A Guide to St Ives: Our Weekend in St Ives
Known as the “jewel in Cornwall’s crown”, St Ives is a vibrant hotspot of Cornwall. With beautiful long beaches, a creative drive and vibrant food scene, St Ives is more than a picturesque finishing town. Driving is the easiest option to get to St Ives, but if you are trying to escape the London life and popping on the train, then grab the Penzance line with a quick change at St Erth.
As we visited for a long weekend to indulge in the Cornish life, here are just a few of the things you can do to make the most of your St Ives trip. Here for the food? Jump to our Food in St Ives blog to find out more.
Where to Stay in St Ives
Just like any Cornish tourist town there is an abundance of quaint, self catered apartments, boutique hotels and lavish guesthouses to meet your staycation needs.
We went for a cottage stay at the Anchor Loft - a quirky and nautically decorated self-catered option. Greeted with a welcome gift, the cottage offered the perfect place to unwind and keep cosy after a long day exploring with board games and wood burner.
The cottage offers enough space to sleep four, with a private terrace and space for parking - a great perk, although be warned it is a tight squeeze - all on the door step of St Ives.
If you just have a few days away, then staying in central St Ives is definitely your best option, especially when relying on public transport. Although, it does get pretty crowded over the summer months so book off-season to get the best value.
St Ives Best Beaches
With beautiful sweeping beaches, St Ives is blessed with an abundance of golden sand shores, making it the best place for building those sandcastles and catching some waves.
Porthminster, Porthgwidden, Harbour Sands and Pothmeor beach are all within walking distance of St Ives town - although the Harbour beach does disappear at high tide. Carbis Bay and Porthkidney Beach are also great options with a coastal walk, if you are looking to get a walk in. Lambeth Walk and Bamaluz are also dog friendly all year round making St Ives a great dog friendly getaway.
All of these beaches are charming in their own way, whilst the Atlantic swells offer the best surfing waves - head to Porthmeor Beach where even on the dreariest of days you’ll always catch people on the waves.
Activities in St Ives
St Ives is far more that a seaside resort, you could wander for hours; weaving the cobble streets, whilst mooching the independent shops, galleries and eateries on Chaple Street, Forestreet and High street. We headed off for hours, pottering down the side streets followed by visiting The Island headland to see the Ancient Chapel of St Nicolas, overlooking Carn Everis.
If you are lucky to visit on a Thursday, then make sure to head to the Farmers market, this community venture offers fresh local produce, running every Thursday in the town centre with meats, vegetables and baked goods.
St Ives is also home to a thriving art scene with the world-renowned Tate Gallery. The former gasworks overlooking Porthmeor Beach was transformed and opened in 1993 as a major gallary that exhibits the likes of Patrick Heron to Mark Rothco. Head to Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, opened in 1976 this is the largest collection of Hepworth sculptures in wood, bronze and stone - she lived and worked here. Or view the ceramics at the renowned Leach Pottery Museum, exploring the two exhibition areas, Pottery’s history and the work of contemporary potters.
If your break allows, drive 30 minutes to the Minack Theatre, this open air seaside amphitheatre is perched on Cornish cliffs and opens in the spring and summer seasons.
Looking to get your steps in? Head off on a day hike over the Cornish hills to take in the impressive sea views, or take a boat trip from St Ives harbour to Seal Islands. St Ives really offers it all.
Food in St Ives
St Ives is a true foodie hub for Cornwall with beach cafés, modern bars, pop up takeaways and hearitage rich pubs offering tempting food all over the town. Cornwall’s gastronomical capital offers award winning seafood with fine dining overlooking the Atlantic. Our favourites were Porthminster Beach café for a morning coffee and cake with stunning views across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. Make sure to grab a pasty from one of the many options around the harbour and check out the small plate experience at Porthmeor Cafe. Head over to our food blog for more great food options in St Ives.
