One of the many wonderful things about living in the stunning Tamar Valley in Cornwall just 2.5 miles from the Devon border, is the vast choice of interesting places to visit, things to do and endless varied events that are held in the local area across the year.
If you’ve booked your staycation at The Sidings or The Signal Box and you fancy some days out in the local area or beyond, it’s worth considering planning ahead of your stay
Focusing on the autumn and winter season ahead, usually from around early October onwards the main tourist season has calmed down and it’s quieter pretty much everywhere, although in fairness, the Tamar Valley is a less well known tourist location and is also relatively tucked away so it doesn’t tend to experience the heavy footfall of visitors and it’s all the better for it as this balance provides a better experience for all.
It’s especially magical here as the days shorten and nights get longer, fires are lit and local pubs become cosy hubs and menus becomes more hearty. Parking spaces become easier to find, availability for a decent table in good restaurant is not a problem, the beaches are less busy tranquil and often empty and many also become dog friendly places to visit from October to April – so it’s a perfect time to come and explore with your four legged friends too.
Don’t let the fear of bad weather put you off visiting ‘out of season’ the weather in the West Country is a lottery whenever you visit, even in the middle of summer it can blow a gale and rain non-stop so if you can look beyond the risk of bad weather and find the fabulous in these wonderful seasons then you may be blessed with an unforgettable unique trip. A decent dry autumn or winter day is a pure delight to enjoy and, although unpredictable, there will be many fine days ahead, certainly I think it’s a reasonable estimate to say, more fine days than we experienced in the summer of 2023….
You may not share my disposition but the romantic in me loves the rainy, windy and stormy days here it’s always beautiful whatever the weather.
Very good news for walkers is the brand new 87-mile walking route ‘The Tamara Coast to Coast Way’ which opened in July 2023.
The 7-day walking route broadly follows the River Tamar, the historic boundary between Devon and Cornwall from sea to source, before continuing on to the North coast.
It begins at Cremyll, overlooking Plymouth Sound and finishes at Marsland Mouth near Morwenstow. Linking the two coasts has also created a new 387-mile circular walking route around the border of Cornwall, Kylgh Kernow, Cornish for Circuit of Cornwall
Highlights of the Tamara Coast to Coast Way include unspoilt river-valley landscapes in the Tamar Valley AONB and the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. Many short walks have also been developed along the route to enable more people to benefit physically and mentally from time spent in the great outdoors.
https://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/the-tamara-coast-to-coast-way-guide/
Everyman Cinema in Royal William Yard, Plymouth
https://www.everymancinema.com
Opened it’s doors in summer 2023, it’s located upstairs ion the Melville Building (lots of stone steps to climb but there is a lift) it’s a beautiful building and provides a fabulous location for a unique cinema experience. You can enjoy a meal and drink whilst watching the latest film releases whilst nestled on a cosy sofa in a stylish intimate environment. There’s a stunning bar and waiter/waitress service – we always treat ourselves to a cocktail, there’s a decent range to choose from. It’s a one of a kind experience and it’s well worth a visit.
Tre Pol and Pen
https://trepolandpen.co.uk/
‘The Doctors Dilemma’ Murder Mystery evening with three course meal
Saturday 21st October from 7pm
Tre Pol and Pen is a local farm shop, restaurant and so much more, serving up a range of goodies in the shop and fabulous treats in the coffee shop/ licensed restaurant as well as a range of varied events on offer across the whole year.
Before visiting it’s always worth checking their website for events which include: makers markets, outdoor cinema, quiz nights, supper nights, music nights and murder mystery evenings
Treguddick Distillery
https://www.treguddick.com/
Is one of our local favourites, it has a great restaurant in a wonderful setting and also holds a number of events across the whole year. Events planned across the autumn and winter:
- Back to the 80’s night – Saturday 14th October
- Ceilidh and cowboy food – Saturday 11th November
- Sea Shanty Evening – Saturday 16th December
- New years ‘Back to the Future’ Party – Sunday 31st December
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
http://www.heligan.com/
‘Heligan Night Garden’
17th November to 2nd January
A one hour lantern lit walkway through gardens and woodland. Visit the website for details and booking
The Eden Project
https://www.edenproject.com/
Lace up your skates! Eden’s glittering ice rink opens on 14 October 2023 until February 2024. Visit the website for full details.
Ice skating is an additional charge and must be pre-booked in advance. Limited tickets will be available to book up until 30 November 2023 and tickets for dates beyond will be released in due course.
The Theatre Royal Plymouth
https://theatreroyal.com/
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Panto is great fun, you can always book great seats in Plymouth if you think and plan ahead. Running from 15th December to 13th January 2023
The Theatre Royal is highly recommended to guests staying at either The Signal Box or The Sidings, it provides a wonderful day/night out and you can treat yourself to a meal in one of Plymouth’s varied choice of restaurants before or after your afternoon or evening performance
Tavistock’s ‘Dickensian Evening’
http://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/dickensian-evening
Held annually in December (Friday 1st December this year) it’s a magical late night shopping event that transports you back in time. Shop keepers and stall holders embrace the spirit and dress up in traditional attire. Christmas light switch on is at 17:45
It’s a treat of an event that really gets you in the Christmas Spirit and also offers a great opportunity to do some unique and fun Christmas shopping at the same time.
For more details of this events and others visit their website
The Landuph Festival of music and Art
https://www.landulphfestival.co.uk/
With renowned classical, funk and folk bands, an art exhibition, comedy, a talk and even a murder mystery evening on offer
There’s a licensed bar at every event with range of beers, wines, and gin with cocktails at some events. Bar opens one hour before each performance
Set over 4 weekends: 6 – 28 October 2023 visit the website for full details
For those who are already thinking ahead next summer:
The British Annual Fireworks in Plymouth
August 2024 dates to be announced
If you’re partial to a decent firework display or four! Then it’s an absolute must, with four breathtaking displays held over two nights – usually on a chosen Wednesday and Thursday. It’s an exciting and wonder filled spectacular event and highly recommended
Keep an eye on their website for details
Pubs and eateries – there are too many wonderful places to list each individually but be sure that across the autumn and winter months a warm welcome awaits in pubs and eateries in the Tamar Valley and beyond. Events calendars will be packed to burtsting with a vast range of activities to keep local communities entertained; anything from quiz nights, live music, steak, fish and chip or curry nights, open mic, comedy, wine tasting, craft beer, morris dancing, sing alongs, mediums, beetle drives an endless offering of varied events.
Pubs in the West Country are fortunately plentiful and generally they are welcoming social hubs especially in smaller communities who rely on their services.
There’s a massive choice of Christmas fairs, bazaars and markets in every town and village across the length and breadth of Devon and Cornwall. They are very easy to find and all are well advertised in the local areas.
Some of these events are simply wonderful with artisan crafts that you can’t find or buy anywhere else and delicious food and drink offerings to try and to savour. There’s often a whole host of entertainment on offer too – depending on the venue and event.
We really enjoy attending a varied selection across the season; even some of the local breweries and wineries host wonderful markets.
We enjoyed Knightor Winery last year where we had the opportunity to taste some wine and stock up on their award winning pink wine and buy some fabulous unique vermouth too. www.knightor.com
Check the websites of all local theatres and the arts centres as there is literally something for every taste, below is listed a very small selection of our some of our local offerings:
The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
The Box, Plymouth, https://www.theboxplymouth.com
Launceston Town Hall web.launceston-tc.gov.uk and click Launceston Town Tall
Tavistock Wharf www.tavistockwharf.com
Primraf Theatre in Callington https://www.primraf.co.uk
Calstock Arts www.calstockarts.org
Cornwall and Devon are simply wonderful counties to visit and explore out of season. Why not come and see for yourself and treat yourself to a short or long break…?
If you are staying with us and would like recommendations for any type of events, please just ask.
The Hydrangeas are turning red as summer ends
