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Is there a better place to ‘eat, drink and be merry’ than Cornwall? We don’t think so. And we’re lucky to have some wonderful locations putting on some festive-filled splendour to be enjoyed by all.
Whether you’ll be in Cornwall for a pre-Christmas getaway, spending time here for the big day, or making a trip to see in the New Year Cornish style, there’s plenty to tuck into. And here are ten of our festive favourites…
© Frankie Thomas Photography
From 1-22 December, The Lost Gardens of Heligan will be serving up a traditional Christmas Lunch with all the festive trimmings in its delightful Heligan Kitchen. Diners can cosy up next to the welcoming wood burner and graze on flavoursome fare aplenty.
While you’re there, why not enjoy the magic of the natural beauty of this place, all 200 acres of it. There’s a lot to be enjoyed here with formal gardens, rare plants, wildlife, outdoor jungle area showcasing a Burmese rope bridge 100 ft above the ancient ferns, and the array of unusual farm animals, it makes for a wonderful day out, whatever the season. Or stay a while longer and enjoy the spectacular Heligan Night Garden.
© Milly Fletcher
Throughout December and on New Year’s Day, The Alverton in Cornwall’s capital Truro is bringing something festive and fancy to the city with its seasonal afternoon tea. With three tiers of treats including savoury delights such as seasonal sandwiches, turkey brioche slider and scrumptious glazed pigs in blankets, let’s not forget the sweet indulgences, too. Expect mini stollen and a mince pie, and in true afternoon tea style ensure you leave room for homemade scones with festive jam and lashings of clotted cream. The festive afternoon tea includes tea or coffee and a glass of mulled wine each, and little diners can enjoy a hot chocolate (priced £27pp).
Jude Kereama is a celebrity chef who made his mark in Porthleven back in 2006 with his fine dining restaurant Kota, with its younger sister Kota Kai following in 2011. And there’s never been a better time to visit with the launch of its new winter dining offer, where diners can expect dishes such as whipped trouts roe, and freshly caught Gurnard with a brown crab sauce. With three courses priced at a purse-friendly £37.50, it won’t eat into the Christmas budget.
Adam Handling MBE has been making waves in Cornwall since the opening of Ugly Butterfly in Carbis Bay in 2021. His latest venture, The Tartan Fox, is traditional Cornish pub nestled in the picturesque countryside between Newquay and Truro which opened earlier in the year. The pub itself is a 400-year-old Grade II listed building, offering diners and drinkers alike, a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury. For Christmas, why not go all out and enjoy a lavish three course menu (priced at £125pp), highlights include Handling’s signature ‘Mother’ dish of salt-baked celeriac made with truffled cream cheese and soft dates, cheese doughnuts, beef wellington with spiced onion, and a plum and ginger trifle. But what got our tastebuds tingling is the free-flowing port and cheese station.
Festive beats and bubbles by the sea sounds like the perfect way to kickstart Christmas celebrations. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa in Newquay is hosting the ultimate bottomless brunch experience. You’ll be served two brunch courses where the menu features tasty treats such as the breakfast trifle to start, and smoked haddock rosti or breakfast burger to follow, accompanied by free-flowing fizz, bloody marys or mimosas. Meanwhile the in-house DJ and saxophonist will keep the festive-inspired tunes pumping.
On Friday 13 December, Boscastle Farm Shop is hosting a special festive evening filled with fabulous food and merry entertainment with jazz and swing style musician Callum Flew. For one night only, enjoy home cooked food such as mixed cheese fondue and Cornish smoked haddock chowder for starters, and roast turkey with all the trimmings, or charred salmon for your main. There’ll be four festive-inspired courses to devour in total, priced at £44.95 per person.
Want to hang up the cooking apron this Boxing Day? We don’t blame you. The Gannet Inn is known for its traditional mouth-watering dishes, friendly menu, and comforting home-cooking style, and that’s just the ticket for a Boxing Day Lunch. With a specially devised three-course menu (£47 per person), this cosy pub in Carbis Bay is a brilliant spot for a lazy afternoon of feasting.
Over in north Cornwall The Pig at Harlyn Bay is offering a scrumptious New Year’s feast with its three-course New Year’s Eve menu. Tuck into a wholesome three-course menu, with a glass of fizz and light bites on arrival, tea or coffee and cheese to finish (from £135 per adult).
When you think there’s nothing more decadent than afternoon tea, the Carbis Bay Estate take it to the next level of lavishness. This winter, the Festive Afternoon Tea at Carbis Bay’s Orangery restaurant, has been inspired by the magic of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Ballet.
Throughout December the room itself is full of yuletide cheer with inviting Nutcracker adorned tables. Diners will be treated to a delicious festive afternoon tea which includes homemade chocolate mice, fondant ballet slippers, a ‘snow-flocked’ walnut whip tree and iced, lamington Christmas presents. Not forgetting the usual favourites such as seasonal finger sandwiches, turkey and cranberry rolls, sausage rolls, scones with lashings of Cornish clotted cream. The Festive Afternoon Tea for Two is priced at £70, or upgrade to a Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two for £90.
Call to book on 01736 795 311
What better way to spend New Year’s Day than meandering through Trebah’s sub-tropical valley garden in Mawnan Smith, with fine views out to the estuary beyond. There are 26 acres of footpaths to be explored with gorgeous winter flowering plants to see. Refuel with a delicious hearty New Year’s Day Brunch with Trebah Kitchen’s all-day breakfast brunch menu (9:30-3pm).
Where to stay in Cornwall for Christmas and New Year's
Rebecca Moore
LOCAL EDITOR AND CORNISH AFICIONADO
Rebecca Moore is a seasoned editor and content writer with over a decade of experience, specialising in Cornwall’s unique lifestyle, travel, and culinary scene. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Sun, Express, and Cosmopolitan. A proud Cornish resident, Rebecca’s authentic insights help readers explore the best of the Duchy.
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