Why St Ives?

One of Cornwall’s most iconic coastal destinations there aren’t many people who haven’t heard of St Ives – there’s even a nursery rhyme written about the place! According to online sources the town has 540,000 day trippers and 220,000 staying visitors every year, so what is it that makes this little corner of the Cornish coast so special? We asked South West self-catering experts Luxury Coastal to share some of their local knowledge about St Ives with us for a taster of the town and what it has to offer. 

Iconic Landmarks

Probably the best known of all its landmarks, the Tate St Ives is an art gallery showcasing modern British artists with links to the area. It sits right on Porthmeor Beach and is an excellent spot for a dose of culture or a photo op. Worth visiting too is the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, and if you fancy a short yet scenic trip, one of the country’s prettiest train lines runs between Carbis Bay and St Ives and is said to be even favoured by Her Majesty the Queen.

Beautiful Beaches

The golden beaches of St. Ives are more than a little famous. Sitting in the heart of the town, Porthmeor Beach has a beautiful crescent of fine sand along with excellent water quality and enough swell for surfing. Porthminster Beach is located to the south of the train station and is normally less crowded, while Carbis Bay which is a little further along the coast, has an other-worldly quality that feels more like the Caribbean than the UK.

The Old Town

The oldest residential part of St Ives, the Downalong is characterised by narrow cobbled streets, traditional fishermen cottages and whitewashed stone, and is right in the heart of the town close to the harbour. Experience St Ives of the past with a wander down its streets and discover a bevy of galleries, bakeries and artisan shops.

Fabulous Foodie Scene

In recent years St Ives has seen a culinary makeover with a revamped foodie scene that’s fit for even the most discerning of critics. Dotting the beachfront are places like Porthminster Café which is run by award winning Executive Chef Michael Smith and Pedn Olva restaurant with its sweeping views over the harbour and sea. Porthmeor Beach Café opposite the Tate Gallery is the perfect spot for sharing a tapas lunch while watching the surf roll in, and the long-standing family-owned Mermaid serves up spectacular seafood.