The 5th November can overshadow the rest of the month, but the savvy will recall that November hath 30 days…
As well as being Cornwall’s warmest winter month, November’s frost moon (27th) features a partial lunar eclipse – where better to glimpse it than Cornwall? With a seasonal change in migratory birds, canopies turning autumnal and welcoming log fires, there’s a refreshing freedom to the air.
With a good splattering of local events through the month (listed later) and our Favourite Fall Strolls (below), there’s great appeal in a November break to Tom’s Cottage…
Build up an appetite
We’ll guide you shortly on where to eat locally, but it’s even tastier with an activity-invigorated hunger…
On the wild side
Head over to Roughtor Ford or Davidstow Aerodrome just before dusk to see the starling murmurations. Massed aerial shows by nature are well worth the Attengborough-hunt: current flight paths are often marked by roadside cars in a random spot!
Walk the 1½ mile circumference of Delabole Quarry - the oldest slate quarry in England and until recently: the largest man-made hole in Europe. Still producing world-renowned slate. Easy to follow footpaths and mostly flat going (can get a bit muddy in patches when damp underfoot).
With dogs and children (or not): explore the beaches. The crowds have gone and the scenery needs seeing to be believed. Watch the Atlantic aftermath roll in from distant storms out at sea, or find more sheltered stretches around the Camel Estuary.
Romp up Roughtor, bumble round Blisland or explore more of Bodmin Moor with a walk from iWalk Cornwall (there’s also walk books and OS maps in our snug).
Stroll enchanted woodlands, find magical valleys as the morning mist lifts or discover a Cornish Heritage site. More detail on our walking page
Wander Cornish villages in quiet season and experience the real thing – from the old fishing settlements of Port Isaac and Boscastle to the rural charm of St Teath and Chapel Amble. There’ll be a few locals about and the pubs are open.
Cycle the entire Camel Trail or just a stretch of it – there’s three distinctive legs: Wenford Bridge (by the Snails Pace café) to Bodmin, Bodmin to Wadebridge and Wadebridge to Padstow. Following the River Camel and mainly a designated trail i.e. vehicle-free, it’s flat going and the landscape varies between sections. A nature-lovers paradise and superb in quieter November.
Culture vultures
Tom’s Country is also home to some pretty spectacular constructed attractions…
The National Trust’s Lanhydrock House operate winter hours for the house and gardens but the extensive grounds are pretty much open from dawn to dusk with café and bike hire available mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Views of the house’s front façade freely available!
Tintagel Castle (English Heritage) is open Wednesday-Sunday during November and not to be missed. Surrounded by sea, sky and rugged cliffs; the ancient ruins are connected to ‘the mainland’ by an award-winning footbridge. Full of myth and legend, this is a spectacular place.
Bodmin Keep - Cornwall’s Military Museum is open Monday-Saturday throughout November and is a real treasure. With collections, exhibitions and events (including November screenings of The War to End All Wars on the 4th, 17th and 18th) there’s an informal air about the place combined with an authentic knowledge that’ll intrigue most minds.
Nearby, the Bodmin Jail Experience presents an altogether different portrayal of historic storytelling with a more immersive feel with techno-theatrics. We’ve heard good reports from some Tom’s Cottage guests. Open daily throughout November.
Visit the Daphne Du Maurier Museum at Jamaica Inn (and take in the Smugglers Museum while there). It’s a good reason to drive out through the centre of Bodmin Moor to get to Bolventor (the scenery will set the tone) and then soak up the only dedicated museum to our literary heroine.
Gardens and gin
There are two iconic gardens within 20 miles of Tom’s Cottage: The Lost Gardens of Heligan (their truly amazing night garden opens on 17th November) and The Eden Project (skating the winter ice rink is already underway). Pre-booking online for each ‘special’ is essential. Both Heligan grounds and Eden’s biomes open daily throughout November and are both highly recommended, particularly in late autumn.
Gin’o’clock happens after a day in the garden, surely? Tarquin’s Gin: the first artisan distillery to appear in Cornwall for a century (and award winning at that) began trading in 2014. The original ‘blue seal’ (our nickname) is distinctive and delicious. Take a Distilling Masterclass (Wed-Sat throughout November) or Distillery Tour (Wed-Sun through Nov) but beware: Saturdays are already fully booked.
The food
No day’s complete without the right sustenance so here’s our pick of local eateries: -
Pubs
St Kew Inn - historic coaching inn and starting point of Ansome Carriages countryside tours. Excellent gastropub plus Sunday roasts now back on the winter menu.
Golden Lion, Port Isaac - good reputation locally for food and Sunday roasts. Takeaways available plus a festive menu.
The Old Inn, St Breward – award winning pub grub, all day Sunday carvery and mid-week roasts on a Wednesday
St Tudy Inn - country inn, great service and fabulous food
The Mariners, Rock – marvellous food plus views over the Camel Estuary
Red Lion, St Kew Highway (on social media) – traditional pub with an Aussie twist in the kitchen, great service and happy vibe
White Hart,St Teath – family and dog friendly, regular pub grub
Farm Shops
All run by local farming families, these are our favourites…
Trevathan, St Endellion - great for farmhouse fayre through the day and excellent provisions for stocking up the larder. Family oriented.
St Kew - artisan menu and trendy gifts. Friday night takeaways (pizza in winter).
Boscastle - the perfect blend of award winning farm menus and great produce. Overlooks the sea (coastpath within walking distance).
Cafes
Churchtown Café, St Teath (find on fb & 01208 640002) – fabulous paninis and homemade cakes, we favour the eclairs! Ring in orders for swift collection of takeaways or eat in alongside the locals.
Snails Pace Café, Wenford Bridge: at the head of The Camel Trail. Exceptional cakes and imaginative menu for non-meat-eaters plus pop-up speciality supper evenings. Bike hire and family friendly.
Bodmin Nursery and Duchy Nursery are both excellent when in the Bodmin or Lostwithiel areas.
Fish and Chips
Smugglers Delabole: our go-to for Fishy Friday takeaways! Order online or just drop by.
Restaurants
Nathan Outlaw has two eateries in Port Isaac: the original Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen down by the harbour and Outlaw’s New Road at the top of the village. We’ll let the food do the talking – there’s nothing we could possibly add!
Onda Wadebridge – both owner and head chef are graduates from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall. Superb!
Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow won’t need any introduction from us, but have you heard of his St Petroc’s Bistro? It’s our favourite Stein treat, and of course Stein’s fish and chip shop puts a completely fresh spin on any regular chippy’s grub. Also in Padstow is Stein’s café which is child friendly, and there’s his Cornish Arms pub over at St Merryn.
On arrival
Tom’s Cottage is set up for the most relaxed welcome possible – while settling in here’s our top tips for a winter break: -
- Book up a treatment that comes to you with Home Spa Cornwall - all the relaxation of a massage without going anywhere.
- Organise a home delivery from Fee’s Food: the best deli and ready meals around! (Mon-Sat delivery)
- Check out Ansome Carriages (07548 424868) on social media and book a horse and carriage ride – either join a scheduled tour from St Kew Inn or (if you’re a large enough party): arrange a private excursion of the surrounding countryside with pick-up/drop-off on Tom’s Cottage doorstep
- Size up the range of games in the snug: some may take more than one evening to bring to a satisfactory conclusion!
- Head into the sitting room for movie nights on the the smart TV (fibre Wi-Fi connected) – nestling under throws and hot chocolate optional.
- Stroll round the garden - breath-in and listen hard. A place that time forgot.
Coming soon to Tom’s Cottage…
- Woodburner in the sitting room – light, sit back and enjoy!
- EV charging point – plug-in, log in (to app) and relax
Local events
4th Endelienta Baroque: Earthsong, St Endellion 7.30pm
5th Sea View Farm Shop: fireworks & shanty singing, 7 pm
5th Pengenna Manor: Bonfire Party, 6.30-10.30 pm (fireworks 9pm)
7th Don Quixote (Royal Ballet Live): The Regal Cinema, Wadebridge 7.15pm
10th-12th Boscastle Shanty Festival
11th Cataclews (live folk music): Wadebridge Town Hall, 7.30pm
12th Remembrance Services: St Kew 10.30am
Port Isaac 10.30am
St Teath 10.45am clock tower & 11.10 in church
16th National Theatre live: Skylight, The Regal Cinema Wadebridge, 7pm
17th Heligan Night Garden opens at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
18th-19th Pencarrow Artisan Christmas Fair: Pencarrow House, Washaway
18th-19th Cornish Winter Fair: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
19th Tretawn Farmers Market, St Kew Highway, PL30 3DU 10am-12.30
24th Ezmay Grace (live music): Golden Lion, Port Isaac 8-10pm
26th The Great Cornish Market: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
27th Frost Moon (partial eclipse)
