Cottages in St Ives

St Ives in West Cornwall is one of our most popular holiday destinations and it is easy to see why. Here we have a large array of holiday cottages, available to book any time of year and suitable for any type of group. St Ives is a treasure trove of art galleries, independent eateries, glorious sunshine and lots of golden beaches, showing that despite this being just one town, it would be near impossible to run out of things to do here. Whether you want to bring your pup along and stay in one of our dog-friendly holiday lets, or you and some friends are looking for a much needed luxury retreat, we provide it all in stunning St Ives.  

Like most of Cornwall, many are drawn to St Ives because it is a beautiful coastal town, with arguably some of the clearest waters in the whole county. St Ives has not one, not two, but six beaches for you to explore, all of them equally lovely and unique in what they have to offer. The Harbour beach is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, but it is also where you’ll see fishing boats offloading their catch throughout the day and where you can catch a boat to the famous Godrevy Lighthouse, which is where Virginia Woolf took inspiration for her namesake novel ‘To The Lighthouse’. Porthminster beach also has fantastic views of the lighthouse and has very calm waters and sandy shores, making it the perfect spot to relax and unwind on a deckchair and take in the sea air. 

Lambeth Walk and Bamaluz beaches are notable for dog owners, as these are the only beaches in St Ives that are dog-friendly all year round. Porthgwidden Beach is one of St Ives’ smallest beaches, but one of the sunniest. The east-facing beach is amazing in the summertime, when it becomes something of a sun trap and its golden sands are perfect for a spot of sunbathing. For those who prefer a more active day out, Porthgwidden is also a prime spot for surfing.  

Finally, Porthmeor beach is another spot great for surfing and even has its own surf school, perfect for kids and first timers! The beach is also nestled below one of St Ives’ most iconic attractions, the art gallery Tate St Ives. Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are two of the town’s most notable galleries and play tribute to the many artists, including Hepworth, who have called St Ives home and have been inspired by its beautiful surroundings. Both are well worth a visit and have great facilities and seasonal exhibitions that are bound to delight.  

We also highly recommend a trip to nearby Carbis Bay, which is just one mile north of St Ives and is perfect for families with young children as there is hardly any surf here. We also have a range of pet-friendly and family-friendly cottages here for those who are seeking somewhere close to St Ives but a little less busy. For food, check out Ugly Butterfly, a local restaurant with amazing panoramic views of the bay and a fabulous, carefully curated menu of British cuisine. 

There is so much to see and do in St Ives that we simply cannot cover it all, but we guarantee that a trip to one of our properties here will make you never want to leave this corner of Cornwall. To read more about what the region has to offer, head to our Cornwall travel guide and start planning your St Ives escape today.