Did you know that ‘boring’ period between Christmas and New Year has been given a name? Twixmas!
And although to us that conjures up images of lovely chocolate bars, when you actually get to December 27 the last thing you want to think about is eating!
So, what can you use your Twixmas days for? You could, for example, extend Christmas with a relaxing Cornwall Break! Here at Sands Resort Hotel we’ve got loads going on as part of our Family Twixmas and New Year's Breaks including a fun packed entertainment programme and family house party to see in the new year.
And if you are looking for a day out during your Cornwall New Year’s Break we’ve got a few ideas, perfect for blowing away the festive cobwebs and running off those calories!
Get your skates on…
It’s an oldie but a goodie, the Eden Project ice rink returns again! Strap on your skates and practice your pirouettes on the ice with the family. If you've not been you can expect a dome of wonder to await you with twinkling lights and wafting smells of churros, hot chocolate and other alpine treats.
The ice skating rink forms part of the Eden festive celebrations which will still be on offer after the big day itself. Warm up in the biomes or discover some of the best of Cornish art inspired by the social and environmental landscapes of the county in the Core.
There is an additional cost for ice skating, see www.edenproject.com to book your tickets.
Where’s Christmas? It’s behind you!
The festive season isn’t complete without a good old panto. This idea might fill some people with dread, but let us assure you, you’ve never seen a Miracle Panto.
After three bumper years in Falmouth with Cinderella, Bah Humbug! and Aladdin, Miracle is back at the Princess Pavilion this December with a tuneful, laughter-laden and ‘loose’ adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
It’s an epic and nautical tale of adventure, chock-full of swashbuckling sea shanty singing characters with the added flavours of Miracle humour and seasonal fun.
The award-winning and renowned troupe are promising a ‘festive treat to warm your hearts and cockles’ so make sure you grab your ticket. The show runs until January 5.
For more information call 01326 211222 or see www.miracletheatre.co.uk
An illuminating experience of splendour
We couldn’t decide between the next two events and as they are both National Trust we’re going to suggest them both!
A short hop over to Truro from Sands Resort Hotel and Spa will bring you to the stately house and grounds of Trelissick. Its views of the River Fal and its lush sheltered grounds and park land should be enough to make you want to visit, but to put the icing on the Christmas Cake during the festive period and beyond into 2020, the estate becomes an illuminated wonderland as the sun sets.
Thoughtfully and magically lit, the gardens take on a whole new appearance as you meander along the garden paths and enjoy a stunning experience of light and colour.
Over at the majestic Lanhydrock house just outside of Bodmin and minutes from the A30, you can step back to 1893 where the mansion is dressed in splendour for a fancy dress ball. For the full Downton experience, you can venture 'downstairs' where the servants are enjoying a rare night off!
Crackling log fires and dew dappled gardens will have you wistful for a bygone age so leave plenty of time for a little bit of daydreaming by the hearth.
See nationaltrust.org.uk for information on entry prices and opening times.
Visit a Galaxy far far away or a Frozen realm…
It’s fair to say, as much as we might delight in a perfectly dry and unseasonably warm Twixmas we are guessing there might be a ‘little’ bit of rain. That makes it the perfect time to take in a movie and the festive season is pulling out some big blockbusters to keep the whole family enthralled.
The latest trek into the Star Wars universe hits the cinemas in December and we bet that the family-favourite Frozen 2 will also be hanging around offering welcome relief for bored kids.
There’s also a wonderful array of ‘Event Cinema’ showings taking place on the big screen offering visitors the opportunity to ‘attend’ some of the biggest theatre events direct from the stage. Through December there’s a chance to see the Nutcracker, The King and I and Andre Rieu’s 70th birthday concert.
Event Cinema is available in Truro, Newquay and Wadebridge see wtwcinemas.co.uk
Cardinham Woods are out of this world!
If your kids enjoyed the summer blockbuster Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie, then this bracing walk around Cardinham Woods near Bodmin is just the ticket to invigorate the senses and walk off that extra helping.
Disaster! Lu-La's spaceship has crash landed in the forest, but do not fear, you can help her get home! By downloading a free app you can use your mobile to assist Shaun the Sheep on a mission to recharge the lovable aliens communicator so she can call home for rescue. You'll need to hurry as Lu-La is being chased by Agent Red and her hapless helpers the Hazmats!
Your family will need to complete challenges and solve UV puzzles in the forest using amazing augmented reality photo moments that will put Shaun and Lu-La in the picture with you, as well as make them appear in the forest in front of your eyes!
It’s a great way to get back to nature in a fun and exciting way that gets you exercising without even noticing it!
See www.forestryengland.uk/cardinham-woods for details and app link.
Just a fine and fancy ramble to the zoo.
Help Newquay Zoo end its year of celebrations with a bang by paying them a visit this season. Hitting the magnificent milestone of 50 years, our small but mighty local zoo has led the way in conservation and education, inspiring and training zoologists of the future.
Take part in its 'Then and Now' trail discovering the amazing changes that have taken place over the past five decades by completing the fun free trail booklet and take in the eye-opening Anniversary Exhibition.
Add in a helping of informative talks, play areas, cafe and of course, the amazing animals and you know why this little zoo has been in the hearts of local people for the past 50 years.
