Cottages in St Ives

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday cottage in St Ives?
• Holiday cottages in St Ives: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring St Ives: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in St Ives?

• Beachfront cottages: St Ives has self-catering cottages for every group size, many with sea views, private gardens and modern kitchens, tucked among the town's pretty cobbled streets near the beaches.
• Best areas to stay: Base yourself near Porthmeor for surfing, Porthminster for golden sands, or the harbour for galleries, independent shops and easy access to the town centre.
• What guests say: Our top-rated St Ives cottages score above 9.5 out of 10, with guests praising the sweeping sea views, central locations and warm welcome from local hosts.
• Where to eat: From the Porthmeor Beach Café to harbourside seafood spots, St Ives rewards food lovers with fresh local catch, relaxed terraces and a lively dining scene.
• Top things to do: Ride the scenic St Ives Bay railway, explore the Tate, walk the South West Coast Path or take a boat trip to spot seals at Seal Island.

St Ives' holiday cottages suit couples, families and groups in search of a relaxed holiday, from cosy two-person boltholes to roomy homes with private gardens and sea views. Many sit within walking distance of the beaches and the harbour, so you're never far from the sand. If a cottage isn't quite right, you'll also find holiday homes in St Ives, self-catering apartments in St Ives, characterful B&Bs in St Ives and rustic log cabins in St Ives right across the town. Most cottages come well equipped for a comfortable self-catering stay, with popular amenities including:

• Renovated kitchens with dishwashers and washing machines for easy self-catering
• Fast wifi, handy if you fancy a spot of remote working by the sea
• Private gardens or terraces for breakfast overlooking the bay
• Sea-view living rooms, many with TVs and cosy log-burner touches
• Pet-friendly options, including dog-friendly cottages, so the whole family can come along

Whatever your group size, there's a St Ives cottage with the comforts to match your holiday.

What are the best areas to stay in St Ives?

For first-time visitors, the harbour and town centre offer the easiest access to beaches, shops and restaurants. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently rate our St Ives cottages highly, with many of our top properties scoring above 9.5+ out of 10. Reviewers regularly highlight the sweeping sea views, the easy walks into town and the warm welcome from local hosts. Whether you're after a romantic bolthole for two or a family base near the sand, these well-kept homes earn praise for their comfort, cleanliness and unbeatable coastal settings.

Here are our top-rated holiday cottages from the past year:

1. Captain's Rest - 10.0: A cosy cottage for four in St Ives, Cornwall, with a private yard and lovely sea views; guests love its peaceful setting just above the bay.
2. Studio Sea Urchin - 9.7+: This sea-view cottage charms couples with its sunny garden and well-equipped kitchen, ideal for a relaxed self-catering escape on the St Ives coast.
3. 85 Back Road East - 9.5+: A central St Ives cottage for four, praised for its handy location, fast wifi and homely feel within easy reach of the beaches and harbour.

St Ives sits on the rugged north coast of Cornwall, in the far south-west of England, wrapped around a sheltered bay of turquoise water and golden sand. Its historic fishing harbour and vibrant modern art scene both add to its unique charms and ensure that guests keep coming back year after year.

🥗 Where to eat in St Ives?

Seafood lovers are in luck - in St Ives, you'll often find the catch of the day on the menu, with some of the freshest fish you're likely to eat in England. Restaurants range from upscale fine dining to relaxed, rustic taverns and gastropubs. Here are our travel experts' choices for eating well in St Ives:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Emma and James recommend the Halsetown Inn, a charming country pub just outside St Ives: it serves farm-to-table Cornish dishes and local ales, perfect for a slow, leisurely supper after a day exploring the coast.

1. Ride the scenic St Ives Bay railway
2. Explore Tate St Ives
3. Discover the Barbara Hepworth Museum
4. Climb The Island headland
5. Take a boat trip to Seal Island
6. Surf or paddleboard at Porthmeor
7. Walk the South West Coast Path

1. Ride the scenic St Ives Bay railway

   Often called one of Britain's most scenic rail routes, the short line between St Ives and St Erth hugs the cliffs above the bay. Climb aboard, settle into your seat and watch the turquoise water and golden sands roll past, with a stop at the RSPB hide at Lelant for a spot of birdwatching. The whole ride takes around 20 minutes and is perfect for those days when you want to leave the car at home.

2. Explore Tate St Ives

   Perched above Porthmeor Beach, Tate St Ives is one of the town's most-loved attractions. The gallery showcases modern and contemporary British and international art, much of it shaped by the light and landscape of West Cornwall. Wander the airy spaces, admire 20th-century works, then pause in the rooftop café for a coffee and a sweeping view across the Atlantic.

3. Discover the Barbara Hepworth Museum

   Just a short stroll from the Tate, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden offers a quieter, deeply atmospheric experience. Step into the studio where the celebrated sculptor lived and worked, then explore the tranquil garden filled with more than 30 sculptures in stone, bronze and wood.

4. Climb The Island headland

   Despite the name, The Island is actually a grassy headland reached on foot from Porthmeor or Porthgwidden beach. Follow the path to the top for some of the finest panoramic sea views in St Ives, taking in the harbour, the rooftops and the open Atlantic. At the summit you'll find the tiny medieval chapel of St Nicholas, a simple granite building that has watched over sailors for centuries.

5. Take a boat trip to Seal Island

   One of the most memorable things to do in St Ives is a sea safari to Seal Island, a rocky outcrop about three miles west of the town. Boats depart daily from the harbour, weaving along the coastline so you can watch the resident colony of Atlantic grey seals basking on the rocks. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot dolphins or seabirds too.

6. Surf or paddleboard at Porthmeor

   St Ives is a brilliant base for watersports, and Porthmeor Beach is the heart of the action. Book a lesson with the St Ives Surf School to catch your first waves, or head to Porthminster for a calmer stand-up paddleboarding session over crystal-clear water. For the more adventurous, coasteering trips take you scrambling, climbing and jumping along the rocky shoreline.

7. Walk the South West Coast Path

   The famous South West Coast Path runs right through St Ives, opening up some of Cornwall's most dramatic coastal walking. Head west towards Zennor for wild cliffs and heather-clad moorland, or wander east along gentler stretches towards Carbis Bay and Lelant. The well-marked trail rewards you with hidden coves, sea views and plenty of spots to pause for a picnic.