St Ives

[Sparklyring]

We're off to Cornwall in October, staying in St Ives though it's not booked yet. Looking for recommendations for things to do, things to see, places to eat. TIA

I'd check the seasonal opening dates of a lot of the things recommended above, we went in March last year and a lot of the NT places weren't open or the main tourist places.

St Ives is a gorgeous place and we loved it there. I would recommend Una St Ives as somewhere to stay, there is a lovely restaurant and leisure complex on site and you can walk to Carbis Bay from there.

For the PPs recommending the Park and Ride at Lelant, I believe this is now closed. The Park and Ride (the ride bit is a fabulously scenic train) is now from the new car park at St Erth.

I went to st. Ives once. Was about to nite into my ice cream and a seagull came and took it from me. That's my memory of St. Ives.

We had a lovely meal at a restaurant and wine bar called Scarlet’s in Lelant. Would recommend.

Beware! The seagulls steal your ice cream. I've never seen such cheeky seagulls anywhere else.

There's a Pizza Express on the seafront, which is a novelty. It is full of screaming children.

Go surfing at Sennen. There are 2 or more good surf schools
Mousehole is a pleasant place.
The ice cream from Zennor is amazing.

@Binkybix depends on the kids but the walk over the fields is ok, especially if you take snacks and drinks for along the way - its about 9km and lots of stiles but mostly just country footpath, no rocks etc..the coastal walk is much tougher and I agree, I wouldn't take young kids on it

Most things in St Ives itself are open year round, but when you go out to other stuff then yes, check for seasonal opening! Agree that the Maritime Museum in Falmouth is good for a day out if you are struggling with bad weather and kids (though mine, now that they area bit older, tend to get in their wetsuit and head for the sea in all but the worst weather while I stay in by the fire!

The Seal Sanctuary is nice with children.

Lots of National Trust so great if you have membership as that can occupy without too much cost.

Whatever you do, do not try to eat whilst walking in St Ives - seagulls down there are particularly vicious at stealing food (too many people have fed them over the years). They are all over the place, but locals know St Ives are the worst - just be conscious of food on the beach/walking with ice creams/trying to eat outside.

Have a lovely time.

@Dazzalm
Are you sure? Lelant Saltings, not Lelant?
It still seemed to be open in April.
I thought they would want to discourage day trippers from parking in the mainline car park.

@SunsetBunny - it changed from 1st June I believe (I don't live down there any more, but follow various pages on social media).

greatscenicrailways.co.uk/lines/st-ives-bay-line/

My understanding is that they are building houses on the land at Lelant Saltings and have therefore enlarged the car park at St Erth accordingly.

We stayed at Ayr caravan park which has a hotel next door with a pool you can use and a snack bar etc. It was a lovely spot and you can park right beside your caravan. There's a bus that goes up and down the hill to the beach.
Other family members were in a cottage and were jealous of our accommodation which was about half the price!

I got so excited when I saw this thread, I live in the other St. Ives..

Bedruthan Steps. Well worth seeing!

For anyone interested Kynance Cove was on the front cover of the Times today, for 50 best beaches in the UK.

Mind you only 3 beaches in Cornwall - Kynance, Sennen and one in Newquay I think. no Porthcurno, no Trebarwith Strand, and no St Ives beaches.

For anyone interested Kynance Cove was on the front cover of the Times today, for 50 best beaches in the UK.

Why do the papers do this!! There’s more than enough people there already... they don’t need promoting!