After a stormy and wet winter, you’re probably longing for some sun and sea! If you’re looking for a holiday before the kids break up, or for May half- term, then Cornwall is the perfect place!
You don’t have to travel abroad to enjoy a slow beach holiday, Cornwall has you covered.
Cornwall in May is one of the best months to visit here’s why:
Cornwall in bloom
After the April showers, Cornwall comes into full bloom!
Coastal paths are covered in beautiful wild flowers, everything looks lush and green and the famous botanical gardens are looking their best.
In may you really get to see the stunning colours of Cornwall before the heat begins to dry plants out.
Tips:
- Take the coastal path walk from St Ives to the quaint village of Zennor to see the beautiful wild flowers.
- Visit Enys gardens to see the stunning bluebells
- Visit The lost Gardens of Heligan to see everything coming into bloom
Great weather in May in Cornwall ,without the crowds
Weather in May in Cornwall is influenced by the Atlantic, so although a little milder than much of the UK, you can expect beautiful weather in May, but without the crowds of summer.
April often sees showers, but in may you really begin to feel the shift with longer and warmer days. You can enjoy long coastal path walks and beach days without it feeling overcrowded.
Average temperatures: 12-17 degrees
Sunsets: Early May 8.15ish and end of May close to 9pm
Rainfall: Can vary but usually much less showers that early spring
Ideal conditions for exploring
Cornwall in May is the perfect time for exploring! If you head to Cornwall before the May half-term you can expect spacious beaches, quiet coastal paths and quieter tourist attractions.
You can also benefit from much longer hours of daylight,with the sun setting much later giving you plenty of time to walk the coast paths or explore the many beautiful beaches.
May is the perfect time to visit the picturesque town of St Ives with its stunning beaches and charming harbour within walking distance. During summer months, St Ives can be very busy with the narrow cobbled stone streets feeling a little crowded.
May half-term in Cornwall is usually the latter part of May, so if you want a quieter, more relaxed holiday then opt for early May. The weather is usually lovely in May but without the overwhelm of lots of people.
Cheaper accomodation
With the exception of the May half term in Cornwall, Early to mid May is usually much cheaper for accommodation in Cornwall, with a lot of holiday houses in St Ives and beyond offering pre-summer deals.
At Cornish Riviera we have a number of budget friendly self catering properties to choose from.
Looking for a holiday house in St Ives for the May half term in Cornwall? Check out our cottages perfect for your half term break.
Take full advantage of the bank Holidays
One of the major advantages of visiting Cornwall in May is all the bank holidays!
There are two long bank holiday weekends this year, so it’s the perfect time to take full advantage of the extra holiday and spend your May in Cornwall. You could even plan a few days extra holiday either side of the bank holiday to get the most out of your visit.
May bank holidays:
4th May- early spring bank holiday
25th May- Spring bank holiday
Spacious beaches
One of the best things about visiting Cornwall in May is that the beaches are much quieter.
You can easily spend a whole day on the beach in May without the crowds, taking advantage of sunny days.
Our top pick beaches:
- Porthmoer – A large soft sandy beach in St Ives located in front of The Tate gallery. This beach is perfect for a whole day. With opportunities to surf or dine at one of the many great beach cafes.
- Porthmister – Also located in St Ives this is the perfect place to lounge and enjoy a book or head for a sea dip. You can also hire paddle boards to explore the St Ives coastline.
- Carbis Bay – Located just outside of St Ives, this gorgeous golden sand beach feels like it could just as easily be in the Mediterranean. Located on the Carbis Bay Hotel estate, you’re spoilt for choice with places to grab a drink or bite to eat.
- Porthcurno – located on the West coast en route to Land’s End, This beautiful beach is a standout for its beautiful turquoise waters and its access to the stunning Minnack Theatre.
- Gwithian Beach – Located next to Godrevy, this vast beach is a popular surfing spot and is famed for its golden sand dunes.
- Kynance Cove – Located on the Lizard Peninsula, this beach shows the best of Cornwall’s more rugged coastline.
May festivals
The festival season really begins in May in Cornwall.
Here’s our pick of the best festivals:
Flora day:
An ancient tradition, Flora day takes place in Helston and marks the end of winter and beginning of Spring. The day is all about vitality. You can expect shops to be adorned with flowers and greenery and dancing in the streets. Happening on the 8th of May.
The Du Maurier Literary Festival in Fowey
Perfect for the book lover, this literary festival takes place in the beautiful town of Fowey from 1-8th May. With Talks, debates, workshops and a wonderful programme of authors.
St Ives Food Festival
Held on the beautiful golden sand of Porthminster beach, the St Ives food festival takes place from the 15th-17th May and has an array of food stalls and chef masterclasses to be enjoyed.
The Great Estate Festival
Held on the Scorrier House Estate, The Great Estate Festival is a mixture of comedy, music and art. This year’s line up includes Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Simon Pegg and The Kaiser Chiefs. 29th- 31st May
May in Cornwall is perfect for a relaxing beach holiday, with plenty of places to explore. Whether you’re looking to head to Cornwall before the half term break or head there with your family, there’s so much to do and so many places to explore.
At Cornish Riviera, we have an array of holiday homes in St Ives and Hayle, both beautiful West Coast towns. From romantic getaways to family breaks we have something to suit everyone.
