Explore St Ives from Day Dawn

St Ives, Cornwall offers the best of all worlds for holiday makers - surrounded by beautiful Blue Flag beaches, but also a lively and thriving harbour town. From independent shops and cafés to artists’ studios, galleries and excellent restaurants, St Ives offers something special in every season and for every age.

Despite its popularity, St Ives still retains the charm of a traditional fishing village, with boats bobbing in the harbour and winding cobbled streets. Best of all, everything is easily walkable from Day Dawn.

St Ives, Cornwall is famous around the world for its amazing beauty and special light, hence the number of artists and writers that have always been drawn here. Not only that, but it benefits from the warmth of the gulf stream giving it a mild sub tropical climate. 

Go on a boat trip to seal island, visit Tate St Ives, the Leach Pottery or Barbara Hepworth Museum, go for a surf or a paddle board, walk along the coast path and get the beautiful branch line back, go crabbing and maybe see the seals and dolphins that regularly visit, or simply lounge on the golden sand and build sand castles!

Beaches & Coastal Walks in St Ives

There are 7 beaches in St Ives, 3 of which are Blue Flag. All are walkable from Day Dawn.

Porthmeor beach - just a short walk from Day Dawn -  is an amazing, award-winning sandy beach. Perfect beach for surfing and water sports as well as swimming and family fun. 2 gorgeous cafes and surf hire and lessons.

Porthminster Beach - Beautiful beach which is calmer and more sheltered than Porthmeor. 2 cafes, shop, equipment hire and summer activities. 

Harbour Beach - At the heart of St Ives. Still a working harbour but great for a paddle and an ice cream and some serious people watching. 

Porthgwiden Beach - Lovely, sheltered sandy cove with beach huts and cafe. Family favourite.

Bamaluz - Small beach between harbour and Porthgwidden. Great for rock pooling and dog friendly all year. 

Lambeth Walk - Small, tidal beach in centre of St Ives between harbour and Porthminster. Dog friendly all year. 

Carbis Bay - This a stunning mile long beach about 1 mile from centre of St Ives with restaurants and equipment hire. 25 min scenic walk along the South West Coast Path from Porthminster Beach or get the scenic train from St Ives Station.

If activities are your thing there are surf lessons at the wonderful St Ives Surf School on the beach, or for something more challenging there are plenty of adrenaline sports available. On the other beaches in St Ives - Harbour Beach and Porthminster Beach - stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing. 

For walking there is the beautiful South West Coast Path which passes just in front of the house. Walk to Zennor for lunch - tough but absolutely beautiful sea views.

Or do a circuit of  The Island (so called by locals), at the far end of Porthmeor Beach and visit the lovely chapel at the top for stunning views of the ocean.

Food, Festivals and Culture in St Ives

There is year round cultural interest in St Ives.  Visit Tate St Ives, the Leach Pottery or Barbara Hepworth Museum and there are many smaller galleries and workshops around the town. 

Even out of season St Ives is buzzing. The St Ives Food Festival takes place on Porthminster Beach in May with loads of local produce and cookery demos etc. The 'St Ives September Festival' now attracts visitors from around the world and St Ives New Year is famous for the amazing fancy dress and fireworks on the beach.

There are many restaurants, take-aways and private dining options to suit all tastes and budgets and we will give you our personal recommendations. 

Explore Cornwall

Then for day trips around beautiful Cornwall you are spoilt for choice.  From the Eden Project to the brilliant, award winning National Maritime Museum (and a sneaky trip to Rick Stein's fish and chips opposite). Or Lands End for a cheesy photo with the signpost pointing to America, or the enchanting St Michael's Mount is only 10 minutes drive away. If you're here for a bit longer you could even do a day trip to the amazing Scilly Isles (the planes and boat leave from nearby - a real adventure!) and there are many more which we can help you with.

Day Dawn is ideally placed for all these things, and once here you can easily walk anywhere in St Ives. We will give you a book full of our recommendations and insider tips on everything from restaurants, private caterers and beaches to things to do come rain or shine. We can advise you on the most suitable restaurants - maybe an award winning burger with the kids at Blas, or dinner on the beach in one or our 3 award winning beach cafes. We can also help you with babysitters and shopping etc

But if you just can't face any of it then why not pop the cork on the bottle of Cornwall's finest sparkling wine and lie back and watch the ocean!