St Ives
Four Seawinds
From £245 per night
Four Seawinds has a dreamy perch overlooking Porthmeor and St Ives Bay with views as far as Trevose head on…
St Ives
St Ives has a way of pulling you in, not just for the sea and the light, but for the feeling. The beaches are golden, the harbour hums with life, and around every corner there’s something quietly special: a tucked-away bakery, a gallery you didn’t mean to find, a lane that leads somewhere worth pausing. It’s busy in summer, sure, but come in the shoulder months and you’ll see it slow down, breathe and open up.
St Ives – the town inspired by art, food and beachside living
Few towns pack so much into so little space. Artists came here for the light more than a century ago and never really left. Today, Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth’s garden sit a few minutes’ walk from the fishing boats, the surf and some very good places to eat. And it’s all within walking distance, which is exactly how St Ives is best enjoyed.
Getting your bearings in St Ives
St Ives sits on Cornwall’s north coast, wrapped around its harbour, with the old fishing quarter of Downalong tucked into the narrow lanes behind it. Out on the end sits the Island, a grassy headland with a tiny chapel on top. On one side are the harbour and Porthminster; on the other, Porthmeor and the Atlantic.
Most of our holiday cottages in St Ives are a short walk from at least one beach. Our advice: unload, park up and forget about the car. This is a town made for wandering, and on foot is how you find the good stuff.
- Five beaches within walking distance of the town centre, each with its own character
- Tate St Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and many other smaller galleries, only a few minutes apart
- The St Ives Bay Line, one of the prettiest short train rides in Britain
What makes St Ives special…
Beach culture in St Ives
Every St Ives beach does something different. Porthmeor faces the Atlantic and gets the waves. It’s home to the surf school, with the Tate looking down on it all. Porthminster, round the other side, is calm, sheltered and good for a proper swim. Porthgwidden is a tiny sun trap tucked under the Island. And when the tide drops, the harbour becomes a beach of its own, perfect for sandcastles and watching the boats come in.
Things we love in St Ives
Kiln Sauna
Saunas don’t come with a better location. A community sauna with that little bit extra.
Barbara Hepworth Museum
The artists former home and gardens open to the public and well worth a look.
St Eia
Coffee, great food and nice wine. What more could you ask for?
St Ives Surf School
Learn to surf right in front of the iconic Tate St Ives with a friendly crew.
Frequently asked questions
No. The town, beaches, galleries and restaurants are all within walking distance, and the St Ives Bay Line connects the town to the main line at St Erth. A car is handy for exploring further afield, but many guests leave it parked for the whole stay.
Take the main line towards Penzance and change at St Erth for the St Ives Bay Line. The branch line runs along the coast past Lelant and Carbis Bay, and it’s one of the prettiest short train rides in Britain. The station is a short walk from Porthminster Beach and the town centre.
St Ives is around 10 miles from Penzance, about 25 minutes by car, or a short train ride with a change at St Erth. It’s an easy day out for Jubilee Pool, the galleries and St Michael’s Mount.
Very. Dogs are welcome in plenty of cafés and pubs, and at Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk beaches all year round. In the warmer months, some beaches have daytime restrictions from 10am to 6pm: Porthmeor and Porthminster from 15 May to 30 September, and Harbour beach and Porthgwidden in July and August. Ask us which homes take pets.
Yes! St Ives is brilliant for families. The calmer beaches, like Porthminster and Porthgwidden, are great for little ones, the harbour beach is made for sandcastles, and older children can learn to surf on Porthmeor. Everything is close together, so it’s easy to get around without the car.
St Ives throws one of the biggest fancy dress parties in the country on New Year’s Eve, with crowds in costume filling the streets and fireworks over the harbour at midnight. It gets very busy, so staying in town means you can simply walk back to your cottage at the end of the night.
Honestly? Any time! Each season has its own feel. July and August are warm, lively and busy, so book early. May, June and September bring quieter beaches, long evenings and easier parking. Winter is wild and peaceful, with cosy pubs and empty sands. If you can be flexible, give us a call and we’ll help you choose.
Trenwith is the biggest long-stay car park, with a shuttle bus into town. You can also park at St Erth and take the train, which takes under 15 minutes along the coast. St Ives is best enjoyed on foot, so if your home comes with a space, we’ll tell you exactly how to find it.
It depends what you’re after. Porthmeor is the best for surfing, with a surf school right on the sand. Porthminster is calm and sheltered, great for swimming and families. Porthgwidden is a tiny sun trap tucked under the Island, and the harbour beach is perfect for sandcastles at low tide.
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From £250 per night
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