From Vikings to Sea shanties, bike rides and foodie festivals - there's plenty to see and do in Cornwall in April
Easter and Spring have arrived all at once, and here is our top pick of things to do this month.
The Vikings have landed at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Viking Voyagers Supersized Weekend (28-29 April). Create your own helmet, sword and shield, and see Vikings brought to life by Morvleydh, the Sea Wolves.
Going Viking with Fleet of Foot Theatre (4/5/7 April, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm) Join enthusiastic story seekers Nelson Fleet and Henry Foot as they send their battered old filing cabinet into the past to discover all things Viking.
Viking Sagas with Rattlebox Theatre (29 March, 1 and 8 April, 11am, 12pm and 2pm) Get caught up in the outrageous adventures of the Norse gods and their war with the giants.
Enjoy Hammer Time (3-6 April, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm) Over the Easter break cast your own chocolate Thor’s hammer at the Maritime Museum. Places limited, please book on arrival. One creative craft activity each day. Adult supervision required. Discover all things Viking.
Lunchtime lecture - The Wrecking Season (13 April, 12.30pm) The north coast of Cornwall is one of the best collection points in long-haul drift. Join artist Jane Darke as she reveals beachcombing finds. Set lunch and lecture £16 (members £14). Call 01326 214546 for bookings.
Discovery Talk – Topsail and Battleaxe: To America with the Norsemen (29 April, 6.30pm) Tom Cunliffe’s Bristol Channel Pilot cutter Hirta is familiar to many TV viewers. Call 01326 214546 for bookings. Doors and bar open from 6pm. Two-course supper and lecture £19.50 (members £17.50). Lecture only £9.50 (members £8.50).
Eden Classic bike ride
And they are off…Lycra refreshed, inner tyres pumped up and stopwatches steadied, for the first ever Eden Classic bike event on 10 May, with The Lost Gardens of Heligan featuring as a spectacular stop-off for riders. Eden and Tempus Leisure are offering cyclists the unique chance to pedal the length of Eden. There are three routes taking in the dramatic scenery of the South Cornwall coast. The long route includes 2,433m of climbing - a real test for even the most experienced road cyclists. Other cycling activities will also be available on the day, especially for children and less experienced cyclists.
Get Shanty Spirited! Sea Songs and Shanty Festival Perranporth SHOUT (17-19 April)It started with a lunchtime session six years ago at The Wateringhole - and now groups visit from all over Cornwall and beyond in venues around the town over a weekend. The Saturday Concert has attracted Kimbers Men, The Southern Tenants Folk Union - and this year Phil Beer will perform on Friday, 17 April 8pm SHOUT Sessions will be held at Seiners Arms, The Upper Deck and The Tywarnhayle Inn.
Walk on the wild side
17 April: Head off with your hiking boots to a guided walk in South East Cornwall on St George’s Island for the family. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is organising the event which starts with the thrill of a boat ride, across from Looe to the nature reserve where resident wardens will lead the walk and help you to spot wildlife.
Porthleven Foodie Feasting
25 April 10am to 11pm: Foodies will be flocking to the global stage that is the Cornish Porthleven Food Festival on Saturday 25 April. You will be able to see Rick and Jack Stein, cooking together, Neil Haydock, Executive Chef of Fifteen at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, Antony Worrall Thompson and more in the chef’s main marquee cooking theatre while a special festival arena for the younger folk’ has also been prepared, ready for such events as those of last year - cake decorating, creative ways with dough, a treasure hunt and face-painting. Added to this recipe of good festival ingredients is a number of hot food stalls, theatre and food tasters to enjoy. On the Lime Kiln Stage will be the beat of global sound to represent the festival theme - local food, global stage.
Something to Sing about
29 April- 4 May: The unforgettable sound of the Czech Boys Choir – whose angelic voices rang across St Michael’s Mount, last year delighted and amazed day-trippers to the island. The Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival is once again to be echoing from Bude to Land’s End, Torpoint to Porthleven, when rousing voices will be heard in iconic locations like the Eden Project, Trebah Gardens, the Minack Theatre - plus, for the first time, Caerhays Castle. Almost 70 choirs of all ages and nationalities are lined up for the biggest event of its kind in Europe (the largest in the festival’s 12-year history), scheduled in 60 concerts, workshops and celebrations at 50 venues across Cornwall.
Tickets also available from the Hall for Cornwall Box Office hallforcornwall.org.uk
