Seaside town with cobbled streets and fishing cottages ranks highly with visitors

The coastal town of St Ives in Cornwall bursts with charm, where golden beaches vibrant art and salty sea breezes create the perfect blend of joy and coastal magic. The town’s streets, adorned with whitewashed fishermans cottages, lead to a mix of independent shops, lively bars and art galleries, striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.

Cobbled lanes, classic fish and chip shops and refreshing strolls along coastal paths are available all year round. As per the OLGB’s Holiday Entertainment Index, this charming Cornish town ranks second for families seeking a seaside staycation. This could be because of its unusually mild climate, offering some of the gentlest winters and warmest summers in Britain and Northern Europe. The survey also reveals that St Ives has a low annual rainfall of just 673mm and an average of only 97 rainy days per year, making it an ideal destination for shoulder season escapes.

Only surpassed by the Welsh town of Tenby in the survey, St Ives is a picturesque harbour town that promises to envelop the very best bits of the Great British seaside this summer. 

Most visitors to this tranquil corner of the world come to bask in the sun and sand. With a fantastic selection of four separate beaches within a stone’s throw from the town centre, there’s something to cater to everyone’s taste.

According to the St Ives tourist website, each beach possesses its own unique charm:

Porthmeor Beach

Porthmeor Beach, nestled between rugged headlands and overlooked by the Tate St Ives, is a sandy haven offering a delightful café, takeaway, and bakery. Visitors can learn to surf, explore intriguing rock pools, or simply bask on the golden sands.

Porthgwidden Beach

Tucked beneath The Island, Porthgwidden Beach is a charming sandy cove lined with colourful beach huts and boasting a welcoming café. It’s a year-round delight, but it takes on a special, wild charm in winter when dogs are permitted to frolic freely.

Porthminster Beach

Porthminster Beach is the perfect family-friendly spot. At low tide, its shallow waters are ideal for paddling, while the expansive sands provide ample space for digging, building sandcastles, and playing ball games.

Plus, there are plenty of eateries nearby for when hunger strikes.

Harbour Beach

Located closest to the town centre, Harbour Beach reveals its charms at low tide. Visitors can hop over rows of ropes to hunt for sea glass on the town’s central beach.

Enjoy an ice cream or fish and chips against the backdrop of the sea for a truly memorable al fresco dining experience.

Most visitors to this tranquil corner of the world come to bask in the sun and sand. With a splendid selection of four separate beaches within a stone’s throw from the town, there’s something for everyone.

But it’s not just the stunning coastline that makes St Ives a must-visit destination this summer.  The town is also home to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, home to the iconic works of the former resident artist.

The coastal town boasts a plethora of watersports activities, from surfing and paddleboarding to kayaking at Carbis Bay Beach. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the South West Coast Path leading to Godrevy Head for stunning coastal vistas, while boat trips to Seal Island offer a glimpse into the lives of an Atlantic grey seal colony.

A seaside visit wouldn’t be complete without indulging in fish and chips, and The Balancing Eel is renowned as one of the best chip shops in town. Its generous portions and freshly caught local fish make it a popular choice among both locals and tourists.

For those seeking a cosy pint, The Sloop Inn, a historic pub situated on the harbour wall, offers a warm fire and local ales. Another well-loved harbourside pub is The Lifeboat Inn, boasting cosy interiors and a menu brimming with comforting dishes perfect for cooler days by the water.

Pretty as a picture, the town is adorned with beautiful period properties along the shoreline, offering a variety of unique and welcoming accommodation options.

Trevose Harbour House stands out with its boutique interiors and five-star reviews on Booking.com while the more traditional Harbour Hotel St Ives exudes luxury resort vibes with its in-house spa and mesmerising water views.

Another favourite among visitors is The Gannet Inn, known for its individually designed bedrooms and stylish bar and restaurant.

For visitors who would prefer to stay in their very own holiday home Sykes Cottages has plenty to choose from. Huers Hide is a cute one bedroom apartment with views out across the beach. For families, Penlan has large gardens and enough room for six while Boscarne is a luxury modern home for groups of up to 10 visitors. 

Alternatively, holidaycottages.co.uk also has some stunning seaside boltholes to choose from including the traditional stone cottages at Titcomb House, the luxury of a five-bedroom house called The Old Bakery or the cosy one-bedrom hideaway at The Drift.

Visitors who have already discovered St Ives have left thousands of reviews on Tripadvisor. David, who visited in August 2024, said: “I visited St Ives for a few hours as part of a cruise ship excursion from Falmouth and had a wonderful time. Although very busy it didn’t distract from the natural beauty of the area, with a variety of beaches to enjoy, from surfing beaches to sandy havens it was really pretty, especially in the warm sunshine.”

Abigail Y, who paid a visit in April, also loved it, saying: “We all love St Ives and it’s always so much hotter and sunnier than anywhere. We got there quite early and had a good wander around all the side streets. The water was crystal clear and we sat right on the sand with a drink for an hour, just listening to the sea and the gulls. It does get busy but is still a gorgeous place to be.”

Another visited simply added: “We holiday here every year, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the UK.”

Sadly not everyone was quite so impressed, espcially during the high season. Kendel S said: “The most interesting stunning place in England but unfortunately it was like being in the heart of London, you could barely take one step without bumping in to someone,” while Roy V added: “Ridiculously busy and almost nowhere to park – even in September.”