On Your Doorstep
One of the main attractions to holiday makers is the surfing and surf school at Porthmeor beach, where you can take surfing lessons, hire wet suits and boards (https://www.stivessurfschool.co.uk).
This is just one of the many activities available in St Ives. In the harbour you will find high speed boats taking you on a ‘Sea Safari’ and charter boats for sea fishing (https://bluethunderribs.co.uk). If a more gentle pace is your thing then there are plenty of boats to take you on a trip around the bay, one of which is the dog friendly Dolly-P Boat trips(https://stivesboats.co.uk) Paddle boarding and sailing are also very popular.
We are lucky to have both The Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth museum on our doorstep, well worth a visit. You will discover numerous art galleries and workshops where adults and children can learn to paint (https://www.schoolofpainting.co.uk). There are also workshops for making jewellery [https://www.stivesjewellerystudio.co.uk], or visit [https://www.leachpottery.com] to book a course in pottery. For those with a sweet tooth there is a brand new Coco Kitchen in the heart of St Ives (https://ishouldcoco.co.uk) for lessons in chocolate making.
For plenty of ideas for child friendly activities in and around St Ives please visit (https://www.dayoutwoththekids/things-to-do/south-west/cornwall/st-Ives?page=2)
Be sure to book in advance for these activities, and visit https://visitcornwall.com or www.onestives.co.uk for events and live music.
All this along with its excellent restaurants, beach cafes, pubs, bars and clubs, quaint cottages, cobbled streets, coastal walks and six beaches, make St Ives the premier destination in Cornwall.
Further afield
A short drive will take you to the south coast of Cornwall and the pretty villages of Marazion, with the remarkable St Michaels Mount, the ancient harbour at Mousehole, where you can treat yourself to a spectacular view and an afternoon tea at the Rock Pool Café, www.rockpoolmousehole.co.uk
Newlyn, with its colourful port and fresh sea food market is also an interesting place to stop. The Newlyn Art gallery has a free entrance and there are several small independent galleries with a cross section of contemporary Cornish artists. The Tolcarne Inn’ and ‘Mackerel Sky’, serve wonderful fish dishes. Or for lunch on the go, try the legendary, Aunty May’s Pasty Company. Newlyn also has an excellent cinema, a former fish warehouse transformed into a beautiful art house venue, with its own bar and restaurant. (https://newlynfilmhouse.com). Supposedly the best ice cream in the whole of Cornwall ‘Jelberts’ can also be found in this area.
Lands End is only 16 miles away and the amazing cliff top out door ‘Minack Theatre’ (https://www.minack.com/) is well worth a visit for either a show or a tour.
Further afield are the ‘Eden Project’ https://www.edenproject.com about a 60 minute drive, dog friendly and fascinating Trebah Gardens is a must! www.trebahgarden.co.uk Falmouth, with its ferry to the villages of Flushing and St Mawes and the Georgian town of Truro, are all under an hours drive.
There are many beautiful gardens to visit in Cornwall, with plants you will only find in this county, as well as hedgerows full of wild flowers. My favourite is the fascinating Trebah Gardens www.trebahgarden.co.uk Set near the atmospheric area of the Helston passage with wooded hills and lonely creeks this makes a lovely day out.
If you are feeling more adventurous you can have a day trip to the Scilly isles, by taking a fifteen minute helicopter flight or a more leisurely boat ride on the Scillonian Ferry. These are both found in Penzance, (https://penzanceheliport.co.uk) and (https://www.isleofscilly-travel.co.uk).
It is important to remember that these and many more attractions are very popular and we would advise that they are booked in advance of your holiday!