20 Things To Do in Cornwall this Easter

We love Easter in Cornwall. Our sub-tropical climate means that spring breaks here before anywhere else in the UK, so even with the Easter Holidays falling earlier this year, the longer, warmer days will be upon us.

Add to that the gardens and clifftops bursting into colour, the ocean beginning to warm up after the winter freeze, and an array of egg-citing things to do – both outdoors and in.

Time then, to book your holiday cottage in Cornwall and tick off our top 20 things to do in Cornwall this Easter holidays.

1. Easter Egg Hunt on the Beach

Whether it’s the Easter bunny or Easter lobster that delivers your eggs, in Cornwall they do like to hide them on the beach. Which means family days with the sand between your toes, hunting high and low for chocolatey treats in the dunes, caves and rock pools. What better way to encourage the kids outside, soak up the sublime seaside scenery and work up an Easter appetite?

2. Easter Egg Hunt at Lanhydrock

Prefer to follow the clues on an organised Easter egg hunt? Families will love the Easter trails around the stunning National Trust gardens and estates throughout the Easter period. Our favourite spot local to Padstow is Lanhydrock, where you can hunt for clues through the magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons to win your chocolate egg reward.

3. Try Traditional Easter Egg Rolling

Decorated eggs have been rolled down Duke Street in Padstow on Easter Sunday morning for as long as anyone can remember. Bring your own hard-boiled egg and join in this traditional Easter event that provides fun for families and is an important fundraiser for the RNLI.

4. Dine Out for Easter Lunch

If you want to tuck into the taste of Cornwall with no effort whatsoever, book ahead and bag table at one of Padstow’s eminent eateries. If you’re hankering for a view, head to Greens of Padstow or cross the estuary to The Mariners. For a traditional roast in village pub ambience try Stein’s Cornish Arms, and for a special treat book early for the Michelin-starred Ainsworth at No.6.

5. Walk off your Easter Feast

What with all the chocolate eggs and Easter feasting, you’ll want to work up an appetite and work off your belly with some Easter walks in the glorious Cornish scenery. Before the sizzling summer days are upon us, spring’s milder climate is made for long walks along the South West Coast Path. Strike out west of Padstow to Stepper Point and a necklace of sandy bays, or follow in John Betjeman’s footsteps from Daymer Bay to Polzeath via St Enodoc.

6. Easter Quest at Pendennis Castle

If you want to get the steps in on an adventure that will enthral the whole family, head over the to south coast and take your walk on Falmouth’s Pendennis Headland. Here adventurers big and small will enjoy taking on a quest around picturesque Pendennis Castle. Hunt for clues, tackle challenges, discover traditional Easter games and be rewarded with chocolate treats.

7. Go Surfing in Cornwall

Ready to brave the waves this Easter? Yes, the water’s still a little chilly in spring, but this means that the line-ups are less crowded, making it the perfect time to learn to surf. Head to a local surf school such as KingSurf in Mawgan Porth or Waves in Harlyn, where – with toastie, high-tech wetsuits and all the accessories you need to keep you warm – you’ll barely notice the chill and be king of the waves in no time.

8. Go Alpaca Trekking on Bodmin Moor

If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land this Easter, why not enjoy the unique holiday experience of trekking across beautiful Bodmin Moor with cuddly alpacas? Inviting all ages to get out and experience the incredible moorland landscape with these fluffy companions, Alpaca Trekking Cornwall will take you on a memorable adventure, and you’ll also get a delicious cream tea at the end of the trek. Booking essential.

9. Catch an Easter Show at the Minack Theatre

Wrap up warm and take a seat in a wave’s edge amphitheatre for an alfresco theatre spectacle like no other. This Easter, at the Minack Theatre you can enjoy the thrilling drama of Carrie’s War, be serenaded by The People’s String Foundation or enjoy the slapstick comedy and tall tales of The Sea Show. Wild West Penwith is a must-visit in spring, even if you just come to step foot on Land’s End and visit the incredible cliff-top gardens of this spectacular venue.

10. Be a Pirate in Maritime Falmouth

Now we do love a day trip to Falmouth at anytime of year. What with its maritime heritage, thriving foodie scene and a buzzing, creative ambience. Aside from the castle and beaches, our favourite family attraction is the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where, this Easter, you can dive into the pirate era, as you immerse yourself in the digital world of the Sea of Thieves, land on Treasure Island, meet the man behind Long John Silver and discover the real pirates of the Caribbean.

11. Experience Easter at Eden

Take part in a host of indoor and outdoor games and activities for all ages at the Eden Project this Easter. Collect your Easter activity pack, loaded with adventures for the whole family to enjoy and get stuck into games designed to help you explore the great outdoors and witness all the beautiful signs of spring.

12. Listen to Music at the St Endellion Easter Festival

Tune into classical music and talks at the St Endellion Easter Festival in the beautiful setting of the 15th century Collegiate Church of St Endelienta. This year’s highlights include the choral evensong on Easter Sunday and late-night concerts with a more contemporary flavour. 

13. Visit Spring Animals on a Farm

Kids love seeing cute Easter animals such as lambs, chicks and bunnies, and there are plenty of farms around where you can see and even stroke these springtime creatures. The best place to visit in the Padstow area is Old Macdonald’s Farm near Porthcothan Bay – a family-friendly visitor attraction where children can pet and feed animals, enjoy pony rides, take a spin on the pedal kart track or ride a miniature train.

14. Spring into Nature at Newquay Zoo

Stroll from the African Savannah to Madagascar and enjoy close encounters with over 100 species of wildlife from all over the world at Newquay Zoo. Kids will love learning about creatures large and small, watching hands-on feeding sessions and zookeeper talks, and following an Easter-themed treasure trail. 

15. Get Active on a Coasteering Adventure

Fancy being fully immersed in the Cornish landscape on a thrilling adventure between land and sea? Be prepared for your knees to wobble and your heart to pound as you swim through gulleys, ride whirlpools, explore sea caves and jump into the sea from the cliffs. Cornish Rock Tors run coasteering trips for all ages and abilities, from easygoing routes for first-time families, to power coasteers (with the aid of a RIB boat) for extreme adrenaline junkies.

16. Freewheel along Cornwall’s Cycle Trails

There are a few better ways to explore the beautiful Cornish countryside than on two wheels. For families, there are numerous safe, off-road trails to enjoy in Cornwall, including the Camel Trail between Padstow and Wadebridge, the Bissoe Trail between Devoran and Portreath and mountain bike trails in Cardinham Woods.

17. Celebrate with Easter Fun at Wheal Martyn

A day trip to St Austell doesn’t have to mean the Eden Project. As well as sublime coves to visit on the south coast, you can step into Cornwall’s china clay mining past at the Wheal Martyn museum, where you can enjoy a range of creative springtime activities and craft events.

18. Explore the Beach

Cornish beaches are magical places to spend some time, no matter what the weather. If it’s sunny and warm you can spend long days stretched out on the sand and exploring rock pools, or try a bracing dip come rain or shine. The RNLI lifeguard service in operation from the Easter holidays, and we have some of the best beaches here in the Padstow area. Local favourites include Harlyn, Constantine and Treyarnon.

19. Have a Thrilling Time at a Theme Park

For a thrilling day out, families should check out Camel Creek Adventure Park near Padstow, which re-opens on 23 March with three brand new attractions themed around Cornwall’s famous myths and legends. Here you can enjoy exciting rides, an indoor play area, animal encounters and Easter activities. Meanwhile, Flambards in Helston offers guests some hair-raising rides as well as spectacular family entertainment every day of the Easter holidays. 

20. Cook an Easter Feast in Your Cornish Holiday Home

All of our holiday cottages in Cornwall are equipped with high-spec kitchens where you can whip up your own spectacular Easter feast. So why not visit Padstow Farm Shop or the wonderful Truro Farmers Market and get your hands on the finest Cornish produce to enjoy in your seaside abode? If the sun does decide to put its hat on, you could even roast a leg of Cornish lamb on the barbecue.

Book Your Easter Holiday Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for a large family cottage or a cosy bolthole for two, we offer a huge range of self-catering accommodation for a stylish Easter holiday by the seaside in Cornwall. All of our properties are fully decked out with mod cons for all ages, and well-equipped kitchens ready to roast your spring lamb with all the trimmings. 

Please use the availability search on our main property page to find your perfect holiday home or cottage in or near Padstow.