South West England in August

May through September delivers the South West at its finest. July and August bring warmest weather but also peak crowds and prices. St Ives becomes a zoo in August - expect queues for everything from ice cream to toilets. Late spring (May-June) offers the sweet spot. Wildflowers carpet clifftops, tourist attractions open fully, but crowds remain manageable. Hotel rates stay reasonable outside school holidays. September extends summer with fewer families around. The sea reaches its warmest temperatures, perfect for swimming off Cornwall's beaches. Harvest season means farm shops overflow with local produce. Winter has its charms if you don't mind shorter days and unpredictable weather. Bath's Christmas markets transform the Georgian streets, while coastal storms create dramatic wave watching from clifftop pubs. Many seaside B&Bs close November through March. Spring arrives early here thanks to the Gulf Stream. Daffodils bloom in February around the Isles of Scilly, while mainland Cornwall sees them by March. Easter weekend marks the unofficial start of tourist season.