Best Spring Things to do in Falmouth and Helford
Discover the magic of Springtime in Cornwall
Our guide to the best Spring things to do in the Falmouth and Helford area. From walks through ancient woodlands adorned with bluebells to indulging in Cornish cream teas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Immerse yourself in Falmouth’s rich artistic scene, explore Helford’s charming coastal villages, and unwind at sea-view spas with breathtaking views. Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat or a family adventure, we’ve put together a few of our favourite things to do at Easter in Cornwall. Our handpicked holiday cottages offer the perfect base to soak in the beauty of springtime.
A Spring Walk Around Constantine
Cornish Holiday Cottages has partnered with the Cornish Explorer to create bespoke, local walking tour maps for the Falmouth, Helford River, Mylor and Mawnan Smith areas.
To kick off the launch, we’re releasing our Constantine Woods and Scott’s Key map – a doorstep walk for guests staying at Gwel-an-Dowr and Melyn Goth. This magical loop through Bosahan Woods and to tranquil Scott’s Quay on the Helford River takes around 3 hours and is 6.8km long. Let the bird sounds accompany you on this delightful spring walk. Download your very own walking guide for your next holiday in the Helford Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Open your Constantine Woods and Scott’s Key Walking Guide here.
The Best Spring Blooms in Falmouth, Helford and Beyond
Flowers often bloom early in Cornwall thanks to the warming Gulf Stream, and even earlier on the Isles of Scilly. Together, Falmouth and the Helford have a bounty of gardens, packed full of flowering trees and plants, a great day out during Easter break.
Bluebells
Enys Gardens is the best place to find bluebells in Cornwall. In May the woodland floor transforms into a sea of breathtaking blue flowers. Around this time the gardens hold an annual festival to celebrate the blue swathes. The 2024 Enys Garden Bluebell Festival runs from the 4th of May to the 13th of May, 10 am to 5 pm. Dogs on leads are welcome too! You can expect local foodie vendors, artwork, and baked goods to enjoy. Local artist, Rachel Painter, will be exhibiting alongside ten other artists and hosting an exciting masterclass in landscape oil painting.
For your private display of bluebells come and stay at one of our Calamansac properties, a gem in this 50-acre estate is an ancient oak woodland filled with bluebells. We have just two weeks left in Calamansac East Wing this May. The Helford area is one of the few places in England where ancient woodland meets the sea. Here the bluebells spring up and cover the floor every year, which is just one of the reasons why people love to stay at the Calamansac Estate in May.
Daffodils
It is well worth visiting the National Trust’s Trelissick House and Gardens in the springtime. Famous for its camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias, and rhododendrons, the terraced garden is set within 375 acres of wooded parkland. In March and April, the jolly Daffodils and elegant magnolias are in bloom. Daffodils have a long history in Cornwall, with growth dating back over 100 years. Daffodils were brought to the UK by the Romans who planted them in memory of loved ones. Today there are over 27,000 varieties of daffodils and each year Trelissick Gardens holds a daffodil show in early March, where you can see many unique varieties.
“She wore her yellow sun-bonnet, She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind, And curtsied up and down.”
An extract from Daffodowndilly, a poem by AA Milne.
Magnolia, camellias and rhododendrons – Blooming wonderful trees
At Glendurgan Garden delight in pretty magnolia blossoms, vibrant camellias and rhododendrons. The National Trust run regular garden tours, to share knowledge and understanding of the many plants they have there. Read our guide to Glendurgan Garden to see what exciting things you can see and do there.
Easter Egg-citement
Celebrate the joy of Easter with the National Trust’s enchanting Easter Egg Hunts, organising fun-filled adventures close to Falmouth and The Helford River for the whole family. Embark on walks through beautiful gardens, ancient woodlands, and historic estates at Treslissick, Godolphin and Glendurgan Gardens. There is plenty of space to enjoy a picnic on the lawn at Godolphin House and tasty treats in the Glendurgan and Treslissick cafes. Enys Gardens, Penryn, has an easter event of the mystical kind, with their annual Easter Dragon Egg Trail. A wonderful spring family activity in Cornwall for the curious, the brave and the kind. Happy Easter egg spotting this spring in Cornwall!
Best Spring Scones and Cornish Cream Teas in and Around Falmouth
Freshly baked scones, Cornish clotted cream, and scarlet red strawberry jam. Does it get more Cornish than a cream tea?
A hidden treasure located half a mile from Porthallow, a quiet Cornish fishing village on the Lizard Peninsula, ‘Fat Apples’ is a family-run café. Offering delicious, local produce from nearby producers, think full-Cornish breakfasts, fresh mackerel, salads and frittatas. The café serves freshly baked cakes and scones, lashings of clotted cream and zingy jams, plus a wide range of teas, coffee and even prosecco. Open from the 7th of March, Thursday to Sunday, 9.30 am until 4 pm, and from April, Wednesday to Sunday.
The Budock Vean Hotel offers a fabulous afternoon tea menu with a variety of delightful options to choose from. You can indulge in tea and cake, a classic Cornish cream tea (don’t forget to put the jam first!), or a full afternoon tea featuring an assortment of delicate sandwiches, scones, and cakes. They offer a variety of afternoon tea options from a little taste of tea and cake to the full show from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Staying in Falmouth, you can enjoy a lovely waterside Cornish cream tea at the Greenbank Hotel in a delightful sea-view location, overlooking Falmouth Harbour. The Greenbank Hotel’s offering is a sweet and savoury treat, with exciting flavours and decadent sandwiches. Delights such as smoked salmon, lemon, dill and cream cheese sandwiches and vanilla pannacotta with a blackberry compote are yours to savour. At all the afternoon tea locations, you can request vegan and gluten-free options as you would expect, but to give the venue time to prepare, be sure to request these with at least 24 hours notice.
Unwind at One of Cornwall’s Spas by the Sea
West Cornwall has some of the best spa sea views in the country. Spring is a great time to relax and enjoy the spa, often a quieter time of year to enjoy the beautiful views.
If you’re staying on the Helford, the Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa is not far away, perched on a Lizard Heritage Coast cliff top. A great area for walking, sightseeing and traditional pub dining. Spend your morning relaxing in the fresh outdoor pool or indoor hydrotherapy infinity pool. End your experience with a comforting roast on Sundays.
Perfect for romantic breaks in Falmouth. St Michaels is Cornwall’s largest spa, easy to walk to from many of our Falmouth holiday cottages. Enjoy lunch at the ‘Garden Kitchen’ or dinner at the ‘Brasserie on the Bay’ restaurant as you gaze out over the gardens. Take a dip in the largest hydrothermal pool in the southwest immerse yourself in experiential showers and get a taste of the world’s first sea-salt-infused steam room. On fresh spring days sit outside to enjoy the warmth of the wooden hot tub and Finnish barrel sauna.
The Art of Falmouth and Beyond
In Falmouth, there are arts and music a plenty in this vibrant university town. Check out the Cornish Bank’s Wanderfal event on 12-13th April 2024 for a brilliant mix of music and arts across two days. Funky guitars to wild percussion. Pop into Morgans Art Gallery, situated upon Arwenack Street, to admire local artists’ work for sale. The featured original works and ceramics are a carefully curated selection of pieces emulating feelings of the Cornish landscape.
Falmouth Art Gallery holds a large and eclectic collection for its small size. With a focus on community, it often offers up space for budding artists and local schools. In Spring 2024 you can catch two exhibitions both inspired by walking. Chosen Terrain (Ends 13 Apr) and Walking Women (Ends 27 Apr).
Chosen Terrain is a thought-provoking exhibition of Cornwall-based artists Neil Canning and Mark Surridge who have been sharing walks for over 20 years. Their abstract brushstrokes are inspired by local changing landscapes, as well as concerns with the environment and climate change. Recently these walks have been documented by local artists and filmmaker Rachael. Rachael has brought their perspective to the exploration in a new film commissioned for the exhibition.
Walking Women is a visual conversation between a group of female artists with a love of walking in Cornwall. This conversation sprung from artist Carys Wilson walking the Southwest Path in its entirety in 2023. The exhibition explores walking as a meditation, that gives you space to focus on being, feeling the rhythms of your body and thinking less about doing.
Everyone knows of St Ives, with its rich history of modernism, ceramics, and painting. The Tate St Ives offers a great selection of works in their Modern Conversations display, a great mix of international and local artists with links to Cornwall, such as ceramicist Simon Baylis and renowned artist Barbara Hepworth. (Don’t miss a visit to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden just a short stroll away). The main gallery at The Tate St Ives has a regularly changing exhibition usually displaying large hanging and wall-based artworks. Currently on show for Spring 2024, is visual artist Outi Pieski. The Finnish artist is exploring identity, culture, and environment. Gaze upon colourful hangings and dynamic shapes, this is the artist’s first large-scale UK exhibition. Running until May 6th, 2024.
Best places to stay this spring in The Helford and Falmouth area, our top picks to suit all needs.
Spring can be delightfully warm and still a little fresh in the air. Our cottages with sea views let you enjoy the beautiful landscapes from inside, with a good book and a comforting tea. Our favourite holiday homes with sea views in Falmouth and Helford are from Coastguards, 3 Hamilton Place and The Gig. Take a look at our sea view collection too.
Experience the magic of Calamansac, a collection of three luxury holiday homes set within fifty acres of magical meadow garden and woodland. May is the best time to visit this gorgeous place for its 50-acre woodlands filled with Bluebells.
If you love coastal dog walks, we have plenty of dog-friendly properties that welcome your pawfect companions. Our picks for spring are Dinyan, Selangor, Melyn Goth, Lower Deck and Shearwater.
