Cornwall Says Thanks – In Its Own Way

Between the 17th and 24th of October 2025, 113 Cornish residents shared their thoughts on gratitude – not the American-style Thanksgiving with turkey and parades, but a homegrown, Cornish take on what it means to be thankful. The responses (mostly) paint a warm and thoughtful picture of a community that values kindness, connection, and the beauty of its surroundings.

Thanksgiving: Familiar, But Not Celebrated

While Thanksgiving is firmly rooted in American tradition, it turns out most Cornish residents have at least heard of it. Just over a third (36%) said they knew exactly what it’s about and when it happens, and half (50%) were familiar with the idea but hazy on the details. Only a small handful (13%) knew the name but little else – and no one said they’d never heard of it.

When asked to pinpoint the date, nearly half (45%) correctly identified late November, while others guessed early November (21%) or late October (15%). A few admitted they’d need to Google it.

But celebration? That’s another story. Just 1% said they regularly mark Thanksgiving, and only 11% had ever done so. Most (73%) said it doesn’t really appeal – though 14% were open to trying it.

If Cornwall Had Its Own Thanksgiving…

So what would a Cornish version of Thanksgiving look like? Respondents imagined a celebration rooted in local pride and natural beauty. The top themes were celebrations of:

• Cornish identity and culture (41%)
• The harvest and the land (28%)
• Local food and drink — pasties, cider, cream teas (27%)
• Creative and independent spirit (21%)
• Landscape and coastline (20%)

Some also suggested celebrating community spirit, fishing traditions or the end of tourist season.

A Feast Fit for Cornwall

If there were a Cornish Thanksgiving Day, what would be on the table? The top choice was clear: a giant pasty (23%). Cream teas (jam first, obviously) came next (13%), followed by saffron buns, Hevva cake, or Cornish fairings (11%).

Other ideas included seafood spreads, Sunday roasts with local ingredients, and beach barbecues. A few opted for a picnic on the cliffs or a full English breakfast made from Cornish produce. One person imagined “an outdoor hog roast and fire-roasted fruits and veggies – pagan, the old way.”

Still, not everyone was sold on the idea. About one in ten (11%) said they’d boycott such a celebration entirely.

Saying Thank You: Are We Any Good At It?

Most people think they’re pretty good at expressing thanks – 58% said they “usually remember,” and 35% claimed they “never forget.” Only 6% admitted they could do better, and no one said they often forget.

But when it comes to others, opinions were more mixed. Fewer than a third (29%) felt that most people are consistently polite and appreciative. Nearly half (46%) said it depends on the person or situation, and a quarter (25%) felt people forget too easily to say thank you.

How Thankful Are We, Really?

When asked how thankful they feel in their own lives right now, most respondents leaned positive. Nearly half (42%) said they were “quite thankful,” and almost one in five (19%) felt “extremely thankful – life feels full of blessings.” That said, a similar number (18%) described themselves as “not very thankful,” citing tough times, and a few (3%) said they were struggling to find things to appreciate.

What the Cornish are Thankful For

Among those who felt thankful, the top sources of gratitude were:

• Family and friends (53%)
• Good health (32%)
• Living in Cornwall (26%)
• Nature and the sea (18%)
• Quality of life and having enough money for the things I need/want (both 18%)

Many specifically mentioned their spouse, some their pets, some cited their community and neighbours, more broadly than ‘friends and family’.  Some were thankful for the peace and quiet to be found in Cornwall.  Many spoke of their appreciation of Cornwall itself:

Thankful for Cornwall Itself

Cornish residents are overwhelmingly positive about the county they call home.  Seven in ten (70%) said they feel extremely thankful for living in – or having a connection to – Cornwall, and another quarter (24%) said they’re fairly thankful.

When asked what they’d thank Cornwall for, the answers were poetic, proud, and personal:

• “Giving me a sense of ‘my soul’s home.’”
• “The beauty and peace that has enriched my life.”
• “Being my home. I was not born here, but the moment I set foot on Cornish soil, I knew I was home. No joke.”
• “The healing properties of the sea.”
• “True community spirit of true Cornish people.”

Unsung Heroes: Who Deserves More Appreciation?

Respondents were invited to share about individuals they’re especially thankful for – an unsung hero who deserves more recognition. The answers were touching, varied, and deeply local.

Here are just a few:

• “A neighbour who regularly shops for an another, elderly, disable neighbour. If he can’t do it, he makes sure that someone else in our village can. He’s a busy guy, with his own family and job – but he’s just lovely and caring and generous.”
• “A lady in my area who rescues and nurses injured or ill hedgehogs. Fantastic person who I have had come to my house on a number of occasions to help with sick hedgehogs that visit my garden.”
• “Care workers who look after my wife. They are over worked, underpaid and not given enough appreciation.”
• “Mousehole Bird Hospital – caring for our wild birds.”
• “My wife she is my soulmate my carer and my go to.”

Others mentioned bin collectors, GP receptionists, volunteers, parish clerks, and even thoughtful drivers on Cornish lanes. One respondent simply said: “Too many to list!”

It’s not all sunshine and roses though…

While most respondents expressed warmth and pride in Cornwall’s community and landscape, a small number voiced more critical or exclusionary views: things they wanted to feel thankful for but felt were under threat. Some comments reflected frustration with tourism, housing development, or perceived threats to Cornish identity. In rare cases, this tipped into overt hostility – including one proposal of “mass deportations.” These views were not typical of the overall tone, but were not negligible either, and they do highlight underlying tensions around identity, belonging, and change in Cornwall today.

So, in summary…

This survey shows that while Thanksgiving may not be a Cornish tradition, the spirit of gratitude is alive and well for most. People in Cornwall are thankful for their families, their health, their pets, and – overwhelmingly – for the place they call home. They notice kindness, appreciate community, and value the small things.

And if Cornwall ever did invent its own Thanksgiving? Expect pasties, cream teas, and a heartfelt toast to the land, the sea, and the people who make it special.