Winter Cornwall

Start the new year in Cornwall

After the indulgence of Christmas, there’s nothing quite like an exhilarating break in West Cornwall to blow away the cobwebs and kickstart your New Year’s Resolutions.

What to do in Cornwall in January

Whether you want to make 2023 the year you spend more time outdoors, learn a new skill or take a break from social media, here’s how you can spend a rejuvenating weekend in the Penzance area.

Please check the opening hours and booking information with the venues and experience providers before travelling.

Find a trail that fascinates you

According to YouGov, of the many New Year’s Resolutions we committed to last year, doing more exercise was the most popular. If you’re keen to start a health kick in 2023, West Cornwall has plenty of inspiring walks and fresh sea air to tempt you to get out there.

The promenade at Penzance follows the seafront from Jubilee Pool to Newlyn with views of St Michael’s Mount. It’s flat enough to walk, run or roller skate along – you can even listen to an augmented reality story as you stroll. Alternatively, you could walk along the coastal path to Marazion, where you’ll find Gwelen, a site-specific art installation inspired by the ancient forest submerged in the bay. 

Feed your imagination

The winter months can leave us all feeling a little uninspired, so it’s the perfect time of year to squeeze in a cultural escape. You’ll find plenty of experiences to lift your spirits in the Penzance area, including vineyard and distillery tours, galleries and exhibition spaces.

If you want to plan a creative day out, these cultural itineraries are a great place to start. It’s also worth noting that from January 18th, Penlee House will be showcasing a new exhibition called ‘Penlee Inspired’, featuring work created by local residents.

Start the new year with a new skill

If you’d like to try a more hands-on break, take your creative side out of hibernation with a workshop or art class.

You could head out onto the coast paths of Penwith for an art and hiking workshop with Oliver West (he also offers classes at his garden studio). There are plenty of indoor courses and workshops to choose from too, including relief printmaking at Lee Stevenson’s studio and courses at the Newlyn School of Art. 

Do good to feel good

Perhaps you’re keen to do more volunteering in 2023? From participating in local beach cleans and events from Plastic Free Penzance to supporting wildlife conservation charities, there are so many ways to get involved with local community groups here in Penzance. Find out more in these itineraries, which are designed to inspire sustainable breaks.

Swap Tweets for birdsong

Of those of us making resolutions last year, 16% wanted to use less social media. In West Cornwall, you can swap Snapchat for stonechats and reconnect with the natural world. You could even use your break to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, which starts on January 27th.

Marazion Marsh is Cornwall’s largest reedbed and a known wintering site for bitterns. But even if you aren’t a birdwatching enthusiast, it’s hard not to be mesmerised by a murmuration of starlings. While they don’t happen every winter, it’s possible to see thousands of the little birds returning to the reedbed to roost. Find out more here.

Make time to unwind

Finally, a New Year’s Resolution we can all get behind. If you’re prioritising your mental health and wellbeing in 2023, then West Cornwall is a wonderful place to start your self-care journey.

You could enjoy a mindful moment searching for sea glass on Marazion beach or visit the geothermally heated section of Jubilee Pool to enjoy the thrill of open-air swimming without the chill. 

Experience West Cornwall in January

Visit Penzance out of season and step into an adventure. If you’re planning a winter visit to West Cornwall, this collection of inspiring itineraries will help you to plan a brilliant off-season escape.