The Olympic flame arrived in the UK via Cornwall preparing the nation for a fabulous London 2012.
And as the countdown gets underway to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome in 2013, tourism bosses are looking forward to the year ahead.
A spokeswoman for Visit Cornwall said: "It may have been a mixed year with its fair share of challenges but for Cornwall 2012 was a year of award success with a string of destination titles coming our way.
"We also have much to look forward to in the year ahead with the second series of Cornwall with Caroline Quentin kicking 2013 off with a high profile start. With so much to celebrate Cornwall is the perfect place to see in the New Year."
One way many see in the New Year in the county is via a New Year dip in the freezing sea water including at Gyllgynase Beach, Falmouth and Cawsand Beach, Rame Peninsula with the latter getting underway after a fancy dress parade from Kingsand Community Hall.
But if a chilly dip isn't your way of starting the New Year, we've picked out 10 highlights for celebrating New Year's Eve across Cornwall.
1. Be a super-hero – head for Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall for a super-hero themed New Year's Eve Party. Cocktails, four course dinner and dancing are on the menu with tickets £100 and children welcome. Arrival 8pm, dinner 8.30pm and dancing until 1am. Fancy dress is optional. Fifteen Cornwall, On the Beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA T: 01637 861000
2. St Ives break – take a New Year break in St Ives with a special package put together by St Ives Harbour Hotel
, Restaurant and Spa. Arrive on the eve of New Year's Eve to be welcomed by hot coffee/tea and crumpets at 3pm. A welcome party precedes a four course dinner. A chance to explore the resort on New Year's Eve before a gala night which starts with a Champagne and canapés reception, five course dinner and then dancing to live music. A piper will ring in the New Year at midnight. Brunch will be served on New Year's Day until midday with a three course meal in the evening. A two night stay costs from £335 per person.St Ives Harbour Hotel– Porthminster, The Terrace, St Ives, TR26 2BN T: 01736 795221
3. Family party – the Sands Resort in Newquay is organising a host of activities for children with its special New Year package. For children there's teas, puppet sea show, clubs, party games, fancy dress, disco, children film and family football match while for adults there's a quiz, live music, gala dinner buffet, dancing and New Year's Day brunch. Two, three, four or five day stays are available. Sands Resort Hotel, Watergate Road, Porth, Newquay, TR7 3LX T: 01637 872864
4. Fancy dress celebration – the streets of Looe are transformed on New Year's Eve as revellers dress up in a range of costumes. As well as the costumed fun, there are two firework displays to mark the start of 2013. One at 6pm for families with young children and a traditional one at midnight. Both launched from the town's Banjo Pier with the best viewing from the seafront promenade. The displays are free with street donations on the night. A free-to-enter fancy dress competition for children is held in the early evening too. Looe Tourist Information Centre, The Guildhall, Fore Street, East Looe, PL13 1AA T: 01503 262072.
5. Seven course meal – gastronomes are in for a treat at the Carbis Bay Hotel on December 31. Its award-winning Sands restaurant is dishing up a celebratory gala meal for New Year's Eve with a seven course meal followed by dancing into the early hours to the Tom Quirke Show Band. Champagne will be served on the countdown to midnight. Tickets cost £65 a head with children under 12 at half rate. Carbis Bay Hotel, Carbis Bay, St Ives, TR26 2NP T: 01736 795311
6. Vegas Cabaret – head to Penzance for a US-inspired menu with revellers at The Bay invited to enjoy a Chef's Tasting Banquet where everyone gets a Chef tasting plate for each course with meat-eaters and vegetarians catered for. The American night features Michael Buble and Rat Pack tribute Swing Singer Paul for the New Year's Eve special. Arrival is 7.30pm to 8.15pm for cocktail and canapés with carriages at 1am.
The Bay, Briton's Hill, Penzance, TR18 3AE T: 01736 366890
7. Black-tie ball – dress up to welcome in 2013 in Falmouth for an event at St Michael's Hotel and Spa which features early evening canapés, six course dinner, a live band, DJ Kris Kool and mini Cornish pasties in the wee hours. Tickets cost £90 and overnight stay packages are also available.St Michael's Hotel and Spa, Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, TR11 4NB T: 01326 312707
8. Midnight feast – there was always something special about tucking into a midnight feast as a youngster and one hotel is bringing in the treat for New Year's Eve. The historic Housel Bay Hotel on The Lizard also features a late-night disco and firework extravaganza. Various accommodation packages available too. The hotel has welcomed many a special guest since it opened in 1894 including the then Prince of Wales, George, who became George V, Marconi, Benjamin Disraeli's wife and daughter and George Bernard Shaw.
Housel Bay Hotel, The Lizard, TR12 7PG T: 01326 290417.
9. Fireworks – spectacular fireworks are planned from Lemon Quay in Truro on New Year's Eve at midnight. The free event rounds off the city's festivities which has seen a host of festive activities from the City of Lights parade in London through to Christmas concerts in Truro Cathedral
and Methodist Church.
10. Dinner dance – head for the 19th hole at Link textTrethorne Golf Club in Launceston on December 31 and enjoy a dinner dance. There's a sparkling cocktail on arrival, dancing plus four course dinner at £37.95 a head. Or upgrade to a New Year's Eve and Breakfast package which includes the dinner dance, overnight accommodation and a Cornish breakfast on New Year's morning for £69.95.
Trehorne Golf Club, Kennards House, Launceston, PL15 8QE T: 01566 86903
