a grassy hill with a body of water in the background

Cornwall

Cornwall is the far south-west county of England, known for surf beaches, working fishing ports and the South West Coast Path.

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Cornwall is a ceremonial county at the far south-west of England and the southernmost county in the UK. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the north and west, the English Channel to the south, and Devon to the east, with the River Tamar forming most of that border. Truro is the county's only city and its administrative centre. Most visitors stay in coastal towns such as St Ives, Padstow, Falmouth and Penzance. Cornwall is also the homeland of the Cornish people.

The county ranges from the granite of Bodmin Moor, its highest land, to the serpentine cliffs of Kynance Cove on the Lizard peninsula, where Lizard Point is the southernmost point of mainland Great Britain. Tin and copper mining shaped the county's history, and the derelict mine workings are a World Heritage Site that visitors can explore. Cornwall is one of the mildest and sunniest parts of the UK, but the weather changes quickly, so pack for changeable conditions. July has the most sunshine on average, and summer is the busiest season.

Cornwall in five

Cross to St Michael's Mount by tideYou can walk across the causeway at low tide only; from 1 April to 31 October, boats carry passengers when the tide is high. Check tide times before you plan the day.Cornwall in 5 days
Book Tintagel Castle ahead in busy weeksEnglish Heritage sells tickets online and offers a discount for booking early. The site is open daily, but last entry is before closing, so check hours for your month.
Take the branch train into St IvesThe branch line from St Erth reaches St Ives and avoids a long hunt for parking in a town of narrow streets. Check the timetable for evening services.
Pick one coast per short tripThe north coast (Newquay, Padstow, Tintagel) has surf and cliffs; the south (Falmouth, Fowey, Looe) has estuaries and sheltered harbors. Both in a long weekend means long drives on narrow lanes.Where to stay in Cornwall
Flying via London? Apply for your ETA firstIf you need a UK ETA, have it before the flight that lands you in England, not on arrival, then take the train west to Penzance or drive down the A30.UK ETA explained

Things to do in Cornwall

See all attractions in Cornwall

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CornwallPut the places you like in Cornwall on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY); Exeter and Bristol are alternatives
Getting there: Train from London Paddington to Penzance on the main line, via Plymouth
Getting around: A car is easiest; trains and buses link the main towns and coast
Best base: St Ives, Padstow or Falmouth, by coast
Time needed: 4–7 days; 5 covers both coasts

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Mild, quiet
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Mild, quiet
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Mild, windy
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Spring blooms
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, green
JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Long days
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Warm, busy
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, holidays
SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, quieter
NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh10°Low7°Wet, windy
DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Quiet, storms

Average daily high and low in Cornwall, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cornwall

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 21 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Cornwall

11:22 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today12°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue11°4°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°6°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu10°6°10%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
Fri11°6°27%Friday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 27%.
Sat11°4°19%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 19%.
Sun11°4°21%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 21%.

Updated 09:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

St Michael's Mountfrom Penzance by bus or carA tidal island with a castle; walk the causeway at low tide or take a boat at high tide in season.
Tintagel Castlefrom Padstow or Newquay by carClifftop ruins linked to the King Arthur legend, with a footbridge across the gap.
The Eden Projectfrom St Austell by bus or carGiant biomes near St Austell, with a rain-proof indoor day.

Before you go to Cornwall

Cornwall staysHarbor towns and beach basesCheck availability

Rental car for CornwallLanes and coves reward a carCompare car hire

eSIM for the Cornish coastSignal dips on cliffs; save mapsRead the guide

Insurance for coast and car tripsCover for cancellations and car problemsRead the guide

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Rules for Cornwall, checked

St Michael's Mount: walk the causeway at low tide only; from 1 April to 31 October boats run when the tide is high.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

All Cornwall guides

a view of the ocean from the top of a hill

ItineraryCornwall in 5 days: a coast route without backtrackingChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headDevon or Cornwall: which county for a first West Country tripChecked Oct 2, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Cornwall: five bases, from St Ives to NewquayChecked Oct 2, 2026

Plan around Cornwall

Devon

Next door across the Tamar

Read the guide All of England

How the south-west fits a longer England route

Read the guide Trains and cars in Britain

Rail versus rental on a west country trip

Read the guide

Cornwall FAQ

How many days do you need in Cornwall?

Four days cover one coast with beaches and a castle. Five lets you do both coasts without hurrying, and a week adds time for walks and a day at St Michael's Mount. A long weekend is best on one base.

Do you need a car in Cornwall?

A car is the easiest way to reach beaches, coves and small villages. Trains and buses serve St Ives, Falmouth, Penzance and Newquay, so a car-free trip works if you base in one or two towns.

Is the north or south coast of Cornwall better?

The north coast has surf, cliffs and bigger beaches; the south has sheltered harbors, estuaries and gardens. Choose north for scenery and surf, south for boating, calmer water and gentler roads.

What is the best month to visit Cornwall?

May, June, September and early October combine mild weather, open attractions and fewer crowds. July and August are warm but crowded and expensive, with the roads at their slowest.

Is Cornwall worth visiting in winter?

Yes, if you like storm watching and empty beaches. Some cafés, boat trips and attractions shorten their hours or close, so confirm opening times and book accommodation that suits wet weather.