Watergate Bay events and things to do this winter
A selection of our favourite places to visit and events coming up at Watergate Bay and in Cornwall.
View our events calendar for the full list
What's on in Cornwall
This winter

Adrift: Lost at Sea
Until 25 November an exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum. In 1997, a rogue wave knocked 62 containers of Lego from a cargo ship off the coast of Cornwall.

Wildlife Walk
13 October until 22 December. Experience Newquay's nature with a guided family walk and learn how to become a citizen scientist.

Rockpool ramble
13 October until 20 December. Peer beneath the surface of rockpools along the north Cornish coast with a guide from Newquay Wild Activities.

Ice skating at Eden Project
14 October until February 2024. Lace up your skates and join the fun at the Eden Project as their glittering ice rink opens again.

Heligan Night Garden
17 November - 2 January. Become immersed in an enchanting lantern experience, set amidst the atmospheric Lost Gardens.

Cornwall Christmas fair
22 and 23 November. Cornwall's biggest, most vibrant Christmas fair returns to Eden.

Peter Pan at Hall for Cornwall
4-31 December. Full of pesky pirates, freewheeling fun and a gaggle of lost boys, take flight with Peter, Wendy and of course Tinkerbell too!

Padstow Christmas Festival
7-10 December. Join Padstow Christmas Festival for a weekend of fun and foodie-filled festivities.

Charlestown tunnel of lights
9-31 December. Step into a magical winter wonderland this Christmas as the dazzling Tunnel of Lights returns to Charlestown.

National Trust at Christmas
This festive season the ancient houses and exotic gardens around Cornwall are being transformed for Christmas.

Mousehole Harbour Lights
From 11 December. Visit Mousehole to take in the annual Christmas lights that adorn the village.
What's on in the Bay
There's a full programme of events taking place this winter in the Bay.

Snug sessions with Kana
A seven-piece female harmony group serenading your evening in The Living Space snug with traditional...

Wreath making workshop with Botanical Tales
At 5pm, with fresh and dried materials, make your own wreath. £75pp, 2.5hrs.

Snug sessions with Our Atlantic Roots
Acoustic duo fusing together poetic lyrics and tight harmonies, sounding out from The Living Space...

RSPCA Festive dog meet up and beach walk
Raising awareness for rehoming during their busiest time. Join fellow dog walkers and the chance...

Calligraphy workshop with Wild Sea Calligraphy
At 5pm, create festive cards and gift labels. £55pp 2.5hrs.
Discover more
Activities
Rain or shine, take place in these indoor and outdoor activities nearby to Watergate Bay.

Rockpool Ramble
Discover what lies beneath our rockpools with Newquay Wild Activities.

The Tide Climbing Centre
A climbing centre in the heart of Cornwall, the Tide Climbing centre is a short drive from the hotel. Large areas are dedicated to bouldering. Ideal rainy-day option and suitable for little ones too.

Powerboat tours
Take a boat safari from Padstow harbour with Wavehunters. Boat tours and sea safaris exploring hidden coves, private charter also available.

Cycle trails
Woodlands and coast paths, traffic-free cycle routes all within a 30-minute drive.

Surfing lessons
Explore surfing lessons, equipment hire and book a session with Wavehunters surf school right on the beach.

Walks
Discover beach, coast path and woodland walks near Watergate Bay and further afield.

Swimming pools
Seek out tidal pools, sheltered bays, and geothermal pools.

The Wildlife Walk
Experience Newquay's nature with a guided walk.
Boat trips with Wavehunters
Cultural and Cornish attractions

Hall for Cornwall
Hall for Cornwall is back with a line-up full of comedy, music, theatre, screenings and entertainment all year round.

National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
Learn all about lobsters and the conservation work that goes into ensuring the sustainability of the wild lobster population in our seas.

Bodmin Jail
Built in 1779, you can now dig into the jail's history yourself, literally. With immersive experiences, a “Dark Walk” grimy cells, and chilling last moments

Tate St Ives
Tate St Ives have a couple of limited exhibitions. The Barbara Hepworth Museum, the Bernard Leach Pottery & Museum and many other art galleries are also dotted around this bustling small town.

National Maritime Museum
Local, national and international stories are told through rare objects around the world, a delve into the history of our seafaring heritage with limited exhibtions.
Camel Valley Vineyard Tour
Take a tour of the Camel Valley Vineyard or a seat on the terrace and soak up the view of the rolling hills. Camel Valley produces some of the best English sparkling wine, consistently winning awards for their Pinot Noir Rose Brut.

Tarquins Gin Distillery Tours
At the Southwestern Distillery, Tarquin and his team distil his famous gin overlooking the wild Cornish coast.

The Minack Theatre
An incredible theatre perched on the cliff edge near the tip of Cornwall. Visit for the day or buy tickets for a production.
Lost, botanical and historic gardens

Eden Project
Near St Austell, a 30-minute drive Explore the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes, hidden gems in the outdoor gardens, iconic sculptures, England’s longest zipwire, ice skating rink and limited exhibitions. Timed ticket entries, booking ahead essential.

Lost Gardens of Heligan
45-minute drive. A garden frozen in time, forgotten since the outbreak of WW1, and re-awakened in 1990. The history, scale, wildlife, woodland, and jungle rope bridge suspended 100 feet above ancient ferns, are waiting.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
1-hour drive. A sheltered valley with a coastal backdrop of St Michael's Mount, with changing exhibitions. Permanent sculptures are interwoven with exotic planting making a dramatic and tranquil place to explore.

Trebah Gardens and the Helford River
Discover a 26-acre sub-tropical garden, located above the Helford River and with a coastal backdrop. Four miles of footpath weave through exotic plants to a private secluded beach, just at the mouth of the Helford River.
Historic landmarks, houses and islands

St Michael's Mount
A tidal island, 500 metres from the mainland, linked by a causeway that is passable between mid-tide and low water. Take a picnic, grab a bite from the takeout café menu, and breathe in the views.

Bedruthan Steps
Experience the natural wonder of Bedruthan Steps, dramatic views and sea stacks towering high above the beach.

Lanhydrock
Country house estate, ancient woodland, extensive gardens, and riverside paths. Off-road cycle trails for all abilities and bike hire available.

Trerice
20 minute drive, an Elizabethan manor house and gardens.
Discover more

Heading north
Watergate Bay’s far north end promises rich rewards for those who make the mile trek.

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Cornwall's night skies & meteor showers
What might you see staring up into the darkness in the next month or two?