What's the weather like in Cornwall?

Cornwall is full of natural beauty from its rugged and wild coastlines to its lush, green countrysides so it's no wonder thousands of travellers flock to its sandy shores every year. On average, Cornwall enjoys 1,541 hours of sunshine per year with July being the warmest month however, it's unlikely the weather will ever get extremely hot. Alternatively, the weather in Cornwall is unlikely to get down to freezing level due to its geographical location at the Southerly tip of England, and if it does, it won't stay that way for long. 

What's the climate in Cornwall? 

The weather in Cornwall is relatively mild and generally warmer than anywhere else in the country. This makes Cornwall a popular destination to travel to at any time of the year. Despite Cornwall enjoying warmer temperatures than other parts of the UK, it can still experience rainy and cold weather, and frequently does all year round, especially during winter and autumn.  

The rainiest months of the year are January and December with both months experiencing 22 days of rainfall on average. They are also the coldest months of the year with average temperatures sitting around 6°C. If you're looking for warmer weather, the best months to travel to Cornwall would be July or August as the temperature is likely to be around 16-17°C. While the weather during the summer months might not be that hot compared to other destinations, it can often feel warmer than it actually is thanks to the warm breeze coming off the Gulf Stream. 

When's the best time to visit Cornwall? 

The best time to visit Cornwall largely depends on what activities you want to do while you're there. Cornwall is known for having amazing beaches with surfers travelling from all over the UK in the hopes of catching a few good waves. The best time to surf is from late Autumn to Spring as the swells are large and the weather mild. 

Summer is the best month for enjoying the long stretches of sandy beaches sprinkled down the coast of Cornwall but you'll likely be sharing the beach with hundreds of others as the peak season starts in June and ends in August. 

If you wanted to make the most of the great outdoors without the hoards of tourists doing the same thing, then travelling in either Autumn or Spring is the way to go. While there is a chance of rain and colder weather, the lush countryside comes alive with colours and is quite spectacular to adventure through. 

Average temperatures in Cornwall 

MONTH

Average high

Average low

March to May

11°C

6°C

June to August

18°C

12°C

September to November

14°C

9°C

December to February

8°C

4°C

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