St Ives, a beautiful seaside town with picturesque golden beaches, quaint cobbled streets, good surf, art galleries and a foodie’s haven, is the perfect place to take a summer break in Cornwall.
We’ve put together the ultimate guide of where to stay, eat and explore for the perfect St Ives summer!
Where to Eat and Drink
St Ives boasts a diverse food and drink scene with something for everyone. Here are our top picks.
Coffee
If you need your morning coffee to function, there are a few fantastic spots in St Ives.
Yallah Coffee:
Nestled along the harbour, local coffee roasters Yallah have a small hatch for takeaway coffee and cakes, as well as their cafe above with gorgeous views of the harbour.
Yellow Canary:
On Fore Street, you’ll find Yellow Canary, a friendly family-run cafe serving up Cornwall’s Origin Coffee. Yellow Canary is perfect for early risers as it’s one of the few coffee spots open at 7 am. Grab a takeaway and pastry and wander the cobbled streets and catch the sunrise before the rest of the town wakes up.
Mount Zion Coffee:
Just off the Wharf Road, Mount Zion Coffee is a hidden gem. A tiny shop with a few seats and an in-shop dog. Owner Mike seriously knows his coffee, offering up an array of fantastic roasters. Grab a filter coffee to go or stay and chat whilst your flat white is lovingly made.
Breakfast
Porthmeor Beach Cafe:
If you want breakfast with a view, then Porthmeor Beach Cafe is your go-to.
Here you can build your own cooked breakfast or opt for their delicious fluffy pancakes whilst you watch the surfers on Porthmeor beach.
Bre cafe:
Situated at the top of Porthmeor hill, Bre cafe serves some of the best brunch in St Ives with delicious smoothie bowls, mushrooms on toast and delicious pastries. Owner and Chef Natasha also runs tasting events, which are well worth booking if they fall when you’re in town.
Drinks
St Eia:
Just a stone’s throw away from Porthmeor beach and The Tate gallery is St Eia, a charming little wine bar and bottle shop, the perfect place for a late afternoon al fresco rosé. St Eia specialises in organic wine and offers a range of delicious small plates, a place wine lovers won’t want to miss!
Palais Provisions:
Originally a much-loved wine bar overlooking St Ives harbour, Palais Provisions now sits in the original home of Plumbline Gallery, serving its own bottle cocktails and famous small-batch, handmade ice creams. Grab a wine by the glass and check out some of the plumbline ceramics.
The Sloop:
One of the oldest Inns in Cornwall, this quintessential fisherman’s pub is a must-visit for an afternoon pint on the harbour front.
R Bar:
Tucked away behind The Rum and Crab Shack on Fore Street, you’ll find R bar. With a speakeasy feel, this low-lit rum bar is a cosy place to grab a cocktail or listen to music at one of their Jazz nights.
Balcony Bar:
For drinks with a view of the harbour, look no further than Balcony Bar. Often offering live music with a laid-back vibe, grab some drinks and take in the view!
Dinner
Silco bar and kitchen:
If small sharing plates are your thing, then you’ll want to pay a visit to Silco. Situated on the harbour overlooking the small beach, it also sells delicious cocktails.
Ardor:
If you love Tapas, then Ardor is for you. With chef-owner Dorian being inspired by his childhood spent in Spain, you’ll be transported to the Mediterranean with its gorgeous Spanish interior and friendly staff.
The Fish Shed:
Overlooking the west end of Porthmeor beach, this cosy little restaurant serves up delicious local seafood with a gorgeous view.
Source Kitchen:
Located at the Digey, not far from the Tate Gallery, Source Kitchen serves up some of the best local produce, focusing its menu on what’s currently in season.
Ice-cream
Moodmaid of Zennor (St Ives Parlour)
A trip to St Ives isn’t complete without a stop at Moomaid of Zennor – their harbour-front parlour serves up some of the creamiest, dreamiest scoops in Cornwall. Made just up the coast on a family-run farm, their flavours are as local as they come.
Where to Explore
If you’re looking for things to do in Cornwall this summer, then St Ives really is the perfect place. Here’s our guide:
The Beaches
Whether you’re looking for a swimming spot, somewhere to surf, or perhaps somewhere to sunbathe and read a book, no St Ives summer break would be complete without visiting one of the many stunning beaches.
Porthmeor beach – Home to the Tate gallery and one of the largest of St Ives Beaches. Here you can watch the surfers or hire a surfboard (through St Ives Surf School) and try to catch some waves yourself!
Porthminster Beach – golden sands and pretty views, this is the perfect swim or sunbathing spot.
Carbis Bay – Head a little out of St Ives and you’ll find the stunning Carbis Bay beach, a mile stretch of golden sand and the perfect spot for kayaking or paddle boarding with its calmer waters.
Soak up the art scene
Gallery hopping is top of the list when it comes to things to do in Cornwall this Summer, particularly if the weather takes a turn.
Tate St Ives
An iconic building overlooking the sea, The Tate St Ives showcases work by artists including Barbara Hepworth, Marlow Moss, Naum Gabo and Patrick Heron. It also displays some wonderful exhibitions. At the top of the building, you’ll find their Sea view restaurant where you can watch the world go by.
Barbara Hepworth Museum
Sharing the life and work of Barbara Hepworth, this museum is a must-visit. Based at her Trewyn studio where Hepworth lived and worked, it shares an insight into her remarkable life and sculptures. A beautiful, peaceful garden is home to arguably some of her best work.
The Leach Pottery
The Leach Pottery Museum is the original home and workplace of revered potter Bernard Leach. Here you can learn about the history of pottery and potters who trained with Leach over the years. There are also changing exhibitions showcasing contemporary potters.
Penwith Gallery
Home to the Penwith Society of Arts, this gallery showcases a diverse range of local artists. The space includes three public galleries: Porthmeor Printmakers workshop, ten artists’ studios, a sculpture courtyard, a shop and an archive.
Explore Nature
Walk the Coastal paths
Home to the South West Coast Path, St Ives is the perfect place to take a stroll.
Walk the coast path from St Ives to Zennor – a gorgeous walk taking in the coastline. A tricky walk in places, so ensure you have suitable shoes! When you get to Zennor, be sure to grab a pint at the charming Tinners Arms.
Walk to Carbis Bay – Starting at the end of Porthminster beach, walk along the cliff to Carbis Bay beach. An easy and short walk to a gorgeous golden beach.
Go seal spotting
Take a boat trip to Seal Island- a small rocky inshore island 3.5 miles west of St Ives, towards Zennor. It’s home to a colony of Atlantic grey seals. You can find boats departing from St Ives Harbour daily. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of some dolphins!
Take a surf lesson
St Ives summers are all about the sea. What better way to spend an afternoon than learning to surf? The St Ives Surf School can be found on Porthmeor beach and provides group surf lessons or 1-to-1s. Porthmeor is a great beach to learn to surf as it produces good swell but is fairly sheltered from the wind, making it ideal conditions for beginners.
Hire a SUP board
Located on the Porthminster beach, you’ll find a watersports rental where you can hire a SUP board and paddle away the afternoon.
Where to stay
For cheap Cornwall summer holidays, it’s often best to hire a self-catering property. At Cornish Riviera, we offer a range of budget-friendly, affordable cottages in St Ives that allow you to save your money for the more memorable and exciting parts of your Cornish holiday.
Here’s our pick of where to stay:
Dolly – 1 Dove Street, St Ives -TR26 2LZ
A peaceful dog-friendly retreat located a 2-minute walk from the heart of St Ives. Dolly has two bedrooms, one double and one single. With a private fully decked garden and all the amenities you should need, it’s perfect for a small family looking for a stay close to everything St Ives has to offer.
Morvah – 2 Malakoff Flats, The Terrace, St Ives, TR26 2BW
Morvah is the perfect family friendly cottage with uninterrupted views across St Ives harbour and beyond.
Featuring 2 bedrooms this charming property can sleep up to 4 people and comes complete with a sunny south facing courtyard garden. Located close to town this is perfect if you enjoy a little hustle and bustle.
The Lookout – 15 Burrow Road, St Ives- TR26 1NA
The Lookout (part of our budget range) is a 3-storey fisherman’s cottage that captures plenty of sunshine. Great for keen walkers, this property is just minutes from the South West Coast Path. Complete with a sunny courtyard and 2 bedrooms, one double and one twin, this property can be rented with its sister property, Lower Deck, to provide accommodation for up to 8 people.
For more places to stay, take a look at some of our other cottages.
So there you have it, our ultimate guide to the perfect St Ives summer. Whether you’re looking for cheaper Cornwall summer holidays or are just visiting for the day, St Ives really does have something for everyone.
