COMEDY: Seamas Carey Help! I think I’m a Nationalist Cornish tour, various locations, 29 Sept – 29 Oct

Following his podcast The Reason Why Seamas Carey now takes his new comedy show on tour around Cornwall. Exploring themes of identity, second homes, nationalism, xenophobia (and bagpipes), Seamas endeavours to explore some of the more gritty issues facing Cornwall in 2022 – aged 18+.

HARVEST: Heligan Harvest, Lost Gardens of Heligan, 1-30 October

This year Heligan’s Harvest reflects 30 days of celebration for 30 years of being open to the public. Heligan Harvest 2022 will celebrate all that Heligan makes, produces, and tends to – be that vegetables, animals, or woodlands. Expect an exciting array of displays, demonstrations and autumn inspired menus.

ART EXHIBITION: Sheila Hichens Collection, St Michael’s Mount, 2 Oct – 30 April 2023

An exhibition of culturally significant Cornish artwork opens to the public for the first time on St Michael’s Mount in October. The Sheila Hichens Collection of paintings by well-known Newlyn School artists will be on display in the island’s newly renovated Steward’s House. Free when Mount is open.

ART EXHIBITION: As it is seen, Melanie Stidolph, Grays Wharf, Penryn, 7 – 29 Oct

‘As it is seen’ finds a visual and poetic language for the artist’s experience of involuntary childlessness. A series of photographic works titled ‘Last Summer’ present scenes outside the artist’s direct experience. The works show families with young children at the edge of the sea. They focus on how we arrange ourselves and signal to others when we are in unfamiliar territory. These photographs look at the shape of groups and how togetherness is demonstrated through gestures and distance, our sense of which is heightened now after coming through the pandemic.

EVENT: Breakfast & Beyond at Heligan with Tia Tamblyn, Lost Gardens of Heligan, 13 Oct

The first in a four-part, sustainability-focused, seasonal breakfast event, hosted by Podcaster Tia Tamblyn. Includes thoughtful discussion, over breakfast, about the steps we can take within our work and home lives to embrace sustainability. In the first event, host Tia Tamblyn will be joined by guest panelist Tim Westwell, founder of Pukka teas and farmer, along with Bloomtown co-founder Preya Culmer.

FOODIE: Falmouth Oyster Festival, Falmouth, 13-16 Oct

Falmouth’s Events Square will again play host to Falmouth Oyster Festival, one of Cornwall’s biggest and best loved specialist food events. The annual festivities celebrate the start of the oyster dredging season, the native Fal Oyster and the diversity of Cornish seafood, with four days of feasting, cooking demos, live music, food and craft stalls.

FOODIE: Fishermen’s Mission Charity Dinner, The Alverton, Truro, 13 Oct

The team behind The Fishermen’s Mission will be co-hosting a celebratory evening of Cornish food and drink to highlight the important work they do and raise much needed funds to help them continue to deliver their mission across the county. In a true celebration of Cornwall’s coastline, some of the county’s top chefs will be taking over The Alverton’s kitchen for the evening, including St. Enodoc’s Guy Owen, Kota’s Jude Kereama, The Rick Stein Group’s Stephane Delourme and The Alverton’s very own Executive Chef, Nick Hodges. Tickets £69pp, booking essential.

EVENT: Wellbeing Day Sail, Falmouth, 14 Oct

This is the last therapeutic sail of the season (extra date due to popularity) – expect hands-on sailing, relaxation, informal group sessions with an experienced therapist at a special price of £70 for Cornish residents. Email Emily to book.

EVENT: Bikelights Illuminated Parade – Bodmin, 14 Oct, Wadebridge, 15 Oct, and Bude, 16 Oct

Running for five years, this illuminated bike parade in North Cornwall is so much fun. Bikelights in Bodmin (14 Oct), Wadebridge (15 Oct) and Bude (16 Oct) is the most enormous fun, not only do you get to create brilliant illuminated bikes, but you also get to go on an unforgettable bike ride in the dark with your family, surrounded by the most enchanting glittering lights and laughter. See also their Crowdfunder.

EVENT: Autumnal Wine Journey, Trebah Gardens, 14 Oct

Wrap up warm and let North Coast Wine & Six Liqueurs take you on an autumnal journey through the garden whilst tasting and exploring natural, organic and biodynamic wine. Guests will meet on the beach for a refreshing ‘Six Spritz’ cocktail and some delicious Cornish nibbles. From here the tasting experience will continue in the amphitheatre where you will be guided through our white wine selection with one of North Coast Wine’s own sommeliers. By twilight, with rustling leaves underfoot, guests will make their way to the private terrace where a range of eco-friendly, warming red wines will be waiting your arrival. To book tickets for this unforgettable and unique autumnal experience call Trebah on 01326 252200 (option 1). Ticket includes access to the garden from 3pm.

EVENT: 10k Cliff Walk, The Hike Society, 15 Oct

The Hike Society is celebrating their first Annual General Hike weekend, hosting multiple hikes over one weekend to encourage people to get outside and to unlock the outdoors. Join The Hike Society by Columbia and Sam Rogers for a 10km hike along the North Cliffs heading towards Hell’s Mouth in Cornwall before stopping at Fisherman’s Cove for a sea swim. The hike will end Hayle for a Cornish Pasty. Event is free, but you need to register. Meet likeminded walkers!

FESTIVAL: Scilly Festival of Nature, Isles of Scilly, 15 – 23 Oct

This new festival offers a dynamic and varied programme of over 60 events, telling the tales of the islands nature and wildlife, through guided walks, talks, performances, live music and workshops – all designed to bring people closer to the abundance of island wildlife and showcase the unique and incredibly special land and seascape Scilly has to offer. People traveling to the islands to attend the Festival can also use the booking code FESTNAT22 to receive a 10% discount when travelling with Isles of Scilly Travel from 10^th– 29^th October 2022, on the Scillonian III or on Skybus from Land’s End.

ICE-SKATING: Eden Project, 15 Oct – Feb 2023

Cornwall’s biggest outdoor ice-rink returns to the grounds of the Eden Project this October with plenty of space to practice your axels and spins. The cafe is serving up sweet treats too, just don’t forget your face covering to wear rink side. Pre-booking online is essential, and you’ll need a locals pass or to pay to access Eden itself too.

Henry Blofeld – My Dear Old Things (15 Oct)

RUNNING: Eden Marathon and Half Marathon, 16 Oct

Entries close on 2 Oct for Cornwall’s biggest running event so if you’re quick you can still enter, or, you may still appreciate the heads up that things will be busier that day!

EVENT: Raynor Winn and The Gigspanner Big Band – SALTLINES, Hall for Cornwall, 17 Oct

An exciting collaboration between bestselling author Raynor Winn (The Salt Path) and folk-roots supergroup The Gigspanner Big Band, which features some of the biggest names on the folk scene. Beginning life as a trio formed by legendary Steeleye Span fiddle player Peter Knight, the line-up has been expanded to form the Gigspanner Big Band, with acclaimed multi-instrumental duo Edgelarks (Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin - BBC Folk Awards ‘Best Duo’) and Bellowhead co-founder and melodeon player extraordinaire, John Spiers, joining the fray. Together they celebrate the beauty, stories and traditions of the South West Coast Path in old songs and new words… words which have been written by Raynor Winn especially for this production.

EVENT: Go Darker Heritage Tours, Bodmin Jail, 17 – 31 Oct

The ‘Go Darker’ Heritage Tour will take you from the gallows to the grave and the anatomy table to the gibbet cage. Discover why we executed at crossroads, when the last prisoner was displayed in chains and where the bodies of the condemned are buried.

LITERARY FESTIVAL: Falmouth Book Festival, Falmouth, 17-23 Oct

Featuring a dynamic line-up of authors, poets and storytellers, Falmouth Book Festival is back for 2022 (17 – 23 Oct). It takes place throughout the town and sets out to celebrate books, sharing ideas, and bringing people together. Last year author Dawn French, who has been chancellor of Falmouth University since 2015, kicked off proceedings, this year’s line up still TBC.

FOODIE: Bobby’s Taste of Cornwall, The Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth, 20 October and 17 November

Head Chef Bobby has expertly crafted and curated a tantalising six course menu that will showcase the very best of what Cornwall has to offer. Take your seat in our intimate Sundeck area, which hosts panoramic views of the River Fal as Bobby chats informally throughout the courses so you’ll also be able to learn some tips and tricks for your own cooking at home. £79pp, booking essential.

MUSIC: Harbottle & Jonas, St Endellion Church, 22 Oct

Devon-based duo Harbottle & Jonas play at St Endellion Church, billed as one of the most exciting acts on the UK folk circuit.

EVENT: Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show, Launceston Town Hall, 26 Oct

Designed for children and adults alike, Mark’s Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies!
Awarded ‘Best Kid’s Show at Edinburgh Fringe’ by The Derek Awards, this interactive show promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!

EVENT: A Causley Halloween, Launceston, 28 October

The Halloween evening will feature folksinger Jim Causley, Paranormal Investigator Karin Beasant and the Jamaica Inn Paranormal team, Simon Costin from Dockacre House and the Witchcraft Museum at Boscastle, and Folklore Expert Mark Norman. The ghostly town walk will begin at 6pm at the Town Hall and will last approximately 90 minutes. Then at 8pm, there will be performances of Charles Causley’s ghostly poems set to music by Jim Causley, a talk from Simon Costin about witchcraft and his work at Dockacre House and discussion from the folklore society’s Mark Norman.

FOODIE: Gralefrit Restaurant pop-up supper evening, 28 October (dinner) or 30 October (lunch)

Gralefrit Restaurant pop-up suppers are run by Ethan Friskney-Bryer (head chef of Fitzroy & North Street Kitchen restaurants in Fowey), his wife Hazel and brother Joel, who can usually be found at the Roundhouse in Penzance. Using produce from their walled garden across the river and locally sourced fish and some meat, these supper evenings will be held both at Fitzroy and its sister restaurant North Street Kitchen. Email gralefritrestaurant@gmail.com to book.

EVENT: Jubilee Pool Dog Day, Penzance, 30 October

As usual the Jubilee Pool celebrates the end of a paw-some season in the cold pool with a dog day, with mutts-anticipated tickets selling quickly. It’s a day that people go barking mad for, and please fur-give (them) and me for the puns!

{Sold out} HALLOWEEN EVENT: Victorian Seance, Bodmin Jail, 31 Oct

An intimate, authentic Victorian séance for 18+. This unique evening will see our guests participate in Victorian spiritualism techniques including glass and table, ouija board and scrying before taking part in the first séance to be conducted in the original women’s wing of the prison for over 150 years.

Begin the evening with an exclusive 3-course meal in The Chapel Restaurant before you are given unprecedented access to the prison and its spiritual energy. For the curious, the doubters, the believers and the aesthetes, this rare opportunity is not to be missed.

TOO LATE, JUST MISSED

THEATRE: Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) The Minack, 22 Sept – 6 Oct

Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.

EVENT: Porthleven Arts Festival, 24 Sept – 2 October

Back for 2022, the first Porthleven Arts Festival last year was lots of fun- more than 60 events across the town including exhibitions, art, workshops, music, poetry and performance. It’s about community, about participation and, most importantly, about celebrating art in all its many and diverse forms. Highlights last year included the Salty Sisters swimming, music from sea shanties to the blues via a delightful programme of classical music in St Bartholemew’s church and poetry performed and to reflect upon. There were also mermaid days and a whole host of creative workshops.

ARTS FESTIVAL: Form, Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, 30 Sept – 2 Oct

Form is a new annual visual arts festival in Falmouth which celebrates the visual arts heritage and vibrant creative culture of the area. The events, with something for all ages and many of which are free, include exhibitions; workshops featuring pottery, printing and crocheting; demonstrations, such as wood turning and Raku pottery firing; film screenings; life drawing classes; as well as an arts trail of local school children’s work – the future artists of Cornwall – in shop windows across Falmouth.

EVENT: Dinner & Dance, Kudhva, Tintagel, 1 Oct

Summer Closer party with dinner, DJs and more in the woods at Kudhva. Make a night of it and stay in one of the tree top tent structures.

FILM: Waves Film Festival, The Poly, Falmouth, 1 and 7 Oct

Waves Film Festival is back with a great selection of ocean short films that will inspire you all to go on an adventure, pick up a camera or jump in the sea.

The showing will be around 150mins and will include a break in the middle where there will be a raffle to win a selection of goodies – with all the money from the raffle going towards Surfers against Sewage.

EVENT: Open Day at The ARC Wellbeing Hub, Penryn, Falmouth, 1 Oct

A fun day out on board Sea Sanctuary’s new floating wellbeing hub. Explore the boat, meet their therapists, try taster sessions in yoga, writing, art. Free.

COMEDY: SUGGS, What A King Cnut – A Life In The Realm Of Madness, Launceston Town Hall, 2 Oct

Due to huge popular demand, after his first tour-de-force, smash hit, sell out tours with ‘My Life Story’, Suggs is treading the boards again. If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, Suggs: What a King Cnut is about the surprises that awaited him when he did. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace, nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics, the embarrassing stuff that happened at Glastonbury.

FOODIE: Autumnal Tasting Menu, Sea Fever, Bude, 6 Oct

A six course tasting menu to celebrate what Autumn brings, with matching wines, introduced by Oliver Tullet of Vino Direct. £85pp, booking essential.

GOLF: The British Challenge, St. Mellion Estate, 6 – 9 October

Europe’s finest golfing talent will be heading to St. Mellion Estate to take on Jack’s masterpiece…the Nicklaus Signature Course.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Aviation photography, Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, Newquay, 8 Oct

If you (or your partner) are in to planes or aviation photography, Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre at the former RAF St Mawgan in Newquay is organising a photography event offering both day and night time access whilst the centre is closed to the public to allow photographers to seek out unique photos of the planes. Definitely a niche event, but sounds good if planes are your subject of choice. Booking essential.

FOODIE: Autumn Tide Feast, Emily Scott Food, Watergate Bay, 9 Oct

Each season chef Emily Scott will be hosting a lunchtime feast for £65. To book your place & more information please email holly@emilyscottfood.com.

COMEDY: Ned Boulting – Retour De Ned, Launceston Town Hall, 9 Oct

One for the cyclists – ITV’s Tour de France commentator Ned Boulting returns with a fresh assault, “an indispensable theatrical road map for anyone aspiring to wear the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysées: a really very rough guide to the tactics (pedal faster) and challenges (not pedalling fast enough) which will need to be deployed to win the biggest bike race in the world”.

Hello spooky season! 35+ local things to do this October

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