May Half Term 2023

Larissa Ellis-Jones

Summer has officially arrived and with it there is a feeling of warmth in the morning air and longer, brighter days that lead into hazy blue, calm evenings.

Just perfect for those lazy days at the beach soaking up the sunshine and indulging in the quintessential summer holiday treats.

Perhaps a slow meander around town perusing the local goods is on the cards, then finding a place to reenergise with a good collection of foodie options in St Ives.

Maybe, you’re after some seaside fun; a boat trip or a surfing lesson, perhaps a long day’s bike ride adventure along the South West Coast Path, finding lots of hidden treasures, coves and old abandoned mines. Or are you after something more memorable; perhaps making some new fury friends or trying something different.

Well, below we’ve compiled a list of events and goings on around St Ives and Cornwall for the May Half term to help you make some informed decisions about what to do on your next trip down to us that will have something, quite literally, for everyone.

Woodland Valley Farm – The Cornwall Beaver Project (Probus, near Truro)

Beavers were introduced to their new home at Woodland Valley Farm in 2017 and since then have got to work building dams, growing their beaver family and supporting the natural infrastructure of the nature reserve. The Cornwall Beaver project was featured on BBC’s Springwatch and now visitors are being invited to come along and meet the beavers and see their work for themselves. Book a tour with the farm: https://woodlandvalley.co.uk/beavers/

The Tate – Casablanca Art School and Art Explorers quest for children (St Ives) 

Come along and explore the incredible new exhibition hosted by The Tate in St Ives. It will be the first museum in the UK to explore the intense period of artistic rebirth that followed Morocco’s independence and forged experimental teaching methods of the Casablanca Art School in the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition will also include a selection of rarely-seen print archives, vintage journals, documentary photographs and films. Children will also be able to partake in the Tate’s ‘Art Explorers’ club, where they’ll be given a backpack and a map of what to find around the exhibition.

Pendennis Castle - Knights Tournament (Falmouth) 

Have you ever wanted to meet a real-life knight in all their chivalrous glory? Well, now you can. For the May Half Term week, Pendennis Castle in Falmouth are putting on their ever-popular Knights tournament, where you’ll get to meet the knights competing to win the trophy and see them take on a series of challenges to be crowned winner!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan - Heligan Wild Week (St Austell) 

From Saturday, May 27th to Sunday, June 4th, the Gardens of Heligan are putting on a special week of activities to help families and visitors reconnect with the wild. Inspired by the BBC's recent programme Wild Isles in which Sir David Attenborough highlights the best of British wildlife, the team at Heligan are inviting you to come along, pick a team and prepare for a series of challenges and activities, whilst learning all about the animals that share our island. There's face painting, bracelet making, axe throwing, archery, natural head dress crafting and fire striking to have ago at, plus much more in the way of exploring the site, the animals that live there and perusing the shops and onsite cafe and garden kitchen.

The Minack Theatre - Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical (Porthcurno) 

BROS Theatre Company presents Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical this May; a fun and fresh new show that tells the tale of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over worked drapers assistant who suddenly inherits a fortune! His whole world is turned upside down as he is propelled into a life of high society. Get yourselves down the Minack in Porthcurno for an unforgettable experience watching the dazzling, toe tapping show with backdrop views you wont get anywhere else in the UK. The show is running throughout the May half term, starting at 8pm on Monday, May 29th until Friday, June 2nd. Tickets start from £10 for adults and half price for under 16s.

The Driftwood Spars – Faulty Towers Immersive Dining Experience (St Agnes)

Are you a fan of the show or just want a dining experience with a bit of a chaotic twist? Well, the Driftwood Spas in St Agnes are proud to announce, straight from London’s West End via the legendary Sydney Opera House, this sensational opportunity will be available for you to experience at their pub in June 2023. Become part of the action as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a plate alongside a 3-course meal and two hours of blunders and laughter. The evening costs £60 per person with a 3-course meal included and you can book your place for this unmissable event here: https://cornwall365.com/events/faulty-towers/

Staying in and around St Ives with Sail Lofts.

Perhaps you want to ditch the driving duties for the week and immerse yourself in all St Ives has to offer, well then St Ives is certainly well set to accommodate this for you.

With 100s of fantastic shops, restaurants, cafes and bars ready to cater to your every need, along with plenty of boat trips, surf schools, bike hires and circular coastal walks, you will be booking your next trip to fit in the things you didn’t quite get time to do!

Of course, staying with us here at Sail Lofts, you can make the most of having a dedicated free parking space for one car in our picturesque car park overlooking Porthmeor beach, immerse yourself in your luxury home from home in our gorgeous apartments that are fully kitted with all the homely essentials you’ll need, make the most of the little extra touches such as beachy accessories ready and set for you to have a day at the seaside, and take your time wondering to and from the main hub of St Ives with ease from our central, secluded location.

To book yourself into one of our luxury apartments, click here.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Larissa