Cardinham, Cornwall: A Village Endures 41 Consecutive Days of Rain

The parish of Cardinham in Cornwall has experienced an extraordinary weather phenomenon, recording 41 consecutive days of rain, making it one of the three locations in the UK to achieve this milestone, alongside North Wyke and Astwood Bank. The Met Office confirmed that Cardinham has received a total of 366mm of rainfall, marking January 2026 as the wettest on record for the region. Local residents, such as Sarah Cowen, an artist and cafe owner, have expressed their frustrations, attributing the relentless downpours to global warming. “It’s been horrendous. We’ve never known anything like it,” Cowen stated.

The Guardian

The continuous rain has severely affected daily life in Cardinham. Loveday Sutton, a member of the local garden club, noted that the persistent wet weather has left gardens unmanageable, stating, “It’s relentless rain. People can’t get out to do their gardens.” Additionally, Nick Hoskin, a local farmer, has been forced to keep his cows indoors due to the adverse conditions, describing this winter as the worst he has experienced in his 40 years of farming.

The Guardian

Despite the challenges, the community has shown resilience. Adam Harvey and Sandy Gourley, firefighters who recently completed a mountain bike trail, emphasized the importance of outdoor activities for mental health, even amidst the dreary weather. “It’s good to get out no matter the weather,” Gourley remarked.

The Guardian

While many locals attribute the extreme weather to climate change, not all share this view. Ian Bryant, manager of the Met Office weather station at Bodmin airfield, dismissed the notion of global warming, referring to it as a “hobgoblin” used to instill fear. He characterized the current weather as simply a particularly wet winter, suggesting that such conditions have occurred in the past.

The Guardian

The prolonged rainfall has also had economic repercussions. The Bodmin airfield has seen a significant decline in flight operations, with only about 20 small planes able to take off since the new year, compared to a typical 50 during busier periods. Ed Salatas, who runs the AeroDine cafe at the airfield, noted the impact on business, saying, “Now we just need a break so the customers will come back.”

The Guardian

As the community braces for more rain, there is a glimmer of hope with the Met Office predicting a brief respite of sunshine on Saturday, though more rain is expected shortly thereafter. The residents of Cardinham continue to adapt to the challenging conditions, embodying a spirit of camaraderie and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Guardian