7 Great Reasons to Visit Cornwall in June
If your summer getaway is not restricted to school holidays, then June is the perfect month to plan an escape to Cornwall.
The longer days and warmer sunshine will allow you to make the most of the great Cornish outdoors, which is at its most colourful at this time of year, with wild flowers bursting out of the hedgerows and pretty gorse adorning the clifftops.
Meanwhile, all your favourite holiday spots will be much quieter in June, so you can enjoy relaxing strolls on the beach and sit back to admire the stunning seaside sunsets without peak season crowds disturbing your peace.
If you’re considering a summer getaway before the schools break up, here are 7 great reasons to visit Cornwall in June …
1. Beaches/Surf
Of course a trip to Cornwall always involves plenty of time at the beach! Being surrounded by ocean on three sides, you don’t have to travel far to get your daily dose of sea air. Cornwall’s beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, famed for their golden sands, turquoise waters, and decent waves too! June is a great month to learn to surf for the first time or hone your skills. The water is still fairly cold so wetsuits are recommended, but it’s easier to warm up afterwards in the summer sunshine. Plus, the classes won’t be full of school children effortlessly standing up within 5 minutes of getting in, so you can learn at your own pace without envying their natural ability. At this time of year, you might even be joined by a pod of dolphins in the surf too!
2. Coast Path Walks
Walking the South West Coast Path, which snakes its way all around the Cornish coastline, is a favourite holiday activity at any time of year – yet it’s particularly beautiful in June with bees and butterflies hovering over the colourful gorse flowers and fox gloves that carpet the clifftops. Pick a route that takes in a beach café or smugglers’ inn with an outside terrace, so you can refuel whilst admiring the shimmering sea views.
3. Picnics in Smugglers’ Coves
Cornwall’s coast is peppered with hidden coves and tucked-away inlets where smuggling was rife and traditional fishermen braved rough seas in small wooden boats to land pilchards and mackerel on old granite slipways. Visiting these coves feels like stepping back in time, as their character has changed so little over the centuries. A very pleasant way to while away a summer’s day is to take a ruck sac full of picnic goodies and head off on foot or by boat to discover a hidden smuggler’s cove. Be sure to check tide times before setting out, as some are only accessible at low tide and you don’t want to get cut off.
4. Glorious Gardens
Gardens are teeming with life at this time of year, whether it’s the hum of insects, chorus of birdsong or exquisite displays of blooms – June’s bountiful gardens are irresistible. There are many wonderful gardens to visit in Cornwall, from National Trust gardens such as Lanhydrock to the enchanting Lost Gardens of Heligan – don’t miss the chance to soak up the peace and tranquillity of a glorious Cornish garden during your stay.
5. Eden Project
A visit to the world famous Eden Project is a must for every Cornwall holiday, and it’s particularly enjoyable outside of the school holidays when you’ll avoid the crowds. With fascinating biomes, educational displays and a canteen serving delicious homemade food, a visit to the Eden Project is always inspirational and memorable.
6. Food & Drink
June is the season for fresh locally grown strawberries which are even more delicious when served with a generous helping of Cornish clotted cream! Other seasonal locally grown favourites include local asparagus and samphire. As for drink, you’ll find that local craft beers and artisan ciders and locally distilled gin taste even better in a summer beer garden or outdoor terrace with sea view on a light June evening.
7. Events
Many of Cornwall’s most popular events take place in June to make the most of the (usually!) fine weather. These include the Royal Cornwall Show, (7-9th June) situated just outside Wadebridge, with a packed agenda of entertainment, exhibitions and events; the Polperro Festival (16-24th June) showcasing the best food, music, art, drama and dance from the region; and Mevagissey Feast Week (24-30th June) a longstanding traditional annual celebration and community event offering a full week of activities and entertainment.
Find your perfect holiday cottage in Cornwall this June