Enjoy Cornish Christmas Traditions At Sennen Cove

Are you planning a getaway at Christmas? Then, consider visiting Cornwall and enjoying the charming and interesting Cornish Christmas traditions. A stay at Vellandreath Cottages in Sennen Cove offers a cosy, pet-friendly stay surrounded by the rugged and beautiful Cornish scenery. It also lets you get up close and personal with the unique Cornish traditions, some old, some new. Like Star Gazey pies and mask-clad Guisers dancing through towns.

 

Christmas Lights At Mousehold

 

Mousehold is just a 15-minute drive from Sennen Cove. Or you can catch a bus from outside the First & Last Pub for a 30-minute bus ride. We now have access to many fantastic lighting displays, but Christmas lights have their history in Pagan beliefs. Sun-worshipping pagans believed lighting candles during solstice would encourage the sun to return after the long dark winter. Mousehold has gained a reputation for its lovely Christmas light display. Go along and admire the illuminated figures scattering ribbons of light all around the pretty harbour. Do note that the Christmas lights at Mousehold attract a fair number of visitors, so parking can be limited.

 

Penzance's Montol Solstice Festival

 

A 20-minute drive on the A30, westwards across the county, will bring you to Penzance. The journey by bus takes about 85 minutes. Go on 21st December to enjoy this annual festival. Traditionally, it is celebrated on the feast of St Thomas but also coincides with the winter solstice celebrations. The Montrol Solstice festival is a modern-day interpretation of the ancient pagan rituals celebrating the sun.

 

You will find fire-breathing performers and with a further nod to history with guisers and 'obby 'osses. There are plenty of flavoursome Cornish pastries to eat and drink. Plus, Carol Singers, dancers, and markets in the evening to enjoy.

 

Guisers

 

Guise dancing is an ancient tradition of West Cornwall that has seen a resurgence in the past few years. Traditionally, the dancers wear costumes and masks to disguise themselves while dancing from door to door for money and food. The performances occurred during the 12 days of Christmas. The dancers were once outlawed because of anti-social behaviour - hence the disguises. Today, Guisers play an important role in the Montrol Festival - entertaining the crowds without causing mischief.

 

'Obby' Osses

 

Traditionally associated with a May Day festival, especially in Padstow. However, you can also see them at the Winter Solstice festival. A male dancer dresses up as a horse, cavorting throughout the town, trying to catch a pretty maiden.

 

Not To Be Missed Stargazy Pies

 

You will find this tasty Cornish fish pie filled with whole pilchards. The heads of which poke out from the pastry crust. Apparently, to gaze at the stars. The popular children's book Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber introduced the rest of the world to this beloved pie. 

The story goes that Tom Bawcock—a fisherman in the 16th Century—and his cat save the Mousehold villagers from starvation. A fierce storm kept the fishermen landlocked, so their food source disappeared. 

 

A true Cornish hero, Tom decided to battle the storm on 23rd December. He wanted to save the villagers; he survived and caught enough fish to feed the village. The villagers put the catch into one great big pie with the fish protruding to prove they were there.

If you would like to book a stay for Christmas in one of our beautiful coastal cottages, then book with us here

Late availability offers

We have some great late availability offers for cottages at Vellandreath Cornish Cottages: