7 of the best days out to enjoy in Cornwall all year round
With a climate consistently milder than other parts of Britain, Cornwall ticks all the boxes for a relaxed holiday at any time of year.
At its widest point, the county measures some 45 miles from east to west, but the tip of the peninsula offers fabulous coastal scenery, varied heritage attractions and outdoor activities in one compact area, many of them served by public transport.
Where to stay in Cornwall: browse offers on stays at Parkdean Resorts*, which has a number of great value sites suitable for all the family across the county.
Penzance
The furthestmost railway station in Cornwall*, end-of-the-linePenzance was a popular Victorian resort and is still dotted with elegant villas and sub-tropical gardens.
Explore the galleries and boutiques on Chapel Street as well as some of the town's most historic pubs; enjoy the work of the Newlyn School of Artists at Penlee Gallery and maybe take a dip in the heated geothermal section of the Art Deco Jubilee Pool, the UK's largest saltwater lido.
Walk west along the promenade to the fishing harbour at Newlyn, departure point for the Scillonian ferry that links Cornwall with the Scilly Islands, a tempting option for a day trip or overnight stay.
Then carry on to Mousehole, three miles from Penzance, where narrow streets lined with stone cottages cover the hill above the fishing harbour.
Porthcurno & Land's End
South of Land's End, the small community of Porthcurno is home to two of West Cornwall's most unusual visitor attractions. PK Porthcurno tells the story of the first undersea telegraph cable that came ashore here in 1870, revolutionising global communications; just check opening times in advance.
And just above the cove, the extraordinary Minack Theatre was created in the 1930s by artist Rowena Cade out of the cliff face. Book online for low-season guided garden visits, music and theatre productions.
Follow the South West Coast Path National Trail round the headland to arrive at Land's End, the most westerly point of mainland England, or park up close to the famous Land's End signpost and follow one of the marked trails.
North of Land's End, the engine houses and chimneys of Cornwall's Tin Coast will be familiar to any fans of the BBC TV series Poldark.
St Michael's Mount
Situated on the arc of Mount's Bay west of Penzance, the small town of Marazion is home to art galleries, gift shops and some tempting places to relax over a meal or drink.
Watch out for wildlife on the marshes and windsurfers and paddleboarders on the water, but above all, don't miss the chance to visit St Michael's Mount, accessible by stone causeway at low tide or by small boat.
St Ives
Parking can be tricky in St Ives, especially in summer, so why not approach on foot? Take the local train from Penzance to St Erth or park up near St Erth station and follow the coast path past the Carbis Bay Hotel for sweeping coastal views.
Open daily throughout the year, Tate St Ives celebrates the town's enduring popularity with modern and contemporary artists, whilst the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is located at her former home, just a short walk from the gallery.
Lizard Peninsula
Whatever you love in a landscape, The Lizard has it, from sandy beaches to rocky coves, rich wildlife habitats and tropical ravine gardens such as Trebah.
Explore historic Helston, gateway to the peninsula; watch the waves roll in past Lizard Lighthouse at the southernmost tip of England; and meet the enchanting guests at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, where rescued grey seal pups from around the Cornish coast are rehabilitated and, in special cases, given a permanent home.
Every coastal community here is different. Browse the gift shops and galleries around the narrow harbour at bustling Porthleven, where waves surge over the long jetty on blustery days.
Experience the charm of small fishing villages like Cadgwith; visit the beachside church at Gunwalloe and enjoy the dramatic scenery of Kynance Cove*.
Falmouth
You don't need any prior knowledge of nautical life to enjoy the maritime heritage attractions of Falmouth, one of the world's biggest natural harbours and the deepest in Western Europe.
Open all year, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is home to two main collections, the National Small Boat Collection and the Cornish Maritime Collection, packed with stirring stories of seafaring life.
Admission to Falmouth Art Gallery is free, one of the leading galleries in the southwest, and the town is well known for the creative arts, from galleries to exhibitions and tempting boutiques. Expect a wide range of foodie temptations too, especially freshly caught fish and shellfish.
Catch the ferry that runs across the harbour all year round to St Mawes, where you can brush up on your history at the Tudor castle built under Henry VIII to guard the Fal estuary in tandem with Pendennis Castle* on the Falmouth side.
Truro
Cornwall's only cathedral city is a must-do day out for its shops, restaurants and historic sites. A thriving river port in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Truro's streets are lined with elegant town houses.
Find out about county and local history at the Royal Cornwall Museum and take a tour of Truro Cathedral, substantially rebuilt in the 1880s when the former parish church became the new cathedral.
Lemon Street Market is home to a wealth of small businesses, and if you can't resist an outdoor market, time your visit for Wednesday or Saturday.
Climate in Cornwall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  9 |
9 |
10 |
 12 |
14 |
 17 |
 19 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  22 |
 17 |
18 |
 14 |
14 |
 12 |
12 |
14 |
15 |
18 |
 20 |
21 |
| Sea temperature °C |  10 |
10 |
 9 |
10 |
 12 |
 14 |
 16 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
11 |
The above guide shows the climate in Falmouth. Find out more about conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in Cornwall.
Ready to discover Cornwall? Find the latest online offers from Parkdean Resorts to book your holiday for less.
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