Spring Adventures in Cornwall

Spring has sprung in Cornwall. So shake off the winter and feel a spring in your step ON THESE coastal adventures.

Spring breaks earlier in Cornwall than anywhere else in the UK, so it’s time to shake off your winter blanket and come out of hibernation. From sea swims and surfing, to wild walks and freewheeling fun, spring into action with these rosy-cheeked adventures that will boost your fitness, immerse you in pristine landscapes and chase off the winter chills. 

“Spring is my favourite time of year to get out and explore Cornwall,” says Elliot Walker, editor of Cool Cornwall. “After the short, cold days of winter, I can’t wait to hit the mountain biking trails, fit in dawny surfs before work while the waves and uncrowded, and hit the trails to peaks and promontories during the longer evenings. The wildlife is out in abundance, wildflowers are sprouting underfoot, and the landscapes are still empty and untouched, before the holidaymakers arrive in their hoards.”

This is our favourite time of year to experience our sea-lashed county before the summer crowds descend. So catch it while you can. Here’s how:

GO SURFING

While we all love long summer days on the beach and mellow surf, the spring surf is more powerful, more consistent and less crowded. Yes, it’a also a little colder before the water has warmed up under the summer sun, but winter wetsuits are so advanced these days that you’ll be toasty on the coolest spring days. With fewer people to share the water with, you’re guaranteed more waves, and Cool Cornwall has the lowdown on the best surf beaches, as well as local surf schools to tap up for tuition. 

Brave a sea dip

Scientific evidence proves that cold water immersion is oh, so good for you, releasing bucketfuls of dopamine (the hormone that makes you feel happy), boosting your immune system and working wonders for your skin. The tidal pools at Bude, Porthtowan, Treyarnon and Priest’s Cove are amongst Cool Cornwall’s best wild swimming spots, and discovering new swimming spots is all part of the adventure.

WILDLIFE WATCHING

Changing sea currents have brought a record number of humpback whales and dolphins to Cornwall throughout January and February. And soon it will be the season for basking sharks and huge shoals of mackerel. So pack your binoculars and trim the coastline in any direction to spot an abundance of majestic wildlife, from seals and seabirds to dolphins and sunfish.

Castaway on a SUP

Spring is one of our favourite times to castaway on a paddleboard from crowd-free beaches and encounter wildlife in the nooks and crannies of the coastline. Time your trip with the spring tides and paddle along the sheltered estuaries of the Helford Passage, the Gannel and the River Fowey, or set off on paddleboard safari from Carbis Bay or Gyllyngvase. Just make sure you wear a wetsuit and pack supplies. 

Wild coastal walks

As winter lifts its spell, there’s still time to get up and make the first set of footprints on empty beaches, scale rugged cliff-tops with only seabirds for company and meander across moorland without a soul in sight. Crest the peaks of Bodmin Moor’s Rough Tor and Brown Willy in early spring at sunset, and you might see a magical murmuration as you set your eyes on the coast to your north and south. 

Uncrowded cycle trails

Spring is our favourite time to hit one of Cornwall’s most popular cycle routes – the Camel Trail – winding 18 miles along the Camel Estuary between Padstow and Bodmin Moor. But there are plenty more bike trails where you can feel the wind in your hair and trundle through dramatic landscapes uncongested by the summer crowds. Ride the Coast to Coast along 15 miles of flat (ish) off-road trails between Portreath and Devoran, get your wheels in motion on Lanhydrock’s family-friendly bike routes and take on the berms, jumps and technical sections of Cardinham’s Beast of Bodmin trail. 

Spring picnics

Picnics, barbecues and alfresco dining don’t have to be saved for summer days. Embrace the seasons and pack up a delicious spread for a spring picnic. Pause for a mug of soup on a ramble across the moors, fill a flask with stew or chilli to enjoy on a deserted cove (after a bracing dip is best), or light a fire on the beach to toast marshmallows and warm a pan of hot chocolate. 

What with empty beaches, bigger swells, wilder landscapes, awesome all-weather attractions and tables going spare in the best restaurants, spring is one the best times of year to get out and embrace the beauty of Cornwall. Whether you prefer heart-pumping activities or watching the seasons unfold from a cosy venue, Cool Cornwall has you covered to spring into action at the coast.