The gorgeous Cornish coastal town of St Ives buzzes with life all year round. The friendly community has a thriving art scene and fantastic amenities that include great pubs and restaurants, shops, and a wide choice of holiday cottages to rent. From cosy fisherman’s cottages by the harbour to expansive villas sleeping ten or more people in luxury, St Ives caters for all, whatever your taste and budget. Below are just seven of the many reasons that you will love St Ives as your next holiday destination. Read more
Ideally placed in the very heart of the Cornish fishing village of Newlyn, Seabreeze Cottage is just a short walk from a great choice of pubs, a Micheline Star restaurant, the harbour with its famous fish market and the South West Coastal Path. Close to Mousehole, Penzance (where you can catch a ferry to the Scilly Isles), St Michaels Mount and within easy reach of the areas many attractions including St Ives, the Minack Theatre and Lands End. One dog welcome and great for walkers and those with a passion for outdoor adventures, as well as relaxing by the sea.
You can enjoy the best of the Cornish coast and countryside at Bramble Cottage. This gorgeous self-catering holiday home is just over a mile from St Ives Harbour and Beach and within a short drive of beaches like Porthgwidden and Porthmeor. The cottage is spacious enough to easily sleep up to six people in three bedrooms, but its cosy charm also makes it feel welcoming for couples. The garden is enclosed and has distant sea views and is very dog-friendly; and with fantastic footpaths along the lane from the cottage, it's a great choice for guests who don't want to spend their entire holiday stuck in the car.
You'll be the envy of your friends when they hear you're staying at Gull Rock, so why not bring them with you! This large seafront holiday home is across the road from Porthmeor Beach and within a short stroll of St Ives many fantastic shops, galleries, and eateries. It sleeps 12 people in six bedrooms, four of which are ensuite, and suits families and friends. The location is incredible with guests having easy access to the beach, South West Coast Path and some of Cornwall's favourite attractions including Land's End and the Eden Project.
With its beautiful beaches, mild weather and friendly community, St Ives should be on everyone's favourite holiday destination list. Bay Watch House is ideal for extended families or groups of friends because it is spacious and centrally located. The elegant Edwardian villa provides large group accommodation for up to 13 people in comfort, with beaches, pubs, shops, cafes and galleries all within walking distance. You can see the beach, headland and island from all of the rooms at the front of the house, and it is also close to top Cornwall attractions including St Michael's Mount, the Minack Theatre and The Eden Project.
"Emerald, Carbis Bay" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Living areaOpen plan with the dining area, direct access to the balconyLarge L shaped sofaSmart TV with Netflix and Sky Stream (which includes Sports, Discovery Plus, Paramount Plus, Cinema and SkyKids with plenty of...
"9 Fernhill Penthouse, Carbis Bay" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Beautifully furnished and well-equipped, 9 Fernhill Penthouse provides comfortable and contemporary accommodation. The open-plan living accommodation includes a modern and spacious sitting room, dining room and superb kitchen with high quality...
"Rockpool at Salt, St Ives" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Living AreaLocated on the ground floor this beautiful room is open plan with the kitchen and dining areaTwo sofas offer seating for six and for entertainment there is a Smart TV and DVD playerThe living room has access...
"3 Porthminster Mews, St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Living RoomBeautifully designed and open plan with the kitchen / dining area, this room features a stunning driftwood coffee table as well as 2 two-seater sofas, an armchair, a flat screen smart TVSliding doors open to a Juliet...
"Belyars Penthouse" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. St Ives is one of Cornwall's most beautiful harbour towns, with small streets and tightly packed cottages nestled around the quayside, the Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth museum, magnificent beaches, superb shops, a lively community of...
"Gwinear" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Carbis Bay, a beach village just a short drive from St Ives, is most renowned for its magnificent expanse of pristine white sand. The beach feels almost subtropical, with turquoise waters and protected conditions, and is ideal for a good...
"Harbour Side" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 5 guests in Cornwall. One of Cornwall's prettiest harbour towns, St Ives offers narrow streets, tight-packed cottages nestling around the quayside, the Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth museum, fabulous beaches, superb shops, a thriving community of artists, great...
"Chapel VIew" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Cornwall. Situated in the seaside town of Carbis Bay, this is a wonderful destination for large families and couples, benefiting from parking and easily access to local transport .. Ground Floor: Kitchen 2: Electric...
"The Sanctuary" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. One of Cornwall's prettiest harbour towns, St Ives offers narrow streets, tight-packed cottages nestling around the quayside, the Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth museum, fabulous beaches, superb shops, a thriving community of artists, great...
"Ocean Blue" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Flanked by the coastal resorts of St Ives and Hayle is this delightful, seaside village of Carbis Bay. Home to a gorgeous, award-winning beach, which offers beachgoers ample opportunities for watersports and sunbathing; Carbis Bay is a...
"The Old Piggery" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Cornwall. Nestled between St. Ives and St. Just, Zennor is an unspoilt village surrounded by rugged granite hills and windswept moors. Its wild, romantic landscape offers stunning views, making it a peaceful retreat steeped in history.. All on...
"Genoa" is a 3 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. The beach hamlet of Carbis Bay is well renowned for its magnificent stretch of pure white sand, which is only a short drive from iconic St Ives. The beach feels almost subtropical, with turquoise waters and protected conditions, and is ideal...
"Shearwater View, 7 Rosemorran, St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Both bedrooms and the family bathroom are at entrance level, with the living room, kitchen / diner on the upper level of the split-level layout Living AreaOpen plan with the kitchen and dining area with lovely sea...
"Lighthouse View" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 3 guests in Cornwall. A short drive from St Ives, Carbis Bay is renowned for its stunning length of sugar-sand shoreline. Located on the north coast of the island, the beach features turquoise waters and sheltered circumstances that make it feel nearly tropical. The...
"Saffron Cottage, St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Please note that guests are asked to take care when opening the cottage’s sash windowsLiving RoomThe lounge is located on the ground floor of the cottage with access to the courtyard. It features two sofas, a Smart TV (with...
"Porthgwidden Cottage, Lelant" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Nestled in the heart of the village of Lelant, Porthgwidden Cottage is a delightful Grade II listed, three-storey retreat. Lovingly refurbished to combine timeless character with modern comforts, this enchanting cottage offers a warm and...
"Brinyloft" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. You can get to Carbis Bay in a short drive from St Ives, which is famous for its magnificent stretch of white sandy beach. For an old-fashioned day at the beach, head to the beach's turquoise seas and protected conditions, which give the area...
"Bramble Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Completely enclosed fenced garden Detached and surrounded by countryside Parking for 3/4 cars Dogs very welcome and free of...
"The Milking Parlour" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. This beautifully restored two-bedroom retreat offers the perfect base for families and couples looking to immerse themselves in nature and explore the breath-taking scenery of Cornwall.. All on the Ground Floor:...
"Waves Apartment, St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Living areaOpen plan with the kitchen and dining area with access to the private balcony and wonderful town and sea viewsLarge comfortable three seater sofa, armchair, coffee table, TV and DVD playerDining areaOpen...
"3 Bed Cottage in St. Ives" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 2 doubles, 1 twin - 1 bathroom with shower over bath and a WC, 1 separate WC - Gas hob and fan oven, fridge, microwave, washing machine - Welcome...
"Ivy Mount" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Cornwall. Spacious Victorian villa with a substantial enclosed garden. Lelant offers a fantastic sandy dog-friendly beach, a choice of excellent eating places and easy access to St Ives and West Cornwall.. Ground Floor: Living...
"2 Bed Apartment in St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Additional information and rules. Please enquire if you wish to bring more than 1 dog - 2 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 twin - 1 bathroom with shower over the bath and WC, plus 1 additional WC - Electric oven, induction...
"2 Bed Apartment in St Ives" is a 2 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 4 guests in Cornwall. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 2 bedrooms - 1 double, 1 twin - 2 bathrooms - 1 en-suite shower room with WC, 1 bathroom with shower over the bath and WC - Electric cooker, microwave, washer/dryer,...
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Beaches - Cornwall’s beaches are spectacular, and St Ives is no exception. The wiggly coastline at this point means there is a choice of sandy beaches within walking distance of town, with more being only a short drive or bike ride away. Porthmeor Beach is a favourite for swimming and surfing, with Blue Flag status and easy access to the shops, pubs and cafes in town. Porthgwidden Beach is smaller and more sheltered than Porthmeor and popular with families and sunbathers. Lambeth Walk is hidden beneath the water at high tide and is dog-friendly all year round. St Ives is a working fishing town and sitting on Harbour Beach, building sandcastles and watching the boats come in and out is a lovely way to entertain the kids for a few hours.
Museums and galleries - St Ives has had a thriving art scene since the early 1950s. Not only does it have the spectacular Tate St Ives Gallery, but visitors can also enjoy the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Bernard Leach Pottery and Museum. The town saw the birth of the British Modernist Movement and is home to the renowned St Ives School of Painting where visitors can hone their skills. Browsing St Ives plethora of galleries is a treat, although you will struggle to fit it all in on one day.
Outdoor activities - We can’t talk about St Ives without mentioning the famous South West Coast Path which is perfect for a leisurely summer stroll or for blowing away winter cobwebs. Outdoor activities in St Ives include not only walking, swimming and surfing but also paddle-boarding, coasteering, kayaking, cycling, fishing, golf, tennis, lawn bowls, and horse riding.
Day trips - While there is plenty to see and do in town, it would be a shame to come to St Ives and not explore some of the wider area. St Ives has beautiful countryside as well as breathtaking beaches, so head inland and discover moors, tors and places like Zennor, the tiny hamlet where D. H. Lawrence and, later, Michael Morpugo both lived and wrote in a granite coastal cottage. Beyond St Ives are places like St Michael’s Mount, Penzance, Falmouth, Sennen Cove and Land’s End. Attractions include Minack Theatre, National Maritime Museum, the Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Newquay Zoo, Flambards Theme Park, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, as well as multiple National Trust and English Heritage properties.
Views - In a landscape that has inspired artists and photographers for generations, it is no surprise that St Ives and the area around the town has lots of fantastic views to fill your Instagram or to sit and enjoy in the company of your favourite person. The shape of the coast around St Ives means that it is possible to watch the sun rise and set over the water, depending on where you choose your spot.
Food and drink - Fish and seafood are a speciality of St Ives restaurants, with many serving fish unloaded from the harbour that day. Meat eaters and vegetarians are also well catered for in the town, where visitors will find a wealth of establishments to suit all tastes and budgets.
Climate - Being on the edge of the Gulf Stream means that St Ives enjoys a warmer-than-average climate. Hot summer days are cooled by refreshing sea breezes, while warm Gulf Stream currents lead to winters as mild as some Mediterranean resorts. Visitors can expect at least seven hours of sunshine a day in spring and summer, and with a sea temperature that varies between 9C and 19C, it is possible to surf all year round (and swim, if you’re the hardy sort!)
St Ives has everything you could wish for in the perfect holiday so don’t wait - book your self-catering holiday in a St Ives cottage now.
