Cornish Villa Holidays

Newquay Fish Festival

One of Newquay’s hidden gems is showcased on the 14th September when the harbour hosts its 10th Fish Festival. With the festival growing in popularity over the years, this year promises to be the best year ever. Why not stay in one of our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach just a short drive from the festival and be inspired by the 3 day activities. Amongst the activities you’ll find practical cooking demonstrations from local restaurants highlighting the quality of Cornish ingredients, trade stands promoting Cornish crafts and produce and entertainment from local choirs singing sensational sea shanties. The magnificent harbour beach will also host some excellent family activities such as sand castle competitions, Punch and Judy, rock pool shows and organised beach games. This is a event not to be missed.

Nowhere Island

A unique and usual event occurs off the coast of Newquay this August, when an Arctic Island arrives and is moored in the bay. On Thursday 23rd August around 6pm Nowhere Island will be welcomed to Cornwall by a flotilla of surfers and surf circle. Nowhere Island is an art project by artist Alex Hartley, who discovered an unknown island in the high Arctic.

Newquay Bay

The Island revealed itself within melting ice of a retreating glacier. Permission was granted to tow the Island by barge the 500 miles to the south coast of England. Alex Hartley has created a floating sculpture out of the stones, earth and mater collected on the Island and will be a sight not to be missed. The Islands  embassy, which will be housed on the Killacourt, will welcome anyone to become a citizen as well as being a wonderful mobile museum full of documents and objects that tell the Islands story.

Fistral Beach, Newquay

Newquay hosts the world famous Boardmasters on the 8-12th August. Primarily a surf festival, over the years Boardmasters has become so much more and has now expanded to include skate and BMX competitions, free day time events, beach bars and a fabulous surf village. Friday and Saturday also sees the huge music event at the beautiful Watergate Bay with acts this year including Ed Sheeran, Dizzee Rascal, The Ting Tings, Maximo Park and more.

Fistral Beach, Surf Village

This festival is the biggest event in Newquay’s calendar and sees Fistral beach transform itself into its own thriving village with an electric atmosphere suitable for all age groups. Atlantic Reach is the ideal location for the festival with Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay a short drive away. With tens of thousands of people expected staying in our self catering villas means you can enjoy the festival and retreat to your very own oasis when you need to relax.

Truro

Come rain or shine Truro is a fabulous city to visit and is only a 20 minute drive for our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach. Truro has something to offer everyone whatever the weather and whatever time of year. Called after Tri-veru meaning 3 rivers the historic market town of Truro began life as a Celtic village. Becoming a Norman settlement in the 12th century when a castle was built high on the hill where the majestic Crown Court now stands. Truro developed over the centuries with a bustling port and became a stannary town where tin was checked for quality and stamped. When tin prices rocketed in the 18th and 19th Century, wealthy mine owners moved into Truro and built elegant town houses, some of which are still there today. The city today hosts an architectural scene both eclectic and spectacular.

Truro Cathedral

Dominating the skyline at the heart of Truro is the beautiful Anglian Cathedral and is one of only three cathedrals in the UK with three spires and the only one in Cornwall. The cathedral was built in the 1880′s in the Gothic revival architectural style and is breathtaking both inside and out. The cathedral is free to wander around and is full of interesting information and history, there is also a number of fun trails for families of all ages to enjoy.

Royal Cornwall Museum

The Royal Institute of Cornwall, the organisation that owns and manages the Royal Cornwall Museum and Courtney Library, was founded in 1818 for the “promotion of knowledge in natural history, ethnology and the fine and industrial arts, especially in relation to Cornwall”. Happily this is still the case. There is also a lovely cafe with great fresh local produce and a brilliant art shop. All through the summer holidays there are family friendly events planned so you can be creative and have fun.

Farmers Market, Truro

If you like shopping, Truro will give you a really unique and enjoyable experience. As well as top national chains there are a huge range of fashionable boutiques, jewellery shops and quirky independent specialist shops all intertwined in delightful quaint lanes and cobbled streets. On Saturday you will find the famous farmers market in Lemon Quay filled with local produce, art, crafts, food and drink. Once you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped there are loads of great bars and restaurants to rest your feet.

Victoria Gardens, Truro

Truro also has an abundance of recreation and leisure activities, why not try 10 pin bowling; a stroll around Victoria Gardens; a show at the Hall for Cornwall; a swim at Truro leisure centre; a ride on the King Harry ferry to Falmouth or a trip to the cinema. As the school summer holidays approach Truro will be hosting an array of family events, there really is something for everyone and Truro is not to be missed.

Cornwall has fabulous weather all year round, however that is not to say it can’t rain all year round as well. So here are just a few things to brighten even the gloomiest of days.

Bodmin Jail

After years of neglect Bodmin Jail is now a fantastic museum spread over six floors of a building dating back to 1779. Originally built for King George III the prison was built by the prisoners with 20,000 tons of granite brought from Bodmin’s “Cuckoo Quarry” The restored ruins offer a harrowing insight into what life was like for the men, women and children imprisoned there. As well as visiting the cold dank cells and the execution pit, there is a covered courtyard, licensed bar and restaurant, making Bodmin Jail a great all weather
family attraction.

Tate, St Ives

The Tate, St Ives is the regions leading international modern and contemporary art gallery, best known for its work by the St Ives group of artists who came down to the town at the beginning of 20th century. The work in the gallery includes some of the famous works by artists of the time including Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallis and Peter Lanyon. On show until 23rd September are the brilliant works of the most important and respected living American artist, Alex Katz.

Barbara Hepworth Museum

While in St Ives you can also visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. On display in the museum you will find works is bronze, stone and wood, paintings and drawings and archive material by Britain’s most influential female sculptor. The artist’s studio, untouched since her death, gives you the rare sense of being in the workshop of a creative genius.

July is a great festival filled month in Cornwall. Our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach are the perfect location to get to some of the best events happening this month. Here is a taste of some of the most interesting to be found near Atlantic Reach.

Fistral Beach, Newquay

Newquay hosts its first beached based family cricket event. On the 6th July semi-professional cricketers take to the sands and compete against Cornish players. Newquays world famous Fistral beach will host the day filled with games, crazy ball, entertainment and a family beach BBQ. Spectators are invited to join in the round robin cricket game or if you prefer to watch there is plenty of golden sand to relax on and soak up the atmosphere and sun, with any luck! The event is open to all and best of all is free.

Padstow Vintage Rally

Padstow Vintage Rally celebrates its 25th year this year. Taking place on the 6th to 8th July you will find live entertainment in the beer tent as well as the beer festival. during the day entertainment will take place in the main ring and at stands around the field. This year entertainment includes The Drakes of Hazard, Ben Potters vulture show, Dingle Fingle Comedy Clown show, children’s entertainment and a rare breeds corner. you will also find craft stalls and Cornish food stands.

Bodmin Riding and Heritage festival

On the 7th & 8th July Bodmin Town celebrates its historical past with a festival that dates back to medieval times It includes a specially written performance in which the infamous Beast of Bodmin Moor gets his just deserts. The fearsome beast is captured by the rowdy helliers and brought to trail in a rebellious tour through Cornish history and myth. The procession of St Petroc’s bones, colourful street bands, children’s dances and other entertainment makes an exciting day out.

Newquay Carnival

The annual Lion walking carnival takes place on Sunday 8th July in Newquay. This years theme is “My Newquay” and parades through Newquay town centre starting at Sainsburys at 6pm. The parade with its range of colourful costumes and outfits continues through the town centre towards the Barrowfields for a wonderful finale of music, food and drink.

Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay.

There are lots of top quality movies coming to the big screen this summer and Newquay’s fantastic state of the art cinema is a great place to enjoy them with its latest 3D and digital surround sound for you viewing pleasure. The cinema has only been open since 2011 and has 4 screens, 2 on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor. Also on the ground floor you will find the box office, concession areas and a small licensed bar.

The Lighthouse Cinema

The Lighthouse also offers live entertainment and has a fantastic array of comedy nights. The next confirmed night is the 29th June and includes Will Hodgson from “Russell Howard’s Good News” and Dan Mitchell from “Show Me The Funny”. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are available from the Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay.

The Eden Project

With the rain making a regular appearance in Cornwall this June, it is nice to be somewhere warm and dry, so where could be better than the great Biomes at the Eden Project. Eden is only a short drive from our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach and with our special discount it is a great day out. There is so much to see and do, one day might not be enough luckily after your first visit Eden offers you a years free membership.

Eden Rainforest

You can trek through the worlds steamy rainforests in the largest jungle in captivity, complete with luscious tropical plants, a huge crashing waterfall and a canopy lookout. Or stroll past lemon and olive trees in the Mediterranean Biome and delight in the colorful sensory journey through the warm temperate regions of the world. Or take a visit to the Core education center and learn about everything from evolution to ecosystems to climate change.

Eden Sessions

You will also find fabulous live entertainment as Eden launches a serious of one day music festivals on the 23rd June. Popular with top name artists for its natural acoustics, this years line-up includes Tim Minchin, Example, Chase & Status and Noah and the Whale. For the full line up and to book tickets just visit the Eden Project website. The Eden Project is not to be missed.

Our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach make the perfect base for getting out and about to some excellent events being held in Cornwall this June. All these events are just a short drive from our villas and easy to find.

The Miracle Theatre

The Miracle Theatre presents the “Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde as its summer performance. The Miracle Theatre began life in Cornwall in the late 70′s, and has developed a reputation for exciting new writing and popular adaptations of classic works. The company has been touring the UK for 30 years and is one of Cornwall’s most distinctive voices. June venues include Fairfield Plen-an-Gwary, Redruth on the 14th June, Indian Queens Pit on the June 15th and Trebah Gardens Beach on June 20th & 21st.

Sterts Theatre

Book quickly to hear Irish Folk singer Cara Dillon at the magical Sterts Arts centre set in the beautiful landscape of Bodmin Moor on the 23rd June. Whether she is singing her native songs of lost love and emigration or their original compositions you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performance. What could be more perfect than a picnic on the lawn or dinner in the cafe and a drink from the bar before taking your seat in the magnificent 400 seat amphitheatre.

Golowan Cornish Festival

Golowan is the festival so good the Victorians banned it. In the 19th century celebrations for the feast day of St John the Baptist in Penzance – bonfires, giant torches, the election of a disreputable mock major – were considered too rowdy. The tradition was revived in 1991 and is still going strong today. The festival runs from the 16th-24th June and will feature music, comedy, storytelling and drama. The National Trust will launch Trust in Song, connecting young people with the outdoors through songwriting and on the 24th June Penzance will host the GOlympics where you can try your hand at Cornish welding or take part in a pasty on a spoon race.

National Maritime Museum

The Breton exhibition explores the connection between Cornish and French fishing communities through a stunning collection of black and white photography. These images have never been exhibited before and draw on a rare collection taken by Oliver Hill in Newlyn in the early 20th Century. The exhibition shows the the strong link between these two communities and how smuggling, fishing and clandestine wartime escapes made it last so long. Taking place at the National Maritime Museum the exhibition runs until the 15th July.

Bandsman Festival

First held in 1912 the west of England’s bandsman’s festival celebrates its centenary on Saturday 16th June. This open air contest is the only one in the world to be awarded a royal trophy, presented in the in 1913 by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall. Competing bands march through the village of Bugle to the bandstand at the start of the day and march back in the evening with the winners proudly showing their trophies. Take a picnic and enjoy the unique atmosphere of one of the most famous brass band contests in the world.

Watergate Bay

Celebrate the Cornish coastline in song on the 15th June at Watergate Bay. The big sing involves school community choirs from across Cornwall and was inspired by playwright Nick Drake. The Cornwall youth dance company will also perform and there will be delicious food and drink on sale as well as huge bonfire. This free event starts at 6pm and will be compared by Daphne Skinners from BBC Cornwall. This is your chance to experience first hand the fun of singing with others to welcome in the summer season and celebrate the glories of the North coast of Cornwall. Like sport singing brings people together from different generations, backgrounds and places to share in the Joy of making music.

The Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge.

For 3 days, from the 7th June the showground in Wadebridge becomes a living town bustling with life, agriculture, entertainment and trade. It is one of the biggest events in the Cornish calender with 130,000 attending. First held in 1793, the show is one of the last major agricultural shows in the UK.  The show includes loads of stalls selling food and drink straight from the suppliers, entertainment, livestock judging, wonderful floral displays, crafts, health &
beauty and a motor fair – There is something
for all the family.

Show jumping at the Royal Cornwall Show

Her Royal highness the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting the show on the opening day. The show is very well attended so the advice is to get there early. The show ground is very easy to get to from our self catering villas on Atlantic Reach, just a short drive along the A39 and with ample free parking outside all our villas it is the perfect location to base yourself for this wonderful 3 day event. *Book now for some fantastic late availability discounts.*