Cornwall holds a series of special events every year that attract thousands of locals and tourists alike. One of the biggest of these is St Piran’s Day, which falls in March and sees revellers celebrate the work and life of the patron saint of Cornwall in a variety of ways. Heading to Cornwall on a cottage holiday could be one way of enjoying the spectacle and having a memorable domestic break.

St Piran

St Piran was a bishop who arrived in Cornwall from Ireland in the sixth century, but not much else is known about the early part of his life. According to legend, he was tied to a millstone and thrown out to sea by the Irish, ending up on Perran Beach in Cornwall – although it has been difficult to verify this story. Nevertheless, once in Cornwall he enlisted the help of some followers to build a Christian oratory.

Not much can be seen of the oratory, but some nearby ruins show that the people who lived at the oratory eventually moved to a new building to escape the unpredictable movements of the sands on Perran Beach. Another legend indicates that St Piran became something of a favourite among tin miners in particular over the years because he accidentally became the first to conduct tin smelting – although, again, we don’t know for sure.

St Piran’s Day

Many events take place across Cornwall to mark St Piran’s Day. For those on a cottage holiday in the Perranporth area, the main celebration takes place in the afternoon. Thousands of people take part in a march across Perran Beach in the direction of St Piran’s cross, all dressed in black, white and gold – the Cornish colours – and carrying the area’s flag.

They then observe a Cornish-language play exploring the life of the saint before spending the evening feasting and taking in some music. Visitors can easily join in the fun, making for an unforgettable holiday in Cornwall.

Cornwall

If you’re keen to explore the rest of Cornwall while in the county, there’s much to take in. Art galleries and museums are dotted around the region, while the area’s magnificent scenery lends itself well to long walks, bike rides and other activities. You might want to make sure you check out Pendennis Castle, try a spot of surfing or head to the Eden Project while in Cornwall.