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St Ives Holiday Cottages

Best of self-catering cottages and holiday apartments in St Ives, Cornwall

Find hundreds of holiday lets in St Ives at the most reasonable prices

Explore thousands of cottages to rent in St Ives and make your holiday to the ‘Cornish Riviera’ overlooking the Celtic Sea that has been a source of artistic inspiration for many, and a surfing hub thanks to its favoured water conditions. Here at Hundredrooms, we want to make sure that your holiday is as seamless as possible in West Cornwall and so all we require from you are the basics - how many people you’re travelling with, what dates you would like to travel and we’ll present you with what we’ve compared between our partners’ offers on St Ives holiday homes. It is hard not to forget the unique peninsula occupied by this town as its white sand gazes out across azure blue waters. The undeniable beauty of the place has subsequently meant that it has been an artistic and cultural hub for many creatives since the late 1920s and 30s, and is now awash with independent studios and art galleries for your perusal along its cobbled walkways. It is the home of one of four Tate Museums in the UK, along with the likes of Liverpool and London, and to stay in a boutique cottage here means engaging in its creative heritage. Its higgledy-piggledy array of roof tiles and church steeples across green sloping hills is sure to enchant you - could you imagine yourself staying in St Ives holiday rentals among these tiny streets? If you’re looking for a holiday cottage with a sea view looking across the turquoise sea, we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We know that booking your trip can be a stressful experience, and we’re often worried that we’re paying too much for what we’re getting. When you’re booking St Ives holiday accommodation, we believe that your experience should be as stress-free as possible, and that is why we work hard to find you the cheapest possible option by comparing as many as possible, all while keeping in mind your specific requirements. Staying in St Ives means you will be located to all of the best beaches in the area such as Porthminster Beach; whether that means looking across St Ives Bay or the Godrevy Lighthouse.

When to visit the Cornish Riviera

The best time to visit St Ives and find self catering places to rent depends entirely on what you want out of your holiday. Naturally, the weather in the UK is not always guaranteed, but in general the climate in St Ives is significantly better than the rest of the country, with an average temperature in July of 15 degrees Celsius and the coldest in January with 6 degrees Celsius. The best time to swim in the sea is in August when the sea temperature averages out at 17 degrees Celsius, however surfing aficionados can effectively surf for most of the year. You absolutely must try it out during your trip to St Ives, however the more advanced surfing takes place during the winter months. The busiest time of year to visit St Ives is during bank holidays, and summer months of July and August when kids are off school, and this is when luxury holiday homes are a premium price, and may be a little more difficult to find in the centre of the town, or seaside rentals.

Large accommodation in St Ives

Dog-friendly cottages in St Ives

1 bed holiday let in St Ives

Tate St Ives and other points of interest

St Ives is a multifaceted coastal town in the region of Cornwall. We recommend taking the train from St Erth to witness one of the most picturesque introductions to this town, as you pass an array of multi-coloured fishing boats bobbing about, and the curving bay of golden sand. The fishermans holiday cottages are among the most famous, and is an area known as ‘Downlong’. St Ives is also famous for its seal colony that frolic on the rocks nearby. Catch a boat trip and watch them on ‘Seal Island’. There are plenty of things to do for all ages and tastes during a stay in your holiday rental here. Read on to find out what are the highlights of St Ives:

  • Minack Theatre: A stunning open-air theatre that occupies one of the most beautiful places overlooking the cliffs looking out to the Atlantic Ocean. The summer programme is jam-packed with an assortment of drama, music and comedy, and is carved into the granite of the cliffs. A truly dramatic setting and a must-see.
  • Tate St Ives: Another iconic art museum, overlooking the stunning Atlantic waters. This museum was created in conjunction with the other Tate museums across the UK, and is a showcase of British artists that have been based in this area of Cornwall.
  • The Flambards Experience: A great family day out with various rides and attractions, alongside circus shows and a recreated Victorian village. You can also step back in time to the Jurassic era and discover fossils. There is something for all ages and all weather conditions.
  • Barbara Hepworth Museum: A museum and sculpture garden that offers an insight into the work of the 20th century artist. You can wander around the picturesque gardens and admire her bronze, stone and wood sculptures.
  • The Saint Ives Museum: Formerly a pilchard fishery, this is now a collection of the town’s heritage with various Cornish artefacts. You can still see the original fish curing cellar, too.
  • Bernard Leach Pottery: This was established in 1920, and is a wonderful collection of pottery works.
  • Mên-an-Tol: One of the famous megalithic structures in the UK, this small formation of standing stones have generated a wealth of folklore and ritualistic practices. It is considered to date back to the Bronze Age, however it is not certain.
  • Porthminster Gallery: This joins the legion of other quayside galleries that occupy some of the best positions by the sea in St Ives. This gallery is located in a former warehouse and is an exhibition of some of the best British contemporary and modern art in Cornwall.

Beaches near St Ives

St Ives easily boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, all of which are an easy distance from the houses to rent that we have found for you. You may be surprised by the almost tropical appearance of some of these beaches. You have to try out some surfing on the beaches here in St Ives; thanks to the protected bay, it is protected somewhat from the south westerly winds that can otherwise be a little choppy. Offshore conditions are favoured by surfers because it makes the waves less choppy, and so many choose St Ives as their beach destination.

  • Lambeth Walk Beach: A small beach which is dog friendly and has a pretty backdrop of the Church of St Ives and the RNLI lifeboat centre. It got its name from ‘The Lambeth Walk’ hit that became a dance craze in the late 1930s.
  • Porthmeor Beach: Popular with both surfers and swimmers, this is one of the closest beaches to the centre, so you can have close access to all of the best cafes and pubs of the town. It has been awarded with a Blue Flag status in 2017, and lifeguards are present between March and October.
  • Porthminster Beach: Most famous for its surfing, it is known to have a soft swell that makes it ideal and protected from the most advanced waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Gaze out over the white sand and soak up the views of the Godrevy Lighthouse, which was the source of inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s famous novel, ‘To The Lighthouse’.
  • St Ives Harbour Beach: This beach seems almost subtropical, with the palms surrounding the bay. It is a soft and sandy beach where you can observe the daily lives of the working port, where local fisherman procure their daily catch. You will find plenty of trendy places to eat and drink along here and is very much at the heart of St Ives.
  • Porthgwidden Beach: The smallest beach in the centre of St Ives, it is popular with families as it is sheltered from most big waves.
  • Porthkidney Beach: Commended for its excellent water quality, and backed by gorgeous rolling sandy dunes. It faces north and is dog friendly. It is fairly shallow and at low time stretches out nearly a mile.
  • Carbis Bay Beach: To the east of the town just a mile along is a calm beach which rarely sees big waves, hence why it is popular with families with small children. It is surrounded by palm trees and other sub-tropical flora, and has gorgeous turquoise waters.

Similar destinations to St Ives

St Ives is located in the gorgeous county of Cornwall in the furthest area south-west of England, and has much to offer in terms of water sports, beaches and quaint pubs and restaurants. If this is the sort of holiday you’re after, we have other suggestions for your British beach holiday destination.

  • Newquay: Considered to be the surf capital of the UK, this is the spot to head to if you’re looking for the full surfing package in Cornwall. Best known for the beaches such as Watergate Bay and Fistral, the waves are somewhat stronger here than St Ives, making for excellent conditions. It is no wonder that it hosts the annual Boardmasters festival every year. You can find a great range of holiday cottages in Newquay for your trip.
  • Brighton: The vibrant, unique and quirky seaside capital of the south coast. Only a stone’s throw from London, this city has so much to offer in terms of both old and new. It is a artistic and cultural hub with people of all backgrounds, and also showcases some of the most fantastic Victorian Regency architecture in the UK. Find holiday rentals in Brighton here.