St. Ives is a first class resort with safe, sandy beaches, beautiful scenery and a unique character which permeates the narrow, winding streets. At the heart of the town is the harbour, which has been a safe haven for fishermen and their boats for centuries. It is still the focal point of town, around which everything else has grown.
The town is quite hilly and has some cobbled streets, something to bear in mind for those with mobility problems.
Late in the nineteenth century, St. Ives acquired a growing artists' community attracted by the natural beauty and the exceptional clarity of the light and, to this day, there is a thriving artists' colony of international renown, with many studios and galleries open to the public. Many works by St. Ives artists can be seen in the St Ives Tate Gallery which overlooks Porthmeor beach and is easily reached from the park.
Today, the main attraction of St Ives is the golden sandy beaches which provide endless fun for children and safe bathing for all the family. There is, however, a great deal more for the discerning holidaymaker. All manner of water sports are available, plus horse riding, golf and fishing. The coastal footpath gives access to some superb cliff scenery, ideal for photographers, birdwatchers and ramblers.
We are within an easy car ride of Lands End, with its dramatic rocky coastline and the famous "signpost" indicating distances to destinations elsewhere in the world. Having visited Cornwall's most westerly point, why not visit the Lizard peninsula to stand on Cornwall's most southerly point? The Lizard offers some fantastic sections of coastal path, hidden gems, like Cadgwith and the famous Goonhilly dishes.
The western tip of Cornwall is also rich in archaeological sites like "Chysauster", a bronze-age village and many others. Penwith is very much the home to "ancient" Cornwall and is host to many legends and tales of ghosts, shipwrecks and the "fae" folk. Seeing this dramatic landscape for yourself, it is not hard to see how these tales were inspired.
West Cornwall has a great deal to offer all ages. The beautiful coastline will appeal to both young and old. Cornwall is well renowned for its surfing beaches, and is host to international surfing competitions and other water sports throughout the year.
The mild climate makes Cornwall's gardens and hedgerows a particular attraction, blossoming with beautiful and exotic plants long before the "up country" gardens have come to life. St. Ives is a place that offers you so much more than the average resort. Wildlife abounds all around West Cornwall, you can often see badgers, rabbits, foxes and a great variety of different birds.
There is a varied nightlife, from traditional Cornish pubs, lively nightclubs and discos to the more relaxed and romantic atmosphere of the many restaurants, with local sea food a speciality.
