Short answer: Most major attractions stay open through October half term, but many switch to winter hours straight afterwards. Book accommodation and the big restaurants early — it is the last busy week before the county quietens down.
October half term is the last genuinely busy week of the Cornish year, and in many ways the best one. Prices drop from August levels, the beaches empty out, and the sea is still warmer than it is in June.
The major attractions run through half term — the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Bodmin Jail, the National Maritime Museum, Newquay Zoo and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary all operate normally. Many then reduce hours once the week ends, which catches out people visiting in early November.
October in Cornwall is genuinely mixed. You can get still, clear days that feel like September, and you can get three days of Atlantic rain. Plan around both rather than hoping — have a wet-weather option for each day.
The sea is at its warmest in September and October, which surprises people. Swimming is more pleasant now than in early summer.
Noticeably easier than summer, and some council car parks drop to winter rates. Popular spots still fill on a sunny day, so early starts still help.
Some beach kiosks, surf hire and seasonal cafes close at the end of October, and a few smaller attractions shut for winter straight after half term. Check before travelling for anything specific.
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