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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Where else is like St Ives, Cornwall?

96 replies

Pixilicious1 · 14/02/2026 14:44

Hi! We usually go on holiday to St Ives but would like to try some where else. we like the beaches, that’s there are lots of shops and plenty of restaurants to choose from.
we live in the Midlands and ideally would like somewhere closer.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Lighterandbrighter · 14/02/2026 16:11

The Mumbles near Swansea has a similar vibe and the beaches nearby are stunning. Especially on the Gower.

justtheotheronemrswembley · 14/02/2026 16:15

A different vibe (and it is the North Sea so it can be a darn sight colder), but how about Whitby / Staithes / Robin Hood's Bay? They are all quite close together on the North Yorkshire coast and would be a shorter journey from the Midlands than Cornwall.

Shouldbedoing · 14/02/2026 16:17

Saundersfoot near Tenby has a nice feel and the area is beautiful

Heatedrival · 14/02/2026 16:18

West Wittering.

mamaduckbone · 14/02/2026 16:19

St Davids in Pembrokeshire might tick your boxes.

GretaGip · 14/02/2026 16:19

Jaywick is lovely for a few days.

Quite a similar vibe.

Squirrelchops1 · 14/02/2026 16:27

GretaGip · 14/02/2026 16:19

Jaywick is lovely for a few days.

Quite a similar vibe.

You are naughty

GrethaGreen · 14/02/2026 16:29

Salcombe in Devon is nice.

stargirl1701 · 14/02/2026 16:50

North Berwick?

3horseshoes · 14/02/2026 16:55

Padstow if you love Cornwall. Beaches within walking distance, plenty of great restaurants (including Paul Ainsworth's fab pub The Mariners just a ferry ride over to Rock), lovely shops etc

Happymchappyface · 14/02/2026 16:56

St Ives Cambridgeshire?

Seriously it’s nothing like the Cornish one but much closer to the midlands, lots of things to do in the surrounding area as well as Cambridge itself. A lot less busy in the summer… missing the beach though there is a river.

PrincessofWells · 14/02/2026 17:28

Falmouth ticks those boxes. Outside of Cornwall, Brixham or Dartmouth are similar. Yarmouth IoW is fabulous if you like the yachty vibe.

fruitypancake · 14/02/2026 17:52

Croyde bay or woolacombe in N Devon

ladygindiva · 14/02/2026 21:09

GretaGip · 14/02/2026 16:19

Jaywick is lovely for a few days.

Quite a similar vibe.

🤣

badgersbadgerseverywhere · 14/02/2026 22:34

Teignmouth and Dawlish in Devon are lovely seaside towns.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/02/2026 22:41

Whitby

Pepperedpickles · 14/02/2026 23:57

Southwold, Suffolk.

Pryceosh1987 · 15/02/2026 00:25

Brighton.

whatisforteamum · 15/02/2026 05:33

I need to go to Salcombe.
St Ives is lovely so is Tenb y been going there over 50 yrs .
Clean beaches stunning coastal drive where we pop down to St David's,Bosherton Lily pads,st Florence.There is even a place called the blue lagoon there and I can't think of the real name.

Motheroftheb · 15/02/2026 05:45

fruitypancake · 14/02/2026 17:52

Croyde bay or woolacombe in N Devon

These have lovely beaches but not much else, especially Croyde?

LucyLoo1972 · 15/02/2026 06:16

Pepperedpickles · 14/02/2026 23:57

Southwold, Suffolk.

southwold is amazing

Rayqueen2026 · 15/02/2026 07:07

Northumberland great coast, beaches, castles, restaurants, littlte shops etc Seahouses,Bamburgh areas...then you have Berwick-upon-Tweed up the road again beautiful beaches, walks, eating places

Allice · 15/02/2026 07:37

GretaGip · 14/02/2026 16:19

Jaywick is lovely for a few days.

Quite a similar vibe.

😂

SellFridges · 15/02/2026 07:38

St David’s is nothing like St Ives. Beaches are not walkable, there are about 5 places to eat, and very few shops or anything else even in the vicinity. Beautiful place, decent holiday destination, absolutely not comparable to St Ives.

I’m watching with interest. We go to Cornwall every year but would like other UK options with similar amenities. I’ve not found anywhere yet, and because we come from the Midlands if we go to Devon, we may as well just go to Cornwall 🤷‍♀️

PrincessofWells · 15/02/2026 07:46

Fowey is small but perfectly formed- I used to take my yacht in there.