I was intrigued by Cornwall before I ever visited thanks to movies and television. The dramatic moors and gorgeous coasts have been featured in films like About Time (I still want the house shown in that film) and the television show Poldark.
Cornwall offers a beautiful stretch of coastal villages, stunning natural landscape, myths and legends. When I got the chance to drive to Cornwall from my home in southern England, it did not disappoint!
However, like much of the UK, different times of the year can make for very different Cornwall experiences. I put together this guide to help you pick the best time to visit Cornwall.
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Know Before You Go: Cornwall
✈️ Closest airport: Newquay Airport (NQY)
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Cornwall is a Hidden Gem for Non-UK Tourists
If you grew up in England, there’s a decent chance you’ve already taken a holiday in Cornwall. But if you’re planning a UK trip and wondering whether Cornwall is worth your time, let me paint you a picture:
Cornwall features a picture-perfect coastline, from sandy beaches to towering cliffs to hidden coves. The South West Coast Path provides miles of hiking that follow the coast if you fancy a walking holiday.
You’ll also find a rich and romantic history here. Castle ruins, ancient stone circles, smuggler’s inns… it’s all part of the landscape in Cornwall.
What To Do in Cornwall
Here are just a few ideas for things to do in Cornwall to get you started:
- Find the home of King Arthur and Merlin in Tintagel
- Wander amongst the Hurlers stone circles without the Stonehenge crowds
- Immerse yourself in tales of Victorian crime and punishment at Bodmin Gaol
- Walk the tidal pathway to the island castle at St. Michael’s Mount
- Try your hand surfing in Newquay
Cornwall also enjoys some of the warmest weather in the UK. It can certainly still be rainy and chilly depending on the time of year you visit, but you’ll find plenty to love on even the coldest days.
The Best Time to Visit Cornwall
The best months overall for visiting Cornwall are June and September. These times provide the best chance of warm weather with lower crowds.
Each season brings pros and cons for visiting Cornwall, so let’s look at what to expect throughout the year.
Cornwall in Summer (June to August)
Summer is by far the most popular season for visiting Cornwall. The weather is warm, there’s less chance of rain, and beach towns boom. This popularity also means crowds and higher prices for lodging.
Summer is a great time to try your hand at surfing, take a walk on coastal hiking trails, or enjoy an outdoor show at the oceanside Minack Theatre.
If you’re able to avoid UK school breaks when you plan your Cornwall trip, you’ll have the best chance at lower crowds. June and early July often have warm weather while UK families are still finishing the school year. By comparison, August is the peak for school holidays and the best weather, which means peak crowds in Cornwall.
Traveling to Cornwall by car gets especially crowded during school holidays. If driving, try to stick to early morning or late in the day to limit the time you spend stuck in traffic.
Cornwall in Autumn / Fall (September to November)
Visiting Cornwall in the fall will bring somewhat cooler weather and increased chances of rain. However, there are still plenty of fine days to be had, especially in September to early October. Most historic sites are still open during this season, but check ahead for timing.
The end of October half term school break does tend to bring more people out to Cornwall, but typically not so many as you find during the summer. By November, Cornwall is transitioning toward the winter season.
Winter in Cornwall (December to February)
Winter is quiet in Cornwall. You’ll still find an occasional crowd in popular towns like St. Ives and Padstow, but most of the region is peaceful this time of year. It can be a lovely retreat for significantly less cost. Explore foggy moors, tuck into a cozy pub, or sip a mug of tea and enjoy the view from your hotel.
Some historic sites close for the winter or open on a reduced schedule, so check ahead before your visit.
Spring in Cornwall (March to May)
We made our first visit to Cornwall in the spring. This is a beautiful time of year in Cornwall, with flowers blooming and your first chances at warmer weather.
Spring is a good time to enjoy hikes and visit beaches with lower crowd levels than in summer. The weather still has ups and downs this time of year, but by May you sometimes luck into warmer, drier days.
Holidays in the spring do draw larger crowds, especially around Easter and the end of May half-term school break.
The Best Time to Visit Cornwall Beaches
If you’re hoping to devote plenty of your holiday to the beach, stick to June through August. These months are best for warmer temperatures, lifeguards on duty, and water activities like surfing.
If you’d like to bring your dog along, note that many beaches in Cornwall ban dogs during the peak summer months. To enjoy the beaches with your dog, plan your visit in May or October when most bans are lifted.
May and September are also good shoulder season months that don’t guarantee warm beach weather, but are less likely to be crowded.
The Best Time to Visit Cornwall Castles and Historic Sites
Summer brings the longest opening hours for most spots. However, you’re going to be visiting with more people and may need to book ahead for popular sites.
Many sites close during the winter or are open only on weekends. Check ahead before you head out to visit.
I visited Tintagel Castle in early May and found it surprisingly empty. On the same trip, we had the Hurlers Stones nearly to ourselves.
The Best Time to Go Hiking in Cornwall
Hiking in Cornwall is enjoyable any time of year if you pack the right attitude for your visit.
In the summer months you should expect to share the trails with many other walkers. If you head out in winter, expect mud and rain along the way and use extra caution along coastal cliff paths. Spring and fall are a good compromise on conditions with less mud and fewer crowds.
How To Get to Cornwall
Travel to Cornwall can take some time, but luckily you have plenty of options to get there.
Travel To Cornwall by Car
Driving to Cornwall is the most common approach, and offers the most flexibility for getting around. If you aren’t familiar with driving in the UK, you should know that many roads in Cornwall are not for the faint of heart.
Travel Tip: If you aren’t familiar with UK roads and driving rules, Tripiamo will get you up to speed in just one hour with detailed video guides on how to navigate roundabouts and the single track roads common in Cornwall.
You can expect main roads heading into Cornwall, but tinier country roads in and around most villages.
Stops Along the Way to Cornwall
If traveling from London, you’re likely to pass right by Stonehenge on your way. Add in a stop if this is on your bucket list, but also expect traffic to crawl near this area.
Along your way, experience what I consider the unsung hero of UK road trips – service stations. Unlike in the US, where everything is so spread out, services in the UK group petrol, food sellers, and even a few grocery and shopping options all in one spot. You can typically grab a Starbucks, pick up a meal, or stretch your legs in the picnic area.
My favorite stop on the way to Cornwall is Teals. This farm shop and restaurant is right off the A303, and likely on your way if you started near London. We loved picking up local treats in the shop and the adjacent field was the perfect spot for giving ourselves and our dog a short walk.
Driving to Cornwall from London takes 5-7 hours, depending on traffic. Expect 7-9 hours driving from Manchester.
Travel To Cornwall by Daytime Train
Trains to Cornwall arrive from many major cities in England and can be a quicker and less stressful journey than driving.
Travel time by train is just over 5 hours from London for direct daytime journeys. Expect just over 7 hours from Manchester, with a change in Birmingham.
Travel Tip: To find the best pricing and up-to-date timetables for train journeys across the UK, I always use Trainline.
Night Riviera Sleeper Train Between London and Cornwall
If the travel time is putting you off the idea of visiting Cornwall, consider taking the Night Riviera train service from London Paddington to Penzance.
This sleeper service departs Paddington at 23:45 (23:50 on Sundays) every night other than Saturdays. The train arrives in Penzance the next morning at 08:00 (08:49 for Sunday departures).
Travel To Cornwall by Plane
It is possible to fly to Newquay in Cornwall if you’re short on time. Budget airlines also make this trip, so it’s often cheaper than you might expect. On a recent search I found flights from London Stansted to Newquay for only $30 each way.
Check flight times and availability with WayAway. This flight aggregator checks across multiple sites to find the cheapest and most convenient flights.
Renting a Car in Cornwall
You can visit Cornwall without a car if you don’t mind sticking to a single area or relying on sometimes slow public transit options like buses.
Luckily there are many rental car companies in Cornwall, so you can pick up a rental here even if you don’t road trip into Cornwall. Find the best prices and book in advance with Discover Cars.
Where To Stay in Cornwall
No matter what time of year you visit Cornwall, picking a central location will help you make the most of your visit. We enjoyed our stay in Newquay because it is relatively easy to access, right on the ocean, and within an hour’s drive from most Cornwall attractions.
Where To Stay in Newquay Cornwall
The Esplanade Hotel is a beachside property that offers standard and family rooms. The property has an indoor swimming pool in case of bad weather, and also offers guest discounts for the on-site surf school. Spa and sauna amenities are a nice touch for relaxing at the end of the day.
If you opt to travel to Cornwall by train, the Esplanade Hotel is within a 20 minute walk from the Newquay train station.
Is Going to Cornwall Worth It?
Cornwall is a unique region of the UK with a lot to offer visitors. Whether you are hoping for postcard-worthy beaches or ancient ruins, you can find it in Cornwall. I did not visit Cornwall until after we moved to the UK, and I wish I had come sooner!
This region remains off the beaten path and can be a real hidden gem to add to your next UK trip itinerary.