Well, February went in a flash and March has arrived in style, with the daffodils in bloom, nights slowly drawing out and temperatures on the rise. All this can only mean one thing – Spring is on its way! Hooray!
There are lots of things happening in Cornwall to celebrate the season and make the most of those longer days. Here’s our round up of things to do in Cornwall during March…
Food & Drink
Cornish Gin & Drinks Festival, The Alverton, Truro, Saturday 23rd March
The very first Alverton Cornish Gin and Drinks Festival. Held on Saturday 23 March in the Great Hall, the festival is a real celebration of Cornish producers. Grab your free souvenir glass, meet the makers and sample the very best in Cornish drinks. Enjoy live demonstrations where you’ll pick up handy hints and tips to create your own top-notch tipples at home.
https://thealverton.co.uk/dining-in-truro/restaurant-bar/gin-and-cornish-drinks-festival
Peter Gorton’s Cookery Course: Beautiful Baking, Falcon Hotel, Bude, Tuesday 12th March 10:00am-2:30pm
Start with cuppa at 10am before enjoying a two-hour cookery demonstration with Peter Gorton, where you will get close to the action in a small group (only 12 places available). This will be followed by a beautiful lunch & a glass of wine. You’ll also get a free recipe pack to take away with you. £65 per person.
https://www.falconhotel.com/event/peter-gortons-cookery-course-beautiful-baking/
Sport
Run Falmouth Half Marathon, Falmouth, Sunday 17th March, 10:00am-2:00pm
Now in its 7th year, this event is organised by Cornwall Hospice Care in conjunction with Falmouth Road Runners. The 13.1 mile route starts in the lee of Pendennis Castle and follows the coast past the beaches of Gyllyngvase and Swanpool, passes Falmouth Golf Course twice, before finishing at The Falmouth Hotel. The run is always well supported along the whole route as locals come out to cheer the runners on.
https://www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/events/run-falmouth-2019/
Theatre & Comedy
Wind in the Willows, The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Friday 29th March, 7:30pm-10:30pm
Presented by Cornwall Youth Theatre – Kenneth Grahame’s classic story brought to vivid, anarchic life on the stage. Look out for chaos as they re-create animals, battles lost and won and a considerable slice of comic fun. Directed by Andy Blake and designed by Jackie Moule, The Wind in the Willows is a treat for all the family, a much-loved classic tale populated by all our old friends. The Minack is a unique outdoor theatre perched on the cliffs high above the Atlantic ocean.
Tickets: Adults £8, Concs £6, Child £5
Rich Hall’s Hoedown, Launceston Town Hall, Sunday 24th March, 8:00pm
Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed new show begins its second leg of touring. There has never been a better time to be an American comedian in the UK! Hall’s precision dismantling of the tenuous relationship between two countries is as freewheeling and deadly accurate as ever. The Hoedown begins as a withering dissection of Trump’s America, but ends up being a celebration of Americana. There’s stand-up, improvised ballads, cracking good musicianship, and ultimately a hilarious, foot-stomping, shit-kicking good time to be had by all. Tickets are £18.70. Booking in advance.
https://www.crbo.co.uk/event/rich-hall-s-hoedown/17335
Music
Cornwall Music Festival, Truro Methodist Church, 18th-23rd March
A competitive festival for people of all ages and abilities, with classes and performances throughout the week.
From soprano to samba band, from brass band to barbershop, from harp to handbell ringing … big choirs, small choirs, strings and woodwind, piano, poetry reading, story telling … and all for the price of a cup of coffee! Come in at any time to hear some of the best of Cornwall’s talent.
The festival culminates in a gala concert celebrating the week’s most outstanding performances. 7pm Saturday 23rd March: admission at the door: £7 (children £3)
https://www.cornwallmusicfestival.co.uk/
Abba Tribute: Take a Chance on Us…!, Launceston Town Hall, Friday 22nd March, 7:00pm for 8:00pm
Appealing to all age groups, “Take A Chance On Us!” is looking forward to returning to Launceston Town Hall, this time with its Fully Live 6-piece Band. Bringing with it the finest musicians, fabulous live vocals, and new sound and light show.
Doors open and licensed bar from 7:00pm. Show starts at 8:00pm.
Tickets in advance. £15 available from Launceston Tourist Information or online:
https://www.crbo.co.uk/eventDetail.php?evGrp=103&evId=17086
Seasonal
Falmouth Spring Festival, throughout Falmouth, 14th-24th March 2019
Come and join the town as they celebrate the start of Spring with this colourful festival organised by the Falmouth BID and sponsored by the University of Exeter. It is a wonderful early season celebration of coast, community and culture, with something for everyone – including Spring Clean Days, Science in the Pub, the Spring Flower Show, Paint the Town Yellow Day, rockpooling, games & fitness, and guided walks. Find out more here:
https://www.falmouth.co.uk/falmouth-events/falmouth-spring-festival/
Garden Trail of Heritage Camellias and Rhododendrons, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, Saturday 23rd March – Tuesday 30th April
This spring, Lost Gardens of Heligan invites you to experience the awakening of their fabulous collection of historic shrubs and explore their ‘National Collection of Camellias and Rhododendrons introduced to Heligan pre-1920’. Their expert gardeners have helped produce a self-guided trail that will take you on a journey around The Gardens, featuring highlights from their heritage collection. Learn more about the history and stories behind some of Heligan’s special shrubs and discover how the team care for them today.
Free with garden admission.
https://www.heligan.com/events/heligan-events/garden-trail-of-heritage-camellias-and-rhododendrons
Mum goes free on Mother’s Day, Eden Project, Bodelva, Sunday 31st March
Bring your mum or gran into Eden for free on Mother’s Day, and take them on a spectacular floral tour of the world through the gardens, indoors and out. Free entry to Eden on the day will be available for all mums and grans who visit with at least one of their children or grandchildren. Why not treat her to lunch in the Med Terrace Restaurant or at one of the other eateries across the site.
https://www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/mothers-day
Big Sandymouth Beach Clean, Kilkhampton, nr Bude, Friday 22nd March, 10:45am-1:00pm
In support of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean join local volunteers and National Trust rangers and help get Sandymouth beach looking its fantastic best ready for the Easter holiday. Wear appropriate clothing and meet at Sandymouth car park. Equipment will be provided. Dogs on leads are welcome.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/2c6f9feb-5d95-4d34-8c1b-025181278dce/pages/details
