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When to Visit?
South-West England sits roughly between 50°N and 52°N latitude. In terms of latitude, that puts it broadly in line with Vancouver Island and Calgary in Canada, Prague in the Czech Republic and Warsaw in Poland. Due to the influence of the North Atlantic and the Gulf Stream, like much of the rest of the UK, the South West of England experiences a temperate climate. On average, it has relatively mild winters and warm summers, making the South West an attractive year-round visitor destination.
Easter can fall anywhere between the 22nd March and the 25th April – Easter Sunday being the first Sunday after the first full moon after the 21st March (the ecclesiastical spring equinox).
In the UK, Good Friday and Easter Monday are Bank Holidays. This creates a long weekend and, with the prospect of warmer weather and the Easter school holidays, marks the first ‘peak’ of the South West’s season.
Whilst warmer weather will bring increasing visitor numbers, the real peak season coincides with the summer school holidays. It starts in mid-July and lasts through to early September. If you visit during that time, you can expect busy roads, campsites, cafes, car parks, and more. It is also when accommodation will be at its most expensive.
Whilst July and August (usually) offer the best of the weather and the longest hours of daylight, we suggest avoiding these months. For those unconstrained by school holidays, May, June, early July, September, and October are good times to visit Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Traditional accommodation ‘change over days’ are Friday and Saturday. These are the busiest days on the roads and railways.
Things are significantly quieter in the winter, and you can expect to have places almost all to yourself. The far South West of Cornwall, around Penzance and Land’s End, along with the Isles of Scilly, have an exceptionally mild winter. On Scilly, daffodils are picked in late December, January, and February. That said, winter is the quietest time of year. Many visitor attractions will be closed, and public transport will be more limited. Walking, particularly on the moors and the South West Coast Path, will be more challenging in wet and misty conditions. Whilst some still like to wild swim or even surf in winter, it is invariably only for the very experienced.
Our favourite time of the year is Spring (March to May). A time of new beginnings, flowers, lambs and lengthening days and a glimpse of the summer season to come. Autumn (Fall) is also popular, as the summer ends and the days begin to shorten, bringing about a change in colours. For watersports, the sea temperature is at its warmest in September.
Climate
1. Average Daylight Hours by Season (South-West England)
| Season | Months | Avge Daylight Hours / Day |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | ~12–15 hours |
| Summer | June – Aug | ~15–17 hours |
| Autumn | Sept – Nov | ~9–12 hours |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | ~7–9 hours |
2. Temperature
South-West England: Seasonal Ranges
- Temperatures in summer typically average 18–22 °C (64-72°F), dropping to 7–9 °C (45-48°F) in winter. Temperatures can rise to over 30°C (86°F) in summer, and inland (away from the coast) drop to as low as –5 °C (23°F) in winter.
- Snow is unusual (very unusual in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) but remains a possibility in winter, particularly over the higher ground of Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as inland, away from the coast.
- Expect annual average maximum temperatures of around 13.4 °C and minimums near 6.3 °C.
Europe & US Comparison
- In Western Europe, climates similar to those of South-West England include parts of southern Ireland, Britanny in France, and Galicia in North-West Spain.
- In comparison, whilst on a similar latitude, Calgary in Alberta experiences a much drier, sunnier continental climate with hotter summers and far colder, snowier winters.
3. Rainfall
South-West England benefits from ‘reliable’ rainfall!
- Annual totals range from around 1,000 mm in the lower lying areas to 2,000 mm or more across the higher areas of Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor.
- Rain is possible year-round, with autumn and winter being the wettest. Dry spells are likely during the summer months. Sunshine and light showers are also typical.
Comparisons Across Regions
- On average, the UK experiences approximately 913 mm of rainfall per year, while the USA sees around 934 mm. The USA experiences fewer rainy days (≈approximately 85 vs. the UK’s approximately 152), highlighting the fact that although total precipitation may be similar, the UK (and the South West of England) sees more frequent but lighter rain. In contrast, regions of the United States experience less frequent but heavier rainfall.
4. Sunshine & Cloud Cover
Devon: Home of the ‘English Riviera”
- Coastal parts of the region, such as Torquay, Penzance, or Newquay, enjoy around 1,700–1,800 sunshine hours per year, while inland areas, including Exeter, Tiverton, or Taunton, see around 1,450–1,600 hours.
Europe & US Comparison
- The UK averages about 1,351 sunshine hours per year, compared to 2,628 hours in the USA.
- Southern Europe, particularly areas with a Mediterranean climate, may see over 2,500 hours of sunshine.
5. Wind & Storms
South-West England: The Prevailing Wind
- The South West of England is the second windiest region in the UK, after North West Scotland. The prevailing winds are from the South West, originating in the North Atlantic and responsible for generally mild but occasionally wet weather.
- Storms are most likely in autumn and winter. Major storms can bring spectacular waves and sea swells. The sea can be unpredictable. Sadly, despite the efforts of HM Coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), emergency services and others, it claims lives every year. Always treat the sea with the respect that it deserves.
Comparisons
- Whilst windy, windspeeds of 60mph and more are not entirely uncommon in winter, the UK does not generally suffer from hurricanes or tornadoes.
6. Summary Table: South-West England
| Climate Feature | South-West England | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Type | Maritime | Influenced by Gulf Stream |
| Summer Temps (Average) | 18–22 °C 64–72 °F | Highs 28–30 °C (82–86 °F) |
| Winter Temps (Average) | 7–9 °C 45–48 °F | Lows –5 °C (23–27 °F |
| Annual Rainfall | 1,000–2,000 mm | |
| Rain Days per Year | 150-190 | Frequent drizzle or sunshine & light showers |
| Annual Sunshine Hours | ~1,500–1,800 hours | |
| Wind & Storms | Frequent but moderate | Major Atlantic Storms 80mph + 160 km/h+ |
| Climate Extremes | Mild: Occasional heatwaves or cold snaps |
7. Useful Links
- The UK Met Office is the United Kingdom’s national weather service. It provides forecasts, climate research, and early warnings of severe weather. It provides a useful (free) app for iOS and Android devices.
- The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), the UK’s national public service broadcaster, provides news, entertainment, education, and cultural programming worldwide. BBC Weather is the BBC’s public weather service, offering forecasts and maps for the UK. It too has a (free) app for iOS and Android devices.
- We also like Windy. It features some great weather maps (including temperature, rainfall, wind, and more), and is also available as an app for iOS and Android.
Conclusion
South-West England’s mild oceanic climate makes it a destination for all seasons, but the visitor experience changes quite dramatically throughout the year. Mid-July and August offer the longest days and the highest expectations of the hottest weather, but also bring the largest crowds and the highest prices. Spring and autumn (fall) are excellent alternatives, with quieter roads, good daylight, and plenty of natural colour.
Winter is peaceful with milder conditions compared to other places in the UK and countries at the same latitude, though many of the visitor attractions close and the weather can still be cold, wet and windy (a time to wrap up).
Visiting in May, June, early July, September or October offers the best of the region’s weather without the peak-season crowds.
Over to you … have you recently travelled to South West England? What worked for you? What advice would you give to others? Please leave your comments below or join in the discussion in our Facebook Group.
New to South West England or returning after a while? Start with our ‘Travel Basics’ – quick guides packed with tips to help you plan your trip.
