Cornwall in winter is a special time. Quiet beaches, dramatic coastlines, cosy pubs and festive towns glowing with lights. It’s the perfect season to enjoy being in a place without the pressure to rush off and explore. Cuddle up by a fire, finish a book, learn a new hobby, and take a break from the busyness and stress of life.
It’s not all hiding indoors from the stormy weather though, one of the other benefits of Cornwall in the winter is that due to our position surrounded by water and the gulf stream, the temperature rarely gets below zero, and we’re always a few degrees warmer than ‘upcountry’, so there’s still time for a walk on the beach and even a dip in the sea when the sun appears.
Here at the Woodland Collection we offer short 3 night breaks over the off peak season, allowing for a long weekend getaway. We’ve put together a list of some of our highlights of winters in Cornwall.
Dog Friendly Winter Beaches
All beaches in Cornwall are dog friendly in winter. From the bustling Porthminster beach in St. Ives, to the stunning Sennen beach, to the picture perfect Kynance Cove; all free for dogs to roam and looking all the more inviting for being almost deserted.
Of course we’re already blessed with a fantastic range of all year round dog friendly beaches nearby, but it’s nice to not have to think or check the restrictions.
It is worth checking that the nearby beach cafe is still open as some shut during January, but most remain open for the locals and the dog walkers. What better way to enjoy being by the sea than sipping a hot drink sheltered in a cosy beach cafe after a long walk.
*A few ‘beaches’ are listed on the council website as restricted for dogs all year round, but these are more nature reserves in Hayle, not traditional sandy beaches.
Visit Cornwall’s Tropical Gardens
Many of Cornwall’s gardens make use of the microclimates of being close to the warm coastal waters, and host plants which continue to thrive in winter conditions. Across Cornwall, attractions like The Eden Project, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Lanhydrock.
Trebah Gardens is open all year round, sheltered in a valley by the Helford river, Trebah is home to a range of tropical plants which thrive in these unique conditions.
Glendurgen Gardens is right next door, and is well worth a visit, especially if you are a National Trust member. They have some of the earliest flowering Magnolias, a good indication that spring is on the way.
While some other Cornish Gardens close all winter long, some are only closed for a few months. Trewidden Garden for example open in late winter to allow visitors to see their magnolia display. Similarly, Tremenheere Gardens opens part way through February and is also home to an excellent restaurant and art gallery, making it worth a visit even when the gardens are closed.
Winter Lights and Festive Events
Cornwall is full of unique and quirky traditions. At Christmas these traditions are given a chance to shine and communities and organisations get together to create some special displays.
Mousehole with their unique harbour lights are well worth a visit if you have never been. Likewise Angarrack have a fantastic display put on by the local community. Read our guide to the best village Christmas displays for more information.
Many gardens and manor houses put on brilliant festive displays. The Heligan night garden trail is a local favourite while National Trust properties Godolphin House and Trelissick Gardens both run a range of Christmas events including local choir’s singing.
Other unique events include Father Christmas arriving into St. Ives on an RNLI lifeboat, Penzance’s Montol Festival celebrating winter solstice and ice skating at the Eden Project or at Watergate Bay.
Most outdoor light trails are dog friendly, making this a great evening activity.
Put your boots on for a winter walk through the woods
Wrap up warm and take a refreshing walk through one of the nearby woods or nature reserves. Tehidy Woods is a fantastic option with accessibility friendly routes and a cafe and toilet facilities. Kennall Vale Nature Reserve is beautiful throughout the year and the nearby Godolphin Woods is on our doorstep, just a 5 minute drive away from The Woodland Collection. We’re listing some of our favourite dog-friendly walks on our website here.
Of course here at the Woodland Collection we have our very own slice of countryside, with walks from the doorstep down through the fields to our own woodland.
Cosy Up in a Traditional Cornish Pub
Expect roaring fires, hearty food and local ales. Here are some of our top picks for dog friendly local pubs.
- The Tinners Arms, Zennor – A warm refuge after a coastal walk.
- Angarrack Inn – Traditional pub in a cosy village setting.
- The Ship Inn, Porthleven – Seafront views and a super dog-friendly atmosphere.
- The Old Success Inn, Sennen – Ideal after a winter beach walk.
Warm Up in a Spa or Hot Tub
Not all winter days are for walking or being outside. Cornwall is home to some fantastic spa’s, perfect for warming up and indulging yourself. During the winter the majority run promotions as they are much quieter than in the summer, making it much more affordable to treat yourself. We’ve written a guide to some of the best Cornish Spa’s.
Indoor Attractions For Rainy Days
There are plenty of indoor attractions in Cornwall, for when the weather turns wild. Art galleries in St. Ives and Newlyn are popular choices, with the Tate St. Ives being one of the larger options.
There are some excellent local museums which focus on the fascinating history of this region, the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Penlee House and Gallery in Penzance, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum and the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro all offer an interesting and warm winter’s day out.
Country Skittles is a local institution, where you can enjoy a traditional game of 9 pin skittles in one of their four inside lanes. Fantastic for an evening with friends or to warm up after a wet day exploring. It’s also just around the corner from us at The Woodland Collection and is dog friendly.
Enjoy Quiet Towns, Galleries & Cafés
Winter transforms Cornwall’s towns and villages into peaceful, atmospheric places. They are often completely different places and each worth a visit in their own right.
- St. Ives is charming and blissfully quiet compared to summer.
- Penzance offers indie shops, galleries, and the elegant promenade.
- Newlyn had it’s bustling harbour and art galleries.
- Mousehole make for cosy harbour strolls (many cafés are dog friendly).
- Porthleven offers a fantastic range of delicious food all year round.
- Hayle is the perfect spot for bird watching and deserted beaches.
So please don’t think of Cornwall as purely a summer destination. We love it year round and if you haven’t already, we hope that you get to experience the quieter, wilder and more authentic side to this beautiful peninsular soon!
