Just coming back to this thread, thanks for all the suggestions. For those mentioning Absersoch, Criccieth, I've never been but do know someone who has a holiday home in Abersoch (I know, I know), so I get to hear about things like not beinb able to get in restaurants etc. Not for me, thanks. What I love about St Ives is that there are so many different absolutely lovely restaurants that If you're there for a week it's hard to choose which ones to leave out! Lots of lovely memories of things like running out of the Lifeboat Inn to see the seal that was drawing the crowds just across the path at high tide when the sea was right up against the harbour wall....Ah, I love it so much.....lucky people who live there.....
I'm not a huge fan of N Wales to be honest. Places like Pwheli etc aren't really for me. Not really a fan of things like chain coffee shops, I prefer independents in seaside town. ANd not bothered about smallish funfairs with kids mid-late teens. Anglesey is ok. Haven't been for years since I was little myself. Scenery not quite as spectacular as Cornwall or Devon, I don't think?
Now Tenby is a thought, and Pembrokeshire generally. We used to go there mid-teens and enjoyed the walks. Does it have as many nice eating places as St Ives though? It also a bit of a bugger to get to actually from Liverpool where I am. Guess that's why we've always considered if we have to drive nearly 5 hours to get to it we may as well go to Devon or somewhere instead.
I love South Devon, @LazyDoll. South Hams are bloody gorgeous. NOt been for a number of years so that's a good call actually. I looked at Salcombe holiday homes a year or two back and they were really expensive at the time, I was a bit shocked! I thought they'd be cheaper than St Ives, but wasn't the case at all. Was thiking possibly Darthmouth too. Been on a couple of day trips there while on holiday in S Devon.
Staithes, Whitby, both places I would like to visit but yes, not sure about the location in the north, and temperatures, and the smaller choice of places to eat......I will consider them, though, thanks.
@Flamingolingo, I agree with everything you say. I am comparing every other place to St Ives and I need to stop as i'm not sure there IS anywhere else like it. Re: eating out, I am not a huge foodie - we hardly ever go out at home cos of the cost, but Liverpool has some lovely places to eat so I would want more than pub grub. The best part of being on holiday is justifying going out to eat more, and daily ice creams of course! So yes, nice restaurants and a good choice of them is definitely a priority for us all. And St Ives definitely has that.
@DenimDrift: er, thanks for the input! 
I did actually refer to it as fantasy holiday shopping. I have no desire to rush off anywhere until everywhere is totally back to normal, and to contribute to the local tourist economy without the threat of spreading the virus or putting a strain on the local health resources. I'm sure tourist towns might be happy for tourists to come back eventually when it's safe to do so and spend their money there.
I don't know much at all about Southwold so will have a good google. Thanks for that suggestion.
Ah, Lyme Regis, I was wondering about that! Never been to that area, I think my sons may like the Jurassic Coast. Will google more, thanks.
I wonder if holidays in Britain will become more popular again? Don't think the aviation industry will be back to normal any time soon and I reckon holidays abroad are going to become very expensive again.
I would go on hol here every year if I could guarantee the weather. We have spent a lot of money on nice holiday accommodation in Devon & Cornwall before in expensive places like St Ives and then it's rained most of the week and we've felt we haven't been able to enjoy things like beach bars etc. And everything looks a bit rubbish in the rain, doesn't it?