Where else is like St Ives, Cornwall?

[Pixilicious1]

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?

@RosesAndHellebores we stay here usually:
https://penricecastle.co.uk/

This thread has sent me down a rabbit hole.
Tenby and Pembrokeshire look gorgeous. How is the weather there?

Falmouth definitely!

From the Midlands - Wells Next the Sea in North Norfolk. A very easy drive. Gorgeous beaches. Nice pubs and restaurants m. Plenty of villages to explore and nice little shops.

We went to Camarthenshire last year, and loved it. Pembrey is a glorious beach for walking. We stayed at the Dylan Coastal resort, and went to Tenby and Saundersfoot as well as lots of castles/National Trust in the area. St Ives is pretty unique but we only ever go in March/April when it's not too overcrowded. It would be my idea of hell in summer.

The last time we went, it rained so much that my trousers actually fell apart on a walk

Looe!

Isle of Purbeck / Swanage in Dorset
Or Tenby

The town of Cardigan on the Pembs/Cardigan border is lovely.

Looks like Tenby could be a winner! Thanks all

Lol, I know. It's such a shame. I live very near and just don't go there.
Offspring worked there for a summer once and the entitlement of visitors was laughable.
All those particularly moneyed people in one place absolutely revolting behaviour.

She did say if I can work there customer facing I could work anywhere!

I've many a story.

Total Fast Show posh mother types for one.
People expecting to be served in shops like they're in Mayfair.
I'm talking expecting you to follow them around and place things in a basket for them, because their hands don't work.

Definitely need a sense of humour.

Tenby and Saundersfoot are both stunning, we also like Wells next the sea in Norfolk, much closer than Cornwall

I haven't been to st Ives sorry, but we went to Barmouth the other year. It is lovely. It was amazing weather and spent a lot of time in the sea.
Has a bit of everything including gorgeous scenery and you can hire bikes up the estuary to dolgellau. We're going back soon.

these look amazing. and the beach nominated for best beach in the world! wow

I love north Norfolk. It’s much closer to the Midlands. The beaches there are amazing, I especially like the beach at Brancaster. North Norfolk is known for being a foodie area, with lots of nice restaurants and pubs.

I like Looe and Lyme Regis. Both small than St Ives but very pretty.

We struggled to get somewhere to eat there. I think we went at a busy time.

Interested in this too.

We have done the below but St Ives is the best

Tenby - most similar
Mumbles - beautiful beaches & I like being close to shops/eateries
Salcombe - overrated & too many Hooray Henry’s
Southwold - not enough there
Broadstairs - I like it but not like St Ives, more old fashioned
Whitby - liked it, very busy but doesn’t have the weather
Woolacombe - not enough there
West Wittering - nothing there but love a day trip

St Ives is much more cosmopolitan than the other places & seems like more of a holiday destination if that makes sense.

We had beautiful weather on both occasions, just got lucky

I like the area north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Not beachy but Alnwick is beautiful

Fowey is probably the closest place to St Ives though it's smaller. There are other places very close by- Polperro, Looe, Mevagissey that you could visit.

Within walking distance along the beach is East Wittering. It has loads of shops, bars and cafes.

Praa Sands in Cornwall is lovely, and not as crazy-busy as St Ives.

I love the Witterings but beach to beach is at least a 40 min walk & the cafe, restaurant offer is nothing like St Ives.

If you like the feel of St Ives but want something a bit closer to the Midlands, I’d probably look at places along the south coast rather than going all the way down to Cornwall again.
Personally, I’ve always found Whitby to be a nice alternative—it’s got a proper seaside feel, decent beaches, plenty of little shops and cafés, and a bit of character with the harbour and abbey. It’s not quite as “polished” as St Ives, but that’s part of the charm. Another one worth considering is Tenby, which has those colourful houses and a lovely beach, plus enough restaurants and shops to keep you busy without feeling too hectic.
If you want something a bit more lively, Bournemouth is quite easy to get to and has a long sandy beach and lots going on, though it’s more of a traditional resort feel. Or for something slightly quieter but still pretty, Southwold is really lovely, with a nice high street and a good mix of places to eat.
None of them are exactly the same as St Ives, but they all give you that mix of beach, shops and somewhere pleasant to wander, without quite the same travel time.