Cornwall

Spend a day shopping and swimming in St Ives

Spend a day shopping and swimming in St Ives

Ahh, lovely St Ives. This incredibly beautiful and popular seaside town is much loved by visitors for its beaches (there are five of them – all sandy and perfect), cobbled streets lined with boutique shops, fabulous restaurants, extremely mild climate and happy vibe.

During high season it’s best to park at nearby St Erth and take the very pretty 20 minute train ride in – this is by far the less stressful way of arriving and the views are spectacular (on entering the train, make for a seat on the far side – nearest the estuary). In winter when it’s a little less busy you’ll find parking dotted throughout the town.

If beaches are your thing, head to the white sands of Porthminster Beach – perfect for swimming, SUP boarding or kayaking. The vista is incredible, with Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance (the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse’). Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and Harbour Beach are also great – on sunny days the waters around St Ives are pure turquoise, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re somewhere tropical.

For those more of a cultural bent St Ives is of course home to the fabulous Tate Gallery as well as the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. The incredible light of the area has drawn artists for hundreds of years, so when the sunshine gets a bit much or it’s a drizzly day, head inside and feast your eyes on the fabulous artwork.

St Ives has fabulous shops too, plus some top notch places to eat. For something laid back, head to The Rum & Crab Shack on the harbour front and Porthminster Kitchen or The Hidden Kitchen & Dining for something a little special.

Take a look at our luxury cottages in St Ives here.

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