The summer season may be firmly behind us but Cornwall continues to draw in the crowds with a packed programme of things to do and autumn events and activities. From fabulous festivals and feasts that celebrate the seasonal harvest to book fairs, halloween and half term entertainment, as well as lots of ideas of free things to do in the Duchy — if you’re looking for things to do this autumn in Cornwall, we’ve got plenty to keep you busy.
Food, feasts and foraging
Autumn Feasts at Nancarrow Farm – multiple dates
An organic farm and rural events venue in south Cornwall, Nancarrow Farm hosts delicious feasts, farm suppers and Sunday lunches throughout the year in their courtyard or oak barns in the heart of the farm, now in the hands of the family’s ninth generation of farmers. You’ll feast on their award-winning beef and lamb, reared in the surrounding fields, and seasonal produce plucked from the kitchen garden and hedgerows. Don’t miss their autumn feasts, which celebrates the very best of the seasonal harvest.
Cooking courses with Philleigh Way
If you fancy taking part in a cooking workshop, Philleigh Way Cookery School hosts a number of different workshops and courses throughout the autumn.
Foraging at Heligan
Why not join expert forager for an insightful walk around the beautiful Heligan garden and estate, to explore the abundance of our hedgerows, and the natural habitats around us.Discover a wide range of edibles and learn about how to use them, recipes to create, their healing properties, along with how to identify toxic lookalikes and how to forage from nature sustainably. If you can’t make their foraging session, Heligan has plenty of other events on throughout the autumn!
Free things to do in Cornwall
Art and culture
There is plenty to do in Cornwall that won’t cost you a penny. The award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery is a little gem of a place and free to enter, with a brilliant collection of nearly 3,000 artworks ranging from Pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist. Truro Cathedral’s Gothic splendour in Cornwall’s only city is also worth a visit at any time of the year, with lots of events happening through the autumn, such as the touring Gaia art installation and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust wildlife photo competition. Further south, on the remote Lizard Peninsula, the quirky Museum of Cornish Life in Helston houses the largest social history collections in the South West (including a fully stocked 1950s kitchen!) and is free to enter. Watch out for their art clubs and film screenings, too.
Adventure outdoors
In an attempt to turn the tide on plastic waste, the ‘Surf Wood for Good’ provides free wooden bellyboard hire at various spots along Cornwall’s coast, including Port Isaac in north Cornwall, Newquay, Mawgan Porth, St Ives and Poldhu. Check out their handy interactive bellyboard hire in Cornwall map to find your nearest free rental point. Feeling brave enough for a dip this autumn? The 1930s Bude Sea Pool — a large, semi-natural tidal pool built into the rocks at one end of Summerleaze Beach in the bustling town of Bude — allows you to swim without having to brave the waves. Best of all, it’s completely free to use.
If you’re looking for adventure on two wheels, check out The Camel Trail where you can either use your own bikes, or hire them.
Half term fun for kids
National Maritime Museum
If you’re looking for half term things to do this autumn in Cornwall with the kiddies, the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth has Halloween-themed events to entertain little ones. The main hall will play host to a ghostly shadow puppet show — expect ghost ships, skeletons and eerie songs. Or budding puppeteers can create their own spooky shadow puppets and ghost-inspired stories. There will also be a shadow trail around the museum throughout the week, with a prize to collect at the end.
Trebah Gardens
This half term, children can embark on a journey through Trebah Gardens on the banks of the Helford River following the trail map, uncovering intriguing information about creatures that thrive in the shadows of night. At each trail post, find the clue to work out the creature’s identity. Once you’ve completed the trail, make your way back to the entrance desk to receive your well-deserved prize.
Pendennis Castle
Grab your broomsticks and brace yourselves for an spine-tingling day out at Cornwall’s favourite castle in the maritime town of Falmouth. Throughout the week, children will be able to take part in a spooky halloween quest around the grounds, unearthing mystical potions scattered throughout the castle and completing challenges to unravel the spooky riddles.
Halloweden at The Eden Project — From October
Join the team at The Eden Project this half term as Halloweden returns for another year of wild and wonderful activities and events. The mission this year: to protect the world’s forests, with the help of the legendary Tree Giants. As guardians of the forest, children will journey through the biomes to uncover the ancient wisdom of these majestic beings, listen to extraordinary stories along the way, and watch captivating performances — don’t miss the wand making workshops. The ice rink will once again be opening its doors to skaters and there are also non-skating ice-play sessions for children under six.
Lappa Valley fireworks — 1-2 November
Half term will end with a bang at Lappa Valley as the engine house and grounds of Cornwall’s miniature steam railway are lit up with a special fireworks display, held over the second weekend of the half term holidays. Located in a wooded valley near the town of Newquay, there’s also an indoor soft play area for children to enjoy, or book tickets for the Woodland Railway and take a ride on the steam train before the evening display begins.
Looking to get away with the family this October? Check out our cottages with availability over half term
Dog-friendly things to do
Jubilee Pool dog day — 3 November
Ever been tempted to join your dog for a swim? If so, you’re in luck. Each year, for one day only, Cornwall’s art deco Jubilee Pool — a lido in Penzance in south Cornwall’s Mount’s Bay area — is open solely for owners and their dogs to enjoy a splash around together before the geothermal pool closes for the season. If you can’t be tempted to jump in with your dog, you can cheer from the sidelines, and nip into the cafe afterwards for lunch or a cream tea. A dog show also takes place during the day — don’t miss the hilarious dog fancy dress competition! You’ll need to book ahead — tickets are available on their website.
Hit the beaches
Autumn is a great time to explore the Cornish coast with your dog. Over the summer, many of Cornwall’s beaches have restrictions in place during the day, but as soon as autumn rolls around dogs are allowed to play in the surf and sand once more. Not only are the beaches less busy than during the peak of summer, the sea’s also a lot warmer — perfect for a paddle with your furry companion.
Find out about our favourite dog-friendly beaches and dog-friendly places to visit in Cornwall
Christmas fairs
Too soon to start thinking about Christmas shopping? Cornwall is a wonderful place to pick up some early presents, with some of the county’s best festive fairs opening their doors from October. On 8-10th of November, Makers Cornwall — a community of artists and craftspeople near Falmouth — will be returning to Penryn with more than 70 stallholders showing off their wares, from unique jewellery and ceramics to textiles, stylish homewares, art and prints.
Truro has been holding all sorts of Christmas events during its Yuletide periods for years. But its BIG Christmas Market is a real big draw to the city these days. The market was a smash hit in 2023 and it is expected to be even bigger and better this year! The market is held on Lemon Quay from Friday 22 November to Tuesday 24 December 2024.
Music, Festivals & Shows
Head west and catch an open-air show at the Minack Theatre. With epic views and a huge array of perfomances over the autumn, it’s certainly not an experience to miss.
St Ives will once again be buzzing with 15 event-packed days of music and arts at the 2024 September Festival. The Festival bursts into life on Saturday September 14 with the first of two vibrant Saturday afternoons of street entertainment and the opening of An Open Secret, two weeks of outdoor art surprises all over town.
Falmouth Book Festival — 14-20 October
This is Falmouth Book Festival‘s fourth year, bringing together an amazing line-up of poets, authors and storytellers to the town to celebrate the joy of books. Taking place over a whole week across various venues throughout the town, visitors can sign up to talks and performances with renowned authors and poets and get involved in creative writing sessions and interactive workshops. The festival coincides with half term so there are lots of activities for children to take part in, too.
Lowender Peran — 25-27 October
One of Cornwall’s most important events celebrating traditional music, song and dance, Lowender Peran festival, held in Redruth, gathers together hundreds of performers from across the Celtic nations and regions across a weekend in October. The event includes a packed programme of folk music and dancing, as well as workshops, talks, street demonstrations, children’s activities, poetry recitals, storytelling, and plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved in traditional dancing.
