5 ideas for a memorable New Year’s Eve in Cornwall

Fancy spending the last day of the year doing something different, having a last hurrah before January creeps in and it’s all calorie counting and salary saving (yaaaawn)? Make a head start on your 2018 bucket list and finish the year on a feel-amazing high…

Go coasteering

Thought water-based adventures were just for the summer months? No, no, no. You’ll find the ocean-mad team at Newquay Activity Centre togged up in wetsuits and sharing their expert tips in everything from surfing to stand-up paddle boarding 360+ days a year (including throughout the Christmas holidays) and on New Year’s Eve they’re rallying up the locals for a charity ‘Cornish Castaway'. 

Take the plunge with them as they coasteer around the coast, paddle their huge super stand-up paddleboard through caves and then use bushcraft skills to build a fire and toast marshmallows. You’ll not only experience the beautiful coastline around Newquay in the most thrilling way possible but also raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

31st December, 1.30pm.£45 pp or an affordable charity donation.Call 01637 877722 to book newquayactivitycentre.co.uk

Get your skates on at Eden

Whether you whizz, inch or tumble your way around the glittering ice skating rink at the Eden Project, you’ll be doing it with a huge, smile-till-your-jaw-aches grin. This is one for the whole family to enjoy and, courtesy of Eden’s legendary magic, is a NYE’s activity you’ll be revisiting year after year. The rink-side chocolate drizzled crepes and warm churros are worth it alone. Delish!

Sessions available from 11am – 3pm. Advance booking advised. www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/ice-skating 

See Falmouth light up

It wouldn’t be NYE without fireworks and Falmouth is the place to see them. They’ll be firing from iconic Pendennis Castle on the chime of midnight and casting a myriad of sparkling colours across the bay and harbour. Viewing spots will be right around the town so pick the vibe that’s right for you; join the party atmosphere in the buzzing main streets or snuggle up in a blanket and catch them from the beach.

Get dressed up in St Ives 

Fancy waving goodbye to 2017 as your fave film star or seeing in the New Year as Superman? You’ll be right at home in St Ives. Join the throng of weird and wonderful revellers who cram the narrow, characterful streets and get caught up in the truly awesome party atmosphere. Live bands, street food and fireworks, it’s all going on. This is where fancy dress gets serious and the party goes way beyond midnight.

Experience the last sunset 

Sunsets in Cornwall are pretty special. Seeing the horizon ablaze in a mesmerising mix of red, gold and orange is a must-do experience whatever the date but when it’s the last sunset of the year, the wow-rating sky rockets. Grab a spot anywhere along the north Cornish coast and you’re in for a treat but for the best view in the house Watergate Bay and St Agnes Beacon are hard to beat.