St Ives


By Benjamin Ellio Unsplash


St Ives has a special light quality that has attracted artists for centuries; it is also a popular holiday destination due to its sub-tropical climate. A beautiful Mediterranean blue sea against the golden granite is usually the first thing that visitors notice as they arrive. In fact, because of its position on its own little peninsula, the resort is almost surrounded by the sea and has golden sandy beaches facing different directions within a few hundred yards of one other, which means that no matter what you want from a holiday by the sea, St Ives is sure to satisfy.


There are five beaches, Porthmeor (next to Tate St Ives) is renowned for its surfing, Porthgwidden is in a sheltered cove, just around the corner from Porthgwidden, is the almost hidden Bamaluz Beach which only exists at low tide and accessed via deep steps, below the town is the Harbour Beach and Porthminster which is well loved by families with its golden sand and beautiful views, and only minutes from the train station and the town centre.


In addition to the beaches, there are local attractions in St Ives including a recreation ground with children’s play and skate-park, stunning flower displays throughout the summer, and walking the South West Coast Path.


For those with a love of water, why not enjoy a boat trip around the bay to enjoy the views of the town and local sea-life. The beaches are also a Mecca for surfers.


In neighbouring Carbis Bay there is a long sandy beach, also ideal for families in Lelant is Porthkidney this is a hidden gem where dog walking is permitted year-round. You are never more than ten to fifteen minutes from a beach in this part of Cornwall.


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St Ives also has a great choice of camping, touring and holiday parks -from large parks near the coast catering for families, to parks a littleinland in the Cornish countryside for short breaks, couples andbackpackers.


With a busy events calendar, the town is often buzzing with excitement from the Feast Day in February (with the traditional hurling of the silver ball), to May Day celebrations, town processions, home-grown theatre productions, the St Ives September Festival, the 200 year old Knill Ceremony, regatta week, surfing competitions, and the renowned fancy dress New Years Eve celebrations.


Due to the narrow streets it is recommended to take the Park and Ride to St Ives along the picturesque St Ives Branchline (with parking at Lelant or St Erth). The train stops at Lelant and Carbis Bay,


Situated next to Cornwall's largest sand dunes known as the Hayle Towans and with a long sandy beach, the town is an excellent place to visit. There are the usual range of shops, pubs, restaurants etc, holiday parks, caravan and camping sites, hotels and guest houses and is probably the only resort in Cornwall with no hills.


The beach stretches for three miles from Hayle River to Godrevy lighthouse offering possibly the most attractive beaches in St Ives Bay.


The beach offers activities ranging from extreme sports (surfing, blo carting) to swimming and sunbathing. The Hayle estuary can be dangerous for swimmers as the currents can be very strong, but by keeping between the flags it is safe.


The next stretch of beach east of Hayle Towans is Mexico Towans offering occasionally good surf and fine swimming. Upton Towans is a large and popular beach halfway along the Towans which can be used safely for swimming, surfing and windsurfing.


Parking is a little way to the North at Gwithian. At its northern end is Peter's Point, which is less popular on account of its difficult access, but often gives more interesting surf than the longer beaches as it generally picks up more swell. Gwithian Towans offers more swell than on the long stretches to the South and consequently surfing is more interesting.


Gwithian is a popular spot in the summer, with parking in the dunes, this is a good all purpose beach with safe bathing and good surfing potential. Godrevy beach is rocky but favoured by surfers for occasionally excellent boarding.


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