A Winter Break in Cornwall with Our Dog

Between Christmas and New Year

We took a short winter break to Cornwall between Christmas and New Year, bringing our dog along for the adventure. Cold but dry weather made it perfect for coastal walks, festive lights, and cosy cafés.

Our first stop was The Watering Hole in Perranporth, famously located right on the beach. Wrapped up against the chill, we sat outside with a pint of Coke and watched surfers braving the icy sea. After a refreshing walk along the beach, we headed up to Alcatraz Bar & Café, which had been recommended to us. Another Coke and a slice of cake later, we were enjoying stunning views across Perranporth beach — well worth the climb.

From there, we drove on to the village of Angarrack to see the Christmas lights. Parking is limited, so we arrived early and managed to grab the very last space in the pub car park. With time to spare before the lights were switched on at 5:30 pm, we settled in with — you guessed it — another Coke. Nearly the entire village takes part in the decorations, and wandering through the streets once the lights were on was a real highlight of the trip.

Next stop was Padstow to see its festive harbour lights and find somewhere to eat. The Christmas lights here are beautifully displayed around the harbour and on the boats, creating a lovely atmosphere. We found a welcoming, dog-friendly pub where we enjoyed a delicious meal — and our dog was treated to some sausages of his own.

That evening, we headed to Wadebridge for our overnight stay.

The next morning greeted us with temperatures of minus two and a car well and truly iced over. Once defrosted, we drove to Rock, which overlooks Padstow from across the estuary. We enjoyed a peaceful walk along the water with the dog and snapped a few photos of the ferry making its way back and forth between Rock and Padstow.

Our final stop was Looe. After parking up, we crossed the bridge into the town and found a cosy café where we enjoyed cream scones — jam first, then cream, of course. A gentle stroll around the town and down to the beach rounded off the day perfectly.

With the trip complete, we took a slow, scenic drive back home, ready to welcome in the New Year — tired, happy, and full of fond winter memories from Cornwall.