Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival

The Cawsand Bay Guitarfest is an exciting classical guitar weekend by the sea on the stunning Rame Peninsula, combining great music in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It includes concerts, a master class, workshops, ensemble playing, practice technique classes, informal playing opportunities, afternoon tea, and sea view dinners in a friendly environment.

Location

Cawsand, UK

Type

Festival & Course

Most recent edition

11 September 2026 – 13 September 2026

Next edition

Usually each September — dates to be announced

Frequency

annual

Tickets

Craig Ogden concert: £15; Alison Smith concert: £10; Vida Guitar Quartet concert: £15

Programme & line-up

Friday 11th September 2026, 8pm: Craig Ogden; Saturday 12th September 2026, 2pm: Alison Smith; Saturday 12th September 2026, 8pm: Vida Guitar Quartet

Workshops & masterclasses you can join

Master class; workshops; ensemble playing (featuring pieces arranged by William Lovelady and Gerald Garcia); practice technique class; informal playing opportunities

Official website

https://www.cawsandbayguitarfest.co.uk/

Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Cawsand

Cawsand, one of the twin villages on the Rame Peninsula, hosts the Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival, a relaxed annual event in southeast Cornwall. Overlooking Plymouth Sound and nestled within Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, the village offers a tranquil setting for guitar enthusiasts. Known as part of the "Forgotten Corner of Cornwall," this area provides a picturesque backdrop where the music of the festival blends with the peaceful coastal landscape.

Getting there

Reaching Cawsand typically involves connecting through Plymouth, across Plymouth Sound. From the city, frequent bus services run to Cawsand, a journey of about three miles. During the summer, a seasonal ferry service offers a direct and scenic route from Cawsand Bay to Plymouth Hoe. Alternatively, by car, you can use the Torpoint ferry, or take a passenger ferry from Stonehouse in Plymouth to Cremyll, followed by a bus. Many visitors also opt for a boat trip from the Barbican area of Plymouth, providing a pleasant approach to the village. While the Rame Peninsula is somewhat secluded, these varied connections make Cawsand accessible.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Cawsand on Omio →

The UK runs on Type G sockets, so bring a travel adapter unless you are already on British plugs.

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Where to stay

Cawsand, with its adjoining twin village Kingsand, provides a charming base for your festival visit. Accommodation largely consists of self-catering cottages and local guesthouses, reflecting the village's quiet, residential character. Staying within the villages means you are always a short walk from the beaches, the coastal paths, and the festival venues. The tranquil atmosphere, with sea views and proximity to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, makes for a relaxing stay, allowing you to immerse yourself in both the music and the natural beauty of the "Forgotten Corner" of Cornwall.

What you'll hear

The Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival runs over a September weekend in Cornwall. As a guitar festival, it brings together enthusiasts and performers for a program centered around the classical guitar. While the event does not feature a concerto, attendees can expect to hear a variety of performances typical of such gatherings, providing an opportunity to experience the instrument in the intimate setting of this Cornish village.

The Rame Peninsula, often called the "Forgotten Corner of Cornwall," does not possess a specific classical guitar heritage or a prominent composer linked to its history. However, the tranquil coastal environment of Cawsand, with its quiet bays and scenic walks within Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, offers a serene backdrop. This peaceful atmosphere provides a contemplative setting for appreciating the music presented at the festival, allowing the sounds of the guitar to blend with the natural beauty of the Cornish coast.

The local table

Dining in Cawsand centers on its two public houses, the Cross Keys Inn and The Bay, which offer traditional pub fare. Given its coastal location, fresh seafood is often a highlight, reflecting the local catches. While specific regional dishes for Cawsand are not grounded in the sources, you can expect to find classic British pub food, and enjoy meals with views of Plymouth Sound. The site of the former Ship Inn is also being redeveloped into a café, which will add another option for light meals and refreshments in the future.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Cawsand →

While you're there

Between festival events, Cawsand and the Rame Peninsula offer a range of activities. Explore Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, where Cawsand is located, with its extensive grounds, gardens, and walking trails. The village beaches, though not large, are interesting for children with their rock pools and an old lime kiln. Good walks extend from the Mount Edgcumbe Estate towards Plymouth, and in the opposite direction to the wooded headland of Penlee Point and Rame Head. Historically, Cawsand Fort, an 1860s Royal Commission fort, stands above the village, though it is now residential. You might also explore Kingsand, the twin village, once situated on the border of Devon and Cornwall. For a day trip, take the ferry or bus across Plymouth Sound to Plymouth itself, a city with a rich maritime history and attractions like the Barbican area and Plymouth Hoe.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Cawsand →

More guitar events in UK: Classical Guitar Retreat Scotland

Also in September: All Japan Guitar Competition · Certamen Internacional María Luisa Anido · Denver Guitar Festival - Tuason Competition · Edmonton Guitar Seminar · Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition · Nagoya Guitar Competition

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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