When to go

Cornwall: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

Cornwall guide · Rainy-day ideas in Cornwall

Cliffs and turquoise sea at Bedruthan Steps on the north Cornwall coast
Cliffs and turquoise sea at Bedruthan Steps on the north Cornwall coastPhoto: CharmaineZoe's Marvelous Melange, CC BY 2.0
Harlyn Bay, Padstow & the Camel Estuary
Outdoors: Harlyn BayPhoto: Harlynbay, CC0
Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange, Penzance, Mousehole & Land’s End
Under a roof: Newlyn Art Gallery & The ExchangePhoto: Steve Tanner, photographer, CC BY-SA 4.0

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

Cornwall climate by month

Warmest month: August (highs about 19°C). Coolest: January (about 9°C). Wettest: November (130 mm). Driest: May (61 mm).

Station: Camborne. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January9.24.812117618 h 29
February9.24.69514859 h 56
March10.25.4721212511 h 51
April12.16.6731218713 h 47
May14.58.8611021615 h 31
June16.911.2631021516 h 23
July18.713.2691019915 h 55
August19.013.4781118714 h 25
September17.412.0781116012 h 28
October14.69.91111511210 h 33
November11.87.413018708 h 55
December9.95.612617558 h 03

Source: Met Office, Camborne, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of Cornwall for the 15th of each month. Camborne is in west Cornwall, about 12 miles (20 km) west of Truro and inland from the north coast. The south coast and the Isles of Scilly are a little milder; Bodmin Moor is cooler and wetter.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in Cornwall

5–9°CTypical night to day
121 mmRain, 17 days
8 h 29Daylight
61 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.2°C at the warmest and nights 4.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 121 mm of rain falls over roughly 17 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 61 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 29 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 29 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 61 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (17 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jan

  • Fri, Jan 1, 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, Jan 3, 2028: New Year’s Day

February in Cornwall

5–9°CTypical night to day
95 mmRain, 14 days
9 h 56Daylight
85 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.2°C at the warmest and nights 4.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 95 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 85 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 56 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 56 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Feb

No bank holidays in England in February for the next two years.

March in Cornwall

5–10°CTypical night to day
72 mmRain, 12 days
11 h 51Daylight
125 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.2°C at the warmest and nights 5.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 72 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 125 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 51 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 51 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Mar

  • Fri, Mar 26, 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, Mar 29, 2027: Easter Monday

April in Cornwall

7–12°CTypical night to day
73 mmRain, 12 days
13 h 47Daylight
187 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 12.1°C at the warmest and nights 6.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 73 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 187 hours of sunshine in the month and 13 h 47 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 13 h 47 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Apr

  • Fri, Apr 14, 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, Apr 17, 2028: Easter Monday

May in Cornwall

9–15°CTypical night to day
61 mmRain, 10 days
15 h 31Daylight
216 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.5°C at the warmest and nights 8.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 61 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 216 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 15 h 31 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 15 h 31 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in May

  • Mon, May 3, 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 31, 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, May 1, 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 29, 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in Cornwall

11–17°CTypical night to day
63 mmRain, 10 days
16 h 23Daylight
215 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 16.9°C at the warmest and nights 11.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 63 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 215 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 23 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 23 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jun

No bank holidays in England in June for the next two years.

July in Cornwall

13–19°CTypical night to day
69 mmRain, 10 days
15 h 55Daylight
199 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 18.7°C at the warmest and nights 13.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 69 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 199 hours of sunshine in the month and 15 h 55 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 15 h 55 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jul

No bank holidays in England in July for the next two years.

August in Cornwall

13–19°CTypical night to day
78 mmRain, 11 days
14 h 25Daylight
187 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.0°C at the warmest and nights 13.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 78 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 187 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 25 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • About 14 h 25 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Aug

  • Mon, Aug 30, 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, Aug 28, 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in Cornwall

12–17°CTypical night to day
78 mmRain, 11 days
12 h 28Daylight
160 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 17.4°C at the warmest and nights 12.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 78 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 160 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 28 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 28 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Sep

No bank holidays in England in September for the next two years.

October in Cornwall

10–15°CTypical night to day
111 mmRain, 15 days
10 h 33Daylight
112 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.6°C at the warmest and nights 9.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 111 mm of rain falls over roughly 15 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 112 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 33 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 33 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (15 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Oct

No bank holidays in England in October for the next two years.

November in Cornwall

7–12°CTypical night to day
130 mmRain, 18 days
8 h 55Daylight
70 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 11.8°C at the warmest and nights 7.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 130 mm of rain falls over roughly 18 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 70 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 55 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 55 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 70 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (18 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Nov

No bank holidays in England in November for the next two years.

December in Cornwall

6–10°CTypical night to day
126 mmRain, 17 days
8 h 03Daylight
55 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.9°C at the warmest and nights 5.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 126 mm of rain falls over roughly 17 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 55 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 03 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 03 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 55 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (17 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Dec

  • Fri, Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, Dec 28, 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, Dec 27, 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, Dec 28, 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays (public holidays) for England come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School vacations are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our Cornwall guide

Visit Cornwall describes summer as the busy season, with winter for wild walks and spring and fall for hiking and wild swimming. Many seasonal businesses cut their hours or close outside summer, so check opening before you plan a day around one place.

  • Spring (March to May): Visit Cornwall suggests hiking boots and hedgerow foraging. Check garden and attraction websites for their spring opening dates.
  • Summer (June to August): Beaches, boat trips and harbor towns are at their busiest, and Visit Cornwall warns of heavy traffic on weekends and in school vacations. Book parking, tables and rooms early.
  • Fall (September to November): Quieter coast paths and beaches. Some attractions shorten their hours and Atlantic storms can close cliff paths or castles, as at Tintagel on the day this guide was checked.
  • Winter (December to February): Visit Cornwall recommends wild walks and winter solstice events. Daylight is short, and many cafés and attractions open fewer days, so check each website.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Camborne). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of Cornwall.

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