Author: gloversure

A Day Out in St Ives | All You Need to Know

St Ives – the jewel of Cornwall’s crown.

With golden beaches, clear waters and a variety of waterfront eateries, St Ives is a seemingly subtropical oasis.

Here’s our guide for what to see and do in St Ives.

The town is part of West Penwith, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, extending around Cape Cornwall to include the central Penwith Hills.

It’s no surprise that St Ives has been attracting artists for decades who come to capture the essence of the town.

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From marine artist Henry Moore, who visited in the mid-1800s, to twentieth-century sculptor Barbara Hepworth, St Ives has attracted many painters, sculptors and ceramists.

Barbara Hepworth worked with bronze, stone and wood. Her sculptures are on display in the Museum and Garden, located in the heart of St Ives, along with paintings, drawings and archive material.

The Museum and Garden is well worth visiting for a unique experience into the work and life of one of Britain’s most important twentieth century artists.

Some of Hepworth’s sculptures can be seen around the town. Wander along pathways through trees and shrubs and discover some of her most celebrated designs.

Epidauros II Bronze casting, which is one of an edition of seven made by Hepworth in 1961, is situated on the Malakoff overlooking the harbour and Porthminster beach.

With views across to Godrevy Lighthouse, that inspired Virginia Woolf’s famous novel To the Lighthouse, Porthminster beach is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and relax.

On the beach enjoy fresh, local produce from Porthminster Beach Café. Serving delicious
food throughout the day, some of which is grown in their adjoining garden, the café has won many prestigious awards such as Coast magazine’s Best Coastal Café and The Times’ Best Coast Restaurant.

If you enjoy strolling along the beach, breathing in the fresh sea air, then you will love wandering the coastline around St Ives and discovering the sheltered coves it has to offer.

A popular beach with families, dogs and surfers, Porthmeor is perfect for hitting the surf and making a splash in the shallows.

The beach is just a stone’s throw from the town where you’ll find ancient pubs, contemporary cafes and inspirational art galleries.

Check out our luxury holiday properties in Carbis Bay by the sea.

Walk a little further and you will find a charming sandy cove called Porthgwidden nestled beneath the steep grassy slopes of St Ives “Island”. This is a popular spot for wild swimming.

Porthgwidden Beach Café, which is on a small slope up from the beach, is a great place to sit and eat lunch looking out onto the bay or to relax with a glass of wine and watch the sun set.

Watching the day pass in St Ives is one of our favourite pastimes. In the harbour, sheltered by thick stone walls, is a soft sandy beach which is revealed when the tide is out.

Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the town, the harbour beach is a perfect spot to take a picnic and watch the local fishermen land their catch of the day.

For those who enjoy being out on the water, St Ives Self Drive Boats & Kayak Rental provides you with the opportunity to explore the beautiful Bay. The boat and kayak hire company operates within the summer months.

Behind the harbour beach, on the cobbled wharf, is the fourteenth century Sloop Inn. A cosy, ancient pub, the Sloop Inn hosts live music nights most weekends and provides a great outdoor drinking area that overlooks the colourful port.

Find a discounted retreat in St Ives on our special offers page. Or, browse our other beach locations to explore more of the Cornish coastline.

Take a look at our favourite ‘must sea’ retreats and explore our other holiday lets.

Perranporth – Walk Through

Perranporth is perfect for those seeking to escape the 9-5.

Clear waters, cliff walks and three miles of golden sand, as well as having some of our fantastic dog-friendly properties nearby.

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Nestled among rolling hills that inspired Winston Graham’s swashbuckling Poldark novels, Perranporth is a bustling village with a variety of eateries.

From Droskyn point, you can take a leisurely walk into the village. As you wander down the hillside, you will come across the Perranzabuloe Millennium Sundial, designed by local artist Stuart Thorn.

True to the spirit of the village, the stainless steel gnomon has been set to show Cornish time: 20 minutes ahead of GMT. Stone seating has been incorporated into the structure, which looks onto the beach below.

In the village, there is an array of beach-side shops and cafes along with local amenities.

If you walk a little further from the main street, you’ll find yourself in a charming park with a large duck pond which is home to swans and ducks.

As you walk back towards the beach, you can take advantage of hiring a kayak to take out onto the water, paddle board or surf board.

Feel the sand between your toes and breathe in the fresh salty sea air as you walk along the beach.

The beach is patrolled in season by RNLI lifeguards. It is a safe beach which is popular with families and couples.

It is also a dog friendly beach, which makes for a great morning run or afternoon out with your canine friend.

Whilst on the beach you can stop for a drink or something to eat at the Watering Hole – the UK’s only bar and restaurant on the beach! In the summer enjoy a BBQ on the beach in the evening.

After you have fuelled your body, why not climb the steps located to the right of the restaurant embedded in the cliff face. Venture along the cliff path along to Holywell Bay.

Interested in finding out more about Newquay? Discover what to do in and around Newquay.

A perfect vantage point to watch the sunset over the horizon in the evening.

Want to stay in Perranporth? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Perranporth.

Walk through – Mousehole

Spanish raids, star-gazey pie and even the Mousehole cat – our walk-through Mousehole in West Cornwall has it all.

It’s easy to fall in love with Mousehole, West Cornwall’s picture-perfect fishing village and harbour which is steeped in history, legend and – today – glorious sunshine.

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything the area has to offer.

Retaining its original character, charm and beauty, Mousehole remains a popular holiday spot. Located three miles from Penzance, start by getting your bearings. Park along the road between Newlyn and the village itself for views stretching out over Mounts Bay to the Lizard in the distance – England’s most southerly point.

The car park on the right hand side as you enter the village brilliantly disguises the first stop on our walk from many visitors. With 180-degree seaviews from its terrace, The Rock Pool Café is a hidden gem serving coffee, tea, cakes and light meals, plus special food evenings during the summer – keep an eye on their Facebook page.

Next door, The Old Coastguard has built a reputation for great food kept simple. This is a traditional Brasserie menu that takes good ingredients and gives them a very simple but classic treatment. On a sunny day like today, drinks on the grass terrace overlooking the sea are a must.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a log burner? Check out our cottages with a log burner for a cosy getaway.

Down into the village itself you’ll find plenty of other places to eat and drink, including the Harbour Coffee and Café courtyard with its quaint white iron-wrought seating, Hole Foods Deli, The Ship Inn pub and 2 Fore Street, a vibrant and chic bistro-style restaurant with a secluded tropical courtyard out back.

Onwards and Mousehole’s small but perfectly formed stone harbour and surrounding cottages are simply beautiful. Families paddle in the safe turquoise waters of the harbour’s two tiny sand beaches and reel in crabs from their lines. Couples tuck in to fish and chips while dangling their legs over the harbour. One man is exploring the water by kayak. People drip in and out plenty of art galleries and craft shops, picking up treats for themselves and others. Idyllically, another man paints the scene on his easel from the water’s edge. We even spot the Mousehole cat perched on its own cushion taking everything in.

If you’re not familiar with the children’s book, The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber tells the story of Mowzer the cat and its old-fisherman owner Tom who brave treacherous stormy seas to feed their fellow hungry villagers. Inspired by Cornish legend, the story still connects with readers of all ages, new and old alike. Pick up a copy in one of the craft shops. You might even discover Mousehole’s own stargazy-pie and want to give it a try with pilchards landed from one of Mousehole’s own fishing boats.

Although it’s mid-August when we visit, we can’t fail to mention Mousehole’s biggest draw – the magical Christmas lights which run in the few weeks over Christmas and New Year. Illuminated with displays floating in the harbour and strung up high in the terraces above, the village becomes ablaze with colour, wicker lanterns and the sound of carols and fisherman shanties. A sure fire way to get you in the festive spirit – best viewed with a woolly hat on and hot chocolate or mulled-wine in hand.

Discover the top 5 places to see Christmas lights in Cornwall, where festive displays illuminate the Christmas spirit across charming towns and coastal villages.

Book your self-catering holiday in Mousehole with Beach Retreats.

Walk through – Crantock to a mystery location

We’re always on the lookout for quiet beaches and hidden coves at Beach Retreats. Well, we found a new favourite spot on our latest walk from Crantock, two miles south along the coast from our properties at Fistral Beach in Newquay. You’ll have to find it first though…

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From Fistral and East Pentire headland you have two choices – Newquay for the fun and frolics of a busy seaside town, or head south to the quieter Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach. On this day, we chose the latter.

You can drive to Crantock or, for an adventure, take the Fern Pit Ferry across the Gannel which operates from May through September. When the tide is out there is a footbridge which can be used free of charge.

Crantock’s expansive sandy beach waits at the other side of the water with tranquil bathing by the river (the National Trust car park is behind the dunes). Make for the cliffs at the southern end for shelter on a windy day.

Continuing along the headland you’ll find C-Bay Café Bar & Bistro with unsurpassed views back over Crantock Beach, open for pancakes in the morning and lots of tasty options for lunch and dinner. Further into the village you’ll find the well-known Bowgie Inn, ‘the pink pub’. Andy has owned the pub for more than 43 years, which is much loved for coffees by the roaring fire, wines on the sun terrace, home-cooked food and bouncing live music nights.

But the real treat of our walk through is Porth Joke beach, also known as Polly Joke. Accessed via the coastal path or inland via Treago Farm and Camping (there is small car park at the end of a very long track), you’ll be rewarded with a small, attractive and tranquil cove. Children will love exploring the caves, rockpools and stream and paddling in the sea while parents can enjoy doing not a lot.

Polly Joke Beach with waves and green cliffs

Pack a picnic for the day as there are no facilities here.

Bliss!

Want to stay in Crantock, near to Fistral and Watergate Bay ? Have a look at our properties in Crantock.

Embark on a picturesque walk through Watergate Bay, uncovering its breathtaking coastal scenery, expansive sandy beaches, and lively local charm.

Five properties for large groups

Beach days with the whole family or long and late dinner parties catching up with friends – nothing beats going on holiday with a big group of your nearest and dearest. Beach Retreats has an outstanding selection of large self-catering properties with that extra wow factor to help make your get-together in Cornwall one you won’t forget. Here are our top five large properties.

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Seamist, Watergate Bay

Ping pong table. Tick. TV den. Tick. Outdoor surf shower. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Architect-designed and purpose built for 2016, Seamist is a bright and cotemporary coastal pad that ticks all the boxes. Family and group holidays come easy here thanks to its eight bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, living and dining areas all finished to a high standard including Velux windows, American style fridge freezers and 50-inch HD TV. Think big barbecues on the decking, catching up with friends on sunloungers outside, or heading down the road en-masse to one of Cornwall’s best beaches – Watergate Bay – for surfing with Extreme Academy, restaurants including The Beach Hut and Zacry’s, Watergate Bay Hotel’s Zacry’s and Swim Club facilities.

The details
Bedrooms: 8
Sleeps: 16
The beach: 1000 metres
Sea view: yes
Pets: yes

Learn more about Seamist here.

 

Blue Bay, Mawgan Porth

Blue Bay is the kind of laid-back beach house where you and your friends and family will instantly feel at home. Decked out in cool blues, the spacious two-storey four bedroomed house comes with an additional four garden rooms which can sleep up to 20 people. We love the massive kitchen, ideal when cooking for large groups, the sun trap garden and the sea views from every bedroom. If you’d rather not cook on holiday, owners James and Pippa offer a selection of dining packages, or take your pick from a range of different eating places on your doorstep. Fish and chips after a day on the beach or fine-dining for adults only? Mawgan Porth has it.

The details
Bedrooms: 8
Sleeps: 20
The beach: 400 metres
Sea view: yes
Pets: yes

Learn more about Blue Bay here.

Porth Beach House, Porth

With the sand of Porth Beach just 20 metres away, large self-catering properties don’t come closer to the beach than at Porth Beach House. An early 19th-century house refurbished to a high-spec and gorgeous New England Style, it appeals to parties wanting a more homely and cosy vibe. Curl up with a book in the sitting room with views over the beach and sea while the rest of your group build sandcastles on the sand below. Life doesn’t get much better.

The details
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
The beach: 20 metres
Sea view: yes
Pets: yes

Learn more about Porth Beach House here.

 

Breakers, Porth Beach

Featured in Ideal Homes magazine, Breakers is an ideal self-catering property for large groups, with the beach only 100 metres down the path at the bottom of the garden. The view, the space, the finish, hot tub and games room, the gardens – there’s lots to love about Breakers, but sometimes it’s the small details like wetsuit hanging, two beginner surfboards and bodyboards and X-Box 360 that make the difference. We can’t imagine you and you and your group will get bored of Porth’s golden sand and varied coastline, but both Newquay and Watergate Bay are a short drive or 25-minute walk in either direction should you need to explore.

The details
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 13
The beach: 200 metres
Sea view: yes
Pets: yes

Learn more about Breakers here.

 

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

 

The Roundhouse, Porthcothan

Set in an idyllic rural location with Padstow a short drive away, families and groups staying in The Roundhouse can set their own pace on holiday. With one pub and one shop, the tiny coastal village of Porthcothan has a hidden quality which can be hard to come by on this part of North Cornwall – the perfect place for spending quality time with your friends and family and exploring one of the best beaches you’ve probably never heard.

The details
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
The beach: 600 metres
Sea view: yes
Pets: yes

Learn more about The Roundhouse here.

Search Beach Retreats’ range of large self-catering properties.

Delve into the world of fascinating finds and foraging in Cornwall, discovering nature’s hidden treasures along the coast.

A Walk Through Guide to Portwrinkle, Cornwall

Located on a forgotten corner of South East Cornwall and with a name that makes us chuckle every time we say it, there is plenty to smile about when it comes to small and sleepy village of Portwrinkle – our latest self catering holiday destination.

As you travel through the Rame Peninsula and its landscape of tidal creeks, lush farmland, sandy beaches and country parks, it’s hard not to slow down a gear. It’s the perfect precursor to life in Portwrinkle – a winding-down and chilled out kind of self-catering holiday destination.

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Portwrinkle’s history stretches back to Medieval times and wandering around the tranquil coastline here feels a little like stepping back in time – in a very good way. It’s gloriously quiet and unspoilt.

Explore more of Cornwall, and have a look at our holiday properties in Whitsand Bay.

We start our walk down the footpath and onto the grey sand of Finnygook beach – another curiously named place. Children play cricket, paddle in the sea and wait for the tide to recede to explore the plentiful rockpools. The silver sea is eerily calm today, but when the swell picks up Finnygook is popular with experienced surfers making the most of some of the best surf this side of the coast.

From here, a popular stretch of the South West Coast Path snakes off into greenery towards Whitsand Bay, a dramatic four-mile stretch of coastline and golden sand leading all the way to Rame Head in the distance.

Heading back up the path and in the other direction, it’s easy to glimpse Portwrinkle’s Medieval past. We pass old pilchard processing buildings as we make our way to the rough and ready Medieval stone harbour where a single boat has moored up for the day.

To the right-hand side is a small curved bay called Hoodny Cove. With a kayak store at the bottom of the slipway, Hoodny Cove and the harbour are ideal for exploring the coastline from on top of the water.

Learn about Padstow in our blog all about how to enjoy a week in Padstow, and explore what it has to offer.

Find a discounted retreat in Portwrinkle on our special offers page. Or, browse our other beach locations to explore more of the Cornwall coastline.

The British Family Beach Holiday Research & Numbers

Five sandcastles, four tantrums and eight ice creams (two of which are dropped) – our research reveals British seaside holiday habits for the 21st century.

The British family beach holiday by numbers

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. That’s according to our survey which you may have spotted in the national press.

Walking along the pier and building sandcastles emerged as the most popular family seaside pastimes in the survey which compiled the experiences of 2,000 families and compared it with a survey conducted 30 years ago.

Andrew Easton, business manager for Beach Retreats said: “Around half of British families will be taking a staycation in 2016 and the appeal of the British beach holiday stronger than ever.

“Documenting your beach holiday with photos, social uploads and selfies is now a typical part of a beach holiday, but it’s great to see that outdoor activities, discovering the beach, are still so important to families.”

The British family beach holiday by numbers

Here are a few of our favourite findings:

The average British family holiday involves a three-hour journey, four tantrums and two days of rain

One of our favourite things about UK beach holidays is the sea air – with three quarters of people (73%) saying it’s what they love most about the seaside

Children ask “Are we there yet?” five times and parents enjoy only two lie-ins, but do get at least 16 hours as a family on the beach

Whilst on holiday, half (54%) of British families will watch a sunset, almost a third (29%) will have a barbecue on the beach and 22% adults will try a local craft ale

Buckets and spades are top of the list for beach essentials

Taking a phone to the beach is more important than a towel for four in 10 people – while one in four parents will obsess over the perfect beach selfie

Eight ice creams are eaten per person, although two will be dropped

Families will also have to contend with three occasions of seagulls swooping in, five sandcastles are built and three inflatables are blown up by puffed-out parents

Parents will normally get less than two and a half hours to themselves most days but will manage three quiet drinks over the holiday

More than two thirds (69%) of families will not head to the beach without at least one weather-proof essential such as a windbreak, full waterproofs or an umbrella

Traditional British beach behaviours are still as popular as ever, with building sandcastles (69%), digging holes in the sand (61%) and exploring rock pools (58%) listed as the most popular things to do beside the seaside

Families will play two board games and visit two holiday attractions together on holiday

Thankfully, only 4% of people wore a hankie on their head to protect them from the sun and 2% ate jellied eels while on holiday.

Find a retreat in one of our beach locations, and browse our special offers page for the best deals.

Five properties closest to the beach

It’s no secret that we love the beach here at Beach Retreats. And you can’t get closer to the beach than these five properties.

Coast 2, Porth

2 Coast, Porth

Distance from the beach: 0 metres!

When we say ‘the walk to the beach’ this barely ranks as a walk! All that separates 2 Coast from the sand on Porth Beach is a lovely private terrace and stretch of lawn. Make space on the private terrace for BBQs, grab your board from the lockable surf store and roll onto the beach from this contemporary ground floor apartment. Two bedrooms, sleeps six.

Book your stay at 2 Coast, Porth.

Coast 2, Porth

Atlantic View Widemouth Bay

Atlantic View, Widmeouth Bay

Distance from the beach: 10 metres

Away from the crowds but with direct access onto the beach and Widmeouth Bay’s iconic Black Rock and rockpools out front, Atlantic View is hard to beat in terms of location. But it rules in terms of luxury and eco-credentials too. Think high-spec interiors, full-width balconies, large-ensuite rooms, open-plan living and log burners in each of the six self-catering holiday lodges, all of which are completely reliable on renewable energy.

Book your stay at Atlantic View, Widemouth Bay.

The Beach, Porthtowan

The Beach, Porthtowan

Distance from the beach: 10 metres

Life is better at The Beach, consisting of five contemporary apartments looking down onto Porthtowan just metres below. Watch the tide come and go, indulge in a spot of people watching from your balcony, or explore the coastal path on your doorstep. When the surf picks up, grab your board and head down the path to the water before rinsing down afterwards in your outdoor shower.

Book your stay at The Beach, Porthtowan.

Waves, Watergate Bay

Waves, Watergate Bay

Distance from the beach: 100 metres

All of the best bits of Watergate Bay on your doorstep from a modern collection of one, two and three bedroomed apartments at Waves. The beach is your playground with watersports featuring large, but fine food is also the order of the day here The Beach Hut and Zacry’s restaurants overlooking the sand. Don’t forget to check out Watergate Bay Hotel’s swim and dine or day membership offer to make use of its blissful swim club facilities.

Book your stay at Waves, Watergate Bay.

Cliffside, Whitsand Bay

Cliffside, Whitsand Bay

Distance from the beach: 130 metres

Embrace cabin life at Whitsand Bay while the sea laps the shore as the bottom of the cliff. Cliffside takes in 180-degree sea views stretching all the way to England’s most southerly point, The Lizard, some 60 miles away in the distance. Our happy place is throwing open the bi-fold doors onto the decking – the perfect spot for morning coffee or sunset drinks.

Book your stay at Cliffside, Whitsand Bay.

Search for your beachside holiday with Beach Retreats online.

Atlantic View wins Sustainable Project of the Year

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Being completely reliant on renewable energy has helped our Atlantic View properties in Widemouth Bay win the prestigious sustainability accolade at Michelmore’s Property Awards 2016.

With direct access to the beach at Widemouth Bay, North Cornwall, stunning interiors and impressive eco-credentials, Atlantic View was the clear winner of the Sustainable Project of the Year at Michelmores Property Awards 2016.

Discover our other Widemouth Bay holiday properties.

The annual awards recognise both commercial and residential projects of all shapes and sizes across nine categories − with shortlisted and winning projects firmly placed in the industry’s spotlight.

Atlantic View contemporary self-catering holidays on the beach at Widemouth Bay, Cornwall from Beach Retreats on Vimeo.

Marketed by Beach Retreats and developed by Grenadier Estates, Atlantic View comprises of six self-catered holiday lodges overlooking Widmeouth’s iconic Black Rock and the lodges are completely eco-friendly with features including solar panels, air source heat pumps, solar thermal water heaters and a grass roof system to provide insulation.

Michelmore said: “Through careful design and construction, the lodges integrate effortlessly into the surrounding landscape and are sustainable, whilst offering style, function and luxury.”

Judge and highly experienced architect, Peter Lacey, described it as a great scheme, a great location and a great sustainable project.

“Atlantic View is a truly impressive and exceptional scheme blending beautifully into its landscape in a way which is seldom seen in such a sensitive light,” he said.

“It handles sustainability in all the ways you would except in terms of renewable energy and it has an exceptionally good range of sustainable features, but more particularly in this case it takes sustainability to another level – it engages with local tradesman and suppliers to ensure that everything remains truly local.”

Discover more of Cornwall and check out our 1o must see places in Cornwall.

Search for your holiday at Atlantic View, Widmeouth Bay, with Beach Retreats.

The Cornwall Business Awards

Beach Retreats were delighted to win the accolade of Excellence in Digital Marketing at the 2016 Cornwall Business Awards.

The prestigious event was hosted by BBC Radio Cornwall’s Daphne Skinnard, and the award presented by entrepreneur Levi Roots of Dragon’s Den and Reggae Reggae Sauce fame at St Mellion International resort in South East Cornwall.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

Beating off stiff competition to win the category, Beach Retreats innovative use of storytelling wowed the judges. The company created a collection of short films inviting viewers to embrace the Cornish beach, the vistas, sights and sounds – the public has been encouraged to escape and engage using the social hashtag #behere as part of the marketing campaign.

The integrated approach generated some great results; Beach Retreats reported a record-breaking year for bookings and saw an overall increase in occupancy rates throughout the year, with the summer months at 100% and repeat booking significantly higher than predicted.

Beach Retreats business manager, Andrew Easton, said:

“We were delighted just to be shortlisted for the award, with such strong business talent nominated from across the county, to win has felt amazing!

Beach Retreats has always looked to experiment and innovate with marketing; our aim is to reflect how holidays in Cornwall make our guests feel – we believe the beautiful beaches and stunning coastline are how memories are made. To receive recognition for this best digital marketing award is a real honour”.

The annual awards are organised by Cornwall Development Company to highlight Cornish business talent.

Watch the films on our Vimeo channel.

For owners: talk to us about holiday letting your Cornish place by the sea.

 

Check out some of our other locations and other retreats across North Cornwall.

Get inspired by the Interior Design Masters winner and learn how to recreate their award-winning style in your own home with our expert tips.