The Culture Hunter: Festivals, art and culture beyond the beaches

One of Cornwall’s longest-running arts festivals, the St Ives September Festival transforms the town into a vibrant hub of creativity. Expect:

• Open studio trails, where artists invite you into their workspaces
• Poetry, literature and storytelling evenings
• Live music across pubs, churches and pop-up venues
• Art exhibitions and heritage walks that uncover St Ives’ bohemian past

Set in the rolling orchards of Healey’s Cyder Farm, this boutique festival brings together music, food and, of course, plenty of cider. Highlights include:

• Big-name live bands and DJs
• A silent disco in the orchard
• Cider tastings and Cornish food stalls
• Quirky events like barn dances and storytelling tents

Image by Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival

Cornwall has a reputation for bold, inventive theatre, and September is when local companies take centre stage. Look out for:

• Miracle Theatre productions in quirky venues, from gardens to village halls
• Open-air theatre, such as the iconic Minack Theatre
• Folk sessions, acoustic gigs and storytelling nights in pubs across the county

Beyond the big names, September brings smaller creative gatherings. Check village noticeboards and social media for:

• Makers’ markets showcasing local ceramics, jewellery and textiles
• Temporary art galleries in barns or chapels
• Community craft fairs – the perfect place to find a unique souvenir

Overlooking Porthmeor Beach, Tate St Ives showcases modern and contemporary art inspired by Cornwall’s unique light and landscape. A short walk away, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden offers an intimate look at the artist’s home, studio, and striking bronzes set among subtropical plants – a perfect pairing for art lovers visiting St Ives.

Located in Falmouth’s harbourside, the National Maritime Museum celebrates Cornwall’s deep connection to the sea. From historic boats and hands-on exhibits to stories of daring voyages and maritime innovation, it’s a place where the county’s seafaring past comes vividly to life.

Image by National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Cornwall’s bookshops are destinations in their own right – cosy spaces that double as cultural hubs. Browse shelves at The Edge of the World Bookshop in Penzance or Bookmark in Falmouth, where you’ll often find author events, signings and lively literary evenings celebrating Cornwall’s storytelling tradition.

Image by The Edge of the World Bookshop

Across Cornwall, many villages host evenings of myth, folklore and local history, where tales of giants, smugglers and sea spirits are shared by candlelight or in cosy pubs. Walking heritage trails or joining these storytelling gatherings is an authentic way to connect with Cornwall’s cultural roots and experience the county as locals do.

From ocean-hued pottery to hand-built sculptures, Cornish ceramicists are world-renowned, with work that often reflects the textures and colours of the coastline. Studios across the county welcome visitors in September, offering the chance to see pieces being shaped and fired. Artists like Jack Doherty, a St Ives-based potter known for his soda-fired porcelain vessels, showcase how traditional techniques and contemporary design come together in Cornwall’s thriving ceramics scene.

Image by Doherty Porcelain

Think handwoven blankets, naturally-dyed scarves and contemporary clothing rooted in tradition – Cornwall’s textile scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Makers often draw on natural fibres and dyes inspired by moorland, sea and sky. For example, Atlantic Blankets, based in Perranporth, creates sustainably made throws and blankets that capture the colours and textures of the Cornish coast, blending modern design with timeless craftsmanship.

Image by Atlantic Blankets

Cornish jewellery makers transform materials like sea glass, recycled metals, and even local tin into unique, wearable keepsakes inspired by the coast and countryside. For instance, The Old Farmhouse Jewellery, founded by Victoria in 2012, creates hand-textured pieces from their workshop in Penzance. Their designs feature sterling silver, textured brass, copper accents and semi-precious stones, offering a blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance.

Image by The Old Farmhouse Jewellery

Cornwall’s dramatic coastline continues to inspire contemporary artists, and September is the perfect time to explore their work. Lyndsey Vowell, based in Falmouth, captures the ever-changing light, sky and sea in calming, atmospheric paintings. Working primarily with acrylics, she experiments with different techniques to bring each piece to life.

Image by Lyndsey Vowell