House by the Beach - Out of Seasons - Retreats and Escapes!

Out of season ...

The sea is at its warmest in September and when school goes back the Summer continues more quietly for several weeks, then gradually drifts into Autumn and eventually sandals are put away and replaced by walking boots.

In Winter the maritime climate of Cornwall means that its never really cold, though there is still the pleasure of sitting by a fire listening to stormy weather outside, or standing watching crashing waves before heading somewhere for lunch, and maybe some local beer or rum.

Christmas here can have a feel of former more traditional times and be a real retreat. Midnight mass at Gorran Church is very atmospheric. Then again, there's always the possibility of barbequed lunch on the beach; a Boxing day swim in the sea or at least a bracing walk along the cliffs or through muddy woodland.

Theres usually a skating rink at Eden and Christmas craft fairs at Heligan. Truro, Fowey and Padstow are great places to do Christmas shopping, where there are small interesting shops as well as the better known names.

Spring comes early here and as well as the natural landscape coming out in flower, there are some impressive Cornish gardens with historic collections of exotic plants in full bloom, notably at Heligan. Easter in the village is celebrated by egg-rolling down the hill and then there's the Festival of St Goran.