Cornwall Guide

Cornwall Holidays

Everything you need to know about Cornwall - geography, climate, how to get here, and what to expect.

Cornwall is a county at the south-western tip of England, bordered by Devon to the east, the Celtic Sea to the north, the English Channel to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It covers 1,369 square miles (3,546 km²) and has a population of 570,300 (2021 Census). The coastline stretches for over 400 miles, making it one of the longest of any English county.

Geography

Cornwall is a peninsula - almost an island, connected to the rest of England only by the crossing of the River Tamar. The landscape divides into a rugged north coast facing the Atlantic, a gentler south coast along the English Channel, and an interior of moorland, farmland, and river valleys.

The highest point is Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor at 420 metres (1,378 feet). The moor itself covers around 80 square miles of open granite upland, home to wild ponies, Bronze Age settlements, and the source of several rivers. The county's other significant upland area is the West Penwith moors around Zennor and Morvah.

The coastline is the main draw for visitors. The north coast is characterised by high cliffs, powerful surf, and wide sandy beaches - Fistral, Watergate Bay, and Perranporth are among the best known. The south coast is more sheltered, with wooded estuaries, hidden coves, and calmer waters - the Helford River, the Roseland, and the Fowey estuary being the standout stretches.

Cornwall's geology is largely granite and slate, with mineral-rich seams that drove the tin and copper mining industry for centuries. The mining landscape of West Cornwall and the Lizard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Climate

Cornwall has one of the mildest climates in the UK, thanks to the Gulf Stream's influence. Frost is rare on the coast, subtropical plants grow in sheltered gardens like Trebah and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the growing season is longer than anywhere else in England.

Average temperatures by month

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Rain days	Sun hrs/day
March	10°C	4°C	18	4
April	12°C	6°C	14	6
May	14°C	8°C	15	7
June	17°C	11°C	13	7
July	19°C	13°C	13	7
August	19°C	13°C	15	6
September	17°C	11°C	15	5
October	15°C	10°C	18	3

The south coast is typically 1-2°C warmer than the north, and the Isles of Scilly (28 miles off Land's End) are milder still. Rainfall is higher on the north coast and on high ground; the south coast around the Roseland and Falmouth is one of the driest parts of the county.

How to Get to Cornwall

By car

The main route into Cornwall from the east is the A30, which runs from Exeter across Bodmin Moor and through the county to Penzance. The A38 provides an alternative route via Plymouth and Saltash, crossing the Tamar Bridge into south-east Cornwall. From London, the drive to Truro takes around 5 hours (280 miles); to Penzance, around 5.5 hours (310 miles).

By train

Great Western Railway (GWR) runs direct services from London Paddington to Cornwall, approximately hourly during the day. The main line crosses the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash and continues along the south coast through Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, St Erth, and on to Penzance. London to Penzance takes approximately 5 hours.

The Night Riviera Sleeper runs overnight from London Paddington to Penzance, arriving around 8am - a good option for maximising your first day.

Branch lines connect to St Ives (from St Erth), Falmouth (from Truro), Looe (from Liskeard), and Newquay (from Par). The St Ives branch line is one of the most scenic railway journeys in England, hugging the coast of St Ives Bay for the final stretch.

CrossCountry trains connect Cornwall directly with Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other cities without changing in London.

By air

Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY) has flights from London Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast, Manchester, and Dublin (year-round via Aer Lingus). Seasonal European routes include Dusseldorf, Zurich, Faro, Alicante, and Malaga. Skybus connects to the Isles of Scilly. The airport is 5 miles from Newquay town centre.

By coach

National Express runs daily services from London Victoria to Truro (around 7 hours) and Penzance (around 8 hours), with stops at Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin, and intermediate towns. Megabus also operates London-Cornwall routes at lower prices.

Regions of Cornwall

North Coast

The Atlantic-facing coast from Bude to St Ives. Home to Cornwall's biggest surf beaches (Fistral, Watergate Bay, Polzeath), the festival town of Newquay, and the fishing villages of Padstow, Port Isaac, and Bude. The coastline is dramatic - high cliffs, powerful waves, and wide sandy bays.

South Coast

Sheltered and warmer than the north. The south coast runs from the Rame Peninsula near Plymouth through Looe, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Roseland to Falmouth. Wooded river estuaries, hidden coves, and sailing waters characterise this stretch. The Helford River and the Fal Estuary are two of the most beautiful waterways in the South West.

West Cornwall and Penwith

The land beyond St Ives and Penzance, ending at Land's End. This is Cornwall's wildest corner - exposed moorland, ancient stone circles, cliff-top engine houses, and fishing villages like Mousehole and Sennen Cove. St Ives and Penzance are the main towns. The Minack Theatre at Porthcurno and St Michael's Mount at Marazion are two of Cornwall's most visited landmarks.

The Lizard

The most southerly point of mainland Britain. The Lizard peninsula is distinct from the rest of Cornwall - its geology (serpentine rock), its vegetation (rare heathland), and its character (quieter, less touristy). Kynance Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Cornwall. The Helford River forms the northern boundary.

Bodmin Moor

Cornwall's only significant area of high moorland. Granite tors, wild ponies, Bronze Age hut circles, and the county's two highest points (Brown Willy at 420m and Rough Tor at 400m). The moor is crossed by the A30 and feels surprisingly remote given its accessibility. Bodmin town sits on the western edge.

East Cornwall

The area between the Tamar and Bodmin Moor, often overlooked by visitors heading further west. The Rame Peninsula is known as "Cornwall's forgotten corner." Saltash, Liskeard, and Looe are the main centres. The Tamar Valley is a National Landscape (formerly AONB) with orchards, market gardens, and river walks.

Best Time to Visit

Peak season: July and August

The warmest weather, the longest days, and the highest prices. School holidays run from late July to early September, and popular destinations like St Ives, Padstow, and Newquay are busy. Accommodation books up months in advance and prices are 50-100% higher than the shoulder season. Beaches are packed, roads are slow, and restaurants need booking. But the sea is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit, and the evenings are long.

Shoulder season: May-June and September-October

The locals' pick. May and June bring wildflowers, warm sun, and empty beaches before the school holidays start. September is arguably the best month - the sea is at its warmest (15-17°C), the crowds have gone, and accommodation prices drop 30-50%. October half-term (late October) is a brief spike, but outside that week, you'll have beaches to yourself.

Off-season: November-March

Quieter, cheaper, and wilder. Winter storms put on a show along the north coast, and the light is dramatic. Many attractions stay open year-round (the Eden Project, Trebah, Lanhydrock), and restaurants in food towns like Padstow, Falmouth, and Penzance operate through winter. Accommodation prices are at their lowest. The trade-off is shorter days, cooler temperatures (8-12°C), and some seasonal businesses closing.

December brings specific draws: the Mousehole Christmas Lights, Padstow Christmas Festival, and Tom Bawcock's Eve are among the best winter events in the South West.

Key Facts

Area: 1,369 square miles (3,546 km²)
Population: 570,300 (2021 Census)
Coastline: Over 400 miles
Beaches: More than 300 (over 109 documented on this site)
Highest point: Brown Willy, Bodmin Moor, 420m (1,378ft)
County town: Truro (Cornwall's only city)
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (inscribed 2006)
Listed buildings: 12,664
SSSIs: 167 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
National Landscape: 12 separate sections covering 958 km² (formerly AONB, rebranded 2023)
Language: Cornish (Kernewek) is a recognised minority language, upgraded to Part III protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2025. Cornish people were recognised as a national minority in 2014.
Celtic nation: Cornwall is one of the six Celtic nations
Accommodation: 5,964+ properties compared on this site from multiple providers

Plan Your Trip

Use our guides to find the right corner of Cornwall for your holiday: