Cottages in St Ives

If you're looking for a holiday by the Cornish coast, St Ives is the place for you! Known for its surf beaches and subtropical atmosphere, St Ives is a Cornish town that ranks among the top family holiday destinations and top 10 European beach destinations. Here you can enjoy a variety of superb beachfront cottages, as well as a maze of quaint cobbled streets housing restaurants, cafés, galleries, and independent shops.

The high-quality accommodation in the St Ives area caters for all budgets and group sizes, with everything you need for an enjoyable stay. You'll find a cottage characterized by a modern style with renovated, well-equipped kitchens, king-size bedrooms with TVs, bathrooms with whirlpool baths, and living rooms with idyllic sea views. While in the private outdoor area, you will have a table and chairs to enjoy breakfast in the pretty garden while overlooking the captivating seascape.

Blessed with some of the best beaches in Cornwall, St Ives is a highly acclaimed destination for beach lovers. In the town centre you'll find Porthmead Beach, a safe option for families with soft sand and ideal swimming waters, as well as great outdoor dining. Porthmeor, the city's most popular beach, is 5 minutes from the city centre. This is one of the most popular surfing spots and is awarded Blue Flag status. While next to the train station, you'll find Porthminster, a long sandy beach with a tropical feel that boasts palm trees, crystal clear waters and an abundance of facilities.

If you're looking for outdoor activities, St Ives is a town with a wide variety of outdoor activities, both on land and at sea. At Porthmeor beach you can find the St Ives Surf School for fun surfing lessons, while at Porthminster beach centre you can get the chance to experience stand-up paddleboarding lessons. And for something more extreme, the coasteering is ideal for exploring the coastline, climbing, jumping and swimming. On the other hand, for land-based activities, there are scenic country lanes such as the South West Coast Path which runs through the city, as well as a wide network of cycle routes to suit all levels.

Considered one of Britain's most scenic rail routes, the St Ives to St Erth route is an experience not to be missed on holiday. Climb aboard the railway, relax in the comfortable seats as you take in the breathtaking views of St Ives Bay and stop off at highlights such as the RSPB birdwatching hut at Lelant. This 20-minute ride will give you a quicker view of the splendour of the turquoise waters and sands of the coastline!

Situated on the shores of Porthmeor Beach, the Tate Gallery is one of the city's most popular attractions. This gallery offers a variety of modern and contemporary British and international art exhibitions and idyllic views of the turquoise waters of St Ives impossible to miss. Take a tour of the iconic gallery, gaze at 20th-century British artworks, and stop in the café for pastries and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to your visit to the Tate gallery, take the opportunity to see The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Owned by the Tate, this is also one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Step into this tranquil space filled with gigantic sculptures and discover the studio to learn more about the influences of this leading figure in modern British art. In the garden, you can see over 30 works in stone, bronzes, plaster, and wood.

Although The Island is not actually an island, but a peninsula connected to St Ives by a footpath, it is a worthwhile spot to visit. Access it from Porthmeor beach or Porthgwidden beach and walk to the top of the headland to see the stunning views out to sea. At the top is also where you will find the small chapel of St Nicholas, a small granite building dating back to medieval times. The “island” also known as Pendina is a popular attraction in the town for nature enthusiasts.

After your walk to the Island, stop by Porthmeor Café on your way back. With a lively atmosphere, the menu at this acclaimed café offers high-quality cuisine with contemporary dishes, delicious desserts and an imaginative cocktail menu. Have a western sunset dinner, try the extensive vegetarian and seafood tapas and choose from main courses such as Thai red prawn curry, local hake fillet, spicy and sour fried tofu and braised pork belly.

A boat trip to Seal Island is one of the top things to do in St Ives. Located 3 miles (4.83 km) west of St Ives, Seal Island offers a rocky coastline filled with adorable Atlantic grey seals that will captivate your eyes. Take a boat trip from the harbour, soak in the beach-filled scenery and keep your eyes peeled for seals and even dolphins. Every day you'll find excursions departing from the charming harbour.

The Loft is one of the many places to eat in St Ives that shouldn't be missing from your list. Take a seat on the covered terrace overlooking the bay and enjoy the food menu, which includes everything from starters such as gnocchi, homemade fish soup and main courses such as braised pork with potatoes. The Loft's terrace is not only one of the city's most popular spots for in the open air dining, but also a place that offers dishes prepared with great passion, focusing on the best local ingredients.