Hello November: What’s To Do In Cornwall In November
October 29, 2024Cornwall in November is all about slowing down, bundling up in hats and scarves, and discovering the wilder magic of a Cornwall without the crowds. With the majority of visitors having returned to their hometowns, Cornwall takes on a new rhythm – we see local communities come together for small shanty festivals and seasonal markets, wildlife sightings become all the more rewarding, and Cornwall’s cliff paths become yours for the roaming.
Tretawn Farmers Market – 17th November
Tretawn Farm are hosting their monthly market on Sunday the 17th, bringing together the finest seasonal produce from local producers and artisans. There are 24 stalls including flower growers, bakers, beekeepers, and butchers, all undercover so there’s no need to worry about the weather. There’s even the fabulous Rockmoor coffee shop – a converted horse box serving up refreshments as you mooch.
Boscastle Shanty Fest – 8th-10th November
The third Boscastle Shanty Festival returns to the Cobweb Inn this winter, raising funds for Cornwall Hospice Care, and other local causes. You can enjoy back-to-back shanty bands daily from noon til late, with a traditional Cornish shout in the main bar each night. Expect lively singing, foot stomping, and a raffle and auction with fantastic prizes.
Cornish Winter Fair – 23rd and 24th November
The Cornish Winter Fair is set to take place over two days. It’s a festive celebration of Cornwall’s farming heritage and a great place to kick off your Christmas shopping. The Winter Market offers a fantastic selection of over 150 trade stalls showcasing chutneys, cordials, pottery, paintings, fused glass, jewellery and more. Families meet animals at the rare breeds exhibit, and visit Santa’s Grotto for some holiday cheer! There will be a range of street food options to choose from too.
Cotehele’s Christmas Garland – From 23rd November
When the winds howl and rain pours, The National Trust properties of Cornwall make a lovely day trip. Every year, the gardeners of National Trust’s Cotehele Estate build a 60-foot garland from thousands of flowers grown on the land. This has been a tradition at Christmas since 1956. The garland takes two weeks to put together, and you can see this year’s masterpiece daily from Saturday 23rd November. Visitors can follow the festive lights beside the stream to Cotehele Mill, decorated in traditional Victorian style, where children can learn how families celebrated Christmas in those times.
View our East Cornwall Gems in Looe and Portwrinkle.
Wildlife Spotting in November
Seals are a regular sighting in Cornwall in November. For grey seals, pupping time is autumn-January and this is when you have a higher chance of seeing a pup with their mother on the shore. In fact, mother seals like to group together at this time, so you may see over one hundred seals in a quiet spot! Please remember to not get close to these beautiful animals – we don’t want to cause them any distress so try binoculars from afar or watch from the cliff top. Likely places to spot seals from a distance include Mutton Cove (near Gwithian), Polly Joke (near Holywell), and Seal Island (St Ives).
Winter Rambles: Book a Walking Holiday in Cornwall
Why wait for the next summer holiday? Nature doesn’t stop for anyone, and there’s so much worth experiencing along the South West Coast Path in November. With the summer hikers gone, Cornwall’s trails open up for those who refuse to be confined to the summer months, and instead welcome the wild, wintry beauty of Cornwall in November. Map out your route to discover ancient settlements, moody seas, mining remnants and of course the best pubs in Cornwall for a roast dinner.
Storm-watching in Cornwall in November
As November arrives, Cornwall’s wilder side is unleashed and we’re treated to some of the season’s most dramatic storms. Safely witnessing the power of towering waves, fierce winds, and breathtaking, stormy skies leave us feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and connected to nature. It’s similar to looking up at the stars and feeling reassuringly small in the grand scheme of things; connecting to something much bigger than ourselves can help to calm us, and put our stresses in perspective.
Cornwall in November offers the ultimate storm-watching experience. You can read our guide for our top spots to catch the action, what essentials to pack, and tips on staying safe while embracing the elements.
Gems Interiors: Hunker Down Somewhere Interesting
Some of the best memories are made where tables are laid and fires are roaring. Our in-house team, Gems Interiors, are masters at creating extraordinary spaces, made for connection – whether that’s to nature, stories, history, or to each other. The team play with colour, texture and lighting to create such individual personalities for our Gems, bringing in hints of the owners lives, travels and tastes. Wrapped up in quality and uniqueness, hunker down in Cornwall in November, and experience the joy of staying in a luxury holiday cottage with a Gems Interiors stamp.
Little Adventures: Homes For New Families
It’s easy to put off travelling with little ones – will they sleep well? How will the car journey go? They won’t even remember it, will they?
Probably not, but what does that matter, if they’re experiencing amazing little moments, and so are you? From touching the sand for the first time and watching the waves from the safety of their baby carrier, to being captivated by the crackle and pop of the log burner, Cornwall in November is a wonderfully peaceful time to visit, where your child can soak up new sights, sounds and sensations, without too much going on.
Sometimes taking a baby for a loop around the block seems like a mission, let lone scooping them up and taking them on holiday! That’s why we have a collection of baby-friendly properties to make your time in Cornwall as easy as possible, as you set your baby up for a lifetime of adventures. From essentials such as travel cots and high chairs, to thoughtful extras such as food blenders, steamers, and baby monitors, we’ve got you covered.
