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
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.
Luxuriate in the peace and tranquility of the West Cornish countryside in Phoenix Cottage. Set in extensive secure grounds of some five acres, there is lots of space for children and dogs to run around and play, yet it's cosy enough for couples to enjoy. Phoenix Cottage is a few minutes' walk from the centre of Praze-an-Beeble with its popular family-friendly pub, the St Aubyn Arms, and Philps Bakery where you can buy arguably the best pasties in Cornwall. St Ives and Porthleven are within a 15-minute drive, while Penzance and Falmouth are only another 10 or 15 minutes further. All of West Cornwall's beaches and attractions are well within an hour of Phoenix Cottage which means you can visit fantastic places like the Minack Theatre, Lost Gardens of Heligan and The Eden Project without having to spend all day in the car to get there. Phoenix Cottage's owners have taken care to make sure the cottage has everything you could want for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Baywatch epitomises contemporary coastal elegance, offering a chic, two-bedroom apartment a mile from St Ives and just a few hundred meters from Carbis Bay's sandy beach. Ideal for couples and families of four, it features modern decor with sea views, off-street parking, and easy access to Carbis train station for direct travel to St Ives. It's fully equipped for self-catering and a ten-minute walk to La Casita, the Beach Club Restaurant, and Walter's on the Beach. Enjoy Carbis Bay's Blue Flag beach, perfect for swimming and water sports, and explore nearby St Ives with its galleries, shops, and stunning beaches.
The Old Chapel is away from the hubbub of St Ives yet close enough to walk to beaches and shops. The large holiday home suits families and extended families as it sleeps eight people in four bedrooms with four bathrooms, a garden, and use of the pool and other amenities at the Polmanter Touring Park. The Halsetown Inn is a short walk away, as is the St Michael's Way footpath. Local attractions include Tate St Ives, Flambards, the Seal Sanctuary, and Land's End. Flexible bookings of over 3 nights duration are available all year round.
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.
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.
This charming cottage is in Hayle on the beautiful Cornish coast. Though only 300 metres from the town centre, it is peaceful and private thanks to its secluded position. In addition to being within walking distance of beaches and the South West Coastal Path, guests are within easy reach of favourite attractions like Land's End and the Minack Theatre. This cottage is ideal for couples but also perfect for families who appreciate the high standard of accommodation and sunny courtyard garden.
"Bluebell Annexe - One-Bedroom Holiday Home" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Sandy. The holiday home's kitchen, which features kitchenware, is available for cooking and storing food. The holiday home is fitted with a TV, a washing machine, a private entrance, as well as heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
"Red Lion Cottage - Two-Bedroom Holiday Home" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Fenland District. Boasting a private entrance, this holiday home comes with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a shower. The holiday home's kitchen, which has kitchenware, is available for cooking and storing food. The holiday home features a TV, a washing machine,...
"Dolphin Hotel Cambridge" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Huntingdonshire.
"Regency House" is a 1 bed holiday BandB sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Old green Chamber City center apartment, spacious and free parking!" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Huntingdonshire.
"Hot numbers" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Graduate Cambridge" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"George Hotel by Greene King Inns" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Huntingdonshire.
"Lensfield Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Gonville Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"ibis Cambridge Central Station" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Clayton Hotel Cambridge" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"University Arms, Autograph Collection" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Crown & Punchbowl" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Hilton Cambridge City Centre" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Cambridge Belfry Hotel & Spa" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Tailored Stays - Central Cambridge Studios, Free Parking" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Centennial Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"The Old Post Office, Hilton" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Huntingdonshire.
"The Regent" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"A & B Guest House Cambridge Ltd" is a 1 bed holiday BandB sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Holiday Inn Cambridge, an IHG Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
"Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse, an IHG Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Huntingdonshire.
"FruitTrees Serviced Apartment" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Cambridge District.
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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.
