A Day Trip To St Ives
Our properties are positioned excellently to enjoy day trips across Cornwall, with Truro and Porthleven just 30 minutes away by car, and West Cornwall, St Ives, Newquay, Padstow, and Bodmin Moor all approximately 60 minutes away too.
We’ve put together a local’s guide to a day trip in St Ives – a beautiful town famous for artists both past and present, and an up-and-coming foodie scene to fuel your cultural excursions. Add to this the stunning scenery, and you can understand why it’s one of Cornwall’s top places to visit. Whilst we think that staying in the town can be too busy for some, we have some tips for a day trip to avoid traffic and parking, especially in the summer!
Hop on the Train
Rather than trying to park in the town, it’s a lesser-known tip to park at nearby St Erth railway station and take the train past gorgeous views of beautiful sandy beaches – Hayle Towans and Carbis Bay – before arriving in St Ives. It’s just a10-minute journey, with two trains an hour, 7 days a week. Sit on the right hand side of the train if you can, to get the uninterrupted window view!
Porthminster Beach
One of the town’s four stunning beaches, Porthminster is near the train station and is a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing or enjoying views towards Godrevy lighthouse. The Porthminster Beach Cafe is well known for its restaurant, event space, outdoor kitchen, gin and cocktail bar and beach shop – making it feel more like a resort than a basic beach caf!
Shopping in Town
Everything in St Ives is walkable, so take a stroll towards the tiny old streets and start to explore the range of independent shops, alongside a few high street favourites. The St Ives Bookseller is a fabulous sister-shop to The Falmouth Bookseller, and there are also a number of homewares and gift shops such as Brocante, Atlantic & Co, Lilac & Lime, Common Wanderer and many more!
Food and drink specialists include the St Ives Bakery, The Cornish Pantry, Norway Stores, Tarquin’s Gin Shop, The Cornish Drink Store, Flapjackery, I Should Coco and The Cornish Candy Shoppe. For arts and craft galleries that are designed for buying as much as browsing, check out Jo Downs Handmade Glass, Blue Harbour Gallery, Gallery 38, The Painted Bird, Sloop Studios and Barnoon Arts, just to name a few.
Cafes and Takeaways
As well as a selection of dine-in restaurants, there are some amazing independent cafes and coffee shops in St Ives. A favourite is Yallah Coffee, based on the harbour front with an understated entrance but a lovely seating area upstairs. They roast their own coffee and supply many of our favourite independents across Cornwall. Crowst and The Yellow Canary also come highly recommended, as well as Scoff Troff Cafe and Mount Zion Coffee. There really are so many to choose from, so even on a busy August day there should be plenty of choice.
For takeaway options, firstly we have to warn you about the seagulls! Be aware that they are notorious when it comes to stealing food, and have your wits about you if you plan to sit outside or take a picnic. Stoned Pizza and Hub Box (burgers) both do a take-away option for larger meals, or visit one of the pasty shops or delis for something simple to take away.
Museums and Galleries
For an artistic experience that’s more about learning than shopping, the famous example is of course TATE St Ives. One of the main exhibitions this summer is ‘Shelters for the Senses’ by Aleksandra Kasuba, described as;
‘seven decades of work, exploring Kasuba’s artistic journey, from her early paintings and mosaics to her later sculptures and architectural designs. Her love of the natural world is clear… inspired by the shapes and forms of nature, such as shells, rocks, vegetation and marine life.’
Linked with the TATE is the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, giving visitors a first-hand insight into her home and studio, as well as closeup viewing of the art she made during her career in St Ives.
Highly-Rated Restaurants
If you’re stopping for a sit-down leisurely lunch, or extending your day trip into the evening, you’re spoilt for choice with a range of restaurants to rival Falmouth’s (sshh!)
Mentioned in the Michelin Guide, ARDOR is inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean. serving pintxos and tapas incorporating the freshest Cornish seafood and dry-aged cuts, often cooked over charcoal. Booking ahead is recommended!
The Razor Clam is actually predominantly Italian, as well as being enthusiastic about their seafood, with an incredible array of dishes including curries, chowders, salads and pastas, as well as vegetarian options.
Silco is a highly-recommended bar and restaurant where drinks are as important as food! They say that ‘nothing is rushed and everything is made from scratch.’ They have a strong ethical promise, using local ingredients that are free range and ‘sourced from suppliers we know and trust – fresh-caught fish from the sea outside our window, meats from nearby farms, seasonal veg that grows here in the UK.’
For something with a little spice, TALAY Thai Kitchen is beautifully situated overlooking the harbour. You may have to wait for a table at peak times, but the food is worth it – authentic thai and if you’re relaxing early after a long day of exploring, Happy Hour for cocktails is everyday between 3pm-5pm in their lounge area!
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