Cornwall offers a beautiful stretch of coastal villages, stunning natural landscape, myths and legends. Choose the best time to visit Cornwall with this guide covering everything you need to know, including:
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Cornwall: Know before you go
✈️ Closest airport: Newquay Airport (NQY)
💷 Currency: Great British Pound (£) is used throughout the UK
🕰️ Time zone: The entire UK is in one time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From late March to late October, the whole country moves an hour forward to British Summer Time (BST).
🔌 Plugging in electronics: Electric sockets in the UK are unlike those in Europe or the US. If you are visiting from outside the UK, you will likely need this universal travel adaptor.
📱 Using your smartphone: If you want to use your phone data while visiting, the easiest and cheapest solution is to purchase an e-sim for your trip.
🚘 Car rentals: Americans can rent a car in the UK with a valid US driver’s license from any state. Driving in the UK is not for the faint of heart, and I recommend checking out my guide to driving in the UK before you set out!
🚊 Train booking: All major UK cities, and many other destinations in between, can be reached by train. Check train routes, ticket prices, and get your tickets directly through Trainline.
Why Visit Cornwall | What To Do in Cornwall
Cornwall is a hidden gem for those not originally from the UK. Sure, if you grew up in England, there’s a decent chance you’ve already taken a holiday in Cornwall. But if you’re planning your first trip to Cornwall, or wondering whether it’s 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. Castles, stone circles, smuggler’s inns… it’s all part of the landscape 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
- Learn about the history of smugglers and pirates at the Jamaica Inn
- 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 by Season
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.
Summer
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, go for a hike, or take in 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. August is the peak for school holidays and fine weather.
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.
Autumn / Fall
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 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.
Winter
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
Spring is a beautiful time of year in Cornwall. Go see the flowers bloom at The Eden Project. 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.
Best Time to Visit Cornwall Beaches
If you’re hoping to devote plenty of your holiday to the beach, stick to June through September. 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, or simply avoid the crowds, plan your visit in May or October.
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 May and found it surprisingly empty. On the same trip, we had the Hurlers Stones nearly to ourselves.
Best Time to Go Hiking in Cornwall
Hiking in Cornwall is enjoyable any time of year, but pack the right attitude for your visit. If you head out in Summer, 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.
Check out my Guide to Driving in the UK for Americans for general tips and what to expect.
You can expect main roads heading into Cornwall, but tinier country roads heading into and around most villages. 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 grab a Starbucks, pick up snacks, or stretch your legs and let the kids run around a 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 connect Cornwall to 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.
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).
To book through Trainline, follow this link to the advanced booking page. Add in London Paddington and Penzance as your stations and select a departure after 22:00. Make sure the booking you select asks you for details for sleeper service so that you can select a sleeper cabin. Otherwise you may be stuck in a standard train seat, which is a lot less restful.
You can also book direct with GWR, but be aware that their website is notoriously buggy for non-UK credit card payments.
You can book return tickets through Trainline that combines sleeper service out and day tickets for your return, or vice versa.
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.
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 if you don’t have a vehicle already. Look for rental locations at your arrival train station or the Newquay airport. Find the best prices and book in advance with Booking.com.
Where to Stay in Cornwall
Harbour Hotel St. Ives
Right by the sandy beach and walking distance to the center of St. Ives. Standard and family rooms are available. Breakfast is included. Some rooms have an ocean view. Don’t miss visiting the many art galleries in St. Ives.
Esplanade Hotel – Newquay
This beachside property offers standard and family rooms within a 20 minute walk from the Newquay train station. The property has an indoor swimming pool in case of bad weather, and also offers guest discounts for the on-site surf school.
The Pickwick Inn – Padstow
Padstow is a foodie haven, including four restaurants by Rick Stein. I’d recommend making this town your base if you’re a couple or solo traveler that appreciates the finer things. Families will find a broader range of activities in nearby Newquay.
The Cornishman Inn – Tintagel
If you’re coming to Cornwall for King Arthur legends, stay a 3-minute walk from Tintagel Castle at the Cornishman Inn. Standard and family rooms available. If Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave aren’t mystical enough for you, take a side trip to St. Nectan’s Glen for fairy art and a much photographed waterfall pool.
Hotel Penzance
This lovely hotel is a very short walk from the Penzance train station, making it ideal for train travelers who want to put off or avoid driving. Many rooms have sea views, some including views of St. Michael’s Mount. An onsite restaurant and swimming pool make this an easy spot to while away your holiday.
Is going to Cornwall worth it?
Cornwall is a unique region of the UK with a lot to offer visitors. Whether you’re visiting from overseas, or planning a UK staycation, Cornwall is well worth your time!
