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St Ives

66 replies

Sparklyring · 06/06/2019 18:10

We're off to Cornwall in October, staying in St Ives though it's not booked yet. Looking for recommendations for things to do, things to see, places to eat. TIA

OP posts:

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hazell42 · 06/06/2019 18:20

My only suggestion is that you book quickly. Very very popular all year round

You will live it. Cornwall is a great place for kids

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LakieLady · 06/06/2019 18:22

If they're filming Poldark, you could pop along to the stretch of coast just north of St Just and see if you can get a glimpse of Aidan Turner with his shirt off.

They film a lot on the cliffs just north of Cape Cornwall, between Pendeen and Botallack, and at Kynance Cove.

Sadly, he remained fully dressed when we saw him, but it's a nice walk anyway.

St Michaels Mount is lovely, and I've vowed that we'll take a day trip to the Scillies one day. There's a helicopter service from the little airport near Lands End.

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321zerobaby · 06/06/2019 18:29

Minack theatre, open air built in to the side of a cliff. Really interesting and special place, to walk around and see it, even if not going to watch a performance.

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butterry · 06/06/2019 18:31

Book somewhere with parking, it’s the worst place I have been to for public parking. All the restaurants we tried were lovely, I think it’s hard to go wrong. Beware of the seagulls though, they are vicious thieves and almost bit my little girl’s fingers off!

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ryanreynolds · 06/06/2019 18:35

I LOVE St Ives.

We mooched about, didn't do a whole lot. Eden Project is an hour or so away (I think) but we really enjoyed it. We walked along the coastal path to Lelant and got the train back which was a nice way to spend a day. St Michael's amount is close and good, we only paid to go into the gardens though, not the castle.

In terms of food and drink, we didn't go nuts but there's a cafe overlooking Porthgwidden Beach that we went to a few times for breakfast. Also really enjoyed Blas Burgers. Crab and Rum Shack does what it says on the tin but was great!

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Springfern · 06/06/2019 18:37

The walk from St Ives to Zennor is the best part of the SW Coast path imo....it's quite tough going but worth it!

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DotForShort · 06/06/2019 18:44

On your way there, you might meet a man with seven wives.

Sorry, no advice. But I envy you! Would love to go St. Ives someday.

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DevonshireDarling · 06/06/2019 18:47

I live in Devon but we visit Cornwall a lot. All I'm gonna say is St Ives gets packed with tourists so it can be very busy most of the time but it is a lovely place to explore, plenty of beautiful beaches and shops and art galleries if you're interested in that.

There's also lands end near by which is worth a visit on a clear day. We like gwithian beach which is on the other side of st Ives. You can see Godrevy lighthouse from it, beautiful stretch of beach which doesn't get too packed.

I also loved st Michaela's mount. Such a beautiful place and lovely to walk to when the tide is out. Best cream tea we've had at the NT cafe there!

Falmouth is also a lovely up and coming place to visit. Lovely little shops and pubs. If you have children with you the seal sanctuary is a lovely place to visit. It's also dog friendly. We went last year without children and really enjoyed it.

To be honest you can't go wrong with Cornwall if you like beautiful clean beaches. We love perranporth but that will be a bit too far to visit from st Ives, but most of the beaches are stunning and great for surfing and most are dog friendly all year round. We also love watergate bay and st Agnes and Padstow but they would be fairly far to travel from St Ives.

Just be prepared for the beaches and streets to be back with tourists but don't let it put you off. Enjoy! Of course I love Devon more but Cornwall is a beautiful county.

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Rememberallball · 06/06/2019 18:53

All within driving distance are Eden Project, Flambards, Poldark Mine, Lands End, Gweek Seal Sanctuary. We used to take a couple of day trips interspersed with days on the beach - even in October half terms. Now we live in Cornwall but the other end so it’s a couple of hours to any of those places apart from the Eden Project and we’ve got an annual pass for there but it’s still an hour away. Falmouth and Newquay are nice for a day trip.

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stillworkingitout · 06/06/2019 19:00

We just had a week in St Ives last month, and it wasn’t too busy - I would expect similar for October unless maybe in half term. I like cottage boutique for cottages.

We really love the little artisan bakery on Fore St at the bottom of the Digey. Second the recommendation for Blas burger, but the fish and chip place on the harbour (next to Hub) is also good.

Weather could be any of the four seasons in October so that will affect what you want to do but we enjoyed a nice walk up Trencrom Hill. St Michael’s Mount is really nice and also Porthcurno and the Minack, and also a bit of Poldark hunting

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EllenRipley · 06/06/2019 19:01

We went last year, got some good tips here!
We did The Eden Project, Heligan Gardens, Lands End and a couple of days out just driving around and visiting some beautiful beaches. St Ives is gorgeous but it was very busy and parking was a nightmare! We managed to get a small studio apartment right in the town centre, I got very lost every day trying to find it in the wee winding streets. It really is a lovely place.

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nabis · 06/06/2019 20:42

Cornwall is stunning all year round. St Ives is beautiful and artsy. Very small streets and big cars are not comfy there at all. So if you are staying actually in St Ives and you need parking, check the listing carefully!
But you don't have to stay actually in St Ives. There are many hotels, cottages etc. to choose from. October is a good time to visit as tourist season is winding down but the weather should be good for you. Lots of accommodation is listed on Air BnB (don't be scared to use, read listings carefully and book through the system) trip advisor and homeandaway .
So much to do! Tin mines are amazing (geevor you can go down in and next door to Levant) Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, (minack and LandsEnd are right next to it!) Flambards is awesome for kids (small, naff, safe and adults can sit back and let them free!) Gweek seal sanctuary is good also Paradise Park and you can watch the military planes at Helston(also home to BooKoos which has the most amazing burgers) Then there is all the National Trust stuff, you will get you money's worth just in this small patch of Cornwall!! Falmouth is a lovely town and Truro is a great city - small and beautiful (the cathedral is a must see) Eden is great if you have rainy day. Porthleven is a lovely harbour town. Portreath is a nice harbour town too with a great beach and cafe open all year round. Porthcurno has a fantastic bar on the beach. And you could hire horses - Wheal Buller offer beach rides, swimming with horses and pub rides. Or you could join one of the many surf schools.
Enjoy your holiday.

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Gth1234 · 06/06/2019 21:36

Kynance.
The Lizard
Sennen
Lands End (ignore the tat)
St Michaels Mount (especially if you are in the NT)
Eden Project
Porthcurno/The Minack
Porthleven is dramatic
Godrevy Sands (NT car park)
The walk to Zennor
It's a long way to the Tintagel area.
Kids R US Theatre in St Ives, is great.

just so much.

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NWUK · 07/06/2019 13:13

Paradise Park in Hayle is a must do. Beautiful birds, plenty of displays and animal interaction plus indoor and outdoor play areas. highly recommended for all the family!
St Ives bay holiday Park is a great place to stay, away from the main tourist beaches in St Ives but with fantastic views over the whole bay, and well maintained beaches right on the doorstep.
Flambards was always a favourite of our children. Great in all weathers too as lots of indoor displays.
Greevor Tin mine is an interesting trip back in time to see how mining was carried out and developed in the area.
Cornish Goldsmiths has lots to see and do and the food there is incredible!
Also, highly recommended packing up a picnic and heading to any of the small coves around the coast. We've been lucky enough to see seals and dolphins almost every time!

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malificent7 · 07/06/2019 13:20

One of the best places in the uk...spent many a family holiday there as a child
Porthmeor beach is amazing. Then daybtrips to Sennen Cove, st Michaels Mont etc.

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Bluebell878275 · 07/06/2019 13:41

DevonshireDarling We're staying in St Agnes in July - is it as lovely as I'm assuming it will be?? We wanted to be near Newquay but not anywhere too busy so hoped this would be a suitable place to stay.

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PugPupsMum · 07/06/2019 14:10

Carbis Bay is a stunning spa hotel, if you can visit there for a spa day or even better - stay!

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RomanyQueen · 07/06/2019 14:13

As I was going to St. Ives

As I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives,
Each wife had seven sacks, each sack had seven cats,
Each cat had seven kits:
kits, cats, sacks and wives,
How many were going to St. Ives?

Couldn't resist

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Greenteandchives · 07/06/2019 14:14

There’s also Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden if you like that sort of thing, OP.

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MaMaMaMySharona · 07/06/2019 14:27

Walk from Lizard Point to Kynance Cove
Visit Porthleven
Visit Port Isaac
Minack Theatre is a must! The beach next to it is stunning (although not dog friendly if you're taking one)
Visit Padstow

I LOVE CORNWALL!!

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Samryan05 · 07/06/2019 22:13

Water will still be warm. Get yourselves kitted out in wetsuits and go Body boarding or book onto a surf lesson on portmeor beach. The best times!

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SerenDippitty · 07/06/2019 22:17

We are staying just outside Port Isaac at this very moment. It’s pissing down and blowing a gale. Hope it’s better tomorrow.

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SwimmerGirl40 · 10/06/2019 14:29

We’re going to Cornwall for the first time this summer, so thank you for the suggestions above. I really like the look of St Ives and am looking forward to spending a day there.

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bloodywhitecat · 10/06/2019 14:31

Just don't confuse it with St.Ives, Cambridgeshire...(I didn't but I know a man who did!)

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DieCryHate · 10/06/2019 14:57

Cheekily bookmarking as we're staying at Carbis Bay hotel later this year after passing it on our family holiday last year. Only for one night though, too poor for any longer!