AIBU?
To expect November in Cornwall to be mild
fightorflight1 · 13/10/2022 07:13
Looking to plan a weekend trip to west Cornwall in November. What is the weather like at this time of the year? I've never been and have always wanted to but prices pretty much quadruple anytime from March onwards - just not affordable for me.
I'm of course expecting it to be chilly and to wrap up but is this a stupid idea? Will it be absolutely freezing to the point it's not enjoyable? Google is saying it can be mild but thought I'd reach out to MN for real life experiences
fightorflight1 · 13/10/2022 11:54
AngelsWithSilverWings · 13/10/2022 09:23
We spent a week in Cornwall at the end of October 2020 when travel was impossible ( even the a trip to Cornwall was touch and go in the end as another lockdown was looking )
We booked a cottage that had lovely sea views ( through simply sea views) and was close to a pub/restaurants so that if the weather was bad we could just cosy up and enjoy the views or go to the pub.
We had some gorgeous warm ( for the time of year) days and a couple of rainy ones. We managed four good days out exploring in decent weather and the other times we dodged the bad weather by staying in and enjoying the cottage and popping out for local walks when the rain stopped.
It was a really lovely break and I'd happily do it again.
Sorry also meant to say that this sounds like a lovely stay!
Titsflyingsouth · 13/10/2022 12:07
I think the wind is the problem in winter. On a windless day it can feel really mild. But the wind can be so ferocious it feels like it's taking your skin off. (Look at the trees on the headland/cliff tops, they all grow at a funny angle because of the wind!)
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 13/10/2022 13:00
TheTeaFairy sorry if I was harsh on Penzance - there are great things to visit, I just wouldn't recommend it as a place to base yourself on holiday.
No offence meant to the residents - there are worse towns in Cornwall, and I live in one of them :-)
CornishTin · 13/10/2022 13:03
North Cornwall is nice too. Padstow is a nice little town for mooching about in for an afternoon, or you could go to one of the beautiful beaches in or near Newquay and for a pub lunch. Mawgan Porth and Watergate are part way between the two and are gorgeous winter walks with pubs and restaurants around (probably a little overpriced though).
Are you driving? I don’t find the Eden project that exciting - although lots of people do - but the lost gardens of heligan is a lot nicer (with a really great cafe as well!)
Snozzlemaid · 13/10/2022 13:11
BigWoollyJumpers · 13/10/2022 12:32
The weather will be better in Surrey tbh!
DD is at uni in Exeter, and it's always windy and raining, unless it's not...... we get much warmer/drier weather here.
We're in Cornwall and dd is at Exeter uni. Her weather's usually better than ours.
Badger1970 · 13/10/2022 13:16
We went in March and it was lovely when the sun came out but dear God, when the wind blew it was horrendous. We were near St Agnes and nearly went off a cliff walking along the coastal path. DH was not impressed with my bright spark idea of walking that day 
the weather is very changeable nearer the coast.
kwaziseyepatch · 13/10/2022 13:46
The thing about Cornwall weather (especially far west) is that because of the coastal winds when the weather is good in the majority of England it's a couple of degrees cooler there, the weather is also more changeable because of the winds and wet. Because of the Atlantic jet stream the weather is warmer in winter s
kwaziseyepatch · 13/10/2022 13:48
Hit post by accident!
So it can be 10-11 degrees when it's about 3-4 elsewhere. I think west cornwall has its own microclimate hence there's subtropical gardens in PZ
PZ has a lot going for it at the moment, it was getting tired a few years ago but is turning around now. I think it's a good place to stay. St Ives is nice but a bit awkward if you're driving unless you get somewhere with parking
TheHideAndSeekingHill · 13/10/2022 13:56
Aw @TheTeaFairy reading your post did my heart good.
It will drizzle/mizzle OP and then in between it will be nice/bright and windy.
The weather forecast often looks similar in different parts of the UK but "feels" different - I'd say where you are @fightorflight1 you get more proper easterly winds and the cold cold they bring with them. In Penzance/around it's more wild wet westerlies which will soak you through but are quite exciting/are warmish.
I think it's a great idea and if you're in PZ there are loads of cosy pubs and the cinema etc, The Acorn Theatre is another one to check out what's on - and don't forget to visit the Minack out on the cliffs as well.
Only stay in St Just if you LOVE pubs but HATE visibility.
Strugglingtodomybest · 13/10/2022 14:21
I'd not stay in Penzance - if you want far west, I'd look for anywhere somewhere else - Marazion, Hayle, St Buryan, Mousehole, even St Ives if you're lucky. Visit Penzance for a half day.
If you're going to stay in St Buryan, make sure you watch Straw Dogs first!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_Dogs_(1971_film)
Apologies if you've already said, but are you planning on walking? In which case, can I recommend St Michael's Way? www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/blog/st-michaels-way
TonightMatthewIamgoingtobecher · 13/10/2022 15:01
kwaziseyepatch · 13/10/2022 13:48
Hit post by accident!
So it can be 10-11 degrees when it's about 3-4 elsewhere. I think west cornwall has its own microclimate hence there's subtropical gardens in PZ
PZ has a lot going for it at the moment, it was getting tired a few years ago but is turning around now. I think it's a good place to stay. St Ives is nice but a bit awkward if you're driving unless you get somewhere with parking
Pleased to hear Penzance is getting back on its feet. I've not been for a few years and when I went it was very run down and sorry for itself. Loved going shopping and clubbing there as a teenager in the 90s.
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