Thursday, July 21, 2011

St Ives Holidays In Cornwall, UK

By Harold Demas


St Ives holidays offer visitors a chance to do something that's not so easy elsewhere in the UK - soak in the sun on a warm sandy beach on any given day of the year. St Ives was a fishing village, and still has quaint reminders of its past. But today, it is Cornwall's most famous holiday resort with blue waters, golden beaches and a sub-tropical climate, thanks to the gulf stream.

Getting here from London is simple - take a train from Paddington and get off one station before Penzance, at St Erth. Then take the connecting train to St Ives. Driving here is pretty much the same routine, because driving around in St Ives is next to impossible and most visitors take the connecting train after driving down and using a park & ride scheme. B&Bs are the preferred mode of accommodation, and the hotels aren't half bad either.

What makes it an even better getaway is that the town is famous as a refuge for artists. Over the years, it has a developed an extensive collection of art galleries including the Tate Gallery and the sculptures of Barbara Hepworth on display in her own home which is now a museum. Plus, the town hosts the September Festival of Music & the Arts, and also has the Sloop Craft Market.

As for the beaches, the most famous one is the Porthmeor which is well maintained with toilets, beach huts and trained lifeguards present and restaurants right on the beach. Other choices include Carbis Bay, and the Porthgwidden and Porthminster beaches. The Harbour combines a beach and an operational port, which gives visitors a chance to watch the fishing boats unloading their daily catch of fresh seafood.

Speaking of which, there are plenty of places to eat fresh seafood and Cornish pasties. Beach cafes abound and so do Cornish delis. Restaurants have cuisines that range from the fresh seafood and local Cornish meats to modern British menus and Mediterranean recipes.

The notable aspect of St Ives holidays is that one is not expected to do anything much except soak in the sun and laze on the beaches. At most, visitors can take a stroll along the cobbled streets, visit a couple of galleries and enjoy some food & drinks. The holiday is very simple and clean, and that's probably one of the reasons that make this place so popular as a holiday resort.




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