel recharged and ready to fully enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. With a new year approaching, a spa treatment could be the pause you need to reflect and renew, ready for a positive start to 2025.
WiseSage are bookable in your online guest account, along with our other fabulous experience partners. View below a few of our homes that provide the most serene retreats for a quieter Christmas…
Spending Christmas at Bosavallam means waking up to woodland sounds and being immersed in nature. Let the hectic year and chaos of Christmas melt away, as you sink into the outdoor Japanese bath tub. If you do fancy a little festive atmosphere, hop into Padstow or Wadebridge in 20 minutes and soak up the buzz.
For a unique Christmas with a strong focus on wellbeing, this spa-style, Eco-Conscious Gem for two is ideal. Floating above its own pond, Boslagen invites you to get away, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the peace and freedom of Christmas with just the two of you. End the year the way you’d like to start the next.