Cornwall is a renowned summer holiday destination with its golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and food and art scene. Although summer brings the weather, it can be very busy.
If you’re keen to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter stay, then autumn breaks in Cornwall are the way to go.
One of the best places for a Cornwall autumn, is the charming town of St Ives. Nestled on the West coast of Cornwall, St Ives has an array of fantastic galleries, stunning beaches, cosy cottages and delicious food, it’s the perfect place for an autumn break in Cornwall.
St Ives in Autumn
Milder weather
A Cornwall autumn sees much milder weather than many other areas of the UK with temperatures ranging from 14-15 degrees.
Perfect sea temperature
Despite outside temperature being a little colder, the sea temperature is at its warmest in autumn, with October being the best time to take a dip. If swimming isn’t your thing, you could take a surf lesson with the St Ives surf school. Autumn sees great surf conditions too so you’ll be sure to catch a few waves!
Empty beaches
St Ives and the west coast of Cornwall have some of the most beautiful beaches on offer. You’re spoilt for choice in St Ives with all beaches being within walking distance. Some of our properties at Cornish Riviera are a stone’s throw away from the beach, with a couple of our properties backing onto Porthmeor beach.
Enjoy virtually empty beaches, perfect for a dog walk, a sea dip or somewhere to watch the world go by.
Easy and walkable
One of the joys of St Ives is that the whole town is walkable. All the beaches are located relatively close to each other, with Fore Street and the harbour being the hub of the town. You’re also within walking distance to the south west coastal path, with some beautiful walks like St Ives to Zennor. Although a fairly long walk, it’s the perfect way to spend a morning in St Ives, with a high chance of spotting some seals along the way. As you walk into Zennor be sure to stop for a cosy pub lunch at the Tinners Arms.
Galleries galore
St Ives is renowned for its art scene and St Ives in the autumn is the perfect time to hit the galleries.
The Tate Gallery
Overlooking the sea, The Tate St Ives showcases work from the likes of Marlow Moss, Naum Gabo and Patrick Heron, with numerous exhibitions throughout the year. It also features a lovely cafe and restaurant with some spectacular views over Porthmeor beach.
Barbara Hepworth museum and sculpture garden
Located in the very studio Hepworth lived and worked in St Ives, the museum and gardens are well worth a visit. If the weather allows, sit in the beautiful sculpture garden for a moment of tranquility. It’s worth noting that after the summer period, there are reduced opening hours.
Penwith Gallery
Once a pilchard packing factory, The Penwith Gallery includes three public galleries, Porthmeor Printmakers workshop, ten artists’ studios, a sculpture courtyard, shop and archive, showcasing some of the best of Cornwall and beyond’s contemporary artists.
Experience the local cuisine
St Ives is home to some wonderful restaurants serving up some of the best local produce.
Top Picks:
Ardor – for a taste of the Mediterranean, Ardor serves up some delicious tapas in cosy Spanish-inspired interiors.
Porthmeor beach cafe – for sea views whilst you sip on a warm hot chocolate, visit this seafront cafe, perfect for a brunch.
Talay Thai – situated on the harbour front, this Thai restaurant offers some amazing authentic Thai street-food-inspired cuisine with a delicious cocktail menu.
Onzo – if pizza is your thing then you’ll want to pay a visit to this charming pizzeria on the harbour.
The Hub – for pub grub with harbour views, you can’t go wrong with Hub.
St Ives September festival
From the 13th-27th of September, you can enjoy 2 weeks of arts, music and literature including open studios, poetry readings and free live music.
Wildlife watching
Visiting St Ives in the autumn means you’re even more likely to catch a glimpse of some seals. September to January is the main breeding and pupping season for grey seals. You’re likely to see them at low tide or you could even book a boat trip to Seal Island or Godrevy Island.
With the water being warmer until the end of October, you might be lucky enough to spot some dolphins too, with St Ives Bay being one of the prime spots to catch a glimpse.
With a range of things to do, St Ives is the perfect place for an autumn break in Cornwall. With it being quieter, it’s also much easier to visit St Ives by car in the autumn months with much more free on-road parking available.
St Ives is also a great base for exploring more of what West Cornwall has to offer, being a short drive from Penzance, Godrevy and Hayle.
Here at Cornish Riviera, we have a huge range of self-catering properties available from Cosy cottages to modern apartments with sea views for the perfect autumn break in Cornwall.
