By Andy, founder
Once the summer visitors have gone, Cornwall belongs to the people who live here. The beaches are empty, parking is easy and there's always a table by the fire. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to do it. Here are some easy winter dates to try.
Out in the weather
Go storm watching
Few things beat watching Atlantic waves hit the coast from somewhere safe and dry. Pick a harbour wall café or a clifftop with a good view, keep well back from the edge, and let the sea do the entertaining. It makes conversation easy, too.
Take a bracing beach walk
An empty beach on a crisp, bright day is one of the best things about a Cornish winter. Walk, talk, and finish with something hot to drink. Walking side by side takes the pressure off, and it's easy to extend if it's going well.
Wander a garden in its quiet season
Cornwall's great gardens are worth a winter visit, with early camellias and far fewer people. It's a relaxed way to spend a couple of hours together.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
Every corner of Cornwall has a pub with a log fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a gallery or museum
From the galleries of St Ives to the maritime museum in Falmouth, there's plenty to see indoors when the rain sets in. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker.
Share a proper cream tea
Jam first, obviously. A tearoom on a wet afternoon is hard to beat, and it gives you something to disagree about gently if the conversation needs a nudge.
Festive and seasonal
From late November, towns and villages across Cornwall light up for Christmas, and the harbour lights in places like Mousehole draw people from all over. A stroll round the lights with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date. Winter markets, carol concerts and community events are worth keeping an eye out for, too.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours out of season, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by late afternoon, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Cornwall work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- cornwall
