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May really is one of the best times to come to Cornwall.
The weather’s getting warmer, but the beaches and attractions are still fairly quiet. There are also some great events in Cornwall in May, including the brilliant St Ives Festival of Food & Drink. This year, we even have the bonus of an extra day’s bank holiday for the Coronation (Monday the 8th).
Here’s why you should come to St Ives in May.
The weather really picks up in May, with a typical daytime temperature of around 14 degrees C. Canvas campers will be pleased to know that the nights are generally 8-9 degrees and not too chilly at all. The sea is an invigorating 12 degrees: still wetsuit weather, but at least the sands are reasonably warm after your dip.
Disclaimer: there’s still an average of 9 days of rain in May, but the 7 hours of sunshine on a good day more than makes up for this. Pack for every eventuality, with both a lightweight waterproof and sunblock.
The footpaths around St Ives burst into colour, with pinky-red campion and heady-scented bluebells. White three-cornered leek flowers add brightness, as well as the sort of culinary aroma that makes you fancy lunch! Golden gorse flowers line the coast paths, bringing their coconut-biscuity smell to the mix.
May really is the nicest month for a walking holiday around St Ives. It’s sunny, but not too hot, and the lush, flower-lined paths really do look their best.
As well as the sunny weather, most attractions in Cornwall are open by May. Many places reopen in time for the Easter holidays, so you’ll find plenty to do in St Ives in early May.
However, unlike the Easter holidays, none of the attractions are really busy.
May is a quieter time to visit popular places like Tate St Ives, St Michael’s Mount or the Eden Project, and the roads flow much more smoothly at this time of year. It’s also easier to get the best tables in one of St Ives’ many restaurants and bars.
Head into town in St Ives on the May Day bank holiday to see the parade and the maypole dancing. It’s a lively celebration of the summer, and because it’s not as famous as Padstow’s Obby Oss event or Helston’s Flora Day, has a more relaxed, local feel to it. Afterwards – fish and chips on the beach, of course.
If you travel a bit further out of St Ives, there are other events that take place in May. Probably the best known is the Fowey Festival of Arts & Literature, a week-long celebration in mid-May featuring author talks, exhibitions and music performances.
Fowey attracts big names from the world of literature: 2023’s line-up includes historian Kate Williams, former Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable and adopted local Fern Britton, with music from Port Isaac legends, Fisherman’s Friends.
If this has whetted your appetite for a last minute break away, why not take a look at our camping and touring availability using our online interactive map.
We take advance bookings of 3 or more nights, but you can come for 1 or 2 by calling ahead and checking yourself in on arrival. As it’s generally quieter during May, availability is more flexible, which makes it possible to jump in the car last minute – especially when a sunny spell is forecast!
If you fancy upgrading to our luxury self catering accommodation, we’ve got some rare availability in both our hot tub cottages and modern apartments, with discounts to be had too. Save 15% on cottage bookings and 10% on apartment bookings throughout May.
