Planning a trip to Cornwall at Easter? You’ll find that Easter in Cornwall is a lovely time to visit, the days are warmer, the evenings lighter and there are plenty of local events to keep the whole family entertained.
Looking to find things to do in Cornwall over the Easter holidays? Rock Cottage is perfectly placed just outside Padstow to make the most of all the Easter events in Cornwall. Relax in our cosy cottage and enjoy a drink or BBQ in our sun-trap garden, or stroll to the 2 village pubs for a lovely meal out. I’ve written out a few ideas below to get you started but there are so many egg-citing things to do in Cornwall that you can be certain that everyone will be kept busy at Easter.
School Easter holidays run locally from 31st March to 16th April [although it might be slightly different where you are] – we have a variety of short breaks or week long stays available.
Here are our Top 8 things to do at Easter in Cornwall:
1. Experience Easter at the Eden Project
Get involved with all the Easter activities planned at the Eden Project this Spring from 1st to 16th April 2023 [tickets go on sale from 2nd March, booking is recommended]. From Easter egg hunts and trails to live music, there is a lot going on. Take part in 4 challenges and then make your way to the pick-and-mix station for a prize! And of course the magnificent gardens will be full of spring flowers! Located near St Austell and approximately a 40 minute drive from Rock Cottage. Take a look at their website to learn all about Easter at Eden and to book your tickets. Booking will be essential.
Tickets can be booked here
2. Easter Egg Hunts!
Chocolate eggs! Hurray! Everyone needs to have a chocolate egg hunt at Easter time and luckily the Easter Bunny has been busy hopping all over Cornwall leaving lots of chocolate eggs for you to find. The National Trust Easter egg hunt has become a annual tradition here and you’ll find accurate information on their website. The local National Trust properties include Lanhydrock, Trerice and Trelissick. Let the children and the dogs run wild in the Easter Holidays in Cornwall and explore some of the very best National Trust properties.
If visiting Lanhydrock, your children might enjoy climbing in the big play park or if they are anything like ours, they’ll enjoy climbing the trees and fallen logs across the parkland even more! The Easter Egg trail sheet at Lanhydrock costs £3 and includes an Easter Egg prize, the trail is available from 10.30am until 5.30pm from 1st April. Hop, race and hula-hoop your way through Lanhydrock’s beautiful gardens. Can you find the old Thatched Cottage which has been transformed into a House of Games especially for Easter? Learn how the Victorians celebrated Easter.
3. Get on your bike and cycle the Camel Trail
At last the weather is getting better! Spring weather in Padstow usually brings sunshine so get on your bike or strap on your walking boots and get out into the fresh Cornish air and explore the Camel Trail. The Camel Trail is a multi-user path along the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Bodmin along a disused railway line. The path is generally level and made of tarmac so provides an easy cycling and walking surface. The path is barely a couple of miles from the front door of Rock Cottage.
You can bring your own bikes and store them in our bike shed [we recommend bringing your own padlock & check your insurance] or why not hire bikes? Bikes can be hired for all ages and abilities from both Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin. You will find a wide choice of bike styles, including baby seats and toddler trailers, dog crates on wheels as well as helmets and everything you need for a fun day out on the trail. Some of the companies even deliver the bikes to Rock Cottage so you can cycle from the door!
The Camel Trail benefits from outstanding estuary views along the length of the trail from Padstow to Wadebridge, and then enjoy the countryside and some beautiful Spring flowers along the stretch from Wadebridge to Bodmin. If you are lucky the carpets of bluebells will be flowering in the woodlands surrounding the Camel Trail.
Lunch? There are plenty of picnic spots with a view [including picnic benches] along the route. Why not pack up a picnic using the picnic set at Rock Cottage? We like to pick up pasties from one of the pasty shops in Padstow and take them with us. Or why not enjoy fish and chips from Steins takeaway and sit and eat with a sea view! There is something really special about fish and chips by the sea. There are some delightful cafes near Bodmin serving Cornish cream teas [take a look at our page on the proper Cornish way!] or if you are in need of some liquid refreshment you can cycle direct to the Camel Valley Vineyard from the Camel Trail. I recommend a “flight of fizz”….
4. Dine out for Easter Lunch
Everyone knows it wouldn’t be Easter without a proper Easter lunch. For a proper roast dinner you can’t do much better than our very own Pickwick Inn just a short stroll from Rock Cottage. Booking is essential and don’t forget to book in the bar if you are bringing your dog [you can book online on their website]. If you are dining in the restaurant then you will benefit from the most amazing views over the countryside towards Padstow and the Doom Bar. The food is excellent too!
If you are out and about then how about the Cornish Arms in St Merryn? A short drive from Rock Cottage and one of Rick Stein’s Pubs, it serves a great roast. Booking online is recommended.
And of course you have all the wonderful seafood options from Rick Steins to Paul Ainsworth to Fish & Chips – there is something for everyone. Booking is strongly recommended.
5. Eggs-plore the beach or catch a crab
There are so many beaches to explore locally, you’ll find one for every day of the week. There is a reason they refer to the local area as 7 bays for 7 days! Most beaches are dog friendly too, you might find our Dog Information Page helpful or this guide to seasonal beaches for dogs.
Bring your bucket and spade and get digging. The local Cornish beaches have lovely soft yellow sand for digging and are perfect for sand castles. We have some buckets and spades to borrow in the cottage outhouse, and a crabbing set too.
Why not try bodyboarding or surfing? You’ll find lots of places to hire boards and give it a go, or book in for a lesson to really get you off on the right foot. Harlyn Bay is about a 10 minute drive and you’ll find a surf school and surf hire available here.
If you have little ones you might like to have a go at rock pooling or crabbing? For the best information on crabbing in Padstow take a look at our blog page for everything you need to know to have a successful experience.
6 . Savour locally made Easter artisan treats – not just chocolate!
Cornwall is a hub of locally made artisan foods, from Kernow Chocolate to pasties you can spend a happy time sampling food from across the region. Baker Tom’s bread is a local bakery making and selling beautiful breads and pastries. Have you tried a Kernow Curl? I particularly like their sourdough and their rosemary focaccia so give them a try if you are passing by. At Easter, Baker Tom makes some wonderful Hot Cross Buns which are available to order either locally to Rock Cottage, nationally by post or just pop into his shop in Wadebridge and pick some up for a traditional Good Friday treat.
Maybe Easter chocolate isn’t for you? We have several shops around the harbour in Padstow selling locally made fudge, maybe the perfect chocolate alternative? Buttermilk Shop just off the harbour also sells a selection of dairy-free and vegan Easter treats. It’s best to go in person and see the huge selection they have but if you want a quick online look then their website has a peek at their products.
7. Walk [off the Easter lunch] along the South West Coast Path [SWCP]
The best way to make the most of the unique Cornish coastline is along the SWCP, treat yourselves to stunning Cornish vistas and stretch your legs along the path. The SWCP runs completely around the coast of Cornwall and lots of information can be found on their website. Plan your perfect route from short walks to whole day hikes. The website allows to search walks by location and there are lots that include Padstow so take a look. We have had several sets of guests that are walking part of the SWCP and are aiming to complete the whole 630 mile route! Don’t forget to take some Easter treats with you to keep your energy up, or there are some lovely cafes along the way. The perfect rest stop for tired legs.
8. Easter Extravaganza at Camel Creek Adventure Park
Camel Creek Adventure park is just around the corner from Rock Cottage and is an egg-citing day out for little ones. Meet and groom the ponies, say hi to the Meerkats, ride the child-friendly roller-coasters and rides. A huge indoor soft play keeps everyone busy no matter what the Cornish weather brings! A special visitors will be making scheduled appearances over the Easter Holidays. Meet the minions or maybe story time with Bing? Tickets can be booked online and full information can be found on their website.
Looking for your perfect Easter holiday accommodation in Cornwall?
You are in the right place. Find your ideal holiday cottage near Padstow here. Take a look at Rock Cottage, nestled in the centre of Saint Issey village just outside Padstow. Sleeping 4 in a king & twin room, with modern facilities but cosy cottage features, you’ll find Rock Cottage a home from home. Walking distance to 2 village pubs, dog friendly and perfectly placed within easy reach of Padstow, Port Isaac, lots of beaches and all Cornwall has to offer. Prices and availability can be checked on our website www.rockcottagepadstow.com
What's on at Easter in Cornwall?
20 Things to do in Cornwall for Easter 2023.
The Easter Bunny Dog Race. ... .
Spring Flower Show. ... .
The Polperro Wreckers. ... .
Easter Crafts. ... .
Egg Rolling at Padstow. ... .
Easter Beach Clean. ... .
Dolly Dunking. ... .
Easter Feasting..
Is Cornwall busy in Easter?
The towns and villages start to bustle again with tourists and it's a wonderful vibe. The presence of the Easter holidays does mean that it can be a little busier if you visit then, but it's nowhere near as busy as it gets in the summer so don't let that put you off.
What is on in Cornwall April 2023?
Bude Food Festival | 10th April..
Rattler Fest | 21st April – 22nd April..
Porthleven Food Festival | 21st – 23rd April..
Trevithick Day | 29th April..
Fowey Festival of Arts & Literature | 12th – 20th May..
St Ives Food & Drink Festival | 12th – 14th May..
Tunes in the Dunes | 12th – 14th May..
Callington May Fest | 13th May..
What do you do on Easter weekend?
There are also plenty of ideas that make the most of the spring weather, including planting flowers, playing sports, and having a picnic. After devouring your favorite Easter recipes for dinner, unwind by watching some family-friendly Easter movies and munching on bunny-shaped Easter desserts.