Adding a novel twist to every trip to the county are some superb gift experiences in Cornwall. Whether you’re looking for the perfect way to pay homage to a special occasion, treat a loved one, or try something different yourself, we’ve put together some of the best experience days in Cornwall that’ll add an exciting flourish to a boutique stay.
From foraging dinner along the seashore to making bespoke jewellery, there’s something perfect for birthdays, Christmas, and ‘just because’.
Creative Gifts
Pottery with Star Glazers, Falmouth
Located on the old high street in the thriving seaside town of Falmouth is Star Glazers Pottery Painting Café. A welcoming café that is open to adults and children, it invites artists of all ages and abilities to come in, try new skills and create memorable keepsakes that’ll provide cherished memories of days in Cornwall for years to come. Helping everyone to create something special, from personalised mugs to glazed handprints to fingerprint jewellery, this is a fantastic gift experience for all creatives.
Painting with Newlyn Art School, Newlyn
Set in the heart of the famous artists’ hub of Newlyn, once home to the prestigious Stanhope Forbes, Lamorna Birch and Alfred Munnings, the Newlyn Art School is a natural magnet for painters. Brilliant for those both wielding the brush for the first time and those looking to refine their skills, the school offers a wide array of courses from its seaside location. A range of vouchers are available to gift to loved ones that can be used on their courses, from experimental painting to capturing realist landscapes.
Illustration with Botanical Atelier, Falmouth
Combining the beauty and intricacy of both nature and art, Botanical Atelier’s workshops are a must for every budding creative. With a wonderful line up of workshops that cater to all generations of artists, these courses make the best gifts for everyone from complete beginners to paint-daubed pros. Led by Botanical Atelier’s award-winning owner, artist and author Sarah Jane Humphrey, these Cornish workshops cover all elements of botanical inspiration. Read about our day with Botanical Atelier here.
Jewellery Making with Porth Jewellery, Constantine
Walking along the beaches in Cornwall, it’s hard not to get lost in the absorbing past-time of searching for sea glass along the shore. Coming in all shapes, colours, and sizes, these sea-washed treasures are like gems in the sand and make for wonderfully exciting finds. But what if this sea glass could be turned into treasured jewellery? With workshops in Constantine and Falmouth, Porth Jewellery offers just that, helping everyone to learn new skills and create a beloved piece of sea glass jewellery to take home.
Stamp Making with Pick Pretty Paint, St Ives
For a different way to channel artistry, why not give stamp making a go? From their pretty courtyard studio in the heart of St Ives, Pick Pretty Paints delivers a variety of workshops which can be enjoyed all year round. Covering lino, screen, stencils, stamps and more, the courses are great for those looking to try a different artistic medium, learn new techniques and spur creativity. Both 2-hour taster sessions and full-day experiences are available, and individual and group bookings can be made. Read about our day with Pick Pretty Paints here.
Active Experiences
Coasteering with Bare Feet Coasteer, Newquay
The beauty of the Cornish coast is boundless. While it can be enjoyed in many ways, one of the best involves a more immersive approach: coasteering. A fantastic gift experience for the active and the outdoorsy, coasteering involves jumping, swimming, climbing and splashing along the coast of Cornwall, all under the watchful supervision of expert local guides. One of the best in the county, Bare Feet Coasteer are based in North Cornwall and offer experience days for adventurers of all ages.
Surfing with Gwithian Surf Academy, Hayle
Whether your surfer in question is more Bambi on ice than Kelly Slater, or they are already well on the way to surfing mastery, there’s nothing like a surf lesson to hone techniques. Offering unforgettable days in the waves is the Gwithian Academy of Surfing, one of only three Academy of Surfing Instructors accredited surf schools in Britain. Operating for over 20 years, they offer all kinds of superb surfing packages and vouchers so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the ultimate days in the surf.
Caving with Cornwall Underground Adventures, St Just
Cornwall Underground Adventures promises adventurous caving opportunities in Cornwall's legendary tin mines. The perfect experience gift in Cornwall for the explorers, these trips take guests down into the underside of the county, following the subterranean paths and tunnels carved over hundreds of years by Cornish miners. Though mining has long since ended in Cornwall, the industry’s legacy and the stories of the miners live on, brought to life by the company’s guides.
Sky Trekking with Hangloose at Eden, Bodelva
Taking gifts in Cornwall to new heights, Hangloose at the Eden Project is every thrill-seeker’s dream. One of the county’s top visitor attractions, it beckons with all sorts of incredible activities for all those with a good head for heights. Home to England’s fastest zip wire experience, a 20-metre giant cliff swing, a giant air bag with an epic drop, an aerial sky-trekking and high ropes course and more, there’s something for absolutely everyone. Pick an activity package or voucher for a gift that’ll provide life-long memories.
Alpaca Walks with Mount Edgcumbe, Torpoint
A great family-friendly activity, Mount Edgcumbe’s Alpaca Experience invites long, leisurely walks around the estate’s stunning country park – accompanied each step of the way by a thoroughly cute alpaca. The full experience includes meet and greets with the alpacas (called Landy, Lusty, Henry and Harry) and lasts for around 2 hours. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just because, treat your favourite person to the kind of unforgettable experience that’ll inspire much-loved dinnertime anecdotes for years to come.
Food and Drink Days
Wild Foraging with Fat Hen, Penzance
Hailed by Countryfile as one of the best foraging schools in the UK, Fat Hen Wild Foraging and Cookery School in Penzance proffers a whole new take on Cornwall’s delicious landscapes. Teaching guests how to identify and forage for wild ingredients in the county’s countryside and coast, it affords a completely unique take on traditional cooking courses. Select a gift card to bestow to your lucky recipient, giving them the choice of a range of workshops to choose from, including Fat Hen’s famous seaweed foraging course.
Chocolate Making with I Should Cocoa, St Ives
The team at I Should Cocoa have been making mouth-watering chocolates for 10 years and have developed a purpose-built facility to share their chocolate making skills with everyone. Serving up a selection of workshops, they invite chocolate-lovers of all ages, from tots to grandparents, to don aprons and get stuck in. Of course, as well as gleaning new skills, participants are also able to take all of their chocolatey creations home, so there’s even more incentive to secure a place in their Coco Kitchen.
Food Courses with Rick Stein Cookery School, Padstow
If there’s one way to warm the heart and fuel the soul, it’s through food. Whether you’re looking for a Cornish experience gift to treat yourself or your nearest and dearest, a food course with Rick Stein Seafood School is sure to delight. Among the range of first-class courses are Stein’s quintessential fish and seafood classes, as well as cooking workshops inspired by the famous chef’s travels around the world. Both half-day and full-day cookery courses are available, which can be booked directly or with vouchers. Read about our day with Rick Stein Cookery School here.
Gin Making with Tarquin’s Gin School, St Ives & Padstow
The best gift for gin fans in Cornwall, Tarquin’s Gin School in St Ives has created a hands-on experience, including making a personalised, one-of-a-kind bottle of gin. Whether this gift is for yourself or that special someone, this unique experience, which takes place in one of Tarquin’s distilleries in St Ives or Padstow, is not to be missed. From picking botanicals to firing up the copper pot to sampling the final product, every moment of this distilling masterclass is full of insight and reward. Read about our day with Tarquin's Gin School here.
Fancy a special retreat to accompany your special experience? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Cornwall here.
