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May is a great time of year to visit Cornwall, whether it’s your first time or a returning visitor. As the temperatures rise with highs of 20 degrees, summer is just around the corner, and there’s plenty to see and do in Cornwall during the May school holidays. As well as some pretty spectacular places to stay, although we are a little biased…
Spring brings with it a bounty of natural beauty, with gorgeous flowers – keep your eyes peeled for foxgloves – and luscious greenery and let’s not forget the beautiful beaches, which look stunning all year round.
As the days grow longer, the sun shines brighter and the winter layers come off, Cornwall comes to life. Here’s a handful of not-to-be-missed events taking place across the Duchy this May half term.
Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 May 2024
Cornwall’s iconic Minack Theatre in Porthcurno family-friendly show Skillywidden is a celebration of the wildlife and faery myths of Cornwall by the hugely popular Squashbox Theatre. Expect a mixture of puppets, songs, storytelling and cabaret, with a strong environmental message!
Friday 24 May to Monday 27 May, 11am-11pm
Cornwall Street Food Festival returns with a four-day May Bank Holiday bonanza! Taking place on the picturesque Barrowfields Cliffs in Newquay, Cornwall Street Food Festival is a great way to spend the weekend in Cornwall, with vendors cooking up a storm from 11am – 11pm daily. Tickets are free (upgrades are available), but you’ll need to book them beforehand.
Open every day from 9:30am
Trebah Gardens is a sub-tropical Cornish garden, steeped in heritage and creativity in Mawnan Smith just outside of Falmouth. A visit to Trebah is always magical, with its 26 acre garden packed with plants from around the globe, plus the Court Garden which opened last year. A unique walled garden, showcasing traditional herbaceous beds with a mix of shrubs alongside more exotic and tender plants that would struggle to grow outside of Cornwall.
Friday 31 May, 3pm
For something different this May half term, head to Norton Barton Farm, just outside of Bude and home to The Cornish Distilling Co, where visitors can enjoy a guided tour showing the rums and gin made from scratch on site.
On arrival you will receive a welcome drink of either a Morvenna Spiced Rum and ginger ale, or a Bude Gin and tonic. The tour ends with a generous tasting session in the distillery bar. And fear not, designated drivers will get a mini of their choice to take away with them.
Running time: approx. 1 hour 30 mins @ £20 per person
Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June
Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum is always a hive of activity, and this May half term visitors can discover the curious creatures found along the Cornish shore with the Rock Pool Project and their magical mobile rock pool which will be at the museum. Create paper plate rock pools to take home and join the Museum trail to help find all the hidden rock pool creatures. Drop-in from anytime between 11-3pm.
Eden Project, near St Austel. ©Hufton+Crow
Saturday 25 May – Saturday 2 June, 9:30-5pm
The Eden Project is often at the top of most families Cornish bucket list, and there’s always extra activities on during the holidays. This May half term there’s plenty of family fun to be had with the return of its Festival of Imagination with pop-up performances and theatre – including music, storytelling, dance and creative workshops.
