What’s on this May in Cornwall
Whether you're ready for festival season, or you're content on spending the afternoon browsing an exhibition, there's plenty to keep you busy in Cornwall this month. Discover our list of what's on in May.
Sea Fever by Penny Rumble
This unique exhibition at The Old Coastguard, in picture-postcard Mousehole, was inspired by artist Penny Rumble’s love of sea swimming, and John Masefield’s 1902 poem Sea Fever.
She uses many layers of oil to create movement and energy. Her seascape paintings feature tides, currents, wave action and the ever-changing moods of the sea. Inside the exhibition you’ll also find an exclusive set of oil on canvas seascapes which will be for sale.
This exhibition runs throughout May, finishing on 11th June.
Pirates at the National Maritime Museum
Cornwall is famous for its links to piracy, but how much do you actually know about the swashbuckling rogues of the 18th century?
This multimedia exhibition takes you on a journey from Treasure Island, to a dance with Horatio Pugwash, before discovering the dark world of the real pirates of the Caribbean. Explore how popular culture has shaped the way we think of pirates today and dive beneath the surface to unearth the harsh and terrifying truth at Falmouth’s National Maritime Museum this spring.
Cocktail club at The Alverton
When the temperature starts rising and the sun is shining, we can’t think of a better excuse to head to The Alverton for an after-work sundowner. Relax on our suntrap terrace and enjoy two cocktails from our exclusive menu for £10, every Thursday. Cheers to that!
St Ives Food and Drink festival
One of the first big food festivals of the season, the St Ives Food and Drink Festival is an awesome culinary extravaganza that’s incredibly popular among foodies.
Set in the picturesque seaside town of St Ives, with live entertainment, incredible ocean views, and world-class grub, there’s tons going on across the weekend for all to enjoy. You can catch demos from top-notch Cornish chefs like Emily Scott, Ben Prior, and Jack Stein, while artists like The Scribes, Molly Hocking, and Our Atlantic Roots, will also be performing later into the night. And like all good Cornish food festivals, there will also be an incredible array of food stalls to tuck into.
Day time entry is free but tickets are required for the evening music sessions.
Tunes in the Dunes
If you’re all about the music, then perhaps the famous Tunes in the Dunes at Perranporth is more your festival scene this month.
This year the headliners include some top UK artists and bands like The Vaccines, Kaiser Chiefs and James Bay. With the backdrop of one of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches, it promises to be an epic weekend and a truly unique festival experience.
You can choose to buy day tickets but for those looking to get completely immersed in the action, camping tickets are also available for the weekend.
Looe Lugger Regatta
After a four-year absence, the fabulous Looe Lugger Regatta returns to Cornwall this month.
If you’re more interested in boats than bands, then head to the seaside town of Looe this May for this impressive regatta.
This unique and historic event is a celebration of the area’s fishing heritage and features six races spread across two days. Around 50 boats, many of which are hundreds of years old, unfurl their sails and set sail on the harbour, creating a wonderful spectacle for visitors from far and wide.
Discover more about this event here.
The Alverton’s Summer Sessions: Jenny Bishop
The end of May is when our famous Summer Garden Sessions kick off.
This year we’re running nine of our Summer Sessions, from May until August, on our sunshine-filled terrace where we’ll welcome a selection of talented local acoustic musicians to The Terrace stage. Bask in the natural beauty of our private gardens, dine al fresco on our sun-drenched terrace and listen to fantastic live music.
The first artist to perform on our terrace is Jenny Bishop, who will be joining us on Saturday 27th May.
Jenny is best known for performing with a live-looping rig, with which she creates emotive music with soaring melodies, layers of harmony and innovative uses of sound. From mellow acoustic sets to upbeat classics, Jenny has a wide-ranging repertoire of songs.
Tickets are £15 and includes guaranteed seating, a summer cocktail, a small plate for you to tuck into, and the entertainment.
Lobster on the Lawn: Saturday 22nd June
Join The Alverton's chefs on Saturday 22nd June to enjoy 'Lobster on the Lawn' - an indulgent evening on our terrace.
‘Taste of Truro’: a celebration of Cornwall’s seafood scene
Join Head Chef, Ollie Wyatt, on Saturday 3rd June for an intimate tasting evening in The Library at The Alverton