Our guests often ask us for recommendations on places to visit, one of my many favourites is St Ives. St Ives definitely ticks all the boxes on a quintessential Cornish harbour town and is only a 30 minute journey from Tregray Shepherd Huts.

Sitting with friends at the Loft St Ives. With drinks on the table and a wooden boarded backdrop. — Lunch in the Loft, St Ives

In the summer, getting around by car and finding parking can be a challenge, so to avoid the stress, we travel to St Ives by train. St Erth train station is on the A30 and is only 20 mins away by car. St Erth is the start of the St Ives Bay branch line and offers an excellent park and ride facility. There is plenty of parking and there are usually very friendly attendants who can help you purchase your train and parking ticket before boarding. The trains run twice every hour, seven days a week with an off-peak return costing only £4.00.

It’s a two minute walk from the large car park to the platform where you can hop on the train which takes you on a scenic 10 minute journey along the Hayle Estuary and Atlantic coast to the edge of St Ives town centre. All in all, it makes for a hassle free and relaxing day ahead.

As soon as you arrive in St Ives you are struck by the beautiful, almost white soft sand and the stunning aqua coloured water that glints beautifully in the sunshine. Its many pastel painted fisherman’s cottages jostle against the glorious backdrop of the harbour itself. You can easily wile away your time mooching in and around the narrow cobbled streets that takes you from one independent shop to another.

For the more artistic minded, St Ives has a wonderful variety of galleries, which showcase an eclectic selection of local artists from across the wider Cornish arts community. The Tate St Ives, gives you an insight into how St Ives became a famous centre of abstract art after the second world war. Artists were primarily attracted to the quality of the natural light and the stunning landscapes that surround this part of the coast, that remain in all their glory today. The community has continued to grow and continues to show many iconic artists throughout the year.

However, if art is not your thing, then St Ives gives you a brilliant selection of places to eat, whether that be a small café, great fish and chips on the harbour wall, an ice-cream or the most amazing restaurants to choose from.

A small selection of our favourites are:

The Beach Restaurant, which has a takeaway on the ground floor and the upstairs accommodating a restaurant with a great panoramic window, so if booking definitely ask for a window seat. You can then see across the harbour and enjoy the hustle and bustle from above. There are a great selection of small plates and classic main meals. There is a well rounded fish selection as you would expect, however you have other meat and non meat options, all of which are very tasty. (The Beach Restaurant, Wharf Road, Town Centre, St. Ives TR26 1LG).
The Beer & Bird, is a great place that gives you exactly what it calls itself. They are a beer specialist, with the largest selection of craft beers to choose from in Cornwall and probably the whole of the South West. Not to mention an amazing selection of cocktails. It’s the place to go if you fancy, wings, fried chicken and burgers. The sides are great too and if you like spice, you won’t be disappointed. (The Beer & Bird, 18A Fore Street, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1AB)
The Loft is just set back from the harbour and perched just up the hill in the artists quarter. They have a great contemporary indoors seating area, but if you can, ask for the terrace outside. The views are great and the terrace is shaded in case it gets too hot in the summer months. It’s a great spot to wile away a few leisurely hours, eating and drinking. They use local ingredients and have a menu that ticks all the boxes on flavour and choice. I would say it’s a bit of a fusion on English and Mediterranean cuisine. (The Loft, 16/18 Fish St, Saint Ives Tr26 1Lt TR26 1LZ)

All in all St Ives gives you a great day out to explore the town, take your swimmers and go for a dip, have a great brunch, lunch or dinner and take in the shops and a little culture.

Here are a few links to help with your journey:

St Erth - Park & Ride by train for St Ives (greatscenicrailways.co.uk)

St Ives Bay Line | Train travel guide (greatscenicrailways.co.uk)