Cornwall in
July

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If you’re after a summer seaside break in the UK then there’s nowhere quite like Cornwall. Situated on the southwest coast of the country, Cornwall is full of incredible beaches, spectacular viewpoints and quaint, coastal towns and villages. You can expect some of the best weather the UK sees all year round in July, and whilst some areas might get busy once school is out for the summer, there are heaps of destinations in the region to explore and enjoy.

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Reasons to visit Cornwall in July

July is one of the warmest months of the year in Cornwall, so is an ideal place to come on your summer holiday
It’s also one of the driest times of the year in this part of the UK, so you’ll get to enjoy as much time on one of Cornwall’s many beaches as possible
July gets very busy towards the end of the month, but if you come towards the start the weather will still be lovely but prices for accommodation will be a lot lower

Weather in Cornwall in July

July and August are the two hottest months of the year in Cornwall, which is good news if you’re coming to enjoy the coast! Bear in mind that you may experience some of the unpredictable weather that Britain is known for, despite the season, but bad weather in Cornwall in July never lasts for too long. Pack a raincoat and a swimming costume and you’ll be ready for anything!

Temperature

The average high temperature in Cornwall in July is 19°C, with temperatures inland sometimes reaching the low twenties during the day. The average low temperature is 13°C, so make sure that you pack a thick layer or two to wear in the evening, particularly if you’re going to be by the coast.

Sea Temperature

July sees some of the warmest sea temperatures in Cornwall all year, with an average water temperature of 16°C. You will probably need a wetsuit to enjoy swimming or other watersports for a long time, but it will be very pleasant for paddling.

Clouds and Rainfall

No month in the UK is completely dry, but July is one of the driest times of the year to visit Cornwall, with 20 days of rain on average. This may sound like a lot, but summer showers tend to be very light and short-lived, so they shouldn’t affect your holiday plans too much. Some days are likely to be overcast but warm, whereas others will see wonderful clear blue skies.

Sunshine Hours

There are 13 hours of daylight in Cornwall in July, with around 7 hours of sunshine on average each day. The sun tends to rise between 5 and 6 am in the morning and doesn’t set until around 9.30 pm, which is ideal for long evenings spent outdoors.

Where to go in Cornwall in July

St Ives

One of Cornwall’s prettiest and most popular locations is St Ives; a fishing village that has become one of the UK’s favourite holiday resort towns. With a range of beaches, brilliant surfing opportunities and a car-free town centre, it’s one of the best places to stay in Cornwall if you are travelling with children, but it is equally as lovely if you’re on a romantic break or travelling solo.

St Ives has a brilliant range of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants, and is a perfect place to spend a day pottering around the narrow streets and strolling along the beachfront. A cultural highlight of the town is the Tate St Ives gallery, and there is also a gallery and garden dedicated to the famous sculptor Barbara Hepworth if you’re looking to soak up more art on your holiday.

Lands End

Perhaps one of the most famous places in the UK, Lands End is the westernmost point of Cornwall that was referred to as ‘Belerion’ in Ancient Greek times – Place of the Sun. Here you can visit the iconic signpost at the end of the country, walk the picturesque coastline or enjoy beautiful, secluded beaches and coves.

Lands End is quite a rural part of Cornwall, and is another good place for a day trip as there aren’t a huge amount of tourist attractions in the area. There are however some spectacular places to eat, drink and shop, and if you’re visiting Cornwall it’s really somewhere that you should say that you’ve been to!

Things to do in Cornwall in July

Walk the Coastal Path

The South West Coast Path is one of the longest waymarked footpaths in the Uk, covering 630 miles from Exmoor to Poole Harbour. The paths snakes around the coast of Cornwall and is accessible throughout the area, and whilst you’re certainly not expected to walk the whole route, it’s a great trail to follow for a day or so.

There are a number of different recommended routes for sections of the South West Coast Path in both north and south Cornwall, which can be found online. Whether you are just looking for an afternoon walk or want to plan a few days travelling along the coast, it’s a stunning route that has been followed for centuries and features a lot of Cornwall’s finest historic and cultural spots along the way.

Take a Surfing Lesson

Cornwall has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK, and many people come to the area every summer to enjoy the waves and learn how to master them at one of the numerous surf schools that can be found along the coast. Childrens and adults can take part in lessons suitable for a range of abilities, equipping you with the skills to return to the water with your board time and time again.

Top spots in Cornwall for surfing lessons are St Ives, Watergate Bay, Sennen Cove and Mawgan Porth, all of which offer wetsuit and board hire and employ skilled teachers to show you the ropes. A lot of surf schools have also branched out to offer other water sport lessons, so if surfing is not your thing you can also try stand-up paddleboarding or kitesurfing.

Crowds & costs

Cornwall is one of the most popular summer holiday locations in the UK, and therefore can get very busy in July once schools have broken up for the holidays. Large resort towns and surfing beaches in particular tend to be quite crowded on days when the weather is good, whereas more rural villages won’t see too many tourists and are a better choice for those who want the area to themselves.

The start of July is usually the quietest time of the month to visit Cornwall, as most schools are still in session, and will also be a lot cheaper than towards the end of the month. If you’re planning on coming to Cornwall in July then be aware that accommodation can book up incredibly quickly, so you’ll need to book your trip well in advance.

July festivals & events

Stithians Agricultural Show

Stithians Show began as a competition between those living in the parish village of Stithians in the middle of Cornwall. Local people would present their produce and livestock to be judged on its quality, and this tradition has continued for over 200 years.

The festival is held annually on the Feast Day of St. Stythians Church, and has become the biggest one-day agricultural event in Cornwall because of its size and popularity. With competitions for livestock, produce and baking alongside a wide range of different traders from the local area, it’s a really fun day out for holidaymakers of all ages.

Frequently asked questions about Cornwall in July

Where in Cornwall gets the best weather?

The town of Bude, found in the north-east of Cornwall, has been found to consistently have the highest temperatures in the whole area. Many residents have described it as having a ‘micro-climate’, so if you want almost guaranteed good weather then Bude is the place to visit.

What is the prettiest village in Cornwall?

Cornwall boasts an impressive number of picturesque coastal villages, but some of the prettiest are Fowley, Looe, Polperro and Mousehole. You can also visit the tiny island of Saint Micheal’s Mount near Marazion for a truly unique experience of Cornwall, or take a trip to the tiny village of Porthcurno and visit the breathtakingly beautiful Minack Theatre; an open-air amphitheatre where performances take place against a backdrop of the ocean.

Summary

It might not be a tropical paradise, but the seaside destination of Cornwall in July has a lot to offer any holidaymaker, from its beautiful natural scenery to the variety of history that belongs to its towns, and the art and culture that can be found up and down the coast. Walkers, surfers and beach-lovers alike will all enjoy this wonderful region, and summer is one of the nicest times to pay Cornwall a visit. What are you waiting for?

Want to find out more about the top destinations in Europe to visit in July? Read our guides to Reykjavik and the Dordogne, or take a look at our rundown of Where to Go in July.