Luxury Festive Breaks in Cornwall

Yes. The festive season is one of Cornwall’s quieter times of year, bringing together winter coastlines with Christmas markets, light displays, seasonal events and plenty of opportunities to eat, shop and explore. It’s a very different experience from visiting in summer, with more space on the beaches and coast paths and a slower pace across much of the county.

Yes. Short breaks can be available throughout the festive season, making it possible to fit a few days in Cornwall around your Christmas plans. Come for a pre-Christmas weekend, head away once the celebrations are over or make a few days of New Year. Minimum stay requirements vary between properties and dates.

Yes. Beaches and winter walks are joined by Christmas markets, festive events, light trails, ice skating and seasonal experiences at attractions around the county. Christmas at the Eden Project, for example, includes festive lights, ice skating and family experiences for theseason. Choosing a Gem with a games room, cinema room, swimming pool or hot tub can also give you plenty to enjoy back at your holiday home.

Yes. The quieter weeks around Christmas are a particularly lovely time for a romantic break in Cornwall. Spend the day walking near-empty beaches, explore Christmas markets and harbour lights, book somewhere special for dinner, then retreat to a Gem with a hot tub, sea view or log burner. Pre-Christmas and Twixmas breaks work especially well for a few days away together, while New Year offers the chance to celebrate somewhere a little different.

Yes. Many of our Gems are dog-friendly, and winter is one of the best times to explore Cornwall with your dog. Seasonal restrictions have been lifted from many beaches by December, opening up even more of the coastline for long winter walks together.

Many of our Gems are decorated for the festive season, helping your holiday home feel ready for Christmas from the moment you arrive. Decorations vary between properties, so if having a Christmas tree or particular festive touches is important to your stay, our Guest Experience team can confirm what will be in place at your chosen Gem.

The lead-up to Christmas is packed with festive events across Cornwall. Expect Christmas markets and fairs, harbour and town light displays, festive experiences at some of Cornwall’s best-known attractions and plenty of independent shopping. Highlights often include the Heligan Night Garden, Christmas at the Eden Project, Mousehole Christmas Lights and festive markets in destinations including Truro, Fowey and Padstow. Events and dates change each year, so it’s worth checking what’s on before your stay.

Mousehole is particularly famous for its harbour lights, which have become one of Cornwall’s best-known festive traditions. You’ll also find towns and villages illuminated across the county, alongside seasonal light experiences at some of Cornwall’s gardens and attractions. Exact dates and displays can change from year to year.

Christmas and New Year bring plenty of Cornish traditions. Harbour lights, carol singing and community celebrations take place across the county, while festive sea swimming has become a familiar part of Christmas on the coast. Boxing Day and New Year’s Day swims take place at beaches around Cornwall, bringing people together for a particularly bracing way to mark the occasion.

Boxing Day swims traditionally take place at several beaches around Cornwall, with past locations including Porthminster in St Ives, Perranporth, Falmouth, Poldhu and Portreath. Some are organised events while others are more informal gatherings, so check local details for the year of your stay before heading down. And, of course, always pay attention to the conditions and local sea safety advice.

Twixmas is the informal name for the period between Christmas and New Year, usually from 27 to 30 December. With the main Christmas celebrations behind you and New Year still to come, it’s an ideal time to head away for a few days with family, friends or just the two of you.

Twixmas is a great time to enjoy Cornwall at a slower pace. Walk the coast, spend time on quieter beaches, book a long lunch, explore a gallery or attraction or simply make the most of your Gem. Depending on when you arrive, you can also catch the last of Cornwall’s Christmas events before the build-up to New Year begins.

Yes. A dip in the Atlantic has become a popular way to welcome the New Year in Cornwall, with New Year’s Day swims taking place in coastal communities around the county. If getting into the water isn't for you, a walk beside it followed by a long lunch makes a very good alternative. Locations and organised events vary each year, so check locally before your stay.

Winter is a wonderful time to experience Cornwall’s beaches. They’re generally much quieter than during the summer months, leaving more space for long walks, winter surf and days spent exploring the coast. Many seasonal dog restrictions have also been lifted by this point in the year, making the festive period particularly appealing if you're bringing your dog.

December in Cornwall is typically cool and changeable, so a festive break can bring crisp, clear days as well as rain and dramatic Atlantic weather. Come prepared for the elements and there’s still plenty of opportunity to enjoy beaches, coast paths and countryside throughout your stay.

Layers are essential for a winter stay in Cornwall. Bring a waterproof coat, warm clothing and sturdy footwear for coastal and countryside walks, along with something a little smarter if you're planning a festive dinner or New Year celebration. And if a Boxing Day or New Year’s Day dip is on the agenda, remember your swimwear and plenty of warm layers for afterwards.

A rainy day doesn't have to mean staying put. Visit Tate St Ives or another Cornish gallery, explore the Eden Project, discover a museum or historic house or settle in for a long lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Alternatively, choose a Gem with a hot tub, cinema room, games room or other added extras and make a day at home part of the holiday.

Many restaurants, pubs, independent shops and attractions remain open for at least part of the festive period, but opening hours often change around Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. If there’s somewhere you particularly want to eat or visit, check its festive opening times and book ahead where possible.