Why You’ll Love... St Ives
Head down to this picturesque Cornish harbour for a weekend filled with fine art and seaside fun
With stunning Blue Flag beaches and azure waters, st Ives is an enduring hit with visitors. the town is a jumble of cottages, vibrant local shops and artists’ studios. Nestled among these is moon shadow, a cottage made for two. located just off Porthmeor beach, it’s a lovely base for exploring this spectacular part of the Cornish coast.
What to do
A haven for modernist artists in the 1950s, painters and art lovers continue to flock to st Ives for its contemporary galleries and inspiring views. A short walk along Porthmeor beach brings you to the largest, most striking gallery, tate st Ives (tate.org.uk).
Further inland, you’ll find dame Barbara hepworth’s home and studio, now known as the Barbara hepworth museum and sculpture Garden (tate.org.uk), a beautiful place to enjoy the abstract sculptures. Continue the artistic tour to leach Pottery (leachpottery.com), founded by famous potter Bernard leach in 1920. If you’re here for a week, think about buying a seven-day Art Pass, with unlimited access to four art venues for just £15.
Porthmeor beach is also popular with surfers looking to catch their next wave.
Join in the fun at st Ives surf school (stivessurfschool.co.uk), where prices start at £35 for a two-hour lesson, from beginner to advanced levels. Private lessons are available too.
Alternatively, opt for a boat ride instead. leaving from the harbour, the seal Island boat tour with st Ives Boat services (stivesboatservices.com) takes you along the dramatic coast towards Clodgy Point, where granite headlands jut into the sea. Continue to the Western Carracks reef and spot some grey seals, their heads bobbing above the crests of the waves.
Where to eat
Perched overlooking st Ives in two acres of private gardens, the Garrack hotel & restaurant (thegarrack.co.uk) is an intimate escape from the hustle and bustle of the town below. Enjoy an exquisite meal made from locally sourced ingredients while admiring the coastline you traversed during the day, as well as superb sunday lunch options or the Prosecco-pimped fizz ‘n’ chips. As the sun sets over st Ives, raise a toast to your weekend of adventure with a ‘yeghes da’ (Cornish for cheers) and a clink of glasses.
Where to stay
moon shadow cottage sleeps two people and can be booked from £123 per night through Beachspoke (beachspoke.com). dogs are welcome for an additional £30, and other cottages are available for groups and families. see visitcornwall. com for more information on local activities and events.
Travel details
Catch a direct train from london Paddington to st Erth, taking around 5 hours, from £48 return. Catch the st Ives Bay line (greatscenicrailways.co.uk) for a 12-minute train ride from st Erth to st Ives, with fantastic views of the coast. tickets from £3.