Cornwall is a wonderful place to take a holiday at any time of year, but there’s something special about visiting in autumn. The crowds of summer have thinned, the landscape starts to take on those beautiful golden and russet colours and there’s often a wonderfully crisp feel to the air. Add October half term and Halloween into the mix and you have all the ingredients for a fun-filled family break.
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Whether you’re looking for ghost stories, pumpkin picking, fireworks or something a little more frightening, there are plenty of ways to get into the spooky spirit this autumn.
Step back in time on the Padstow Ghost Walk
If you like your Halloween with a healthy dose of history, the Padstow Ghosts, Myths and Legends Walking Tour is a perfect way to spend the evening. Taking you through the historic heart of the harbour town, there are stories of merchants, fishermen, rival families, mysterious happenings and some rather unsettling local folklore along the way.
Led by local guide and actor Geoff Monk, who takes on the character of Thomas Rawlings, an 18th century merchant, the tour is a wonderfully atmospheric way to see Padstow from a completely different perspective.
Expect tales of haunted inns, old alleyways, Prideaux Place and the medieval St Petroc’s Church, along with stories of spirits, spectral animals and long-standing Cornish traditions. Rather than relying on jump scares, it brings together history, storytelling and a little theatrical magic. Tours take place on selected evenings and continue beyond Halloween.
Pumpkins, rides and fireworks at Camel Creek
For a family day out with a bit of everything, head to Camel Creek Adventure Park near Wadebridge for Pumpkin Fest.
The event brings pumpkins, spooky entertainment, family games, marshmallow toasting, a House of Horrors and more than 40 rides and attractions together for a lively day out. Every child can also get a free pumpkin while stocks last.
Pumpkin Fest runs daily from 24th October to 1st November during half term, with the park open from 10.30am until 4.30pm. There’s also a Firework Fiesta on Wednesday 28th October, when rides stay open later. The evening includes live entertainment, street food, sweet treats and fireworks at around 7pm.
It’s an easy option if you want to combine Halloween activities with a full day of rides and attractions.
Halloween Party at Padstow Social Club
For younger children who would rather simply dress up and have fun, the Kids’ Halloween Party takes place on 31st October from 3pm to 5pm at Padstow Social Club on The Lawns, Senders Hill. The afternoon will include fancy dress, games, a magic show, a ventriloquist, entertainment from resident host Jules and prizes for the best spooky costumes.
There will also be free food and soft drinks for the children, making it a fun way for younger children to enjoy Halloween without having to do anything too scary.
Halloween gets serious at Bodmin Jail
Bodmin Jail Halloween events include evening entertainment alongside several family-friendly activities. The historic prison is hosting Banged Up in Bodmin Jail on Friday 30th October. The Halloween party and disco runs from 8pm to 2am for people aged 18-plus, with two stages and six hours of DJs and dancing, hosted in collaboration with Cornish DJs Jam & Meme.
There are also several options for families: the Trick or Treat Halloween Trail runs from 17th to 31st October, while the lantern-lit Ghost Walk takes place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The Go Darker Guided Tour is also available throughout October.
Halloweden at the Eden Project
Halloween doesn’t have to be about things that go bump in the night. At the Eden Project, the season takes a more magical approach, with plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy.
Eden Project Halloween runs from 24th October to 1st November, bringing seasonal fun to the Biomes and gardens, with a Magical Miniature Mushroom Trail, an immersive UV Glow Room, storytelling and live music in the Mediterranean Biome.
On 31st October, The Spellbinders will be performing in the Citrus Grove from midday until 4pm, adding music and games to the day. There’s also the chance to enjoy Eden’s ice rink, which has been given a Northern Lights-inspired makeover for the autumn season.
A Maze of Horrors at Smeaton Farm
If your family likes a things a little more terrifying, the Halloween Maze of Horrors at Smeaton Farm near Saltash is one to put on the list.
Taking place on 31st October, with timed entries from 6pm, the maze leads visitors into the darkness of the maize field, with scare scenes and live actors along the route. There are also fire jugglers, stunt performers and additional scare actors, with food available from the BBQ and farm café.
During the daytime, Smeaton Farm offers pumpkin picking and family-friendly activities on selected October dates, so you can choose between a more traditional autumn visit and an evening of scares.
There’s more to October in Cornwall than Halloween
A fantastic time for getting out on the coast path to enjoy cooler temperatures and spectacular scenery; there are plenty of things to do in Cornwall for Halloween, but the season also offers plenty of reasons to get outdoors
From Padstow, follow the estuary towards Stepper Point for wonderful sea views and plenty of fresh Atlantic air. Another lovely walk takes you from Mawgan Porth towards Bedruthan Steps, where dramatic sea stacks provide an impressive backdrop.
If you fancy heading inland, the Vale of Lanherne around St Mawgan offers quiet lanes, open countryside and places to stop for a coffee or a well-earned drink. After all that walking, a freshly baked scone at Carnewas Tearooms sounds like a sensible idea.
Your holiday, your way
After a day of activities, it’s good to know there’s somewhere comfortable waiting for you. Self-catering cottages in Cornwall make a welcome home-from-home base, with the flexibility to enjoy your days at your own pace.
As the evenings draw in and the nights get a little darker, Cornwall takes on an atmosphere of its own. Embrace the autumn chill, enjoy a little seasonal mischief and make the most of a holiday that’s just the right amount of spooky.