St Ives - the place to go if holidaying in the UK (St Ives (Cornwall))

Member Name: Crocquen

Product:	St Ives (Cornwall)
Date:	01/09/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fab place

Disadvantages: Seagulls

I have a visited St Ives a number of times of the last 20 years, and I can honestly say you just do not tire of the place. Each time you return the magic is still there. I always travel down by railway and as the train leaves Carbis Bay and you turn and head towards St Ives there's a wonderful sight of the harbour, beaches and sea.
Accommodation: This year (and last) I stayed in the Anchorage B&B which is in a really good location with the harbour, pubs, reastaurnats, shops etc just a stones throw away (and I can't throw stones that far!!!). The B&B itself is wonderful, full of olde worlde charm, but with modern convienances, and the host Chris is very welcoming.
Eating and drinking: There are so many nice pubs and restaurants in St Ives you feel spoilt for choice. There are also quite a few that do earlybird menus which are often good value compared to the prices they charge later, in particular the Mermaid was a yummy choice. For pub food the Sloop was nice and you can dwell in the history of the olde fisherman's pub. Obviously being in Cornwall you have to indulge in a cream tea and Olives would definetiely be the place for this indulgence!! As for drinking there are a few good "people watching" bars such as the Hub, but I think the best view is from the Harbour Pool Club where you can get a weeks' membership for about a fiver and have fab views of the beach and people having their ice creams stolen off them by the seagulls! (Oh yes beware the vicious Cornish seagulls - probably the only downside to St Ives). Another nice spot for a drink is the Lookout Bar near Porthminster beach.
Beaches: As soon as the sun comes out you'll be wanting to head to the beach and there are quite a few in St Ives. Portmeor's the one for the surfers with it's super waves. And Porthminster's always seemed a bit if a family beach, the beach is quite flat so little ones can paddle quite safely. My favourite is Portgwidden, a bit smaller than the others but if you can find a nice backrest on the rocks and a bit of shelter from any wind you're set up for the day. These three beaches all have cafes with takeaway facilitites, although if you're on Portgwidden beach it's worth walking up the slope to the newsagents for the best (and cheapest!) vanilla ice-cream - just watch the seagulls!

Summary: Just go!!!!!