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It's hard not to be mesmerised by Saint Ives, with its pretty Victorian houses, jutting peninsula and 2 sweeping coves filled with golden sands, lapped by uncharacteristically turquoise waters. As it's such a gorgeous spot, it's unsurprising that Saint Ives has been at the centre of Cornwall's art scene since the 1920s, with thriving galleries and countless resident artists. This is the jewel of Cornish seaside towns and a hotspot for families during the summer, when they escape the stuffy cities in favour of the idyllic harbour, seafood restaurants and Saint Ives bed and breakfasts. During the summer, the coast gets bathed in sunshine, while the dramatic winters are best spent holed up in one of the cosy Cornish pubs.
There's just something so right about staying in a B&B when you're on a British seaside getaway. Maybe it's the feeling of a home-away-from-home, or perhaps with the lack of chain hotels, the seaside town retains its charm. Either way, the bed and breakfasts in Saint Ives tick all the boxes. Some are housed in elegant period properties whose guestrooms overlook the harbour. Others are stylish boutique B&Bs with seaside-inspired decor, that look like they came straight out of the pages of an interior design magazine. Yet more occupy pretty Cornish stone farmhouses in the rolling green countryside just outside the city, with commanding views across the turquoise ocean. Finding the right match for you couldn't be easier, thanks to Expedia, who list each property, along with photos and descriptions. Just a few clicks later, your Saint Ives bed and breakfast is all booked.
Once you've checked into your room, you'll find it has all the facilities you'll need for a comfortable stay. You can expect kettles to make tea and coffee, flat-screen TVs on the walls, to catch up on the latest news, and complimentary WiFi. If you pick right, there are pet friendly B&Bs and some have free parking, too. After you awake to the sound of the lapping sea and admire the views, you can head downstairs for a proper English breakfast, your plate piled high with bacon and eggs, or perhaps one of the veggie options. For more seaside fun, why not make Brighton your next stop?
Most come to stay in Saint Ives bed and breakfasts during the summer months, when the beaches are at their most attractive. Luckily, the town has 4 long stretches of Blue Flag sand within walking distance, including the family-friendly harbourside beach and Porthgwidden, backed by colourful lines of beach huts. Porthmeor is great for surf – the "Boiler" wave draws in surfers from around the globe. All, of course, are perfect for catching the Cornish rays and working on your tan.
Beyond the beaches, Saint Ives has a staggering number of things to do, most notably the Tate St Ives, an outpost of the London gallery. Since opening in the early 1990s, it's become one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in town. Inside, the gallery focuses on contemporary work, with an emphasis on local and Cornish artists. If art's your thing, you shouldn't miss the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, where some of that srtist's best known abstract works are held, along with her studios, which are kept just as they were when Hepworth used them. At the end of the day, you can dive into one of the waterfront seafood restaurants for a meal made from locally caught seafood.