travel info
Cornwall has a rich and varied music history, much like many places around the world. There are songs which tell of old Cornish folklore and legend, songs which tell of the history of Cornwall, songs about various parts of Cornish culture and heritage, or even songs which are just about a certain type of food. One of the best ways to get in touch with the real Cornwall is to explore the county through its culture, and one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to immerse yourself fully in Cornish culture is to attend one of the music events or festivals that take place in Cornwall year after year.
Whilst staying in cottages in Cornwall, you could do a lot worse than to take a trip to see one of the folk bands in the county, such as Mummers Plays, or visit one of the towns and villages which regularly have folk music nights, such as Helston or Padstow. These evenings will give you a great feel for the ancient Cornish Celtic heritage that the area has, and can provide very effective demonstration of why many Cornish people think that the county deserves to be devolved and classified as its own nation, just like Wales and Scotland.
For more modern (though by no means recent) history, then there are plenty of brass bands that play throughout the summer all over Cornwall, particularly in the many bandstands and village greens that the county has. Brass on the Grass, as it’s known, gives you an excellent idea of what it would have been like to look for entertainment in Cornwall whilst the county was predominantly focussed on mining. Sitting out on a sunny day and watching the brass band play will transport you back to a slower, more relaxed and simpler time in Cornwall’s history, and one which has had a profound effect on the outlook of those in the county today.
Finally, for those staying in holiday cottages in Cornwall, yet more events occur that can entertain and educate you. Whereas the folk music traditions show how Cornwall has grown out of the Celtic culture, there are Celtic festivals which celebrate the root Celtic culture. These showcase things from all of the Celtic countries, as well as exploring the similar themes across all of them. Bands from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and Brittany are all in attendance, and it’s not just music that you can enjoy. Arts and crafts, storytelling and much, much more is all available.
