Top Things to Do on a New Year’s Break in Padstow, Cornwall
Updated on 11 December 2024
Padstow is an idyllic location for a New Year’s break in Cornwall. With its top restaurants, pubs and events, it’s the perfect place to celebrate and have fun. It’s also a beautiful and inspiring place to work off the mince pies with blustery beach walks, sea dips and surfing, as well as start new resolutions and rejuvenate for the coming year.
While you can squirrel away in a seaside cottage and light the fire, there’s plenty of events and activities beckoning you to spend New Year in style. Here are some of our favourite things to do on a New Year’s Break in Padstow, from fine dining feasts to coastal capers.
Work off Christmas on a Coastal Stomp
Blast away on Christmas cobwebs on a walk along the coastal trail. Follow the path out of Padstow to Stepper Point or venture over the estuary for a wintry walk across The Rumps and Pentire Point – a wild, wave-lashed promontory just north of Polzeath. Once the sea air’s whipped a rosy glow to your cheeks, retreat to the cosy setting of the National Trust’s Pentyr Café and warm your cockles by the fire. On 5 January, they will be toasting the apple tree spirits here in a traditional Wassail celebration, accompanied by Morris dancers.
Walking at the Rumps near Polzeath. Photo by Elliot Walker
Book a Table at a Padstow Restaurant
With so many wonderful places to wine and dine in Padstow, the big question is where to eat your last meal of 2024, or your first meal of 2025? Will it be a four-course gala dinner at Stein’s famous Seafood Restaurant, fine dining at Ainsworth’s Number 6 or a family feast at Trevisker’s Kitchen? Make sure you book as soon as possible, as foodies love to flock to Padstow over New Year.
Photo courtesy of the Seafood Restaurant
Get into the Spirit of Things at a Local Pub
If merrymaking is more your style than fine food and drink, then join in the New Year’s celebrations in a traditional Cornish pub. Head down to any of the pubs in Padstow and there’s bound to be a party in full swing. Our personal favourites are the London Inn and Shipwrights, just along the quay from Harbour Holidays HQ. Or, if you prefer to see in the New Year in a cosy country inn, head to The St Tudy Inn, where you’ll find live music and a log fire.
Photo courtesy of the Shipwrights
Go for a New Year’s Day Swim or Surf
You can’t come to Cornwall without at least dipping your toes in the sea. You could go the whole hog and join one of the mass New Year dips held at local beaches from Polzeath to Padstow, or make it your year to take up surfing and hit the waves at Harlyn or Constantine on New Year’s Day.
See New Year in with a Bang at a Fireworks Display
See 2025 in with a bang by watching a spectacular fireworks display from Padstow Harbour. The midnight sky will be bursting with dazzling colour, creating a magical spectacle as the fireworks reflect on the water below. Other magnificent New Year fireworks displays in Cornwall include St Ives, Newquay and Looe.
Spectacular New Year fireworks display in Looe, Cornwall.
Join a Fancy Dress Party
In coastal towns throughout Cornwall, there’s a tradition to dress up in fancy dress on New Year’s Eve. The largest fancy dress parties take place in Newquay and St Ives, where revellers parade through the streets in characterful and elaborate costumes as they move between pubs, bars and nightclubs.
New Year in the City of Truro
Cornwall’s only city goes big for New Year, so it’s the place to head if you’re big on parties. The biggest event to bring in 2025 is the prestigious Cathedral Masquerade, a spectacular masked ball, with a silent disco, light shows and aerial acrobatics in the mighty cathedral. If you don’t fancy black tie and ball gowns, there’s plenty more going on, from live music at the Ole Ale House to a six-course dinner at The Alverton.
Go Ice Skating at Eden Project
Get your skates on for fun on the ice below the biomes at the Eden Project. Each year, this attraction’s event space is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can enjoy festive food and drink as well as skating on the seasonal ice rink. Afterwards you can warm up with a walk around the tropical biome and explore the exotic plants and trees from all over the world.
Bring in the New Year in your Cosy Coastal Cottage
If you don’t fancy partying, feasting or braving the blustery winter weather, why not see in the New Year from the comfort of your coastal holiday cottage? Conjure up a feast with local ingredients or hire a private chef, and toast at midnight with fizz from the local Camel Valley vineyard. Personally, it’s our favourite way to spend New Year in Cornwall.
Book Your New Year’s Break in Cornwall
If you fancy a holiday or short break in Cornwall over the New Year period, take a look at our wonderful collection of holiday homes and cottages. We have a fantastic range of cottages in Padstow and self catering properties nearby. Simply check availability and book online. Please get in touch if you need help deciding where to stay for your New Year’s break.