St Ives & West Cornwall
St Ives & West Cornwall
Nestled on the picturesque coastline of Cornwall, St Ives stands as a captivating gem that delights visitors with its undeniable charm and breathtaking beauty. With its idyllic setting, where cobblestone streets wind through a labyrinth of narrow lanes, this coastal town exudes an atmosphere that is at once peaceful and vibrant.
Not been to St Ives before? Then give our video below a play.
St Ives boasts a mesmerising blend of natural wonders and artistic inspiration. The town’s crown jewel, Porthminster Beach is a beautiful sandy beach, offering tranquil waters, golden sands, and breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline, with all facilities one would expect on a Blue Flag beach.
Under the shadow of the iconic Tate St Ives building, Porthmeor is a sandy, safe beach popular with surfers and swimmers alike, and is well-stocked with rock pools.
St Ives’ Harbour Beach offers an ideal combination of safe swimming and sandcastle-building opportunities, with convenient access to a lively resort town boasting numerous shops, galleries, cafes, and pubs along the adjacent seafront street, while providing a unique glimpse into the town’s working port through the sight of local fishermen landing their catch and the presence of the historic Lifeboat Station.
Beaches
There are four sandy beaches within walking distance of the Loft, each with a different character…
Porthmeor Beach is about a twenty minute walk, and is one of the premier surf beaches on the North coast. It has a surf school, a bar, take-away food and R.N.L.I. Life-Guard cover from Easter to September.
Porthgwidden Beach is smaller, family-friendly, with safe bathing, a beach bar & café, & great fishing off of the rocks. The restaurant is also open for evening dinner – booking essential!
Harbour Beach is completely in with the action! When the tide goes right out, the whole harbour becomes a playground, between the boats, and a large expanse of safe sand is revealed, with shallow pools for paddling or crab-hunt fun, at the base of Smeaton’s Pier. The small corner of beach, near the Three Arches, under the Pier, is a sun-trap, and is our favourite. From here, all the facilities – eateries, take-aways, coffee shops, etc.- are only minutes away…
Porthminster Beach is the nearest to the station, so can get very busy in high season. It’s a lovely, family-friendly beach, with a cafe & bar, and an upmarket restaurant, with a good-value beach take-out facility and kayak & body-board hire.
Porthmeor Beach is about a twenty minute walk, and is one of the premier surf beaches on the North coast. It has a surf school, a bar, take-away food and R.N.L.I. Life-Guard cover from Easter to September.
Porthgwidden Beach is smaller, family-friendly, with safe bathing, a beach bar & café, & great fishing off of the rocks. The restaurant is also open for evening dinner – booking essential!
Harbour Beach is completely in with the action! When the tide goes right out, the whole harbour becomes a playground, between the boats, and a large expanse of safe sand is revealed, with shallow pools for paddling or crab-hunt fun, at the base of Smeaton’s Pier. The small corner of beach, near the Three Arches, under the Pier, is a sun-trap, and is our favourite. From here, all the facilities – eateries, take-aways, coffee shops, etc.- are only minutes away…
Porthminster Beach is the nearest to the station, so can get very busy in high season. It’s a lovely, family-friendly beach, with a cafe & bar, and an upmarket restaurant, with a good-value beach take-out facility and kayak & body-board hire.
Out & About
St.Ives is a working harbour, with fresh fish being landed daily. Fishing expeditions can be arranged from the Wharf, as well as Seal Island trips, along the picturesque coastline towards Zennor.
There is a wide selection of top-quality restaurants & coffee shops, within the quaint, narrow streets, off of Fore Street, and Downalong, as well as numerous bakeries, pasty shops, and, of course, fresh fish & chips in abundance!
All this is easily accessible by foot from the Loft, or mini-bus from the Leisure Centre, just five minutes walk from the Loft. Taxis, from Royal Square to the Loft, are about £4.00 – a treat to get you home after a tiring day having fun!
Tate St.Ives is set back from Porthmeor Beach, with seasonal national, and international, exhibitions. Various specialist art galleries are sprinkled throughout the town, including the Barbara Hepworth Gallery & garden. The internationally-known Bernard Leach Pottery is 300 metres from the Loft front door!
A Co-operative convenience shop, open 8am – 9pm, is a three minute walk from the Loft. Sharky’s Fish & Chips and St Ives Pizza Company (best in town!) are just a 10 minute walk up the hill.
There is a wide selection of top-quality restaurants & coffee shops, within the quaint, narrow streets, off of Fore Street, and Downalong, as well as numerous bakeries, pasty shops, and, of course, fresh fish & chips in abundance!
All this is easily accessible by foot from the Loft, or mini-bus from the Leisure Centre, just five minutes walk from the Loft. Taxis, from Royal Square to the Loft, are about £4.00 – a treat to get you home after a tiring day having fun!
Tate St.Ives is set back from Porthmeor Beach, with seasonal national, and international, exhibitions. Various specialist art galleries are sprinkled throughout the town, including the Barbara Hepworth Gallery & garden. The internationally-known Bernard Leach Pottery is 300 metres from the Loft front door!
A Co-operative convenience shop, open 8am – 9pm, is a three minute walk from the Loft. Sharky’s Fish & Chips and St Ives Pizza Company (best in town!) are just a 10 minute walk up the hill.
