West Cornwall in spring

We all breathe a sigh of relief as those lighter evenings kick in during spring, and the world seems to come back to life again. Cornwall is busy and popular throughout the summer months, but there’s so much to enjoy here during the quieter months of spring, just as everything is coming out of hibernation.

St Michael’s Mount opens for the main season at the end of March, and the island comes back to life, bustling with day visitors making their way across the causeway or travelling by boat to visit our iconic visitor attraction.

There’s a wealth of other days out you can enjoy during these spring months as well.  Here are our top tips for things to enjoy during May in the west of Cornwall.

Bluebells at Penrose and Godolphin in May

The bluebells springing to life throughout May is a sight not to be missed, and there are two National Trust properties in nearby Helston to enjoy seeing a carpet of bluebells scattered throughout their woods.

Godolphin House and Garden are tucked away near Helston, and tell their story of over 700 years of history. Wander around the 16th-century garden before taking a walk through its bluebell wood.

Penrose estate is a mixture of woodland and farmland based near Loe Pool. There are many paths to explore around the estate, and the best time to see bluebells here is early May.

Spot the seal babies

Spring can be a great time for spotting some of our marine mammals. Dolphins, porpoises and grey seals swim off the coast of Cornwall throughout the year, but it becomes easier to spot them in calm seas and warmer weather – so spring is a great time to spot some of these marine mammals.

If you are very lucky, you may even spot seal pups – the best place locally to see the seal babies is Mutton Cove, just next to Godrevy. Alternatively, pay a visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, a local rescue sanctuary and visitor attraction tending to injured seal pups.

See the spring blooms at local gardens

See swathes of spring flowers coming to life at many of the gardens throughout Cornwall. One of the most beautiful places near us is Trengwainton, a National Trust garden, where you can enjoy snowdrops, camellias and magnolias during the spring months.

Walk the coastal path

The South West Coast Path is perhaps the UK’s ultimate challenge for the long-distance hiker - a 630-mile adventure around the coastline of the southwest peninsula. We are lucky enough to be right on the SWCP, and there’s stunning scenery to be found in our part of the world.

The South West Coast Path is just as good for short walks and gentle strolls as it is for long-distance walking, and the South West Coastal Path website has full details of the walks you can take. We’d particularly recommend Lamorna to Marazion, and Marazion to Porthleven – as both have sight of our wonderful St Michael’s Mount!

Enjoy dog walking on our beaches

Cornwall is a wonderful place to enjoy a holiday with your dog, but not all of our beaches are available for dog walkers throughout the summer months. Spring can be a brilliant time to enjoy the beaches of West Cornwall, as many more of them are accessible to dogs in the shoulder season.

For more information about which beaches are dog-friendly and what restrictions are in place, the Visit Cornwall and Dog-Friendly Cornwall website have the most up to date information.