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

Original poster

St Ives - what to do with a 20mo? Restaurant tips?

16 replies

oysterpots · 15/04/2009 13:08

We're off to the seaside on Saturday, coming home Wednesday, staying right in the heart of St Ives.

CAn anyone recommend things to do, particularly toddler-friendly places, cafes etc.

We definitely already have Barbara Hepworth's studio and the Tate on our list

OP posts:
JRocks · 15/04/2009 13:21

The learner pool at the leisure centre is lovely - warm and clean. One of the bars along the seafront was doing a free child meal with an adult meal at one point, not sure if that's still on. Think it may have been The Hub.

Do you want to stay put in St Ives or are you going to be getting about by car a bit?

Original poster
oysterpots · 15/04/2009 13:23

A bit of both, I think. Have had a recommendation that the Godrevy Cafe is good.

DS will prob only tolerate half an hour journeys at a time

Pool could be good...

OP posts:
wingandprayer · 15/04/2009 13:25

Tate's cafe is very child friendly. Would also recommend the fish restuarant on the harbour front, can't remember the name but it's on the corner opposite the life boat station. It's won loads of awards and looks quite posh but the food's great, the kid's menu is too, and when we were in there everyone had a child under 3 and they didn't bat an eyelid about breastfeeding in there either.

I love St Ives

Original poster
oysterpots · 15/04/2009 15:23

Brilliant, that sounds like a good tip, thanks.

Any other must-sees?

OP posts:
countesscaloriecounter · 15/04/2009 15:34

Oh I love St Ives. I am very .

JRocks · 15/04/2009 18:11

The Godrevy cafe is good, it's very small though and you have to use the National Trust car park. Next door to that is the Sandsifter which has a nice outdoor seating area. The Water Mill at Lelant is quite nice and low key if you want a pub lunch.

There's Paradise Park at Hayle, which has an indoor soft play area as well as the animals etc. Work getting a copy of the West Briton, as there's often vouchers for discounted entry to various tourist attractions. Or check out the website here

MadamDeathstare · 15/04/2009 18:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThingOne · 15/04/2009 18:36

Do you mean the Lappa Valley railway? Great for small children.

I haven't been to St Ives for a couple of years but I like the Portminster cafe which is on the beach and the Seafood Cafe on Fore Street. These can be a bit slow for older children but should still be fine with a 20 month old.

I've never encountered anywhere there that couldn't cater well for children so it's really just a matter of choice, and what your child will eat.

Beware the seagulls if you picnic on the beach. There are signs. They're there for a good reason.

Barbara Hepworth and Tate are great. View from Tate cafe is fantastic.

spula · 15/04/2009 18:39

Go to Sennen Cove - about 20 mins ish along the coast road. Beautiful beach, fab cafe, and often the sun shines even when the weather folk say it will rain Get there early for good parking spot though!

slipperandpjsmum · 15/04/2009 19:11

Oh you are going to my favourite place on earth!! So jealous! The Beach restaurant on the harbour front is great, if you go around 5pmish you will probobly get a window table and its a good time for the kids to eat. The Mermaid Fish restaurant on Fish Street is also well worth a visit. For toddlers you can't beat getting on the sand with a bucket and spade. Porthgwidden beach is one of the smaller beaches so more child friendly than some of the larger ones eg Porthmister which is the other side of the Island. Although if you are keen on surfing the beach is great. As ThingOne mentioned seagulls are a real hazard and eating ice creams or fish and chips on the harbour is a first come first served battle between you and the birds. Their dive bombing technique from behind is truly amazing and they are particularly skillful at targeting small children. You will have a wonderful time! It was in the top ten holiday destinations in the world in a survey last year - beat Disneyland!!

MadamDeathstare · 15/04/2009 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JRocks · 16/04/2009 13:27

Lappa Valley iss very sweet but is near Newquay, so quite a drive from St Ives

Original poster
oysterpots · 16/04/2009 17:09

Fantastic! Thanks for all those great tips. I can't wait.

I'll send you all a postcard

OP posts:
wingandprayer · 17/04/2009 10:33

Paradise Park is the touristy place our kids enjoyed the most but I can't remember how far it is from St Ives to be honest. However they have plenty of interaction with the animals - e.g. you can buy cups of nectar and feed the lorrikeets, and can help with feeding the penguins. Was really lovely for my 4yo DD.

Kids also loved Dairy World but that a bit of a hack from St Ives, it's a bit tatty and the food's rubbish so take a picnic, but they had a great time bottle feeding calves etc. Would avoid Miniatura Park twas utter rubbish. Newquay Zoo really good if you're up to the drive.

JRocks · 17/04/2009 16:41

Miniature Park has closed down now, so I think people may have shared your opinion!

Paradise Park is not too far from St Ives, can't imagine it would take much more than 20 mins to be honest although the St Ives road is shocking for traffic. It adds so much more time to any journey, which is mainly why we avoid it at peak season sadly. Although there's the small FGW railway line that connects to St Erth and other places in between that could be handy.

beccaG · 19/05/2009 11:23

Can anyone recommend any places to go with a toddler 13 months and a dog king charles. We off to st ives in june, just trying to plan places to go

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