St Ives early July - how busy?

[RosieLig]

Hi

We're thinking about St Ives next summer. As we're in Scotland our school breaks up the 5th July. Will it be a bit quieter those 2 weeks, before the English state schools break up?

Also, how dog friendly is it?

Thanks!

[clottedcreamteaplease]

it will be heaving! We are staying nearby and fancy going for the day but have been advised to catch a bus as you will be bumper to bumper for hours just trying to get into the place.

Although August if probably busier, July will be just as bad

[clottedcreamteaplease]

soz just seen that it will be before the England Schools break up so yes it will be busy but not as much as the end of the month

[austenozzy]

my wife is cornish so we're down there a lot. we popped in on a mid june weekday and had to do the park and ride from the big car park at the top of the hill. tried every car park and they were all chocker.

the bus was packed too so toddler plus buggy plus plus stuff was no fun and that was before we hit the shops!

my advice is to park at st erme and get the train along the coast. fab views and a bit of an adventure for the kids (and daddies)

[RosieLig]

Thanks! Having just read how dog unfriendly the place is, I'm have a rethink. Shame as it's beautiful.

[austenozzy]

Didn't spot the dog friendly thing. Yes, it's too busy for dogs, really. The best dog beach down the western end of Cornwall (my wife's family is in Truro & Falmouth, so I only really know the western end) is Perranporth. Massive beach, dogs allowed all year. The town is so-so, but you can zip across to Falmouth or Truro in 20/30 mins for all the same shops and more you'd find in St Ives, should you want to.

Another seaside fishing town a bit like a small St Ives is Mevagissey, that might be worth looking at. Fowey also good, but is also rammed in Summer. Ditto Padstow.

[austenozzy]

Mousehole is also good. I proposed to my wife there, so perhaps I should've thought of that a bit earlier!

[nennypops]

I've just had a fantastic week in St Ives. I noticed quite a few dogs around, but it does get very crowded during the day - the dog walkers seemed to be out early before it got busy. The great thing about it is that it's very child-friendly, with four good beaches all within walking distance, but there's also enough going on there to keep adults happy. The ideal is to get a cottage in the old town with its own parking space, but be aware that driving around is very slow. The best alternative is to leave the car in the park and ride at St Erth or Lelant Saltings and take the train down to the town - it's £2.50 a day, you can renew the parking by phone, and train services are two an hour with a lovely ride along the coastline.

[SDhopeful]

We have for many years stayed near St Ives, but it is so overcrowded that this year we haven't ventured into the town. Ridiculously congested