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Things to do in Cornwall at night

Cornwall may be known for beautiful beaches and stunning scenery; perfect for beach days, sea swims, and coastal rambles, all under the Cornish sunshine. But did you know there is so much more to do in Cornwall, at night! Once the sun goes down, there’s no reason for the fun to end. With lots of things to do at night in Cornwall, you can make the most of every moment of your holiday!

So if you’re looking to escape the everyday and make the most of every moment of your holiday, read on for some of our top evening activities in Cornwall.

Visit an Official Dark Sky Location

St Agnes and Chapel Porth, as well as Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps, are both official ‘dark sky’ locations. This means that they are considered to be two of the best stargazing locations in the UK because they are not affected by light pollution. Make up a flask, wrap up warm and go stargazing one night; in order to gain the status, you have to be able to view the Milky Way from the area!

Milky Way over Bedruthan Steps

Go on a Moonlight Walk

Walking is a great way to keep warm in the evenings, and you can visit a number of night walk hotspots. If you choose to stroll along a Cornish beach at dusk, you’ll be welcomed by the soft sound of waves lapping at the sand. There are also a number of places to visit a bit further afield that you can drive to so that you can warm up inside the car either side of your stroll.

Two recommended evening walk locations are Goldolphin Hill in Helston where you can see 360 degree views and Carne Beacon in Veryan, where you’ll find one of the largest ancient Bronze Age burial mounds in Britain. We also recommend a walk along the Heritage Coast at St Agnes – the ruined engine houses and crashing seas below are all the more dramatic under moonlight.

Go back in time with a twilight tour of Bodmin Jail

With four curiously curated themes, from Cornish folklore to walking with witches, be guided through the creepy yet spellbinding prison set on Bodmin’s mysterious moorland. If murderous fiends aren’t your thing, how about a spooky paranormal walk through the haunting history of Cornwall’s oldest jail!

Discover the gruesome and fascinating history of Bodmin Jail, a fully immersive attraction that’s not for the fainthearted. Stop by The Jolly Hangman, the on-site bistro restaurant for a truly unforgettable night in Cornwall.

Credit: Bodmin Jail

Visit an open-air theatre

Perched on the cliffside near Lands End, the Minack Theatre is a stunning open-air theatre with incredible ocean views across Porthcurno and beyond. It is a theatre experience like no other with shows for all the family! From classic Shakespeare to modern-day storytelling, song and dance, all set to the remarkable backdrop of the Cornish coast. Taking to the stage in 2024, the Fisherman’s Friends, Seth Lakeman, Carrie’s War, The Adventures of Doctor Doolittle, PIrates of Penzance and so much more!

Advance booking is required, evening shows can be chilly and you are seated on concrete steps, so take a cushion and blanket or two! See what’s on and get more information here.

Credit: Minack Theatre

Head to the Hall for Cornwall for a musical spectacular

If you fancy a more traditional theatrical experience, then a visit to the Hall for Cornwall in Truro is a must. The beautiful playhouse encapsulates all the fun of the theatre with traditional architecture that has been restored and renovated. Hall for Cornwall welcomes shows straight from the West End, sought-after musicals, dance spectaculars (including all your Strictly favourites), and side-splitting shows from the best in British stand-up.

Highlights for 2024 include the chilling Woman in Black, the phenomenon that is 2:22 A Ghost Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Life of Pi, Grease and Dear Evan Hansen.

Party at the Eden Project

After hours at the Eden Project biomes are lit up by an array of singing sensations and pop superstars. The well-renowned, summer Eden Sessions have welcomed everyone from Tom Jones to Kylie Minogue to Cornwall! A concert like no-other with 2024 seeing Fatboy Slim, The Manic Street Preachers, Rick Astley, JLS and Tom Grennan take to the stage.

If you’re heading to Cornwall during the festive season, a visit to the Eden Project will see the magical biomes transformed with glittering lights, you can meet Santa and his elves in their workshop for a fully immersive grotto experience, get your skates on at the indoor ice rink and tuck into warming mince pies and mulled wine whilst the brass band play yuletide classics!

Credit: Eden Sessions at the Eden Project

Now you know some of the fun things you can do during the evenings in Cornwall, it’s time to think about where to stay! For more information about the range of self-catering accommodation that we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our friendly team by calling 01872 572 971.

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