10 things to do in Cornwall this September (2025)

September in Cornwall is a special time of year. 

The summer crowds start to fade, the sea is at its warmest, and a packed calendar of festivals and seasonal openings means you can experience things not possible in July or August. 

Here are ten September-only activities to add to your Cornwall bucket list.

1. St Ives September Festival – 13th – 27th September

St Ives comes alive every September with two weeks of art, music, film and poetry. 

Musicians perform across pubs, churches, and outdoor spaces, with a mix of ticketed and free gigs. Walking tours explore St Ives’ narrow streets and fishing heritage, while poets and storytellers take over small venues. 

The festival began in the 1970s and remains one of Cornwall’s most important cultural events. If you’re visiting St Ives in September, plan a day to dip into the programme!

2. Newquay Fish Festival – 6th September

Newquay Harbour is the setting for one of Cornwall’s most food-focused September events. The Fish Festival brings together local chefs, fishmongers and fishermen for live cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions. 

Stalls sell everything from mackerel baps to crab sandwiches, and you’ll also find Cornish drinks from cider to craft gin. 

The harbour stage hosts music and dance, keeping the atmosphere lively. This is a good chance to try seafood in the town where it was landed!

3. Heritage Open Days – 12th – 21st September

Every September, Cornwall joins the national Heritage Open Days scheme, when historic buildings, gardens, and archives open their doors for free. 

Many of these places are closed most of the year, so this is your chance to step inside and explore.

For 2025, highlights include:

• Levant Mine and Beam Engine (Trewellard, near Pendeen) – see the last working Cornish beam engine in steam and join guided tours of the dramatic cliff-top mining site. Pre-booking required.
• Michell’s Engine House (Illogan Highway, Redruth) – a rare chance to step inside Cornwall’s last surviving “whim engine,” with the added Catching Copper guided walk led by artist Sovay Berriman.
• Kresen Kernow (Redruth) – Cornwall’s archive centre runs exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of strongrooms, showcasing original architectural plans and historic designs. Booking essential.
• Lizard Wireless Station (The Lizard, Helston) – free open day at Marconi’s pioneering wireless station, with Titanic-themed radio displays, hands-on demonstrations, and family activities.
• Maker Heights (Torpoint) – guided walks through 18th- to 20th-century military defences, including the Grenville Battery, with re-enactors staging live musket and cannon demonstrations.

4. Apple orchard visits

September is apple harvest time, and Cornwall’s cider farms celebrate with tours, tastings, and orchard walks. Healey’s near Truro is the best-known, with tractor rides through the orchards, a working cider press, and a cider museum. 

Polgoon Vineyard & Orchard in Penzance also hosts orchard tours that focus on both their apples and vines, with tastings included. 

September is the month when local harvest fairs showcase Cornish apple varieties, from traditional cookers to heritage dessert apples. 

With the smell of ripe fruit in the air and fresh cider flowing, this is one of the most seasonal food experiences you can have in Cornwall!

5. Seal watching at Godrevy

Godrevy Head is one of the best places in Cornwall to see Atlantic grey seals, and September is peak season. 

The seals haul out on the beach below the cliffs, often in groups of 50 or more. 

From the viewing point at Mutton Cove you can watch them resting, swimming, and interacting without disturbing them. 

September is just before pupping season begins, so numbers build up along this stretch of coast. Bring binoculars and a camera and stick to the viewing platforms, as going down to the beach can scare the animals.

6. Autumn surfing swells

While summer is best for beginners, September is when Cornwall’s surf scene really comes alive. 

The first proper Atlantic swells of autumn arrive, and the waves get powerful! 

Polzeath, Perranporth and Sennen are three of the best beaches to try if you’re confident in the water. Surf schools still run through September so you can take lessons even if you’re new. 

The sea is warmer than in spring, and the beaches are far less crowded than in August. 

September’s combination of good surf and warmer water makes it one of the best months of the year to bring your board to Cornwall.

7. Sea swimming in the warmest water of the year

Cornwall’s sea temperatures reach their annual high in September. 

After a summer of sunshine, the water around the coast is warmer than it is in June or July. 

This makes it the best time for wild swimming without a wetsuit. Gyllyngvase Beach, Carbis Bay and Porthtowan are three spots where you can enjoy clear water and dramatic backdrops. 

Gyllyngvase and Porthtowan are lifeguarded until 28th September 2025 – Carbis Bay is only lifeguarded until 7th September this year.

The combination of warm water and quieter beaches makes September the ideal month for a dip!

8. Long-distance coast path walks

The South West Coast Path is walkable year-round, but September is arguably the best month!

The weather is cooler than August, yet usually settled, and you can tackle longer sections without overheating. 

The Zennor to St Ives route is a challenging but rewarding day walk, with granite cliffs, ruined mine buildings and views across St Ives Bay. 

On the Lizard, the section between Mullion Cove and Kynance Cove is another must-do. 

I also love the Tintagel to Boscastle section in North Cornwall, and Looe to Polperro on the south coast. 

9. Truro Food Festival – 24th – 28th September

Truro Food Festival is back in 2025, running from 24–28 September and filling Lemon Quay with the best of Cornwall’s food and drink.

The five-day event is free to attend and brings together award-winning producers, home-grown food and drink brands and a huge range of street food stalls. Expect everything from fine dining demos to fire-cooked feasts, paired with live music and a lively atmosphere throughout the city.

The festival programme includes the Chef’s Theatre, where TV personalities, award-winning restaurateurs, and rising Cornish chefs cook live and share stories from their kitchens.

Pop-up kitchens around the site let you sample dishes while you watch. Seasonal produce takes centre stage, so it’s a chance to taste Cornwall’s autumn harvest at its freshest.

With its mix of food, drink, and entertainment, the Truro Food Festival has become one of the key dates in Cornwall’s culinary calendar, and September is the perfect time to visit.

10. Late-season gardens

Cornwall’s gardens have a longer season than much of the UK thanks to the mild climate. In September, subtropical gardens like Trebah, Glendurgan, and Tremenheere still look lush!

Hydrangeas, dahlias, and salvias are at their best, and you’ll also start to see the first autumn colours in maples and woodland paths. 

With children back at school, September’s much quieter than 

Trengwainton Garden is involved in the Heritage Open Days scheme and offers free entry from 14th – 18th and 21st September.

Quick tips for Cornwall in September

🌞 Layer up – sunny days can feel like summer, but evenings cool quickly.
🏖️ Check lifeguard cover – some beaches reduce patrols mid-September.
🚶 Pack walking shoes – September is perfect for long coast path hikes.
🚗 Plan parking – quieter than August, but small towns can still be busy at weekends.
🐬 Try a boat trip – September seas are warm and often full of dolphins.
🧥 Bring a waterproof – autumn showers can roll in suddenly.