Early summer getaways

The weeks that span late spring to early summer are an opportune time to holiday in St Ives for many reasons. The days are long and filled with that bright, crystal St Ives light, there's less hustle and bustle on the famed cobbled streets and it's far easier to get into restaurants on a whim. Whether you're visiting Cornwall to immerse yourself in its natural beauty, gardens and coastal paths or hoping for days spent on the sand followed by aperitifs and sunsets, May and June rarely disappoint.

Walk a coastal path

One of the most iconic and well walked routes in the area, St Ives to Zennor is around a 6 mile walk - it's ambitious and harder going at times but more than doable for non-avid walkers and the path can be picked up below the Sail Lofts car park, just a short walk from your holiday cottage in St Ives. The beer garden at the Tinner's Arms awaits at your destination with the promise of a well earned tipple or two before you hop on a bus back to St Ives.

Have breakfast at the beach

So very lucky are we to have not just one but three wonderful beachfront restaurants that offer menus to rival their locations. Porthminster, Porthgwidden and Porthmeor are all within extremely easy walking distance of your St Ives holiday cottage (the latter can be reached by walking across the beach from the Sail lofts complex) and there is no better way to start any day than with fresh coffee and your choice of breakfast as you look out at the waves crashing just meters away.

Wander through sub-tropical gardens

Thanks to our unique, Mediterranean-esque micro climate, Cornwall plays host to a plethora of flowers, succulents and sub-tropical plants and early summer is a wonderful time to experience all that is possible in our little corner of the world! Steeped in history and as fascinating as they are impressive, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are a firm favourite of ours  - growing a pineapple in the UK is astonishing. Of course, right on doorstep of your holiday cottage in St Ives, the iconic Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden is a must, as is the incredible and unique Eden Project, although to save a couple of unnecessary hours in the car, we recommend planning this stop en route to St Ives or perhaps for the way home.

A sunset dinner & drinks

Luckily for us there are now two restaurants on the beach from which you can tick this wonderful St Ives experience off of your list. Between Porthmeor Beach Cafe and West Porthmeor you have the option of tapas (Porthmeor Cafe) and cocktails from a central vantage point with superb views across the whole beach, or you have West, located just below the bowling green which offers a choice of gourmet pizzas or Greek cuisine, in a more relaxed setting. Take a seat at one of the beach-side tables, or take a blanket order takeaway and dine with sand between your toes. Due to their popularity we recommend making reservations no matter what the time of year.

Luxury holiday cottages in St Ives 

With 12 luxury holiday cottages in St Ives, the Sail Lofts provides the perfect base from which to explore St Ives and further afield. Each of our properties is well equipped with everything you may need in a home-away-from-home including beach towels and windbreaks, we are also able to provide everything from travel cots to stair gates upon request to cater to your individual requirements.