When is the best time to visit St Ives?
The first day of Autumn has crept up on us here in St Ives, especially with the last few sunny days lulling us into an extended summer, reminding me of a question I have heard and been asked on many occasions whilst working at The Sail Lofts, ‘when is the best time to visit St Ives?’ to which my response can be hard to believe to many enquirers.
Autumn in St Ives is truly special. Walking around the deserted harbour front on a cool crisp autumn morning can be one of the most awe-inspiring moments that you will never forget. The calm stillness, the tingling chill of fresh Cornish air filling your lungs, and the sight of boats in the clear turquoise water bobbing serenely, with spectacular views of the sweeping St Ives bay beyond the safe harbour walls.
As the day warms up taking to the coastal paths is a must, to view the dramatic and ever changing coastline and nooks to catch glimpses of seals in the open coves taking shelter. Some of which can easily be mistaken for boulders, however, a keen eye will see the familiar outline of one of Cornwall’s local seal population.
The local pubs again perfect for a secluded treat, where you can sit and read by open fireplaces whilst sampling the local tipples, before setting off on the next stretch of coastline.
There is warmth to Cornwall in the autumn, and I am not referring to the milder southwest climate, instead I speak of the local communities. Which come to life after the summer season quietens down. Giving visitors to the area a true sense of what Cornish life is all about.
The beauty of getting to know a place is all in the experiencing it without the distraction of others, stripping away the noise and constant throng of tourists in the warmer months that pull you along in their current, giving little opportunity to step back and enjoy the wonder and beauty of St Ives.
