Autumn is a great time of year to visit St Ives and Carbis Bay. The nights are drawing in, giving you the perfect excuse to cuddle up with loved ones in one of our cosy holiday properties. Blustery beach walks to blow the cobwebs away are a must, with the added bonus of an indulgent pub lunch afterwards to warm up.
Plus, there are loads of seasonally spooky events and activities to keep everyone entertained in the run up to Halloween. Here’s our round up of five fantastic things to do in St Ives and Carbis Bay as autumn sets in.
Explore St Ives’ paranormal past
Visiting St Ives in the weeks before Halloween? Fancy finding out about the area’s creepy pirates, spooky smugglers and mysterious mariners of years gone by? Why not do it with a theatrical twist, on a fantastic walking tour of the town!
Join acclaimed storyteller Shanty Baba on his Lantern Ghost Storywalk as he lights his hurricane lantern to show you “the darker side of St Ives”. You’ll be taken to the most haunted places in the town, including spooky alleyways where “the dead are restless”, graveyards where paranormal and supernatural activity is still said to be witnessed today, and parts of the town where “dark deeds have happened”. Shanty Baba promises it to be “a night that will haunt you for a very long time”!
Shanty Baba has been enthralling and delighting visitors to St. Ives for the last twenty years. He not only has spooky stories to tell, but also offers historical and Cornish folklore tours of the area.
Stay at: One of the oldest cottages in St Ives, Norway Cottage is packed with historic ambience.
Fun for all the family on Bonfire Night
At The Badger Inn in Lelant, a Bonfire Halloween Night on 28th October promises all the seasonal feels. A fancy dress competition for the little ones will be followed by a bonfire and fireworks (weather dependent). All together the evening is guaranteed to give you that cosy autumn vibe!
Burgers and hot dogs, plus mulled cider will be on-hand to warm you up, plus all proceeds go to Children’s Hospice South West so it’s for a great cause too.
Stay at: After a lovely family outing, head the short distance home to The Count House, where in the cosy lounge the wood burner is just waiting to be lit…
Visit a wooded wonderland!
Rogue Otherworld will be performing their ever popular Dead of Night Dance again this year, described as a “wild magic treat, with theatre, laughter, music, thrills, frights, delights and dancing.” 2022 dates are Friday the 21st to Tuesday 25th October. Performances take place in Tehidy Woods, North Cliffs, which is situated between Portreath and Gwithian (a 20 minute drive from St Ives) on the B3301.
Suitable for all ages, this immersive theatrical event takes you on a winding journey through the woods as you experience the magic of the spirits within. Fancy dress is encouraged for a truly enchanting experience for all the family!
Stay at: At Lily’s Cottage you’ll be right in the atmospheric heart of old St Ives. A great location for an autumn break.
Pick your own pumpkins
Located just a few miles from the beautiful shores of Carbis Bay Beach, Splattenridden Farm is the ideal spot to spend the day roaming across the fields with the kids and selecting your perfect pumpkins. They welcome well-behaved dogs and have a range of pumpkins available in multiple sizes!
Stay at: With easy access to autumnal delights in the countryside around St Ives, Carbis Bay & Lelant, Old Court House is a lovely base for family stays.
Cuddle up to creepy crawlies
Once you’ve nabbed your own pumpkins, pop along to Paradise Park, a 10 minute drive down the road, and discover some eerie and fascinating facts on their half term Pumpkin Trail.
They have a whole host of Halloween activities throughout half term this year, including special appearances by Mark’s Ark with creepy crawly wildlife encounters! The park is home to over 1,200 birds, beautiful red pandas, rare red squirrels and very cute tiny harvest mice and farm animals. An ideal day out with young children!
Stay at: Handily located in Lelant, Old Court Cottage is an cosy, characterful cottage dating back to the 16th century.
Tuck into a hearty Sunday lunch
Porthminster Kitchen is a harbourside restaurant from the team behind Porthminster Beach Café. Set above the hustle and bustle of Wharf Road, Porthminster Kitchen offers delicious dishes alongside incredible panoramic views over the harbour itself.
Sunday lunch is served from 12-3pm alongside dishes from their usual menu, which brings together local produce and global flavours.
Stay at: At Skippers Loft you’ll be right in the heart of St Ives, and can enjoy stunning views without leaving bed!
Whether you’ve already booked a trip to St. Ives this October or are thinking of snapping up a last minute deal, we hope we’ve pointed you in the direction of some seasonal fun. Browse our full collection of great places to stay here, or feel free to contact our friendly, knowledgeable local team for personalised advice.
