Picturesque village with fisherman cottages is ‘second best in Britain’

A Cornish town with a quartet of beaches is as perfect in the autumn months as it is in the summer. The golden glow of the changing season in St Ives is perfect for cosy nights in coastal taverns and long walks on windy days.

Streets lined with whitewashed fisherman cottages lead to independent shops and buzzing bars and art galleries, perfectly pitching the old against the new. Cobbled streets, traditional fish and chip shops and revitalising walks on coastal paths await at any time of year.

According to the OLGB’s Holiday Entertainment Index, the pretty cornish town is the second highest rated for families looking for a seaside staycation. One of the many reasons for this could well be the unusually warm climate that delivers some of the mildest winters and warmest summers in Britain and Northern Europe.

According to the survey it also has low annual rainfall of just 673mm and very few average rainy days per year at just 97, making it an excellent choice for shoulder season getaways. 

Beaten only by the Welsh town of Tenby which took first place in the survey, St Ives is a picturesque harbour town that will wrap you up a warm autumn glow. 

Most of the visitors to this quiet corner of the world come to soak up the sun and sand. With a rather wonderful choice of four separate beaches all a stone’s throw from the town, there is something to suit everyone. 

According to the St Ives tourist website, each beach has its very own personality:

Porthmeor Beach

Porthmeor Beach is a sweep of sand between rocky headlands, overlooked by Tate St Ives, Porthmeor is home to a fantastic café, takeaway and bakery. Here you can learn to surf, explore the rockpools or simply just lie on the sand.

Porthgwidden Beach

Porthgwidden Beach is a sandy cove tucked under The Island, lined with beach huts, and home to an inviting café. Lovely all year round, it has a particularly special, wilder appeal in the winter when well-behaved dogs are allowed to play.

Porthminster Beach

Porthminster Beach is the ideal family beach. When the tide is low, the shallow waters are perfect for paddling, and there’s lots of sand for digging, building and ball games. There are also places to eat and drink nearby.

Harbour Beach

Harbour Beach is closest to the town. At low tide, you can jump over the rows of ropes and search for sea glass on the town’s central beach. Grab an ice cream or fish and chips and lean against the wall for the nicest al fresco meal beside the seaside.

It’s not just the incredible coastline that makes St Ives a worthy destination in the autumn months. The town is also home to the Tate St Ives Gallery with a wealth of modern art and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden housing the former resident and artist’s iconic sculptures.

The seaside town has plenty of watersports to enjoy including surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking at Carbis Bay Beach, as well as hikes along the South West Coast Path to Godrevy Head for coastal views. There are also boat trips to Seal Island, home to a colony of Atlantic grey seals.

Home to some stunning period properties dotted along the coastline, there are plenty of unique and inviting places to stay.  

Trevose Harbour House offers boutique interiors with five-star reviews on Tripadvisor while the more traditional Harbour Hotel St Ives serves up upscale resort vibes with its very own in-house spa and breathtaking views across the water. 

The Gannet Inn is another popular choice with individually designed bedrooms and a trendy bar and restaurant. 

No trip to the seaside would be complete without fish and chips and The Balancing Eel is one of the best chippies in town. Huge portions and freshly caught local fish make this takeaway and restaurant a big hit with locals and visitors alike. 

If it’s a cosy pint you are craving, The Sloop Inn is a historical hostelry on the harbour wall, with a cosy fire and local ales. The Lifeboat Inn is another popular harbourside pub with cost interiors and a menu packed with warming food for chilly days by the water.