We’ve pulled together our favourite Cornish events of 2025 – the ones we never miss from Tom’s Cottage. They mark our year, like the changing of the seasons. Here’s our take on them.
Grab a coffee and enjoy…
February
8th-9th Snowdrop weekend – Pencarrow House, Washaway
Driving along the wooded drive of this stately home is a treat in itself at any time of year but is particularly spectacular at snowdrop time. Watch out for the banks of ancient earthworks that are passed through, end-on. The novelty of Pencarrow is that it’s privately owned, and run by the family that’s lived there for 500 years; making for a unique ambience full of (non-corporate) character. Gardens and café open, dogs welcome.
March
5th St Piran’s Day – Cornwall’s national day
Celebrations throughout Cornwall, traditional ‘shouts’ (local singing) in many pubs and a lot of pasties eaten!
April
5th-6th Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show – Wadebridge
This used to rotate around Cornwall’s stately homes as hosts but is now held annually at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. Dubbed the ‘Chelsea of the South West’ this is not only a true celebration of spring (and Cornwall’s early seasons) but is also on every gardener’s bucket list. Show gardens, talks and displays; stands and all things horticultural. From cutting edge to sustainability, and the marvels of nature. Not to be missed!
1st Padstow Obby Oss: May Day celebrations
Take the ferry across from Rock and join this ancient revelling: celebrating the arrival of summer. Streets donned with bluebells and lily-of-the-valley, a maypole in the square and Padstow folk dressed in white with either red or blue trims – according to which Oss their family follows. There’s almost a primeval undertone to the (live) music that accompanies each Oss around the town, providing the timeless tempo for the Oss’s dance led by its teaser. We defy anyone to avoid getting a jig on!
5th May Bank Holiday
26th Spring Bank Holiday
June PYO strawberries starts at Trevathan Farm Shop
5th-7th Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge
Food, farming and fantastic times! Entertainment, shopping and all things rural – there’s every kind of animal on display as well as all things Cornish. It’s where locals gossip over a tractor tyre and children are over-sugared at the fair, where Royalty sit in the Grandstand and everyone is smothered in Cornish joviality. The original festival that needs all 3 days to get around.
24th-27th Rock Oyster Festival, St Minver
‘A voyage of culinary discovery & musical mischief’ – yep, think sea (and street) food, stage performances and roaming entertainment; all overlooking the Camel Estuary. Beetle back to a comfy bed with us each evening (festival day tickets available). Lead acts for ’25: UB40, Rag N Bone Man and Ministry of Sound Classical. New for this year: long table banquets with woodfired canteen.
August
21st-25th Cornwall Folk Festival, Wadebridge
The town comes alive with various stages, street food and pub performances making this a summer Bank Holiday weekend to remember forever. Feel good vibe doesn’t quite cover it – foot tapping certainly, flowers in hair optional!
25th Summer Bank Holiday
September
25th-28th North Cornwall Book Festival
Not just a literary festival (it boxes above its weight in author-talks!) There’s always a varied and fun program of workshops, exhibitions and supporting performances.
November
8th-9th Boscastle Shanty Festival
We feel a certain kinship to these guys (beyond local character) - their inaugral event was held just a couple of months after we opened. A plethora of great acts and good times.
22nd-23rd Cornish Winter Fair, Wadebridge
Day 1 includes Wadebridge Primestock Show – rings full of cattle and sheep being judged, produce competitions and a great many farmers floating around! Masses of stands to kick off the Christmas shopping.
22nd-23rd Pencarrow Artisan Christmas Fair, Washaway
Stallholders’ wares fit the ambiance of the surroundings here, but in friendliest and most cheery way. Follow the flow throughout the downstairs of The House and beyond in a marquee on the lawn.
December
12th-14th Cornwall Christmas Market, Wadebridge
All of a sudden, this market has leap-frogged into festive prevalence (replacing the hole left by Padstow’s famed one). Amazing array of goods and very festive.
22nd-29th Christmas week at Tom’s Cottage (Monday changeover)
More info in our Festive Season section
29th-3rd Jan New Year break at Tom’s Cottage (Mon-Sat)
These are the things in our diary from one year to another – parts of the Cornish calendar that we’d never miss! Join us if you can…
May your New Year be happy and healthy, and 2025 bring everything you desire.
