The beautiful town of St Ives can be the perfect place to stay during your Cornish getaway, being a short drive from some of Cornwall’s top tourist attractions.
If you fancy a change of scenery for the day, we’ve put together a guide of day trips from St Ives.
Mousehole Village
Three miles west of Penzance, you’ll find the charming Mousehole, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful villages. Described as the ‘loveliest village in England’ by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who honeymooned there with his wife Caitlin, it was once a busy fishing harbour renowned for catching pilchards.
Mousehole has kept much of its historic charm with quaint cobbled streets and its picturesque harbour. It is also renowned for its annual Christmas lights display.
There are some great places to eat in Mousehole, like No2 Fore Street, a friendly bistro with some great fish options, or if you want to eat somewhere with a view, then the Old Coast Guard is the perfect spot, with elevated views of the water.
Looking for a light lunch, then the Mousehole deli is a great spot where, if you’re lucky, you can get the window seat overlooking the harbour.
Newlyn
Just a stone’s throw away from Penzance and a short walk from Mousehole is Newlyn, home to one of Cornwall’s largest fishing fleets and the renowned Newlyn School of Art.
In Newlyn, you’ll find some of the best fish at Argoe, a harbour-side restaurant that’s a must-visit.
If art is your thing, then you’ll want to pay a visit to the Newlyn Art Gallery, showcasing some of Cornwall’s best contemporary art.
Penzance
A vibrant and bustling town, Penzance is a great day out with an array of quirky independent shops and some great places to eat.
Jubilee Pool:
The UK’s largest seawater pool, where you can enjoy all the benefits of the sea whilst enjoying the art deco architecture. Jubilee pool also has a geothermal pool and sauna.
Marizion beach and St Michael’s Mount:
A vast sandy beach that overlooks the famous St Michael’s Mount is the perfect place to take a stroll. St Michel’s Mount, an ancient tidal island complete with its castle, is one of the best day trips in Cornwall. At low tide, it can be accessed on foot via a cobbled causeway or by boat at high tide.
Tremenhere Sculpture Gardens:
The beautiful Tremehere gardens are well worth a visit, with their showcase of renowned contemporary artists against the stunning backdrop of St Michel’s Mount.
45 Queen Street:
In what once was an old warehouse, lies the vibrant 45 Queen Street, a bar/kitchen/deli showcasing local produce with a bohemian decor. Be sure to try one of their delicious cocktails!
Pizza Pls:
Once a very popular pizzeria in Penryn, Pizza PLS moved to a small premises in Penzance, offering takeaway and a few small tables inside. If you love Pizza, this is arguably one of the best in Cornwall.
Zennor
One of the best coastal villages in Cornwall, Zennor is a short drive from St Ives but can be walked to via the south west coastal path, which provides stunning views and high chances of some seal spotting!
Home to the lovely Tinners Arms pub, where D H Lawrence once famously stayed, grab some lunch and then head for ice cream at Moomaid of Zennor.
The Minack Theatre and Porthcurno
Along the West coast lies one of Cornwall’s top tourist attractions, the Minack Theatre, carved into the cliffs. This open-air theatre provides a breathtaking backdrop.
Watch a show and then walk down the steps to the stunning Porthcurno beach. Famous for its white sand and turquoise water.
Geevor Tin Mine
Geevor Tin Mine, a world heritage site and the last standing example of a complete 20th-century tin mine, is a great day out! Explore the Hard Rock museum to learn all about the Cornish mining industry and even go underground in the mining tunnels of Wheal Mexico to discover what life was like for a Cornish miner.
A little further afield…
If you have time, there are a few day trips from St Ives, Cornwall that are a little further away but are well worth it.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
If you’d like to catch an up-close glimpse of some seals, then making the trip to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek is a must! The Sanctuary is a charity that rescues and rehabilitates grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline.
After visiting the Seal Sanctuary, head to the Boatyard for a spot of brunch at the new cafe, Sula Brunch House.
The Lizard Peninsula
The Lizard Peninsula, the UK’s most southerly point, is well worth the drive.
Renowned for its stunning, rugged coastline and turquoise waters, it’s also one of the richest areas of marine biodiversity.
Visit one of the most beautiful beaches, Kynance Cove and head to Mullion, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful villages.
Falmouth and The Helford
Falmouth is a charming town located on the south coast of Cornwall and home to Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum.
Take a stroll through the high street and visit one of the many independent shops.
Before heading to Gyllynvase beach, grab a spot of lunch at Sabzi, a Middle Eastern deli with fantastic harbour views.
If books and beers are your thing, then head to Beerwolf Books, a charming pub complete with its bookstore, the perfect spot on a rainy day.
The Helford:
Not only does The Helford boast beautiful scenery, but it is also home to many spectacular gardens.
Trebah Gardens
This 26-acre sub-tropical garden is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, complete with its very own beach. Mediterranean and Southern hemisphere plants sit side by side with huge Australian tree ferns and palms, wander through the magical gardens and enjoy a Roskilly ice cream on the beach, taking in the views.
Glendurgan Garden:
An exotic wooded valley garden that leads down to the Helford River, and like Trebah, is now dog-friendly. Make your way through the gardens and exit to a lovely walk to the famous Ferry Boat Inn, where you can enjoy a pint with views over to Helford village and Frenchman’s Creek, a place that inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s novel.
So there you have it! A selection of Day trips from St Ives that will be sure to keep you and the family entertained.
Looking for somewhere to stay?
At Cornish Riviera, we have a vast selection of self-catering cottages in St Ives and the surrounding areas.
