Cornwall has a particular magic at Christmas. The beaches are quieter, fishing harbours sparkle with Christmas lights and country pubs with roaring fires serve cosy seasonal menus. It is a slower, more atmospheric side of Cornwall and a wonderful place to gather family and friends for a Christmas break or New Year holiday.
Hidden in the Cornish countryside near Fowey and Lostwithiel, Boconnoc offers beautiful self-catering accommodation (sleeping 4 to 19 guests) for Christmas in Cornwall, surrounded by historic parkland, ancient woodland, and peaceful gardens.
You can spend crisp winter mornings exploring woodland walks, afternoons beside open fires and evenings gathered around the table for long festive dinners. Each of our holiday properties will be decorated for Christmas, complete with a Christmas tree and, beneath it, complimentary Camel Valley sparkling wine as a festive gift from Boconnoc.
For families and groups looking for a Christmas holiday house in Cornwall, Boconnoc offers the space and privacy to celebrate together, while some of Cornwall’s loveliest towns, beaches, restaurants and Christmas events are within easy reach.
If you are planning a Christmas break in Cornwall, here are some of our favourite festive things to do during your stay.
Christmas Events in Cornwall
One of the joys of spending Christmas at Boconnoc is that many of the best Christmas events in Cornwall are less than an hour away, making it easy to combine quiet days on the estate with festive trips out. There are also concerts and wreath making events at Boconnoc see all Boconnoc events.
Fowey Christmas Market – approximately 20 minutes
One of Cornwall’s best-loved festive weekends, Fowey transforms for Christmas with artisan stalls, live music, choirs, street entertainment and independent shops opening late.
With its narrow streets tumbling towards the harbour, Fowey is particularly atmospheric in winter and makes a lovely addition to a Christmas holiday in Cornwall.
Christmas at the Eden Project – approximately 30 minutes
The Eden Project transforms each winter for its Christmas celebrations, with seasonal activities, festive food, and spectacular surroundings.
A visit to Eden is an excellent option for families spending Christmas in Cornwall, particularly when you want to combine a day out with the extraordinary experience of stepping from a Cornish winter into the warmth of the Rainforest Biome.
The National Trust’s Cotehele is renowned for one of Cornwall’s most beautiful traditional Christmas displays. Its historic interiors are decorated for the season, with the famous 60-foot flower garland forming the centrepiece of its celebrations.
It is a particularly lovely day out for anyone looking to experience a more traditional Cornish Christmas.
Christmas at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Winter brings a different atmosphere to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Crisp days are perfect for exploring the gardens, while the Heligan Night Garden transforms the estate after dark with thousands of lights and more than 20 handcrafted lanterns.
Discover the remarkable story of Cornish humanitarian, pacifist and campaigner Emily Hobhouse at her beautifully restored childhood home.
The Victorian Rectory and War Rooms bring her life and work vividly to life, and you can pair the experience with food inspired by 19th-century South African heritage.
Cosy Pubs Near Boconnoc for a Festive Meals
A winter break in Cornwall isn’t complete without a long lunch in a country pub. Here are some of our favourite pubs near Boconnoc for seasonal food, local ales, and a warm welcome after a winter walk.
One of Cornwall’s prettiest riverside pubs, serving seasonal food in a cosy setting overlooking the creek. Combine lunch with a walk through the beautiful village of Lerryn and along the river.
A waterside pub overlooking the River Fowey, known for fresh seafood, local ales and spectacular estuary views.
A traditional Cornish inn serving local produce in the heart of the historic stannary town of Lostwithiel, just a short drive from Boconnoc.
A relaxed local favourite offering pub classics, local beers and a friendly welcome.
Winter Walks in Cornwall
One of the greatest pleasures of a Christmas holiday in Cornwall is wrapping up warm and heading outdoors. Winter brings quiet footpaths, dramatic skies and beaches that can feel almost entirely your own.
From Boconnoc you can enjoy woodland walks through the estate, riverside walks around Lerryn, coastal walks around Fowey and Polruan and longer adventures along the South West Coast Path.
The coastline is particularly beautiful in winter, with changing skies, dramatic seas and wonderful winter light. Return to Boconnoc afterwards for tea – or something stronger – beside the fire.
Christmas and New Year’s Day Sea Swims in Cornwall
Feeling brave? A festive sea swim has become something of a Cornish Christmas and New Year tradition.
Readymoney Cove, Fowey
Around 20 minutes from Boconnoc, Readymoney Cove is a beautiful spot for a winter dip. Sheltered by the surrounding headland, the sandy cove sits just outside Fowey and is a lovely place for a Christmas or New Year’s Day walk even if you decide to keep your coat firmly on.
Polkerris Beach
Another lovely option is Polkerris, a sheltered bay on the south Cornwall coast with places nearby to warm up afterwards. It is also a beautiful destination for a winter beach walk.
Large Christmas Holiday Accommodation in Cornwall
Christmas is often the one time of year when everyone wants to be together, which makes finding the right large holiday accommodation in Cornwall particularly important.
At Boconnoc, you can book our self-catering houses and cottages to create a wonderfully private setting for family Christmas holidays, group Christmas breaks, and New Year celebrations in Cornwall.
Gather generations of family under one roof, bring together friends who rarely get enough time together or simply escape somewhere peaceful for the festive season.
Cook together in beautifully equipped kitchens, linger over Christmas dinner around generous dining tables and spend the days exploring the surrounding countryside before returning to open fires and the comfort of your own private house.
Spend Christmas and New Year at Boconnoc
A Christmas break at Boconnoc is less about rushing between commitments and more about slowing down, reconnecting and spending time together.
Here, Christmas mornings can begin with a walk through the Cornish countryside, afternoons can be spent exploring Fowey, Lostwithiel and the coast, and evenings can unfold around the table and beside the fire.
For anyone searching for Christmas holiday cottages in Cornwall, a large holiday home for a family Christmas, or somewhere special for a New Year break in Cornwall, Boconnoc offers the space, privacy and atmosphere to make the festive season feel like a genuine escape.
If you are dreaming of spending Christmas or New Year in Cornwall, surrounded by countryside, woodland and the people you love, we would be delighted to welcome you to Boconnoc.