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Easter in St.Ives

25th March 2023

Lighter evenings, daffodils in flower and the sight of chocolate filling supermarket shelves, it can only mean one thing… Easter!

 

As ever, there’s a lot going on at Easter in St Ives, especially for families. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Cornwall for Easter 2023.

Easter Egg Hunts

It wouldn’t feel like Easter, if you didn’t take part in an Easter egg hunt, and there are plenty to choose from.

The National Trust egg hunts are always great fun, and have become a real Easter tradition for many families. Trengwainton Garden near Penzance is the closest one to St Ives, and there are also trails at Godolphin (near Helston), Trerice (near Newquay) and Glendurgan (“the one with the maze”). Take a look at the National Trust’s website for details of their Easter events in Cornwall.

Over in Hayle, Paradise Park is another good place for a fun family trail. The Easter Golden Egg Challenge takes you all around the wildlife park, searching for clues that will win you yummy chocolate.

Further afield, there’s an Easter Quest at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth for all you brave knights. The Eden Project isn’t holding a conventional Easter egg hunt, but instead has a series of games and challenges for families in its Get Set Grow programme.

Right here at Polmanter, we have a trail for your little ones to complete too. From Monday 3rd April, you’ll find a number of puzzles located around the site. Collect a set of clues and map from Reception to help find them, and once they’re all completed, bring them back to claim an Easter treat.

 

Easter egg hunts at Easter in St Ives

 

Easter Holiday Shows

We think that this year has to be the best yet for Easter theatre in Cornwall. A show from the unique Rogue Otherworld always kicks off the spring for us. Their wonderful Wild Awake production takes place in Tehidy Woods, where you follow the Wild Spring Hare along meandering paths on an immersive theatrical adventure. It runs between the 5th and the 15th of April – please book as soon as you can, as a, it’s popular and b, you don’t want to miss this unique performance.

Sticking with the outdoor theme, there’s a family show on at The Minack over the holidays. Giants is an original retelling of the legend of Cormoran, from the brilliant John Brolly and Ben Sutcliffe. Anything by them is sure to be excellent, and as for the setting…

Moving back inside, the revamped Hall for Cornwall in Truro has a packed programme over Easter, including pop princesses, Strictly stars and tales of famous fishermen. Take a look at HfC’s blog to see what’s on over Easter. Closer to home, St Ives’ own Kidz R Us is putting on a medley of showstoppers: find out more about their Marvellous Musicals performances.

 

Entrance to the Rogue Theatre Easter performance

Source: Rogue Theatre

Have a Creative Easter

Feeling inspired by all that amazing art in St Ives? Try your hand at something creative yourself this Easter, with a choice of crafty activities for families.

The Leach Pottery offers kids and families the opportunity to get creative with clay. You can even learn how to throw a pot on a potter’s wheel, or make a clay bowl. With messy play sessions for under fives coming up, and gorgeous sensory bags available, the Leach really does cater for every family. Find out more about their Easter activities for children.

Never think that Tate St Ives is a “grown-up” place. It has a range of fabulous activities to encourage families to enjoy the gallery and for kids to explore art in a fun and age-appropriate way. Take a look at the Tate’s website to find out what’s on for families.

Love chocolate? Head for I Should Coco, where not only can you buy lots of yummy locally made chocolate, but you can have a go at making your own. Book onto one of I Should Coco’s chocolate workshops, which welcome (accompanied) children of all ages.

The best thing about all these activities? They’re all here in St Ives.

 

Children taking part in a chocolate making workshop during Easter in St Ives

Source: Coco Kitchen

Explore West Cornwall

As well as these Easter activities, there’s plenty more to enjoy in West Cornwall at this time of year.

If you fancy exploring on foot, join the South West Coast Path for some stunning walks along the rugged Cornish coastline. Here over the Easter weekend? A family walk along the coast or in the countryside (with a hearty picnic, naturally), is a Cornish Good Friday tradition.

Alternatively, see the sights on two wheels. For the more adventurous, we’d recommend hiring from St Ives eBikes, so that you can cycle further and take on one of their West Cornwall routes. As a Polmanter guest, quote POLMANTER10 for a 10% discount.

Buses are also a great way of getting around, especially now, as Transport for Cornwall has reduced their fares. A day ticket has been reduced to £5 for adults, £4 for under 19s and £10 for a family ticket, which you can use on any bus* across the county, no matter what colour it is, or who’s driving – it’s one, big joined up network. There also savings for “town zone” travel, including St Ives.

However you decide to travel, check out more attractions close to Polmanter and further afield. You really won’t be stuck for ideas – come rain or shine!

 

Cycling in St Ives with St Ives EBikes

Source: St Ives eBikes

Easter at Polmanter

Here on site, we’re looking forward to welcoming our Easter guests.

As we mentioned earlier, there’s an ongoing Easter trail available across the site, which families can do at any time during their hols. Pop into Reception to pick up the trail’s map and clues to get started.

There’s also Easter egg drawing competition. Draw, colour, paint… we want to see your best Easter egg creations! Collect a sheet of paper from Reception with the outline of an Easter egg, and once you’ve completed your masterpiece, display it in the conservatory of The Stable Bar. Judging takes place on Monday 10th April, and there’s a prize for our favourite masterpieces.

The Stable Bar is extending their opening hours, serving breakfast 9-11am Easter weekend (Sat-Mon), and opening on Easter Sunday evening. They’ll continue to be open every evening 5-9pm from Friday 7th – Monday 10th April.

We’re also laying on some special Easter entertainment in the Bar.

  • Good Friday (7th April) – Live music with Jack Kessell, 8pm
  • Saturday (8th April) – Liz’s Quizzes, 8pm
  • Easter Sunday (9th April) – Sunday Roast, served lunch time (12-3pm) and dinner (5-8pm)
  • Easter Monday (10th April) – Bingo, 8pm (5 games, plus the flyer)

 

Does Easter in Cornwall sound good to you? We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!