Luxury May Holidays in Cornwall
May is one of those months when Cornwall feels almost impossible to resist. The countryside is lush and green, wildflowers spill across the clifftops and the evenings stretch out towards summer.
With two bank holidays and May half term in the mix, there are plenty of opportunities to make a break of it. Come for a long weekend by the sea, bring the family down for the school holidays or steal away for a few quieter days before summer gathers pace.
Add a calendar of food, arts and cultural festivals, more time on the water and some of the longest evenings of spring, and May has a character all of its own. Find your perfect Gem and make more of it.
Luxury holiday homes for May breaks in Cornwall
In May, a little extra outdoor space goes a long way.
Choose one of our coastal escapes for easy trips to the beach, a rural retreat surrounded by the Cornish countryside, or a home with a garden where breakfast, drinks and dinner can all migrate outside when the weather plays along.
Our family homes are made for May half term, while romantic retreats give two of you somewhere special for a bank-holiday weekend or a few quieter days away.
Add sea views, a hot tub, a swimming pool or a terrace made for long evenings, and your Gem becomes somewhere you will want to spend just as much time as the places around it.
Somerseaze
A spectacular coastal home moments from Carbis Bay
- Sleeps 8
- 4 Bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- 2 Dogs
5 reasons to visit Cornwall in May
May has one foot in spring and the other already heading towards summer. Here is why we love it.
- There are two bank holidays to play with: May gives you two natural opportunities to turn a long weekend into a proper Cornish break.
- The evenings keep going: More daylight means later dinners, spontaneous beach stops and time to squeeze a little more out of every day.
- Festival season gets underway: Food, literature, art and Cornish tradition all have their moment, with events taking place across the county throughout the month.
- The sea starts calling: Surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming and boat trips all feel firmly back on the agenda.
- Half term brings a taste of summer: Family attractions, beaches and harbour towns have plenty of energy, without quite reaching the pace of July and August.
May Bank Holiday weekend breaks
May gives you two bank holidays and two very good excuses to head west.
A long weekend can be as full or as unhurried as you want it to be. Arrive in time for dinner on Friday, spend Saturday somewhere on the water, give Sunday over to a long lunch and the coast, then use that extra day for the place you nearly didn't have time to visit.
Or do very little at all. Find a Gem close to the beach, stock the fridge, open the doors and enjoy the simple luxury of having one more morning in Cornwall before heading home.
Romantic May breaks in Cornwall
May gives you more hours to disappear together. Start slowly, choose somewhere beautiful for lunch and leave enough room in the day for an unplanned beach stop on the way home.
For something memorable, book a private boat trip, share a tasting at a Cornish vineyard, take a picnic to the coast or reserve a table somewhere with a view worth arriving early for.
Back at your romantic Gem, open the doors, pour something cold and make the most of an evening that still has hours left in it.
May half-term holidays in Cornwall
May half term arrives just as Cornwall is beginning to feel like summer, making it a brilliant week for getting the whole family outside.
Swap screens for surf lessons, rock pools and boat trips. Cycle somewhere new, spend the day at one of Cornwall’s big family attractions or simply pack the beach bag in the morning and see where the day takes you.
Choose a family Gem with a garden, games room, pool or plenty of space to spread out, and there is just as much freedom when you get home.
Things to do in Cornwall in May
May gives you enough daylight to be ambitious with the itinerary, but some of the best days come from choosing one good idea and seeing where it leads.
Walk among the wildflowers: Sea pinks, campion and other coastal flowers transform stretches of the South West Coast Path.
Take a boat somewhere: Cross an estuary by ferry, head out from a harbour on a wildlife trip or charter a boat for a few hours on the water.
Go for a sea swim: Pick a sheltered bay, tidal pool or favourite beach and experience Cornwall from sea level. Always check local conditions before swimming.
Explore by bike: Follow the Camel Trail, ride the Mineral Tramways or hire e-bikes and turn Cornwall’s hills into considerably less of a challenge.
Eat outdoors: Seek out a beach café, harbour terrace, farm kitchen or seafood spot and let lunch become the main event.
Try something new: From sailing and paddleboarding to foraging, pottery and cookery experiences, May is a good month to build an experience into the holiday.
What's on in Cornwall this May
May is one of Cornwall’s liveliest months for festivals, with food, literature, art and local traditions adding even more reasons to explore.
St Ives Food & Drink Festival: Porthminster Beach becomes the setting for a celebration of Cornwall’s food scene, bringing together chef demonstrations, artisan producers, food and drink and live music beside the sea.
Flora Day: Helston’s famous spring celebration fills the town with dancing, music and centuries-old Cornish tradition.
The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival: Fowey celebrates its literary heritage with writers, speakers, musicians and artists, alongside a wider programme of talks, walks and cultural events.
Cornwall Open Studios: Around the late-May bank holiday, artists and makers across Cornwall open their studios, giving visitors the chance to discover painting, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and more.
Fal River Festival: The Fal and its surrounding communities host a varied celebration of life on and beside the river, with arts, music, activities and events around the water.
May half term: Cornwall’s major attractions, gardens, museums, heritage sites and National Trust properties add family activities and seasonal programmes during the school holidays.
Festival dates and programmes can change each year, so check individual event information before travelling.
Where to stay this May in Cornwall
May is a great month to choose a base that lets you dip between beaches, festivals, countryside and Cornwall’s increasingly lively towns.
St Ives and Carbis Bay are particularly tempting in May, with beaches, galleries and restaurants all within easy reach and the St Ives Food & Drink Festival bringing extra energy to Porthminster.
Stay around Falmouth and the Helford for sailing, waterside dining and easy access to the Fal, or choose Fowey for estuary views, independent shops and the town’s celebrated literary festival.
On the north coast, Padstow and the Camel Estuary work brilliantly for food, cycling and days on the water. Further west, St Agnes, Perranporth and Porthtowan put you close to surf beaches, clifftop walks and spectacular May sunsets.
For a slower south-coast stay, The Roseland offers small villages and quiet coves, while Marazion and Mousehole in West Cornwall combine art, heritage and some of the county’s most dramatic landscapes.
FAQs about May in Cornwall
Yes. May combines long days, colourful countryside, two bank holidays and plenty happening before the busiest part of summer.
May feels increasingly summery. Coastal towns are livelier, gardens and countryside are flourishing and the longer evenings give you much more time to explore.
May can bring warm, sunny days alongside cooler or wetter spells. Pack layers, a light waterproof, comfortable footwear, swimwear and sun protection.
May is generally busier around the bank holidays and May half term, but outside those periods it can still feel noticeably quieter than the main summer months.
May is ideal for coast-path walks, boat trips, surfing, swimming, paddleboarding, cycling and garden visits, as well as food experiences, galleries and family attractions.
Yes. May half term is a popular time for family holidays, with long days for beaches and outdoor activities alongside attractions and seasonal family programmes.
Falmouth and the Helford suit waterside breaks, St Ives combines beaches and culture, Padstow is excellent for food and cycling, while the Roseland, Fowey and West Cornwall offer plenty of space to explore.
Bring layers, a light waterproof, comfortable shoes, swimwear and sun protection. Something warmer for evenings is useful too.
