Quieter beaches and paths, spectacular sea conditions and plenty of opportunities to sit next to a fire in a cosy pub. There’s a lot to be said for coming to Cornwall in the autumn. You might be planning a week with the family, or maybe you’re thinking of spending the whole month staying at your holiday home. Either way, it’s good to know what’s on in Cornwall in October. Here are the things we wouldn’t want to miss, if we were you...

Pick your own at Trevaskis Farm, near Hayle

Great for...everyone

10am-5pm every day

Set in 28 acres of Cornish countryside, a wander around beautiful Trevaskis Farm picking your own produce as you go, is hard to beat for a family day out. Depending on the season, you’ll find all sorts of different fruit and vegetables, and there’s lots to learn, too. Read about the produce from the information boards that are dotted around the farm park.

An autumn walk at Idless Woods, near Truro

Great for...everyone

Open daily

This beautiful woodland is the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours and crunchy leaves on a peaceful walk. Only two miles outside of Truro, it’s an idyllic spot that’s full of wildlife. If you’re lucky you might spy some of the Idless residents, namely Roe deer, Otters and Badgers. Just make sure you leave enough time for a hot chocolate at the Woodland Cabin cafe – it’s not to be missed!

Dance at The Lowender Perranporth Party, Perranporth

Great for...grown ups

Saturday 23^rd October,

Part of the Lowender Peran Festival of Cornwall’s Celtic Heritage, this party looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. The day and evening will include ‘The Great Big Cornish Music Session’ and there’s an inter Celtic Ceilidh, too. The music starts at 3pm and goes on until 11pm. And if you can’t make it down to Perranporth, there’ll be a live stream at lowenderperan.co.uk

Have a deep sea adventure at Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay

Great for...everyone

10am-5pm everyday

The ultimate family day out whatever the weather, Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay is home to 40 naturally-themed habitats. So you can learn about sea creatures from around the Cornish coast, and see colourful fish from warmer seas, all in the same place! But it’s not just fish you’ll meet. There are freshwater turtles and caiman, too. But the best bit of the day is a walk through the tunnel that runs through the heart of the aquarium. It’s where you really get to feel like you’re under the sea.

Feel Zen at the Japanese Garden in St Mawgan

Great for...grown ups

10am-6pm everyday

Tucked away in the pretty wooded village of St Mawgan is a very special place. Not what you’d expect to find in a Cornish village, The Japanese Garden has been open to the public since 1988 and is designed to be a meditative space. Described by the owners as ‘the perfect space where one can calm the mind & let go of unwanted stress through contemplation & reflection’, it’s impossible not to feel peaceful here.

Heligan Harvest Feast Night at the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Great for...grown-ups

6pm on 15^th October

A gastronomic trip through Heligan’s bounty of produce and regenerative farming programme. Listen to talks from Chef Nat Tallents and Head of Livestock, Pip Coard while you enjoy platters of home grown heritage produce and rare breed meats.

Dead of Night Dance by Rogue Theatre in Tehidy Woods

Great for...everyone

22^nd – 31^st October

Immersive theatre at it’s quirkiest best in the depths of Tehidy Woods. Wander through the woods, encountering witches and wolves as you go. Then take your seat in the tent for a show that includes some seriously spooky storytelling and a bowl of piping hot Woodland Stew.

Fisherman’s Friends The Musical at The Hall For Cornwall, Truro

Great for...everyone

13^th – 30^th October

The Musical based on the true story of Cornwall’s very own accidentally famous sea shanty sensations. Opening this October in the county’s brand new, very beautiful Playhouse theatre.

Have a dip in a sea pool on the North Coast

Great for...everyone

It’s a fact worth remembering that in October in Cornwall the sea temperature is higher than it is in June. So if you’ve been meaning to try wild swimming and enjoy its many health benefits, now is your window of opportunity. Even if it’s just to smugly enjoy the post-dip hot chocolate or glass of wine. There are natural sea pools at Trevone, Treyarnon and Bude. Just check that the tide’s out before you go.

Halloweden at the Eden Project, near St Austell

Great for... families

9am-6pm, 23^rd - 31^st October

Halloween at The Eden Project is always a treat, rather than a trick. There are creepy trails, potion making workshops, a special show and a chance to meet rare owls majestic enough for Hogwarts. All this, alongside the usual botanical adventures that you can expect to have at this truly unique place.

Crafternoons at Bedruthan Hotel, near Mawgan Porth

Great for...grown-ups

Various dates during October

Surely the dream rainy-day activity for crafty types. Choose from a wealth of grown-up crafting workshops led by local artists and makers, overlooking the wild Atlantic. Cynotype photography, natural silk dying, and spin painting are just three on the list.

Streetfood at Lowlands Brewery in Rock

Great for...grown ups

Saturday evenings in October

This tiny ‘nano’ brewery is housed in three bright yellow shipping containers and produces some excellent modern beers including hazy IPAs and refreshing fruited sours. Each Saturday evening in October, Lowlands will be hosting a different street-food pop-up at their taproom. So, depending on the date, you can enjoy a bao-bun, posh kebab or dirty fries with your craft beer.

Beach Club fun with Wild Warriors on Polzeath Beach

Great for...little adventurers

October Half Term

Educational, inspirational and heaps of fun. Wild Warriors will take your little ones on a beach-based adventure. Exploring rock pools, building fires, wild art and games galore are just the start of it. Join a group or have a bespoke adventure created just for your family.

Mevagissey Sea Shanty Festival

Great for...everyone

15^th – 17^th October

Over 170 shanty singers from all over the UK are coming to Mevagissey this October. There will be performances in venues all around the 13^th Century village across three days. For children, there’s a family-focussed show on Sunday 17^th between 11-2, on the jetty.

Starling Murmurations, Bodmin Moor

Great for...everyone

Towards the end of October, a natural phenomenon begins up on the moor that really does have to be seen. Over a million starlings amass each evening, just before sunset. Before they settle in the nearby pine forest for the night, they twist and turn in huge flocks, creating massive magical shapes in the air. It’s really quite a spectacle! Park in Rough Tor car park for the best view.

Escape to Cornwall this October

Whether you're joining us for a holiday or considering holiday home ownership, our parks in Cornwall are brilliantly situated, near fabulous coastline and pretty towns.

Padstow Holiday Village is surrounded by rolling countryside, yet only a mile away from the restaurants of Padstow Harbour. Sun Haven Holiday Park is just a short walk from Mawgan Porth beach. A great spot to learn to surf, or easily access the South West Coast Path. That's not forgetting stunning Penmarlam and Parbola, of course, the perfect place to soak up the best of Cornwall