Spring is a wonderful time in Cornwall; the weather is getting warmer, but it's still quiet, with deserted beaches, footpaths and moorland. The spring flowers are emerging, lambs are out in fields, and the sea is beginning to calm down from the wild winter storms.
Many of churchyards of our ancient churches and hedgerows are filled with wildflowers in Spring so these can make for some particularly nice walks and some great photography. In March the churchyard at Minster has spectacular daffodils. Wooded valleys such as Trebarwith Valley, Rocky Valley and the Valency Valley are filled with primroses and bluebells in April.
Along the coast path, thrift and sea campion carpet the cliffs in pink and white flowers.
Don't be deterred by possible April Showers - see our page of things to do on a rainy day and our interactive map of things close by you can nip out to between showers.
Birds are out and about doing courtship displays and by early May the dawn chorus is at its peak. Spring is a good time to go sea kayaking to see the seabirds roosting and rearing their chicks and peregrine falcons doing their aerial courtship displays over the cliffs. The best time to see puffins is from April-July.
The warming influence of the Gulf Stream washing our shores means many of the National Trust gardens are in full bloom by May, so this is a great time to visit them without having to contend with the crowds of summertime. Nearby Pencarrow House has one of the collections of Camelias in the country which provide the first big burst of bloom, followed by huge collections of Rhododendrons and Azalias. Also quite close by, Lanhydrock has both stunning formal gardens and massive grounds full of many flowering trees.
During the first week of May, a number of ancient pagan festivals take place such the Padstow Obby Oss and Helson Furry (or "Floral") Dance.
In late spring, cornflowers are out in the hedgerows and along the coastpath. On the higher ground of Bodmin Moor, Spring arrives much later, breaking into flower during June.