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Christmas Time at Badgers Sett Holiday Cottages - 2022

The Festive Season in Cornwall 2022

It's only gone & happened again ... the festive season is tapping me on the shoulder when it still feels like mid-October in my head! Cornwall is pulling out all the stops for a Christmas filled with sparkly magical events, topped off with a sprinkling of fairy dust for all ages from grumpy gramps right through to the tinies.

Family time is very special to us at Badgers. We will be transforming our gorgeous spacious holiday cottages as usual for the festive season; chimneys are swept ensuring the man himself can access all areas on the big night, individual cottage Christmas trees are festooned with decorations & twinkly lights and wine & mince pies are provided for the grown ups to enjoy when winding down in front of the wood burning stove. All this while excited little ones finally succumb to sleep & dream of all things Christmas!

Take a peek at a selection of our very favourite Christmassy things to do & places to visit during December:

Padstow Christmas Festival 2022

A fantastic way to kick off your stay in Cornwall during December is to visit Padstow during their Christmas Festival and be drawn into a myriad of seasonal delights to explore with the family. Famous chefs are a speciality here with the fabulous trio of Rick Stein, Nathen Outlaw & Paul Ainsworth topping the bill for Cornwall in the new festival food kitchen, showcasing artisan style recipes and tips on producing fabulous foody delights, alongside question and answer sessions with their legion of fans.

Street markets abound selling a fabulous array of Christmas gifts from dazzling jewellery to gorgeously scented soaps and paintings all produced in Cornwall by locals. A great chance to indulge a lucky friend or family member with that extra special surprise to open on Christmas Day!

A festive atmosphere runs throughout the heart of this four day spectacular with Father Christmas making a magical appearance in a Victorian coach pulled along by horses, fireworks shimmer & crackle in a fabulous display of light & vibrant colour, carol concerts will be adding to the seasonal vibes, why not join in with a carol or two ..

With all this merrymaking you will be in need of a pit stop for refuelling and what a choice you will have with the fabulous array of quality pasties, artisan cheeses, freshly produced fish plus locally produced beers, lagers, wines, spirits and soft drinks on offer - the hardest thing will be deciding what to choose !

Plan your visit to The Padstow Christmas Festival

Foodie Heaven at the Padstow Christmas Festival - Image Credit: Visit Cornwall

Mousehole Harbour Lights

One of our favourites is a trip to view the Harbour Lights which has become a bit of a tradition at Badgers. For 2022 there will be a phased switch on of the lights commencing on 12th through to 17th December when all the displays will be strutting their beautiful shimmery best! The reflections on the ocean from the lights round the harbour need to be seen to be believed!

Many of the individual gift shops & galleries dotted around this pretty Cornish village will be extending their opening hours, giving visitors the chance to browse for exquisite jewellery, artwork & so much more, fantastic for either treating yourself or a lucky friend to a decadent gift to treasure!

Delicious aromas from locally produced food and beverages will assault your senses as you wander round & take in the sites during your time spent in this beautifully lit ancient harbour town .. Cafes, restaurants and gastro pubs vie for your custom, each providing the very best of local cuisine ensuring there will be something to suit all tastes & help to satisfy those hunger pangs!

Plan your visit to The Mousehole Harbour Lights

Christmas Lights at Mousehole, Image Credit: Visit Cornwall - Paul Watts

Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary

A day spent at this beautiful wildlife sanctuary guarantees fun, laughter & discovery for all the family, whilst taking the chance to to immerse yourself in the world of penguins, goats, red pandas, rabbits and guinea pigs in Pets Corner, plus many different species of birds and reptiles to name but a few!

Visiting the otters and penguins at feeding time is always amusing to watch as they waddle towards the keepers clambering over each other as they vie for fish!

The Jungle Barn play centre is a popular option for the older kids with its giant slides, rope bridge, astra slide, ladders and spinning discs. The tinies are not forgotten either as they can enjoy playing in the toddler zone which has its very own ball fountain in the soft play area.

To quell any hunger pangs there is a yummy on site cafe selling all sorts of delicious snacks from pasties and sandwiches to biscuits and cakes, not forgetting the fabulous Cornish Cream Tea!

Plan your visit to Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary Cornwall

Red Pandas - Paradise Park (Hayle), Image Credit: Visit Cornwall

Truro at Christmas

A visit to the lovely cathedral city of Truro during your festive stay in Cornwall is highly recommended. Leave your car in one of the two huge park & ride locations and let someone else do the driving into the town centre, where you can begin to fully immerse yourself in the laid back Christmassy vibes!

The agenda for December is full of craft fairs & markets selling local produce in which to tempt your taste buds alongside a plethora of inspirational handmade gifts. Late night shopping takes place on 7th, 14th & 21st when the streets will be closed to traffic from 14.00.

The city will be transformed with the soft glow of pretty Christmas lights, carol singing, street entertainment & music, creating a relaxed & jolly atmosphere in which to search for that elusive table present or stocking filler whilst indulging yourself in the huge choice of street food & drink as you take in the sites & sounds of this charming cathedral city.

Children will enjoy helping the elves find the elusive Father Christmas who is hiding in his grotto somewhere inside the Cathedral! (a tale originating from The Coppice Theatre). During their search they will come across a Story Telling Cat & a Cathedral Mouse who actually sings .. be sure to stop off and say hi as you meander by! Once Father Christmas & his grotto have been located he will ask each little person what they would like for Christmas, they will also receive a gift & the chance to have their photo taken with him to capture this magical moment!

Plan your Festive visit to Truro

Truro Cathedral: Image Credit: Truro TIC

The Heligan Night Experience

This iconic festive experience is making a much anticipated return for 2022. There will be additional delights to discover as you follow the beautifully lit pathways & gaze in wonder at the displays recently installed!


A new night time trail has been added to extend your adventure as you immerse yourselves into this spellbinding world of dusk and glowing lanterns. Fascinating forms of nature including butterflies, badgers, flora & fauna, not forgetting the charming dormice & perky Tamworth Pigs to name but a few, are all highlighted in intricate detail within this extravaganza.

As usual, Heligan's fantastic team will be there to guide & inform you throughout your journey on this one mile spectacular whilst encouraging you to stop & take in the visual and sensory delights. Who can resist stopping off to toast some decadent oozy marshmallows on the fire-bowls & following the aromatic aromas to food stalls, each offering an array of comforting food & drink to warm the cockles before you depart.

Plan your visit to the Heligan Night Garden

Dormouse in the Heligan Night Garden - Image Credit: The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Wheal Martyn Clay Works

A visit to Wheal Martyn Clay Works will combine discovering fascinating facts on the history of china clay in Cornwall with a fun day out for all the family. Take time to investigate the indoor Discovery Centre where you can embark on a virtual tour of a working clay pit which is brought beautifully to life via film and voice recordings, a hands on exhibits centre, plus a sketching & assembling zone. Head outside to view waggon huts where several vintage vehicles are stored, plus crib huts & settling tanks. You will also be able to see the largest water wheel in Cornwall in action whilst finding out how these impressive machines assisted in the excavation of china clay!

Venture outside to find many nature trails to follow including a historic trail where you will find out why Wheal Martyn is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Kids will love the play area there they can embark on an adventure trail, enter the flat rod tunnel & try to locate the secret drum kit, plus get to try on their very own dressing up clothes!

Why not get into some early festive vibes by stopping by at their Christmas Craft Fayre taking place in November, where you will find an abundance of exclusive merchandise such as sumptuous gins, exquisite jewellery, ceramics, cushions & cards to name but a few and all made locally. You will be sure to find some of those last minute gifts or a treat for yourself (you know you deserve it) .. here.

Take the family along to join in the Shanty Evening and join in a festive sing a long of Cornish shanties, folk songs & Christmas carols led by Kesvarner a local shanty group. Mulled wine & delicious treats will be available to help bring on the Christmas spirit at both the cafe & bar!

Plan your visit to Wheal Martyn Clay Works

Wheal Martyn Clay Works - Image Credit: Wheal Martyn Clay Works

Posted:7 November 2022