The Cornish coast has always been a massive draw for holiday makers attracted to the dramatic and picturesque scenery that characterises the county and St Ives in particular is situated in one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the country, giving you ample opportunity to soak up the sights on your holiday. Book the cottage from Cornish Riviera and enjoy the beautifulest places in St Ives.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most stunning locations in and around St Ives that will be easily accessible by car, bus, train or walking on your holiday, making sure your time in Cornwall is fulfilling and you see the best of everything the county has to offer.
Most beautiful places in Cornwall
There’s no shortage of beautiful places in Cornwall but some of the prettiest locations are right at your fingertips alongside the coast. All the stunning locations we’ve compiled for you below are the perfect way for you to sample the best of what Cornwall has to offer, never taking you too far from St Ives and ensuring some of the best views possible.
1. St Michael’s Mount
Just twenty minutes away from St Ives by car, St Michael’s Mount at Marazion Beach lies on the opposite coast to St Ives, providing plenty of stunning views of both the sweeping beach and the castle in the background.
St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most gorgeous historic treasures, complete with dramatic rocks, verdant gardens and stunning views across the sea, especially at sunset when the light frames the castle and sparkles across the water.
You can explore the castle and the church via The Causeway and get a bite to eat as you drink in the sights. And after you’ve finished with the island, you can head back to Marazion beach where you can explore picturesque rockpools, sail on the crystal clear waters or learn how to windsurf with a school situated at the far end of the beach. Time it right though as The Causeway is covered when then tide is in!
2. Kynance Cove and the Lizard Peninsula
A little further away but still worth a day trip, you will find the idyllic Kynance Cove in the heart of the Lizard Peninsula. When you’re planning where to visit in Cornwall, you can’t go wrong with one of the most renowned places of natural beauty in the county.
It’s an hour away by car but well worth it to gaze at the tropical turquoise waters and the white sand of the beach. It always feels like stepping into another world, making it the perfect tranquil location to relax in nature.
The rugged coastal scenery adds a certain Cornish charm to the area with the cove being characterised by craggy rock formations, islets and sea stacks. The cove is only accessible through walking down a steep, rugged path to the beach but the extra effort is well worth it, giving you the opportunity to relax on the beach or take the dog on a walk around the heath-covered cliffs.
3. Mousehole
The Cornish coast is defined by its picturesque towns and villages that pay homage to Cornish fishing tradition, allowing travellers to immerse themselves in Cornish culture and find an escape from the hustle and bustle of cities elsewhere in the country.
Thirty minutes away from St Ives you’ll find the charming Mousehole. It’s a tiny picturesque village that boasts numerous wonders and hidden secrets from exploring gardens to taking in the charm of the narrow streets and the classic view of boats bobbing in the harbour. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Cornwall if you’re looking for some real old-fashioned Cornish charm alongside the natural scenery of the fields and coasts.
Make the most of hikes along the cliff tops to look out across the ocean or head up to the historic Caer Bran Hill Fort which affords wonderful views of the warmth of the Cornish countryside that complements the soft beauty of the coast perfectly.
4. Land’s End
No holiday in Cornwall is complete without a trip down to the dramatic headland of Land’s End, the most southerly point of the UK mainland.
Land’s End is characterised by its natural beauty, with the sea foaming around rock formations and giving you the opportunity to drink in the breathtaking sights from the tops of cliffs complete with glimpses of wildlife including grey seals and dolphins.
In the summer months, the cliffs are alive with colour as the gorse, heather and sea campion begins to flower, transforming the rugged coast into a more charming landscape. Whether you visit Land’s End when its scenery is stormy and harsh or quaint and picturesque, you’re sure to experience a memorable sight.
5. Minack Theatre
One of the most unexpected and unusual places in Cornwall is the historic and striking Minack Theatre built on top of the cliffs above Porthcurno. It’s an open air theatre created by Rowena Cade and the plays, concerts and film events staged at the theatre all benefit massively from the outstanding backdrop of the Cornish coast and the sea beyond.
The Minack Theatre also boasts a subtropical garden, creating a veritable storm of colour sheltered by the stark cliffs and offering a bright haven to those sheltering from the winds and looking for something a little different along the coast.
No trip to the Minack Theatre is complete without a trip down to Porthcurno Beach. The rich blue of the water contrasts dramatically with the gold of the sand. You are sheltered on either side by the high cliffs and the powerful waves add a touch of coastal flair to the little paradise beneath the amphitheatre.
6. Roseland Peninsula
A bit further away from St Ives – 1 hour 12 minutes by car – Roseland Peninsula has been named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it well worth the trip for any holiday makers looking to expand upon their trip to St Ives.
The Roseland Peninsula is marked by sweeping cliffs, crystal clear waters and its plethora of beaches and secluded coves that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing and watersports.
The coastal scenery is also marked by its sweep of lush woodland and its many little villages that capture that quintessential Cornish charm. Every trip to Cornwall should make room for exploring one of the most stunning parts of the coast, whether you’re relaxing on the secluded sands of a beach or taking a trip to St Just, a charming church sequestered away in the woodland and set just above the water’s edge.
Nice places to stay in Cornwall
While you’re on your holiday, exploring all the sights of Cornwall, it’s a good idea to have a base of operations from which to start each day.
We offer a number of cottages and apartments that will allow you to relax in comfort in between your trips up and down the coast. Sandhamn is a popular property with uninterrupted views out across the crystal clear waters of the bay while 4 Crusoes offers gorgeous seaside views directly overlooking Porthmeor Beach.
Other popular properties with some of our most scenic views include 26 Piazza which opens up directly onto Porthmeor Beach, leaving the golden paradise right at your fingertips and Crow’s Nest offers idyllic views of the classic St Ives harbour with picture perfect scenes of the boats resting in the water.
There’s something for everyone in St Ives but as you tour the natural wonders of Cornwall, don’t forget to enjoy the best of what St Ives has to offer as well in terms of beauty and breathtaking views.
