St Ives is one of the most popular locations in Cornwall and has some of the best sandy beaches in England. From learning to surf to making sandcastles, it’s an ideal place for a family Staycation. How can you visit St Ives for less?
Lets have a look at why you should visit St Ives.
Why should you visit St Ives? St Ives has 4 fabulous beaches within walking distance of the town and is the surfing capital of the UK. There’s breathtaking scenery and so much to enjoy from taking a boat trip to Seal Island, riding on the St Ives Railway and take in the spectacular views out over St Ives. Quaint cobbled streets, a bustling shopping street and cafes and restaurants overlooking the harbour. And some of the best Art Galleries in the world.
Where is St Ives?
- St Ives is in Cornwall in the South West of England.
- 25 miles from Newquay Airport, with flights including British Airways daily from 1st September 2020
- 7 hours by train from London Paddington station
- It’s around a 6 hour drive from London or Manchester, easily accessible on the A30 from Exeter.
5 things you must do in St Ives
- Beaches. St Ives has some of the best beaches in Cornwall with the 4 main beaches within walking distance of the town. Choose between the surfing beach Porthmeor, Porthminster beach with its half a mile of sand, the small sandy cove of Porthgwidden and the Harbour beach. Or try some of the other less well known but still beautiful beaches. Plenty of choice.
- Visit the art galleries and museums. Modern art lovers should make sure they visit the incredibly popular Tate St Ives with its iconic circular entrance. You can enhance your art knowledge on one of its free tours which run twice a day. Or take in the Barbara Hepworth Museum which is housed in the internationally renowned artist’s former home. Why not visit the delightful St Ives museum overlooking Bamaluz Beach. Well worth a visit. Maybe just wander around the town looking at all the art galleries.
- Take a boat trip to Seal Island Seal Island is 5km away by boat which runs daily from the harbour. You will see great views of Porthmeor Beach and the rugged Cornish coastline. Once on the island you can get close to the seals and a lots of other wildlife close up..
- Take a ride on the St Ives railway. The St Ives railway is one of the most scenic routes in Britain. The short 20 minute ride between St Ives and St Erth follows the coast and provides spectacular views out over St Ives Bay. Passing by the RSPB birdwatching haven of Lelant, the sand dunes overlooking Porthkidney Beach, as the train climb’s up to overlook the golden sands of Carbis Bay.
- Learn to surf Cornwall is known as the surfing capital of the UK and St Ives is one of the best places to surf in Cornwall. If you’re looking to learn, then book a lesson with the St Ives Surf School located at the beautiful Porthmeor Beach with its clear turquoise waters. Or maybe give paddle boarding a go or kayaking? You’re guaranteed to have a great time whatever you choose. And get a bit wet!
5 free things to do in St Ives
- Take a hike. Put on your hiking boots and take a hike along the South West Coast Path to the remote sleepy village of Zennor. You’ll see some stunning scenery as you walk the 6.5 miles to this tiny hamlet. This’ll take you around 4 hours and you can have a well earned pint at the quaint Tinners Arms. If you’ve still got energy you can take a shortcut inland back to St Ives (2 hours). Alternatively you can jump on the bus (20 mins) or take a cab (around £15). The choice is yours.
- Explore the town of St Ives. Wander around its cobbled streets and take in the visual treats. And make sure you go to the wonderfully quaint narrow cobbled street of Fore Street with its lovely dinky independent shops. You can buy everything here from designer clothing to clotted cream fudge.
- Watch the sunset at Man’s Head For a spectacular view of the sunset head along the South West Coast Path to Man’s Head and watch the sun go down just 20 miles from the very end of the UK.
- Walk to the end of Smeatons Pier Look out to the Atlantic and you may see a seal. At the end of the pier look back at the breath taking scenery of St Ives, the bobbing boats in the harbour and those pesky gulls! Time it right and you will see the fishing boats coming home with their catch of fish, lobsters and crabs.
- Discover The Harbour St Ives Harbour is the towns focal point. It has a beach and a bustling shopping street and plenty of cafes and restaurants overlooking the harbour.
5 places to stay in St Ives
- Central St Ives Harbour Hotel Upmarket Spa hotel on Porthminster beach with superb views, modern rooms and a pool if you don’t fancy the 4 minute walk to the beach.
- Outskirts Tregenna Castle resort Only 18 minutes from the harbour, set in fabulous grounds with a golf course. We love the family apartments. Free parking and free WiFi
- Families Rockfish St Ives – A 4 bedroom house minutes from Porthmeor Beach. There’s plenty of other self catering options including lodges, cottages and caravans and camping.
- Luxury The Carbis Bay Hotel is a luxurious coastal retreat with its own private blue flag beach with breath-taking views across one of the worlds most beautiful bays
- Budget The Green Apple B&B is lovely, great breakfast, free WiFi and double, triple and familly rooms.
Where to eat in St Ives
Eat a world famous burger at award winning Blas Burgerworks. The Wall Street Journal no less has these burgers as one of their top 5 places in Europe to eat a burger! Vegetarians are also catered for. Will this be the best burger you will EVER taste?
Visit the Beach Cafes in St Ives where you’ll find plenty of food on offer and some great views to be had. The most famous being the award winning Porthminster Beach Cafe best known for its seafood. Or take in the splendid views from the Porthmeor Beach Cafe. Or try the Porthgwidden Cafe which specialises in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. There are plenty of others to choose from.
Eat a Cornish Pasty You can’t visit Cornwall and not have a traditional delicious Cornish pasty. St Ives bakery is the most popular place to go but also try Ferrells. There are so many places to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Treat yourself to a cream tea A traditional cream tea is a must do – just make sure you do it like the locals and put the jam on first followed by the clotted cream! Olives cafe is perhaps the most famous one but there’s plenty of choice.
Ice cream heaven Try the luxurious locally made ice cream from Moomaid of Zennor or Willy Waller’s Ice Cream Factory. Dee-liscious.
Fish & chips Eat in, take away, gourmet or traditional. There’s so much choice to be had with freshly caught fish on the menu. Yummy.
Extra special restaurant Overlooking the beach with divine seafood, have dinner at The Porthminster Cafe Booking essential, it’s pricey but worth it.
Things to do near St Ives
Flambards Theme Park is only 30 mins away by car and is a great day out for the family. Plenty of thrills and spills to be had.
Lands End Visit Lands End and have your picture taken with the iconic sign. Embark on breath-taking cliff top walks. There’s lots to do here so come prepared. Take a picnic, have a cream tea. Or just walk around and you’ll see some stunning landscapes.
Newquay Only 40 mins away by car but you can also take a train or bus. Newquay boasts some of Cornwall’s finest sandy beaches. There’s 12 to choose from! Eat in one of its top class restaurants with some stunning views. The harbour is one of Newquay’s most picturesque locations and even has its own small beach. This will be a day to remember for all.
Penzance is only 20 mins away by car. This attractive market town has plenty of family fdriendly beaches to choose from. You must visit the subtropical gardens of Morrab Gardens or Trengwainton Gardens where you’ll see sub-tropical plants and exotic species rarely found anywhere else in the UK. If you fancy a swim, make sure you go to the Jubilee Pool which is the UK’s largest and most celebrated art deco lido. There’s plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes to sit down and rest your weary feet.
How to enjoy St Ives for less
Call in at the St Ives Library and Information Service where you will find plenty of information to help you enjoy your stay. The friendly staff are only too happy to help you.
- Look for the happy hours, cafe offers and eat in restaurants early, many have set menus that can save you a lot
- Walk, walk walk. Parking is neither cheap of plentiful. So plan to walk wherever you can.
- Check out our tips for saving money on a self catering holiday
- Stock up at the big supermarkets if you are staying for a week or more.
- Take your own beach items – buy them before you arrive.
- Make little treats like the cream teas or ice creams and actual treat, not a daily occurrence.
Find out more about St Ives
Here are some links to useful St Ives websites
- St Ives Library and Information Service Your first stop when you visit St Ives
- St Ives Tourism – Loads of information on line to help you plan your stay
- Tripadvisor St Ives Lots of information and honest reviews
- Visit Cornwall gives you plenty of ideas in and around St Ives
Frequently asked questions about St Ives
- When’s the best time to visit St Ives It’s an all year round destination, busy and bustling in the summer and quieter and relaxing out of the tourist season. St Ives is not just a Summer beach holiday destination – We’d visit in Winter again.
- Where can I park in St Ives? Parking can be a bit tricky but there are a few places you can go to. The earlier you get there the easier it will be to find a space. The short stay car park costs £4 for 3 hours but you pay only £6 for all day in the long stay car park.
- Are their any buses in St Ives You can catch buses locally to take you around St Ives. Not too dear
- Is St Ives expensive? It’s one of the most expensive places to stay in England but well worth the extra with all the stunning scenery
Our favourite memories made in St Ives
Eating proper Cornish pasties on the harbour wall, taking in the view, absolute bliss – until we were dive bombed by seagulls after our pasties. We had to run back down the pier and hide.
Taz
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