Think Cornwall in August and images of beaches and ice cream may come to mind, hopefully along with some fond memories. Fine, but who’s skimming the surface here? And who knows there’s greater depth to the Cornish crest of summer?
A bit of local insight can add that elusive layer, snatching otherwise missed moments that add the je ne sais quoi instants. The Cornish holiday that keeps on giving: creating in perpetuity reminiscing.
Further on we’ve listed this month’s local events, but here’s the Tom’s Cottage Cornwall guide to getting under the skin of a Cornish August…
Getting here
Ease into vacation-mode by destressing the journey – leave in the early morning or evening for quieter roads. Break the trip with a visit elsewhere enroute (or gain an extra half day in the Boot of Britain). Pop some of the party on a bus/train/plain and collect from local station/airport, or organise them a taxi.
Tick various counties passed through off a mental list & discuss the changing scenery, look out for Knaphill (the ‘nearly-there’ trees to the left of the A30); and when crossing the River Tamar chant ‘now we’re in Devon… & NOW we’re in Cornwall!’
Rise above everything – arrival time is fluid (at Tom’s Cottage) and there’s no FOMO as Cornwall’s awaiting!
Ask a local
An education in itself: spotting likely candidates! Hail them with an ‘excuse me, are you local?’ When confirmed, enquire for their recommendation for a light lunch – this can turn up some real corkers, and establishments you might not try even if you had found! We prefer this old-school version of googling – it often throws up other things one would never have thought of asking.
Go with the flow
There may be a bucket list (that’s part of the fun) but resist being so rigid there’s no time for an add-on while in a specific place – if a flash mob erupts on Port Isaac platt: enjoy – phone the pub to put back your reservation by half an hour. The moment isn’t recapturable. Remember it’s about being able to stop clock-watching and become more ‘drekly’ (Cornish dialect for anon).
Box clever
Avoiding hotspots at peak times can be tricky but worth the effort. It may mean an early start one morning but try arriving at The Eden Project when the gates first open or taking that early slot with the surf school. While things get busier around you the best of the day’s been far more rewarding, come lunchtime you may find it’s time for a cliff-walk anyway.
Alternatives
Fancy cycling a leg of The Camel Trail but don’t mind which stretch? The Wadebridge to Bodmin section tends to be quieter than the Wadebridge to Padstow piece. Fancy a beach day but don’t mind where? Try Port Gaverne or Port Quin rather than Polzeath (or walk the coastpath to a really secluded spot).
Go local
Want to encounter the real Cornwall? Be it boat trips or walking tours of Port Isaac, fresh fish or deli deliveries, heritage safaris or horse and carriage rides: Cornwall is stuffed with small family businesses – it’s how the locals live (like an island economy). The character embedded in these services provide an experience no corporate-provider can emulate.
Enjoy
Relax and switch-off. Whatever will be, will be. Cornwall will really get under your skin whenever you’re ready to let the Cornishness in. Should you get caught in a shower: make the best of it – wherever you find shelter will open the door to something unexpected. And Cornish mizzle is just the very best hair conditioner!
Ready to embrace forget-me-not occasions? Maybe even the type born of spontaneity? Let the adventure begin…
And remember that ice cream - full of August aura. The flavour lingers in the mind for an eternity, particularly when enjoyed under a Cornish sky.
More recommendations on the North Cornwall area can be found at tomscottagecornwall.co.uk
Tom’s Cottage pick of August events
- 1st-11th St Endellion Summer Festival Opera, choral, orchestral, chamber and recital concerts in the acoustical delight of St Endellion Church
- 2nd Pop-up kids’ cinema screening Disney’s Inside Out: Pengenna Manor, 4pm
- 3rd, 17th & 31st Tintagel Orpheus Male Voice Choir concert: Tintagel Social Hall, 8pm
- 4th Joey the Lips at Sea View Farm Shop 3pm - late. An afternoon & evening of live music & family entertainment with a festival vibe and amazing view over Port Isaac Bay
- 6th North Cornwall Miniature Railway & Toy Museum open afternoon, 12 noon – 5pm: Cold Northcott, St Teath
- 9th Camelford Agricultural Show Marshgate, PL32 9YN 8am - 6pm-ish, traditional rural day out – full of family fun & local wares
- 12th St Teath Village Show, church hall (early afternoon). Full of Horticultural & Handicraft exhibits
- 15th Polzeath Beach Clean The Marine Centre, 9.30 am
- 17th Abba Tribute concert, 7pm Pencarrow House & Gardens
- 18th Queen Tribute concert, 7pm Pencarrow House & Gardens
- 19th Delabole Village Show, in the Methodist Chapel
- 23rd MJUK singers, 7pm Pencarrow House & Gardens
- 24th ‘The Secret Garden’ by Chapterhouse Theatre, 7.30pm Pencarrow House & Gardens
- 24th – 28th Cornwall Folk Festival, Wadebridge 50th anniversary extravaganza: several stages, ‘shanty street’ & good vibes
- 26th -27th Antiques Fair, Royal Cornwall Showground
- 26th 7pm & 27th 2pm Andre Rieu’s 2023 Maastricht Concert ‘Love is All Around’ Regal Cinema, Wadebridge
- Tuesdays 7.30pm St Minver Silver Band on Polzeath beach
- Fridays *Chicken night at St Kew Farm ShopSt Kew Farm Shop
- Weeknights *Guest Speciality Food evenings at The Gastropod (10 minute walk from Tom’s Cottage), Friday nights are regular pizza evening
* For current info, visit these establishments’ social media pages
Follow @tomscottagecornwall to keep abreast of goings-on as they pop up (Facebook & Instagram)
