Winter’s over and now’s the perfect time to get out and explore Cornwall’s beautiful coast and countryside. From gardens to explore and festivals to enjoy, check out our 10 fabulous things to do in Cornwall in spring 2022.

Please check with individual venues for their Covid-19 policy and book ahead to avoid disappointment.

1. Visit a Cornish tea plantation

Despite Britain’s passion for coffee, a lot of us still love a traditional cuppa. If tea is your thing, head to Tregothnan near Truro,  which produces the only inherently British tea. The estate is stunningly beautiful, boasting the largest tea gardens in Europe, on the banks of the River Fal at Halwyn. The sheer scale of the landscape is breathtaking. Book a river garden tour, a tea school masterclass or tea growers guide. There are also loads of workshops and courses to try, from beekeeping to gardening. For true tea aficionados, the three-day single estate experience allows you to create your own signature blend.

2. Go on a bluebell walk

You don’t get much more of a magical Cornish spring experience than strolling through sun-dappled, bluebell-carpeted woods. Bluebells generally flower in April and May, and National Trust properties are the places to head to for bluebells and blossom – our favourites are Lanhydrock, Trelissick, Antony, Cotehele, Godolphin and Trerice. Check the website for details of how to book tickets.

3. Cycle traffic free on the Clay Trails

We’ve all heard of the Camel Trail but family-friendly cycling can also be found on the Clay Trails, a network of short walking, cycling and horse riding trails through mid-Cornwall’s china clay country. The 12-mile series of off-road routes around St Austell takes in the Eden Project and a section to Wheal Martyn Country Park. For more traffic-free cycle routes in Cornwall, check out sustrans.org.uk.

4. Walk the coast path …

Mild, sunny spring weather is ideal for channelling your inner Raynor Winn and tramping the South West Coast Path. In her book, The Salt Path, Raynor finds herself as she walks some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, past shapeshifting seas and smugglers’ coves,  taking in stunning wildlife and wide open skies. You don’t need to walk the entire coastline, of course – choose a section near your holiday cottage and embrace the life-affirming benefits only a coastal walk can bring.

5. … or try coasteering

If you love striding around the South West Coast Path and wonder what it would be like to scramble about on the actual coastline, then coasteering is for you. A high-adrenalin take on the coastal walk, it involves jumping off cliffs, swimming and clambering over rocks. There are coasteering centres all over Cornwall – find the nearest one to your Cornish holiday cottage here.

6. Lose yourself in a garden

Cornwall’s warm and mild climate means it has some of the most stunning gardens in the country, and many are opening their gates to visitors again this spring after a long lockdown. Head to the Eden Project, St Austell, for family fun. If you are on blossom watch, visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell, from 5 March to see the camellias and rhododendrons put on their dazzling spring performance; Trewidden Gardens, Penzance, for magnolias and camellias; Caerhays Castle Gardens, Gorran, St Austell, home to a national magnolia collection; and Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, for 100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias.

7. Follow an Easter egg trail

Once again, the National Trust rides to the rescue of parents of bored children everywhere. Easter egg trails are a great way to keep the kids entertained for a few hours during the Easter holidays, as they can get involved in some fun activities, let off steam outside and take in the nature around them. The promise of chocolate at the end helps, too. Find out which beautiful Cornish properties are participating here.

8. Go on a Cornish vineyard tour and tasting

Mmm, now the evenings are lighter and the air is warmer, there’s nothing better than sitting outside your Cornish holiday cottage with a glass of something chilled – and local. Cornwall’s temperate climate is ideal for growing grapes and there are several vineyards you can visit and sample the local tipple. Camel Valley near Bodmin is best known for its sparkling wines. Check out Trevibban Mill near Padstow for a collection of stunning wines and ciders, Knightor Winery for foodie weekends and space for children to play, Polgoon Vineyard for tours and tastings near Penzance and Bosue Vineyard near St Austell for artisan, off-the-beaten-track wines. Cheers!

9. Soak up the atmosphere at a Cornish festival

Keep your fingers crossed for lots of events making their return for 2022, but here is one Cornish festival to get you off to a flying start. Set off with an empty stomach to Porthleven Food Festival on 22nd – 24 April 2022 for a mouthwatering weekend celebrating Cornish produce. This free festival sees top chefs, local food and drink providers, musicians and entertainers line the historic harbour of Porthleven.

10. Get in the sea!

Warmer weather and calm seas mean now’s the time to pull on your swimmers and go for a refreshing dip. Whether you want to opt for a quick swim or to pull on a wetsuit, grab a board and play in the waves, there are countless secluded coves and surfing beaches to choose from. We have lots of ideas of where to go wild swimming in Cornwall, a great lowdown on the best Cornish surf schools if you’d like to learn to surf, plus our five best places to try stand-up paddleboarding.