Start with art

West Cornwall

Creative workshops that introduce you to a new skill.

From art hikes to painting classes, this itinerary is filled with inspiring creative workshops that will kickstart your passion for art.

Whether you want to learn how to sketch your ideas quickly, try out a new technique or find new sources of inspiration, these activities are suitable for complete beginners, with no previous experience required.

Cornwall has been a popular destination for artists and makers for hundreds of years. Now you too can channel some of this creative energy on your next break.

Activity level: Easy
Duration: 2-3 days

You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.

Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.

Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.

Create your own inspiring itinerary

If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.

Things to do

Oliver West

Art and hiking

Discover the art of sketchbook journaling in this outdoor workshop guided by landscape painter and printmaker Oliver West. You’ll head out onto the coastal paths of West Cornwall and learn how to quickly capture the natural world through drawings and paintings. Alternatively, you could book a plein air printmaking workshop at Oliver’s studio in Marazion. Find out more here.

Sea Moor Cornwall VIP Experience

Splish-Splash-Splosh & Nosh!

Join Sea Moor Cornwall for a private Gyotaku workshop at artist Stevie’s home in Penzance. Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese method of fish printing developed by fishermen in the 1800s to record and honour the catch. Stevie uses fish and shellfish sourced sustainably from the shores of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – and nothing goes to waste. At the end of the workshop, Stevie will clean, cook and present the fish beautifully for you to enjoy with a glass of fizz (or two!). This extraordinary workshop is suitable for 2-4 people ideally, 6 max, and no previous experience is required. Find out more at seamoorcornwall.co.uk

Site-specific artwork

Gwelen

If you’ve ever visited Mount’s Bay, home of St Michael’s Mount, it might surprise you to learn that beneath the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. To find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’, join the section of the South West Coast Path that connects Marazion and Penzance. This unique installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.

Tremenheere Sculpture Garden

Spring awakening

See Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens as it bursts back into life after winter. There are installations from renowned artists around every corner – from intriguing metal sculptures to the fascinating camera obscura. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a mindful moment, experience the changing seasons and enjoy the details of nature.

New for 2023: Discover the brightly coloured figurative sculptures by Lisa Wright.

Places to Eat

Hoxton Special

Cafe by the coast

The Hoxton Special is the ideal place to warm up after a swim, paddleboarding activity or kitesurfing lesson. Housed in a former lifeguard hut, the cafe is known for its surfer vibes, homemade cakes and lovely coffees. Visit the team’s Instagram page to see their opening hours and what they’re serving for lunch.

Essential Information

Places to Stay

Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.

More inspiration?

Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.

Accessibility

Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.

Local knowledge

Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.

Getting around

Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.

Positive impact

We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.

Itinerary last updated on February 24th, 2023

This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.