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?

Lol I know exactly what you mean — we always used to go to St Ives as well and it’s hard to find somewhere with that same mix of beaches, shops and nice places to eat.
You might like Tenby — it’s got really pretty beaches, a lovely little town feel, and plenty of restaurants, but feels a bit closer and easier from the Midlands.
Weymouth is another good shout — sandy beach, lots going on, and quite family-friendly.
If you don’t mind somewhere slightly smaller, I’ve heard really nice things about Southwold too — more relaxed but still has that classic seaside charm.
That said, I do think St Ives is hard to beat — we always end up comparing everywhere else to it! 😄

Another vote for North Norfolk, inland Holt is lovely and then loads of beaches and places to day trip to. There’s a strong arts and culture scene and lots of great food options in the area too.

Rye and surrounding areas in East Sussex also a good option, with Camber Sands nearby.

Thanks everyone, we’ve booked Tenby!

Please do return to the thread op and let us know how you get on in Tenby.

I’ve never found anywhere quite like St Ives. Salcombe has all of the lovely shops and restaurants and sea views, but I don’t find the beaches as nice or as easily accessible.

Agree with others about Tenby or Mumbles.

Sorry just saw you have booked Tenby! Enjoy!

I find the Central Line at rush hour gives you the cosy intimate feel of those little St Ives lanes in August.

Beaumaris, Anglesey, you'd have to travel a little for a sandy beach but there are plenty of them on the island.

Why is this so true 🤣

There is a gorgeous beach for a day out from Tenby called Stackpool.

It’s Stackpole. There is the most amazing walk from there to barafundle bay, then to Freshwater east onto Bosherston lily ponds ending back up at Stackpole for tea and cake in the little tea shop there.

Broadhaven South not Freshwater sorry.

following with interest. Also live in the midlands and we love Cornwall holidays but it's such a trek with 2 very young ones. Ours are 4 and 1 this year and it's a good days travel. We did Newquay last year and it was great. Done lots of places in Cornwall and also Devon.
would love somewhere just as nice but closer. We've tried Norfolk and it's just not the same, it's more trashy seaside town and amusements.

Also been to Tenby lots and it's great there x

Woolacombe is lovely but the journey from the M5 can be slow - we might as well have carried on to Cornwall!

Will do! We’re booked for August so it’ll be a little while 🙂

Love St Ives. Go there every October. We've been to most of the places on the thread and I'm afraid they don't come close. We live in the North and go to Robin Hood's Bay for a min-break every year in the summer. It's not the same; much smaller and less built-up, however it has a similar vibe. We stay in the campsite across the fields and walk through the woods to the beach. If the weather is nice it honestly feels like nothing has changed there for the last 100 years. We walk along to cliffs for coffee at Boggle Hole, walk back along the beach, walk up the hill looking in shops and have fish and chips in the chippy at the top while the kids play in the park. It is absolutely gorgeous and alongside St Ives one of our family's magical places. I think it is more weather dependent than St Ives though as there isn't as much there. We only live an hour away so tend to go for a couple of nights when the weather is good. There a lovely cafe in the woods at Janet's Foss/Midge Hall. Whitby is nice--but much busier and a different vibe. We might go for a mooch around the shops on the old side of the river. Northumberland is different but also stunning. Love the area around Bamburgh, but you will be in the car driving more.

Not on the coast but we had a wonderful mini-break at Grassington in the Dales. Beautiful town. load of lovely walks and right on the River Wharf so there are loads of swimming spots. That felt very special too

I’m down here now ( well Saundersfoot) it’s glorious, if a bit busy. When you’re here is there are restaurants you like the look of I’d book them. They’ve just opened a new lounge bar on south beach which will be popular.

Tenby & Saundersfoot in South Wales.

Useful thread as I've been wondering the same recently. We're already doing our annual pilgrimage to St Ives but looking for somewhere else too. I've been to lots of the places on this thread, some really lovely ones mentioned but not in any way close to the vibe of St Ives.

Love Croyde, we camp there but it's on a much smaller scale so not as much choice for eating out though the pubs that are there are lovely. Also really like Southwold and that might be an option for us this year.

Glad to hear you've booked Tenby, OP, we really enjoyed it there, though it was out of season so I'd be interested to hear what it's like in the summer. It's not as nice as St Ives, but where is!

Jaywick, in Essex? Are you having a laugh? My ex best friend lives there.

😄 you're kidding right?!

Stumbled upon this thread after posting something very similar. Read through to see where you chose and noted it’s Tenby which is where I live 😂

Tenby is lovely, there are loads of pubs which play live music, plenty of places to eat and quite a bit to do even if you stay in Tenby itself. Tap and Tân is my favourite - simple but always delicious. Saundersfoot is near by and has lovely restaurants such as Catch beach club and Lan y Mor. Freshwater East is a lovely beach and just further along are the bosherston Lilly ponds which is such a lovely walk and they have a new cafe by the car park which I recommend!

Now I’m back to the drawing board for where we go 😂