Cornwall is absolutely teeming with fun-filled days out, whether you’re bundling up the family for an epic circular walk (complete with a Cornish pasty, of course), or you’re side-stepping the rain and opting for hours of fun at one of Cornwall’s many indoor attractions. But what about the adults? Cornwall has you well and truly covered with a veritable smorgasbord of boozy experiences just waiting to add a giggly twist to your holiday as you sample your way through ingenious local creations and botanicals.
From boozy boat trips to gin-spired workshops that put you in the distilling seat, we defy anyone to visit Cornwall’s taste-centric attractions and not leave with a smile on their face. Of course you can head out to one of the county’s top restaurants, pubs, or bars and order up a plateful of local grub while sinking a real ale or two, but we want to give you the option to try something a little different.
So, whether you’re celebrating something special (any one of these would make a great Valentine’s Day or birthday bash), or just want to experience Cornwall to the max, here’s our round-up of some of the best boozy experiences in Cornwall – cheers!
Tarquin’s Gin School, St Ives
Best for: Gin-finite fun
14 Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1AB
tarquinsgin.com/tarquins-gin-school
Cornwall is well known for its spirits – and no, we’re not talking about our various hauntings! We’re talking rum and everyone’s favourite refresher, gin! Having won global awards for both their gin and distillery tours, Tarquin’s is one of Cornwall’s best gin distillers. You can get well and truly stuck in with their gin schools in Padstow or St Ives for the ultimate experience. Learn some trade secrets, mix your dream combination of botanicals, and create a bottle that is totally unique to you. Create a thoughtful gift for someone or keep your creation as a reminder of your stay (whether the pretty bottle is full or long since empty).
Slug & Lettuce, Newquay
Best for: Bottomless brunches
11 Gover Lane, Newquay TR7 1ER
slugandlettuce.co.uk
Newquay is renowned for its incredible beaches and epic surfing conditions, but that’s not all this coastal destination has to offer. Oh no, with a giddy mix of restaurants, beach cafés, and cocktail bars, Newquay has become a mouth-watering foodie hotspot where you can dine on everything from seafood to slap-up breakfasts. Now, if you’re like us and love starting your day with eggs, bacon, and an endless supply of prosecco, then you’re going to love the Slug & Lettuce and their lip-smacking bottomless brunches. Simply book your table, pick your decadent meal and favourite drink, and they’ll make sure your glass never empties – the dream! Pancakes, full English, and smashed avocado on toast are just some of the day-defining delights on offer, alongside an epic menu of cocktails and mixers.
St Ives Brewery, Hayle
Best for: Pizza and pints
Unit 5, Hayle Industrial Park, Hayle TR27 5JR
stives-brewery.co.uk
Combining the relaxed vibes of your favourite bar with the fascinating sight of a working brewery, the St Ives Brewery taproom in Hayle might be new, but it’s rocketed to the top of our favourite pint-pouring places in Cornwall. Enjoy a thirst-quenching mix of pilsners, stouts, IPAs and even a Belgium Dubbel made from Cornish blackberries at the very place they’re brewed and bottled. And if you’re not a hop-head, you can choose from the selection of spirits and ciders that will have you rosy-cheeked in no time. Friday nights are pizza night, with local dough-masters Flour Power Pizza Parlour providing the perfect pair to your pint.
Polgoon Vineyard, Penzance
Best for: Vines, wines, and good times
Rosehill Meadow, Penzance TR20 8TE
polgoon.com
This is one of those occasions where our end-of-the-world location shines through as we smugly sit at the most southerly, paradisiacal point in the country that offers up oodles of sun-warmed fields that are perfect for growing and cultivating all kinds of top notch produce. Sitting pretty atop the slopes in West Cornwall, Polgoon Vineyard has been creating cheers-worthy wines for over a decade, all while enjoying sweeping views across Mounts Bay. There are lots of opportunities to have good wine here, whether you want the casual joys of a self-guided tour, or you want to be led by the hand (or perhaps, nose) through the fascinating and delicious world of sparkling wines. You can even pop into their on-site foodie shop for an unbeatable selection of tipples and tastes, from wine and cider to eggs from their very own hens.
Blue River Table, Falmouth
Best for: River-top dining
Harbour, Mylor Yacht, Falmouth TR11 5UF
bluerivertable.co.uk
If waterside dining is on your to-do list when visiting Cornwall, why not kick it up a notch and take your evenings onto the water itself? Oh yes, with Blue River Table you can soak up the peaceful surrounds of The Carrick Roads while enjoying a delicious meal and well-stocked bar. You can also join them for a prosecco-topped afternoon tea, or keep an eye out for their special events such as takeovers (not the pirate kind) from local gin distillers. Nothing quite beats sipping on a Cornish cocktail as you watch the river slowly fall into dusk – beautiful and delicious to boot!
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Truro
Best for: A pip to pour experience
Penhallow, Truro TR4 9LT
healeyscyder.co.uk
The home of Cornwall’s most famous cyder, Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm should be high on your list for a boozy day out as it really does cover everything, from the orchard where the apples are grown to a secret bar where the fruits of labour can be tasted. To make the most of your visit, we recommend the full Healeys experience, which rolls the orchards, press house, cyder factory, distillery, cellars, and a cyder sensory class into one whistle-stop tour. You’ll learn all about Rattler and Healeys’ other famous tipples while exploring Cornwall’s largest independent cyder maker – we’ll raise a glass to that!
Star Glazers, Falmouth
Best for: Gin-spired arts and crafts
17 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AB
starglazerscafe.co.uk
From the quiet focus to the expression of colour, pottery painting is a wholesome activity you simply can’t improve upon… Unless you add gin! Star Glazers have it spot on with their special adult-only events where the paint and gin flow in equal measure. Of course, the usual order of business of painting mugs, bowls, and unicorns with a cuppa is always good fun, we just can’t say no to the evening events when they come around. Gather your besties for an evening out with a creative twist, and let the gin unleash a whole new side to your creativity. Check out their social media to find out when their next Gin and Paint is taking place.
WAX Activity Bar, Newquay
Best for: Cocktails and competition
10 Central Square, Newquay TR7 1JB
waxactivitybar.co.uk
Combining darts, escape rooms, and axe throwing (to be done at the start of the night before the drinks start to flow) with copious cocktail options, WAX Activity Bar in Newquay is the ultimate place to challenge your friends to a bit of friendly competition. There are three escape rooms to choose from, alongside interactive dart boards around the bar, giving you a choice between working together or against one another. The bar is well stocked with local lagers, specialty cocktails and a range of spirits, so round up the gang for an action-packed evening of bar games like never before.
Constantine Stores, Constantine
Best for: Boozy retail therapy
30 Fore Street, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5AB
drinkfinder.co.uk
Tucked away in Constantine behind a humble shop front lies a total treasure trove of goodies, from Cornish rums to vintage Champagne. This hidden gem is your one-stop-shop for all things boozy, with floor to ceiling shelves full of your favourite tipples and bevvies - perusing these tempting bottles is an experience (and education) in itself! You’ll find bottles you know, bottles you don’t, and bottles you just want to stare at lovingly. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and can help you find the perfect gift (and yes, from you to you still counts as a gift). You’ll also find a selection of Cornish food on display, so why not create the ultimate Cornish hamper, and set out for a boozy picnic like never before.
Ready to lift your glass in celebration of Cornwall’s boozy days out? Browse our beautiful collection of holiday cottages in Cornwall and start planning your gin-soaked stay.