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Is the sea really cold in Autumn?
Ask most people when the British sea turns freezing, and they’ll tell you: the moment the kids go back to school. September arrives, the jumpers come out, and the beach gets mentally filed under “not until next summer.”
Here’s the thing.. the sea doesn’t get the memo. The thermal lag with sea temperatures means the sea in September can feel remarkably similar to the sea in August.
Across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, sea temperatures barely move between August and September. The proper chill doesn’t set in until well into Autumn. So before you write off a coastal break for the next few months, let’s look at what’s actually happening beneath the surface.
Cornwall
16°-16.5° in September
North Devon
15° in September
Somerset
17° in September
So Why Does Autumn Feel So Much Colder?
If the sea isn’t the problem, what is? Mostly, it’s everything else. Air temperature drops faster than sea temperature. Add a stiff coastal breeze, shorter days, and the simple fact that we’re no longer dressed for the beach, and autumn feels like a different season entirely, even when the water itself has barely changed.
That’s not to say autumn sea swimming feels like a summer paddle. It’s still bracing, particularly once you’re out of the water and into the wind. But here in the South West, we like to embrace it and break out the wetsuits for the sea swims!
Make The Most Of Autumn Coastal Visits
Whether or not you fancy getting in, Autumn is arguably one of the best times to properly appreciate the coast:
- Quieter beaches. The summer crowds have gone home, and the sand – and the view – is yours.
- Golden light and dramatic skies. Autumn’s low sun makes for some of the best coastal photography of the year.
- Dog-friendly, all the way. Every one of our parks welcomes dogs on the accommodation and on the walks, with no seasonal restrictions.
- A dip, if you’re up for it. Wetsuit or not, plenty of regular sea swimmers keep going well into autumn – just always check local conditions, tides and flags before heading in.
- A warm return. Nothing pairs better with a bracing coastal walk than a hot tub and a flask of something warm back at the lodge.
Stay at Coast and Country Parks
Anglers Roost
Notter Bridge
Sleeps 2
Pet friendly
Woodland
Anglers Roost – Ensuite Glamping Studio Lodge Anglers Roost is a perfect couple’s getaway, comprising a cosy self-contained accommodation for…
Bay View – Grass, Electric Camping & Campervans
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Electric Hook Up
Pets allowed
8M Pitch
These pitches offer breathtaking views across Lyn Bay and include electric hook-up. Each pitch measures approximately 10m x 10m, made…
Beggars Field – Electric Camping & Campervans (Under 5metres)
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Electric hook up
5M Pitch
These grass pitches on Beggars Field offer valley views and includes electric hook-up. Each pitch measures approximately 6m x 6m.…
Beggars Field – Grass, Electric Camping & Campervans
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Electric hook up
9M Pitch
Our Beggars field grass pitches are spacious pitches with valley views and electric hook up. Each pitch measures approximately 9m…
Beggars Field – Grass, Electric Touring & Motorhomes
Lynmouth Retreat
Valley views
Dog Friendly Park
Electric Hookup
9M Pitch
These spacious grass pitches offers stunning valley views and includes electric hook-up. Each grass pitch measures approximately 9m x 9m.…
Beggars Field – Hardstanding, Serviced Touring & Motorhomes
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Electric hook up
9.5M Pitch
Beggars field hardstanding pitches offers valley views and includes water and electric hook-up. Pitch hardstanding pitch size is approximately 7M…
Blackmoor
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Blackmoor Holiday Lodge is pet friendly, sleeping up to 4 guests and 2 pets, featuring a master bedroom and a…
Bluebell Lodge
Notter Bridge
2 Bedrooms
Pet Friendly
Woodland
Bluebell – Woodland 2 Bed Holiday Lodge Bluebell Lodge is pet friendly, sleeps up to 4 guests and up to…
Brendon
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Decking
Pet Friendly
Brendon is pet friendly and sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom with an ensuite shower and…
Cawsand
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Views
Decking
Cawsand – Valley View 2 Bed Hot tub Holiday Caravan Cawsand offers modern, pet-friendly accommodation for up to 4 guests,…
Cheriton
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Coastal Views
Cheriton sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom and a twin room.
Cherry Tree Lodge
Notter Bridge
2
Hot Tub
Pet-friendly
Woodland Views
Cherry Tree – Woodland 2 Bed Hot tub Holiday Lodge Cherry Tree Holiday Lodge is pet friendly and comfortably sleeps…
Coombe Stargazer Geodome
Lynmouth Retreat
New
Pet friendly
Views
Coombe is our pet friendly Stargazer Geodome and comprises a double bed and room for up to 2 pets!
Cotehele
Tamar View
Hot Tub
Pet friendly
Countryside Views
Sleeps 6
Cotehele sleeps up to a maximum of 6 featuring a master double bedroom with an ensuite shower and WC, and…
Downderry
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Pet Friendly
Views
Hot tub
Downderry is a Cornish escape with hot tub. Sleeping up to 4 guests and up to 2 dogs, featuring a…
Dunkery
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Dunkery Holiday Lodge is a Pet Friendly unit and sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom and…
East Lyn
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 6
Views
Pet friendly
East Lyn Holiday Lodge sleeps up to 6 guests, featuring a master bedroom with an ensuite WC, and two twin…
Edgecumbe
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Pet Friendly
Edgecumbe is pet friendly, sleeping up to a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children and up to 2 pets,…
Foxglove Safari Tent
Lynmouth Retreat
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Views
Sleeps 5
Kestrel Safari Tent is pet friendly and sleeps up to 5 guests and 2 dogs, featuring a master double bedroom…
Hazel Lodge
Notter Bridge
3
Hot Tub
Pet-Friendly
Woodland Views
Hazel – Woodland 3 Bed Hot tub Holiday Lodge Hazel Lodge offers modern, pet-friendly accommodation complete with its own private…
Heron Pod
Notter Bridge
Sleeps 2
Decking
Woodland
Heron Ensuite Glamping Pod – Sleeps 2 Heron Pod is a perfect couple’s getaway…an Ensuite Glamping Pod, offering cosy, self-contained…
Kemacott Stargazer Geodome
Lynmouth Retreat
Kemacott is our Stargazer Geodome with sea views.
Kentisbury
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Pet friendly
Views
Kentisbury Holiday Caravan sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom with an ensuite WC and a twin…
Kestrel Safari Tent
Lynmouth Retreat
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Views
Sleeps 5
Kestrel Safari Tent is pet friendly and sleeps up to 5 guests and 2 dogs, featuring a master double bedroom…
Kingfisher Pod
Notter Bridge
Sleeps 2
Pet Friendly
Woodland
Kingfisher – Ensuite Glamping Pod Kingfisher Pod is an ideal retreat for couples and is a pet-friendly ensuite glamping pod,…
Lyn Bay Lodge
Lynmouth Retreat
Coastal Views
Decking
Hot Tub
New in 2024! Lyn Bay Lodge sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom and a twin room.
Lynton
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Pet Friendly
Lynton Holiday Lodge sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom with en-suite WC and a twin room.
Magnolia Lodge
Notter Bridge
2
Woodland
Pet-friendly
Hot Tub
Magnolia – Woodland 2 Bed Hot Tub Holiday Lodge Magnolia Holiday Lodge comfortably accommodates up to 4 guests and two…
Malmsmead
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 6
Decking
Views
Sleeping up to a maximum of 4 adults and 2 children, featuring a master double bedroom, one twin room and…
Martinhoe
Lynmouth Retreat
Pet friendly
Views
Martinhoe Holiday Lodge sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom with ensuite WC and a twin room.…
Morwellham
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Views
Morwellham is self-catered, perfect for romantic escapes, family holidays or a group of friends.
Otter Pod
Notter Bridge
Decking
Sleeps 2
Pet Friendly
Otter – Ensuite Glamping Pod – Sleeps 2 Otter Pod is a perfect couple’s getaway Glamping Pod, comprising a cosy…
Pentillie
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Pet Friendly
Valley views
Pentillie – Valley View 2 Bed Hot tub Holiday Caravan Pentillie Caravan offers pet-friendly accommodation for up to 4 guests,…
Polperro Lodge
Tamar View
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Decking
Polperro Holiday Lodge is pet friendly, sleeping up to 4 guests and up to 2 pets, featuring a master double…
Portwrinkle
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Views
Portwrinkle sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom with an ensuite WC, and a twin room. …
Rabbit Field – Hardstanding, Electric Campervans, Touring & Motorhomes
Lynmouth Retreat
Electric Hook Up
Views
Pets allowed
6.5M Pitch
Rabbit field hardstanding pitches offer stunning valley views and includes electric hook-up. Pitch hardstanding pitch size is approximately 7M (width)…
Riverside Retreat
Notter Bridge
2 Bedrooms
Hot Tub
Riverside
Pet friendly
Riverside Retreat – 2 Bed Hot Tub Holiday Lodge Occupying one of our most secluded, south-facing, and riverside plots, our…
Sea View Glamping Pods
Lynmouth Retreat
Sleeps 2
Coastal Views
Pet friendly
Our Glamping Pods are a great option if you are looking for cosy accommodation for two.
Tamar Cottage
Tamar View
Pet Friendly
Hot Tub
Views
Sleeps 6
Tamar Cottage is pet friendly, sleeping up to 6 guests, featuring two double bedrooms and a spare room with sofa…
The View – Grass, Super Serviced Touring & Motorhomes
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Electric hook up
9.5M Pitch
These grass pitches offer valley views and are super serviced with Electric, water and grey waste. Grass pitch size is…
The View – Hardstanding Super Serviced Touring & Motorhomes Under 6.5 Metres
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Electric hook up
6.5M Pitch
These pitches are hardstanding and super serviced with Electric, water and grey waste. The pitch size is approximately 5M (width)…
The View – Large Hardstanding Super Serviced Touring & Motorhomes
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Electric hook up
Pet friendly
8.5M Pitch
These large pitches are hardstanding and super serviced with Electric, water and grey waste. The pitch size is approximately 6M…
Tintagel Caravan
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Views
Tintagel provides a modern, contemporary, and spacious holiday accommodation, sleeping up to 4.
Valley View – Non-Electric Camping & Campervans
Lynmouth Retreat
Views
Pet friendly
Natural Setting
6M Pitch
Valley View is our camping field surrounded by beautiful green landscapes. We keep numbers to a minimum, ensuring plenty of…
Valley View Glamping Pod
Lynmouth Retreat
Pet friendly
Views
Sleeps 2
Our Pet Friendly Glamping Pods are a great option if you are looking for cosy accommodation for two.
Whitsand
Tamar View
Sleeps 4
Hot Tub
Views
Whitsand sleeps up to 4 guests, featuring a master double bedroom and a twin room.
Willow Lodge
Notter Bridge
2
Hot Tub
Pet-friendly
Woodland
Willow – Woodland 2 Bed Hot tub Holiday Lodge Willow Lodge offers modern accommodation with your own private hot tub,…
Wilsham
Lynmouth Retreat
Decking
Pet Friendly
Views
Wilsham Holiday Lodge is pet friendly, sleeping up to 4 guests and 2 pets, featuring a master bedroom and a…
FAQ:
Q1: Is it safe to swim in the sea in September in the South West?
For confident swimmers used to open water, yes – September sea temperatures across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset are only marginally cooler than August. As with any sea swim, check local conditions, tides and flags before heading in, and never swim alone in unfamiliar water.
Q2. Do you need a wetsuit for autumn sea swimming?
Many people swim without one through September, particularly for shorter dips, though a wetsuit extends comfort as the weeks go on. By October and November, most swimmers reach for one.
Q3. When is the sea warmest in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset?
Typically in August, holding close to that peak through most of September before cooling more noticeably from October onwards.
Q4: Why does the sea feel warmer than the air in autumn?
Because water heats up and cools down far more slowly than air – a delay known as thermal lag. The sea is still catching up with summer even as the air has moved on to autumn.
Come and see for yourself…
Autumn’s mild sea and quiet beaches are one of the best-kept secrets of a South West break – pack a coat for the wind, not the water. Our four parks are open for autumn stays now, with AUTUMN10 giving you 10% off Autumn breaks. Book your autumn escape and see it for yourself.
