I’ve been holidaying in Cornwall since childhood – this is why off-season is the best time to visit

It was a blustery November day as the car passed down a stretch of sandy track signposted “Constantine Bay”. I’ve been coming to Cornwall on holiday since I was a toddler, but my family and I had always visited in summer.

In the warmer months, the picturesque golden sweep of Constantine Bay teems with people – and it’s not hard to see why. The beach offers gentle rolling waves for wannabe surfers, sand dunes for children to slide down, rock pools to explore and a well-stocked cafe. It would usually be hard to park the car close by, and unless you’re incredibly organised, accommodation would be hard to come by.

In winter and the shoulder season, it’s a different story – as we discovered when visiting as an extended family group of four kids and six adults. Unlike some other areas of the county – which can feel a bit deserted in the cooler months – Constantine was still open for business.

We grabbed pasties and a hot chocolate, and sat waiting for the mizzle to lift, before heading out onto the blissfully quiet beach to hop across rock pools, and play chase with the gentle waves.

We were staying a five-minute walk from the beach at Constantia, a sprawling, six-bedroom home owned by a South African couple, and recently added to the Perfect Stays portfolio. With its pretty garden boasting ancient olive trees, a braai grill, a Gozney pizza oven, BBQ and fire pit, it would certainly work very well as a summer residence, but the cosy lounge areas with plush sofas, an enormous kitchen-diner with exposed beams, plus a log burner, and a hot tub and sauna were ideal for cosy evenings.

Read more: I’ve stayed in over 70 Airbnbs solo, here’s what you need to know

Upstairs, the living space, library and terrace revealed far-reaching beach views. Perfect Stays’ concierge team were on hand to make the weekend feel seamless; available to organise restaurant bookings nearby and suggest places to visit when the rain threatened to ruin a beach walk. On one of the days, they organised a masseuse from Home Spa Cornwall to come to the house for treatments, and a private chef was another option to consider.

When I was younger, my family and I would typically go camping in Cornwall, often staying at MacDonald’s Farm just up the road from Constantia. Our evenings would revolve around campsite BBQs and sitting out under the stars. This time, our stargazing happened around a giant fire pit, while we sat wrapped in handmade wool blankets.

One evening, we drove 45 minutes west to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where a wondrous light show takes place each year from November until January, lighting up the pathways with sculptures of magical creatures, while glades twinkle with projections. An art installation of swaying bulbs captivated the children. The Eden Project also puts on a show in winter – "Christmas at the Eden Project" – which sees the domes open later than usual, to host live music and special illuminated trails.

It was all too easy to get a last-minute reservation for Sunday lunch at The Pig at Harlyn Bay – which was just a 15-minute walk from the house. In summer, you have to book months in advance. Everywhere we went, we felt as though we’d unlocked the key to Cornwall. Why had I never thought of coming in winter before?

In 2024, the former boss of Cornwall's tourist board, Malcolm Bell, described it as the "flattest year" he could remember. Cornwall was experiencing its worst visitor numbers in years, and Bell attributed the shift to “a combination of poor weather, the general election and cost of living pressures”. The official tourism board of Cornwall went into liquidation in October 2025, after emergency government funding was due to end in 2026. The news was concerning for residents, as Cornwall’s economy relies heavily on tourism to support jobs and local businesses.

Post-Covid-19, accommodation prices in Cornwall have skyrocketed, and holidaymakers are increasingly choosing to holiday abroad instead. Though there are still many benefits to a winter break in the county: a seven-night stay at Constantia between October and December costs almost exactly half the price of a seven-night stay between July and August.

Read more: Best hotels in Cornwall for beach breaks, walking retreats and sea views

Close to Constantia is Padstow, which heaves in summer, but is pleasingly quiet in winter. The Saints’ Way begins at Padstow, but if you’re not a fan of long walks, the wine bars and restaurants there are another highlight. Trevibban Mill is a modern winery producing organic and natural Cornish wines with a stunning tasting room close by. A collection of superb beaches (Trevose Head and Mother Ivey's Bay) can be reached via the nearby South West Coast Path.

I returned to Cornwall in December, this time to St Ives, a harbour town that’s home to an outpost of the Tate gallery and the famous Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden. In the summer months, you’d have to elbow your way through the centre of town, but even over the New Year period, there were tables to be found at the popular Sloop pub, overlooking the harbour.

On New Year’s Day, we joined a few brave groups for a dip in the sea at Carbis Bay. While the swim at Porthmeor beach in St Ives is more popular, we were among only a handful of others on the crescent-shaped Carbis Bay, and afterwards, we popped into Carbis Bay Hotel’s beachfront cafe for a glass of fizz to celebrate.

I am aware that winter in Cornwall brings considerable rain, but the county is pretty atmospheric in the mizzle. In St Ives, after a wet morning spent playing Uno by the fire, we escaped to the beach while the sun shone, and as a reward, a rainbow painted itself across the sky, tumbling into the emerald sea. I realised then that I’d found my pot of holiday gold – a visit to Cornwall in the depths of winter.

Read more: The best places to go in Cornwall to avoid the crowds

Three top Cornwall stays for groups to book for 2026

Constantia, Constantine

The chic design and beautiful secluded garden are this property’s trump cards, along with its location. The house sleeps 12 across two floors in an exceptional location. It’s a five-minute walk to Constantine Bay and close to Padstow, The Pig at Harlyn Bay, and many beautiful beaches.

Details: Sleeps 12; from £4,650 for three nights and £4,950 for seven nights.

Somers Place, St Ives

Just outside of St Ives, Somers Place is another gem, which sleeps 14 across seven bedrooms. It also has a pool, gym, sauna, hot tub and gorgeous sweeping views across to Hayle Beach. From the house, it’s just a 15-minute walk to Carbis Bay, a privately-owned and picture-perfect beach backed by towering cliffs. The property is managed by Cornish Gems, which can arrange a private chef experience and massages, and book restaurants and experiences for your group nearby.

Details: Sleeps 14; from ​​£5,518 for four nights or £6,418 for seven nights.

Book now

https://www.cornishgems.com/destinations/west-cornwall/st-ives/somers-place

Packet House, Falmouth

This pretty little bolthole sleeps six and a cot can be added for a baby. It’s dog-friendly and boasts sea views, a sweet English garden, and original features such as wood floors and fireplaces. Explore Flushing across the water by water taxi, while Falmouth itself is a joy out of season, with a collection of independent shops, cafes and galleries to enjoy.

Details: Sleeps six; from £1,995 for seven nights.

Emilee and her family were guests of Perfect Stays