If you’re staying with us this December, you’ll find plenty of festive cheer around the hotel itself. Stay in and spend a cosy Sunday afternoon with live music and good food at one of our Woodfired Sessions (check our events listings for more details). And of course, there’s nothing nicer than going for a blustery winter walk – or, if you’re brave, a chilly wild swim – before coming back to wrap your fingers around a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

If you want to enter even further into the Christmas spirit, there’s a lot going on in Cornwall. You just need to know where to look…

It’s considered one of the most festive places in Cornwall, and with good reason: it doesn’t get more magical than Mousehole at Christmas. From 12 December, this beautiful harbourside village will be slowly transformed into a wonderland of Christmas lights. Head along to see the famous lights until Friday 6 January, or visit on 23 December for Tom Bawcock’s Eve: a unique Mousehole celebration with lantern processions followed by star-gazey pie at the Ship Inn.

Just along the coast in Feock is the National Trust’s Trelissick: an impressive house and garden with views over the Fal River. This Christmas, the estate will be hosting a packed calendar of events and offerings. The house will be open every day (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 3-31 December, decorated for Christmas and serving hot drinks and cake. As well as this, there’ll be spiced apple juice and mulled wine, Christmas bingo, shopping, and weekend visits from Father Christmas. On 3-4 December, Trelissick will also host a Christmas fair in the Barn restaurant. With so much going on, it’s sure to be an enjoyable way of entering into the season.

Cornwall’s only city truly comes alive at Christmas, with glittering lights and window displays creating that festive atmosphere. Truro Cathedral is typically open to visitors from 10am to 5pm each day, with a spectacular Christmas tree to admire. During the season, it also hosts Christmas concerts and events; keep an eye on the cathedral’s events pages to see what’s on. Elsewhere in Truro, there’s the Big Christmas Market from 2-4, 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23 December, and late night shopping every Wednesday.

On 10-11 December, Falmouth is hosting its annual Festive Weekend, with activities, attractions and events. Around the town, there’ll be a Christmas land train and snow machines, as well as live music and a market. And if the weather is unseasonably mild, never matter: Events Square will be bringing the winter chill with an ice rink and curling lane.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the cheer of a proper lights switch-on, and Porthleven’s (just 25 minutes away) is everything you could hope for. This year, the lights will go on from Friday 2 December, with Father Christmas making a stop-off, and music around the harbour. While you’re there, pick up some artisan food, drink and gifts, as the Porthleven Christmas Market runs from 2-4 December in the Shipyard Market.

If you’re planning to visit Cornwall this Christmas, why not join us for a festive break? Get in the mood with a pre-Christmas stay, visit for the special day itself (no dishes to do here!) or extend the magic with a twixmas or New Year holiday. Take a look at our festive breaks to find out more.