St Ives Holiday-Makers Get Set for Indian Summer Festivities

Those looking for a late season holiday in St Ives will not be disappointed. After the mad rush of the school summer holidays, St Ives returns to a more leisurely pace of life in September. But the calm weather and long sunny days can sometimes last long into October when the Cornwall resort  basks in the warmth of an ‘Indian Summer’. As well as the promise of pre-autumn serenity, there’s still plenty going on to keep visitors occupied and entertained.

St Ives September Festival

One of the highlights of the St Ives social calendar is the September Festival of art, music and culture. Each year hundreds of artists and performers from all over the UK descend on the town for a series of concerts, comedy gigs, art workshops and street performances at a mix of different venues.

If the Indian Summer delivers fine weather to St Ives, the streets come alive with locals and tourists mingling as they wander from one event to another enjoying impromptu open-air acts from street theatre groups, jugglers, comedians and musicians.

One of the key event venues for the September Festival is the Guildhall, which this year will welcome renowned musical acts such as Seth Lakeman, Fisherman’s Friends, The South (featuring members of the Beautiful South) and Hawkwind.

The September Festival is all about diversity. And alongside the musical highlights at this St Ives venue will be the Miracle Theatre’s magical reworking of Shakespeare play The Tempest. Plus there will be a chance to catch the rising comedic talent of Kernow King - who will be delivering his Cornish brand of humour to the Guildhall stage during the festival.

If there’s one thing that St Ives is famous for it is art and there are plenty of workshops, courses and lectures to enjoy during the festival. Most of the town’s galleries and art schools will be putting on events, which will range from life drawing classes to printmaking, and landscape art to drawing with an iPad.

Out and about in St Ives, visitors can drop in on pop-up performances such as Music & Poetry in Norway Square. Other can join guided walks of exploring the unique features of St Ives and the town’s heritage. Or they could test their sand-sculpting skills in the architectural sandcastle competition on Porthmeor Beach.

There is truly for something for everyone during the St Ives September Festival. For a full programme of events visit the festival website at stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk

Surf’s Up in St Ives in September

While many people will be entranced by the plethora of art, music and culture filling the town in September, holidaymakers should also find time to explore the beaches and the phenomenal activities and watersports available in and around St Ives. Chief among these is surfing which can be enjoyed in the heart of St Ives at Porthmeor Beach.

September is the perfect time to experience surfing or learn to surf for the first time. The water temperature is usually at it’s warmest at this time of year, as the sea has been warmed by the sun all summer long, plus the first of the autumn swells start rolling into shore producing optimum wave riding conditions. And if the Indian Summer takes hold the surf scene in St Ives in September can feel more Californian than British.

Surf lessons for all abilities are available from St Ives Surf School. Other ways to explore and enjoy the pristine waters of St Ives Bay are on a kayak or stand up paddle board tour, also offered by St Ives Surf School. Meanwhile, holidaymakers with sea legs can take a tour along the coast or a fishing trip from St Ives harbour with one of the boat trip operators such as St Ives Boats.

Early Autumn is Prime Time to Explore the Coast

Holidaymakers wishing to go at their own pace should take a stroll out of town to explore one of Cornwall’s most beautiful stretches of coast. The South West Coast Path runs straight through St Ives, and it’s only a ten minute walk in either direction to reach some secluded beaches, quiet coves and high cliffs with far reaching sea views.

The walk east leads to the golden sands of Porthminster Beach and Carbis Bay which offer laid-back alternatives to the popular beaches in the town. The walk south along the coast from St Ives leads to even quieter shores where the rugged scenery is breathtaking. Local walking suggestions can be found on the South West Coast Path website.

Sample the St Ives Indian Summer

September is a beautiful time to visit St Ives. With the September Festival, loads to see and do in the town or on the water and the prospect of an Indian Summer, St Ives promises a magical setting for late season getaway. For holidays in St Ives see the stunning range of luxury self-catering accommodation available at www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk

Hot Summer Events in and around St Ives

St Ives is at its best in the heat of summer. There’s a great atmosphere as holidaymakers mingle with locals in the cobbled streets and pack out the beaches on steamy summer days. It’s also the time of year when St Ives and the local area comes alive with hot summer events to keep everyone entertained and engaged in the unique character of this part of West Cornwall.

There’s plenty going on throughout the summer months. But for holidaymakers looking to enhance their stay by witnessing or joining some local festivities, here is our pick of the best events in and around St Ives this summer.

20 June - Surf Cinema on the Beach

St Ives Surf School is hosting a big screen cinema on Porthmeor Beach in conjunction with Rhythm Clothing. The evening kicks off at around 8pm with free pizza, followed at 9pm by screenings of the latest surf lifestyle films starring Rhythm’s surfers and artists. The chilled-out event is free for anyone to attend and is a chance for locals and visitors to get together for a fun evening of surf infused entertainment.

20-23 June - Tate St Ives 21st Birthday Long Weekend

It’s been 21 years since the Tate opened above Porthmeor Beach in St Ives and the gallery is celebrating with a weekend of events. Visitors can join a Late at Tate open evening with free entry and talks about famous St Ives artists. On Super Sunday families can get in free to get creative, investigate art, play with ideas and explore the galleries.

22 June - St Ives Surf School Swellboard Shootout

The Swellboard Shootout on Porthmeor Beach is a fancy dress, charity surfing competition organised by St Ives Surf School (www.stivessurfschool.co.uk). In this fun local event, businesses, friends and families compete as teams of 4 in a tag team contest where competitors are judged on the quality and creativity of their fancy dress, as well as surfing ability and entertainment value. Sponsored by Australian clothing brand ‘Rhythm’, all proceeds from the event will go to Surfers Against Sewage, RNLI and The WaveProject.

21-29 June 2014 - Golowan Festival

This colourful event in nearby Penzance is a community celebration of the traditional Feast of St. John. The festival has a packed programme of artists in celebration of music, performing arts and theatre. Events include a fireworks display on the prom, spectacular parades through the streets and a host of street entertainment.

29 June 2014 - St Ives Pilot Gig Club Regatta

Teams of rowers will race each other in traditional pilot gig boats in this most Cornish of sports. These 32 feet long rowing boats with six rowers and a cox are based on the original gigs used to take pilots out to sailing ships as they approached the coast of Cornwall. The first pilot aboard the ship got the job, so the gigs evolved into very fast seagoing rowing boats. Today teams from throughout Cornwall regularly race the boats at regattas such as the annual race from Carbis Bay to St Ives Harbour.

04-19 July 2014 - Lafrowda Festival

Down the road in St Just this annual community event celebrating the arts is a feast for the senses with street performers, stalls, refreshments, bouncy castles and three spectacular processions. The main event is the colourful Lafrowda Day parade and lantern procession through the town on 19 July.

06 July 2014 - St Ives RNLI Sportive

This friendly cycling event starts and finishes at St Ives Lifeboat Station. Organised to raise money for the lifesaving charity, it’s a chance for cyclists of all abilities to get together for a scenic ride around the coast of West Penwith. Spectators can watch as hundreds of cyclists depart through the town and return later in the day for celebrations.

12 July 2014 - St Ives Biathlon

This event is quite a spectacle as hoards of lifeguards and super fit competitors run from the town centre in St Ives to either Porthminster Beach or Carbis Bay and then swim back to the harbour in this annual race. Organised by the St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, the Biathlon is a great challenge which is also open to novices. This exciting local event brings the community together and turns into one big party in the pubs around the harbour.

August 2014 (date tbc) - St Ives Raft Race

The annual St Ives raft race is one of the highlights of the summer calendar. This is a fun evening where local people and businesses race the length of the harbour on hand-made rafts while dressed in fancy dress. In a combination of competitive spirit, mischievous fun and mayhem, the whole two explodes into party atmosphere as pirates, mermaids and other costumed teams invade the harbour for a memorable evening.

07 August 2014 - St Ives Lifeboat Day

The St Ives Lifeboat Station will host its annual fun packed open day where visitors get a chance to see the RNLI Lifeboats on display and in action on the water in a joint demonstration with a Search & Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose. The RNLI also organise a BBQ and market stalls selling cakes and local crafts - all to raise money for the charity.

09-10 August - St Ives Summer Beer & Cider Festival

The Guildhall will come alive with a celebration of Cornish beer and cider plus a selection of real ales, beers and ciders from around the UK. Live music will add to the atmosphere for what is always a popular and lively event.

25 August 2014 - Newlyn Fish Festival

Nearby Newlyn hosts one of the UK’s biggest fish festivals at the end of August. This celebration of all things fishy includes a fish market, cooking demonstrations and the chance to sample the best local fish and seafood, while raising money for the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.

13-27 September - St Ives September Festival

As one of the biggest events of the year in St Ives, the September Festival of music, entertainment, arts and film attracts performers and visitors from far and wide. Visitors can choose from over 300 music concerts, comedy gigs, plays, workshops, gallery visits and other arty events to experience at venues throughout the town during the two-week festival.

If you're thinking about visiting St Ives this summer visit Carbis Bay Holidays for school summer holiday accommodation in Cornwall.

Where to Visit for Art Holidays in Cornwall

We all know Cornwall is a bright and vibrant place to visit. But if you want to add even more colour to your holiday in Cornwall, you might want to consider hitting the art trail to experience the fabulous art for which this location is renowned. With its rich artistic heritage and inspirational scenery, there are few holiday destinations better suited to art fans. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced artist, aspiring painter or simply wish to soak up the artistic atmosphere, Cornwall presents a culture infused with a fantastic diversity of artistic styles and genres.

Painting in St Ives. Photo by Charles Musselwhite

Explore Fine Art in St Ives

You can’t wander far in any town in Cornwall without stumbling across an art gallery or souvenir shop selling paintings, prints, photographs and crafts celebrating the Cornish landscape and lifestyle. In some locations the creative work of local artists literally spills out on to the streets and this is especially true in St Ives. Renowned for its quality of light and beautiful scenery, St Ives has been  inspiring artists and visitors for generations.

In fact some of the earliest tourists visiting Cornwall were artists, drawn by the fantastic sea vistas, boundless skies and growing artisan community that frequented St Ives. Famous painters Turner, Sickert and Whistler were all known to have visited the area in the 19th Century and in 1920 the internationally renowned potter Bernard Leach set up a studio in St Ives. It is possible to see works of this great potter, plus artists who have followed in his footsteps, at the Leach Pottery museum.

Other artists followed and mingled with locally born painters such as Alfred Wallis to form a community of artists, who made St Ives famous worldwide. The British painter Ben Nicholson joined the St Ives collective when he moved here with his wife Barbara Hepworth at the outbreak of the second world war in 1939. Nicholson later left but Hepworth lived and worked as a sculptor in the town at Trewyn Studios until her death in 1975. It is possible to see many of her great works and visit the studio where she worked at the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden.

Many art schools were established in St Ives at the time and in the decades that followed. Today you can join painting, drawing and sculpting classes while on holiday in the area. St Ives is so important to the British art scene that in the early 1990s the Tate organisation built and opened Tate St Ives to showcase noteworthy local and international exhibitions. It remains a must-see attraction if you’re staying in this part of Cornwall. There are dozens of other great art galleries and crafts shops to explore in the town, including outlets for Cornish glassware artist Jo Downs.

Sculpture at the Barbara Hepworth Museum. Photo by Sarah Charlesworth

Experience Spectacular Art in Newlyn

Nearby Newlyn has had an equally rich artistic history. Like St Ives, it became the location for a important artists’ colony known as the Newlyn School. Much smaller than St Ives, Newlyn was, and still is, a thriving fishing village providing much inspiration to visiting and resident artists. Big names in the movement included Lamorna Birch and Stanhope Forbes.

Today you can see some of the fine art produced during that period and the work of contemporary artists in galleries, including the Newlyn Art Gallery and a variety of other galleries in nearby Penzance.  Penlee House Gallery and Museum has a fascinating exhibition of painters from the Newlyn School and their influence on modern artists. The PZ  Exchange, The Contemporary Gallery and other independent galleries provide a showcase of old and new artists from across the county. If you fancy participating in some art classes, you can learn from local artists at the Newlyn School of Art.

Find Up-And-Coming Art in Falmouth

Falmouth is another town which has attracted artists over the centuries, thanks to its wonderful seascapes and narrow bustling streets. Soaked in maritime history, Falmouth is a huge natural port littered with sailing boats of all sizes and colours. It’s little wonder that painters and artists used these wonderful scenes as inspiration for their artwork.

The best place to visit for art lovers is the Falmouth Art Museum, which has fine collection of 19th and 20th century art plus contemporary exhibitions by Cornish artists. It is also possible to catch the works of up-and-coming artists in the boutique galleries around the town or at end-of-year shows at the Falmouth School of Art. This famous art school which only recently acquired university status has attracted talented students from UK and world for over a century.

Witness a Wealth of Art in Fowey

Heading further east on the Cornwall art trail leads you to the small artists enclave of Fowey, which seems to be bursting at the seams with galleries and craft shops. Located on the Fowey estuary, amid yet more stunning Cornish scenery, the town bathes in glorious natural light providing a continuing source of inspiration and fascination for local artists.

One of the best places to head for great art is the Fowey River Gallery, which hosts an ever-changing display of exhibitions and new works by prominent local artists. Also worth a visit is the Toe in the Water Gallery which showcases and sells art and crafts inspired by the sea and coastline.

More Great Art in Padstow

This outpost of Cornish art on the rugged North Coast is a picturesque fishing town located on the colourful Camel estuary. Padstow and the surrounding area is home to many notable artists who draw inspiration from the rocky coastline, sandy shores and deep blue sea. Among these is the superb contemporary artist David Pearce who regularly exhibits his modern sea scenes at shows worldwide and locally at Padstow Fine Art.

Like all the other locations on the Cornish art trail, the streets of Padstow are lined with galleries, art shops and craft stores selling paintings and objets d’art of all standards, for all budgets. One of the newest galleries in Padstow, the Drang Gallery caters to the wealthier end  with its display of exciting works by established British artists, previously including Damien Hirst and Sir Terry Frost.

Get Set for Your Art Holiday in Cornwall

Whether you want to admire great works, pick up a momento or immerse yourself in the creative vibe, the Cornish art trail will lead you through some of the most beautiful, culturally rich locations Cornwall has to offer taking you on a tour through the treasure trove of historic and contemporary art found in Cornwall today. If you want to carve your own trail or simply soak up the art scene, St Ives  is the perfect base for you to create, immerse and explore Cornwall’s arty side. Visit Carbis Bay Holidays for self catering holiday accommodation in the town and the surrounding area.

St Ives Holiday Resort Strong Start for Spring

We're pleased to report that our holiday accommodation bookings in St Ives are strong this spring, which is great news following a particularly long and stormy winter. Here's a little press release we put out on our exciting success in providing fantastic holiday accommodation for holidaymakers in St Ives.

After surviving the worst winter storms in a generation, businesses in St Ives in Cornwall are busy preparing for the Spring season and a busy Easter holiday. One such business is Carbis Bay Holidays which has expanded from nearby Carbis Bay to offer a growing number of holiday properties in St Ives.

The holiday accommodation provider reports that St Ives is well and truly #openforbusiness, with strong bookings for 2014 at the 50 or so self-catering cottages, houses and apartments it represents in the town.

Although the winter storms caused some damage along the beaches in St Ives, the properties managed by Carbis Bay Holidays were unscathed. The company says holidaymakers should expect the same excellent standards and superb tourism facilities for which St Ives is known and loved.

Amanda O’Toole from Carbis Bay Holidays said: “VisitCornwall has done an excellent job with its #openforbusiness campaign to reassure people travelling to Cornwall that they can still enjoy excellent holidays. It seems like this message has worked as bookings for accommodation in St Ives are looking very good for Easter and beyond.”

This is great news for the company which entered the highly competitive St Ives holiday market, after gaining success and a loyal following for its property portfolio in nearby Carbis Bay.

Carbis Bay Holidays was established in 2000 and built up a solid reputation by marketing only a handful of very local superior seaside properties. Over the years, the company has built on this early success by only taking on a hand-picked selection of high-end properties throughout the St Ives and Carbis Bay area.

The company now represents 130 properties in total, well over a third of which are based in St Ives.

Amanda O’Toole commented: “St Ives was a natural progression for us. We’re only next door, so we know the town extremely well and are able to service the properties to the same high standards. Many guests who stay with us in Carbis Bay, love to experience everything that St Ives has to offer - and vice versa. So we knew there would be strong demand from our customers.

“St Ives is a superb tourist destination - it’s beautiful, culturally rich and vibrant. It’s good to see it thriving as a holiday resort, despite what Mother Nature threw at it earlier this year.”

* Carbis Bay Holidays welcomes the opportunity to talk to quality holiday accommodation owners in St Ives about how they can maximise their rental return. Please contact Operations Director Richard Brindley on 01736 630015 to arrange a visit. Or see www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk for more information.

Where to Find the Best Sea Views in St Ives

People visit St Ives in Cornwall for many reasons. Some visit the holiday town for art and culture, others visit for surfing and activities, while others come for shops and great places to eat. But many people simply want to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery. But where can you get the best sea views in St Ives? Here we share some of our favourite vistas in and around St Ives.

Station Approach
Many people’s first sight of St Ives is from the train as it travels along the cliff top from Carbis Bay and into the station. It’s important to make a first impression and St Ives does not disappoint. As the train chugs slowly along the track, passengers are afforded a beautiful view across Porthminster Beach. The view reveals a shimmering turquoise sea, lapping onto a white sand beach complete with palm trees, with St Ives Harbour in the background.

We think this must be one of the best rail journey terminations in the world, and well worth the journey alone. Those who want to linger longer in this spot can return on foot along the coast path to Porthminster Point to soak in this spectacular sea view.

We offer many holiday homes in this location, including the superb Primrose Court overlooking Porthminster Beach with far reaching views across St Ives Bay.

Harbour View
Once visitors have had time to settle into their holiday accommodation, it’s not long before they are drawn to the harbourside. This is St Ives’ perfectly picturesque, horseshoe shaped harbour full of colourful fishing boats bobbing on clear blue water (when the tide is in). There are fine vistas all the way along the Wharf promenade which is lined with vibrant shops, pubs and restaurants.

But for one of the best harbour views, holidaymakers should make their way along the breakwater known as Smeaton’s Pier. From here visitors get the dual vistas of the harbour backed by the town and out to sea across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse.

For a holiday property with a fantastic view of St Ives harbour, there is the wonderful Harbour Lights. This apartment has big windows looking out over the harbour, town and sea, and is only a short stroll from Porthminster Beach.

Out on ‘The Island’
Just a short walk around the coast is St Ives Head with juts out into the sea besides Porthmeor Beach. Known locally as ‘The Island’, this rugged promontory rises up to a high point topped by St Nicolas’s Chapel. This St Ives landmark makes a great lookout point for sea views in all directions.

This is where visitors come to get a sense of direction, as the high ground provides a handy view over the rooftops of the town as well as awesome sea views along the north and east coasts.

The Whistler holiday home, part of Tate Reach, enjoys an elevated position superb panoramic views of ‘The Island’, as well as the town, harbour and beaches.

On Rocky Shores
Keen walkers are spoilt for choice in and around St Ives. But it’s not long before walkers make their way out of town along the South West Coast path towards Zennor. This rugged coastline is characterised by high cliffs, secluded coves, tidal pools and rocky outcrops.

Visitors who don’t want to go so far can get a taste of this scenery by taking the short walk out of town up to Clodgy Point. This headland is punctuated with boulders and rock ‘statues’ carved by wind and rain over many millennia. As well as possessing these unique features, Clodgy Point offers great views back along Porthmeor Beach to to Ives head and across the rooftops of the town.

Holiday accommodation close to this location include Porth Glas, in the One Eighty complex above Porthmeor Beach.

High and Mighty
More rugged scenery can be discovered inland at Rosewall Hill. This ancient moorland rises 200 metres above the sea to give impressive 360 degree views across the whole area. It’s here that visitors can discover wind sculpted carns and standing stones, as well as the chimney stacks of old tin mine engine houses.

On a fine day visitors will get a superb birds-eye view over the town, out to sea, across the bay and all the way up the coast towards North Cornwall.

This out-of-town location is wild and remote but can be accessed easily from any number of our properties in St Ives and Carbis Bay. One of our favourite centrally located properties is 4Shore, which is perched above Porthminster Beach with panoramic views of the sea and coast.

Bay Watch
Those visitors who venture from the hubbub of St Ives and stretch their legs along the coast path past Carbis Bay towards Hayle will discover more genteel scenery, hidden coves and far-reaching views across St Ives Bay.

At Hawkes Point, there is a beautiful view along the golden beach of Porthkidney Sands towards the turquoise mouth of Hayle Estuary and beyond to Hayle Towans in the distance. This is a laid-back vista, where sightseers can soak in the scenery of this postcard perfect stretch of Cornish coast in all its technicolor glory.

Holiday accommodation at Hawkes Point includes the Huers Hide apartment, part of the Sea Urchin complex, with panoramic windows overlooking the fantastic sea, beach and coast.

Share Your Best Views

These are some of our favourite sea views in and around St Ives. Please connect with us on Facebook to share yours.

Best Beaches for Surfing in and around St Ives

If you’re visiting St Ives in Cornwall this summer, you really should try surfing. The sport of surfing is a vibrant part of the culture and lifestyle of Cornwall, and St Ives is a hotspot for surfing activity. To leave Cornwall without having tried surfing, is like visiting Cornwall without ever tasting a Cornish pasty. It’s simply something you should do to get under the skin of this holiday destination and immerse yourself in the Cornish vibe.

Of course you wouldn’t just try surfing because of its connection with Cornwall. It is also a fabulous activity which allows you to have fun in the sea and experience the power of nature as you ride waves along the shore. It is also a healthy exercise and is great fun for all ages and abilities, especially families who are staying locally in St Ives holiday accommodation.

Surfing at Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
The best place to start your surfing adventure in St Ives is Porthmeor Beach. This half-mile stretch of sand is located right in the heart of town, overlooked by the prestigious Tate Gallery. The beach faces north west, so it is slightly sheltered from the biggest swells and strongest winds. This means the waves are often cleaner and gentler here than west facing beaches, so Porthmeor Beach is perfect for learning to surf most of the time. St Ives Surf School runs surf lessons here (see discount information below). A surfing lesson at Porthmeor Beach is a superb activity to experience while you are on holiday in the St Ives area.

Surfing at Sennen Beach
Just a short drive away from St Ives and Carbis Bay, at the far end of West Penwith is the pretty fishing village of Sennen with its crescent of golden sand renowned for its quality surf conditions. As this beach is located right at the tip of Cornwall, near Land’s End, Sennen Beach does pick up most Atlantic Ocean swells. On big wave days, the surfing is best left to the local pros. But when the conditions are calm, Sennen is one of the few places where you can pick up some beginner size waves. There is also the very good Sennen Surf School here, with professional surf instructors eager to teach you in the ways of wave riding.

Surfing at Gwithian Beach
Located just the other side of Carbis Bay, at the other end of the Hayle Towans, Gwithian is one of the hottest surf destinations in the area. This beach is also exposed to the best swells rolling in from the Atlantic, which can deliver big barreling waves for experienced surfers some days. But on other days, beginner surfers can enjoy calmer waves and surf conditions suitable for learning how to surf. If you check the surf forecast and choose your visit correctly, you will be rewarded with some awesome waves in the shadow of Godrevy Lighthouse. Gwithian Academy of Surfing runs surfing lessons here for beginners and progressing surfers.

Surfing at Praa Sands
Praa Sands is only a 20 minute drive away from St Ives, but has a very different outlook and atmosphere to the rugged beaches of the north coast. When you pass Penzance you’ve turned the corner onto the south coast of West Cornwall, with generally gentler, greener coastal scenery. Surf conditions on the south coast can be world class, especially at nearby Porthleven with its renowned rocky reef break. The waves can also be big and hollow at Praa Sands, but generally in the summer months, the waves break gently onto a soft sandy beach. This makes it a good location for families with small children to try surfing and master core board skills without battling it out through big breakers. Stones Reef Surf Shop, located right on the beach, provides surfboard hire and surfing lessons.

Let’s Go Surfing!
So there you have it. A round-up of the best places to learn to surf and enjoy surfing while you are on holiday in St Ives or Carbis Bay. But your surfing adventure needn’t end there. There are surfing beaches, coves and more advanced surf spots to explore along the entire coastline of Cornwall. Once you’ve had your initial surf lessons and feel comfortable in the water, you can just pick up a board and explore. You’ll be assured a true Cornish adventure.

For more information on surfing in St Ives or to book surfing lessons at Porthmeor Beach, please visit the St Ives Surf School website. Remember that if you’re on holiday in St Ives with Carbis Bay Holidays, you can get 20% off the price of surf lessons with this surf school.

If you’re a keen surfer or want to try surfing while on holiday in St Ives, please check out the range of holiday cottages, houses and apartments near Porthmeor Beach on the Carbis Bay Holidays website.

We've Struck Gold Again as a Green Tourism Business

Carbis Bay Holidays is pleased to announce that it has retained it's Green Award status following an evaluation from the Green Business Tourism Scheme.

To celebrate the accolade we gave this press release a cheeky, little Olympian theme as follows:

While Team GB revels in its medal success at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, St Ives holiday accommodation specialist Carbis Bay Holidays is celebrating its own ‘podium finish’ after retaining a Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Following an ‘Olympian’ effort to get their environmental policies and procedures up to the highest green standards, the St Ives based holiday company has retained its Gold Award – the top accolade in the national scheme which promotes sustainable tourism.

Carbis Bay Holidays has always prided itself in its green credentials, but this latest award in this prestigious scheme is the crowning glory in its continued efforts to run a responsible tourism business. It is the third successive year that the company has achieved the Gold Award.

Amanda O’Toole from Carbis Bay Holidays commented: “We’re delighted to be recognised again for our efforts to be an environmentally friendly business and to promote green, sustainable holidays in the St Ives area."

You can read the full press release here: Gold Medal for St Ives Accommodation Company

Ancient Forests Uncovered at Mount's Bay

This is amazing. An ancient submerged forest has been uncovered at Mount's Bay, near Penzance, following the recent storms.

Frank Howie/Cornwall Wildlife Trust

It seems that the stormy seas which wreaked havoc on the coast in early February has uncovered stumps of ancient oak, beech and pine trees. These large tree stumps are between 4,000 and 6,000 years old and have been preserved all this time by sand and shingle.

I'm not sure how long the ancient forest in Mount's Bay will remain visible before shifting sands cover them over again, but experts are warning visitors not to investigate.

Frank Howie, Cornwall Wildlife Trustee and chair of the county's Geoconservation Group, said: "The storms have revealed two to five metre trunks of pine and oak as well as the remains of hazel thickets with well-preserved cob nuts and acorns washed out by streams running across the beach.

"These forests were growing four or five thousand years when climate was slightly warmer than today.

"They were not flooded at the end of the last ice age which happened around 12,000 years ago.”

The above quote is an excerpt from an article in The Telegraph. To read full article go here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/10653204/Submerged-forests-revealed-by-UK-storms.html

Happy Valentine's Day from Carbis Bay Holidays in St Ives

As it’s Valentine’s Day we wanted to share with you our love of St Ives.  We carried out a quick survey of some of the Carbis Bay Holidays team, to see what they love best about our lovely quirky fishing village.

Posh Fish & Chips by Sunset

On a fine summer evening my husband and I love taking our Patterdale terrier ‘Jet’ for a walk around the Island, stopping off at Harbour Fish & Chips on the way. Their fish and chips are truly scrumptious, especially the sprinkling of crunchy sweet potato on top. The Island offers stunning 360 degree views, taking in so many different aspects of the town and bay. We finally make our way around to our little bench which is perfectly positioned overlooking Porthmeor beach and enjoy our alfresco dinner with what we think is the best sunset in the world.
Tamsin, Marketing

The Breathtaking Beauty

Even though I have lived here half of my life I still cannot believe how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.  The walk from Carbis Bay where I live to St Ives is like a mini holiday to me and as soon as I reach closer to St Ives I look over the wall to survey the beauty and the light – it still always takes my breath away!
Natalie, Property

 
Carbis Bay Holidays offer a wide selection of holiday properties suitable for a romantic break any time of the year.  From cosy hideaways for couples to holiday homes with hot tubs, we are sure you will love St Ives and return again and again.

What do you love most about St Ives?

 

Bonfire, Fireworks & Fun on Carbis Bay Beach

There really is no better place to see a firework display than on a beach in Cornwall. The clean and crisp fresh air, high cliff tops and dark swollen seas all help to make a Cornish Bonfire Night truly spectacular.

Carbis Bay Holidays are delighted to be the main sponsor for the Carbis Bay Residents Association Bonfire and Fireworks Party once again this year, which will now be taking place on Monday 4th November 2013 (postponed from Sunday 3rd due to weather forecast).

Carbis Bay beach firework displays have received many positive reviews, so whether you’re young or old, you’re sure to enjoy the excitement of a firework party on the beach.

Local businesses will be getting involved, setting up stalls providing BBQ, mulled wine, hot potatoes, teas & coffees, doughnuts, candyfloss, sweets and treats.

Come join us with your family, warm yourself by the bonfire and watch the firework display take place. A free shuttle bus is running from the Porthrepta Road car park (Council pay and display car parking charge applies).

We start with the lighting of the bonfire at 5.30pm and then the fun really gets started!

£1 entry per person (suggested donation).

Free Entry to the Tate St Ives & Hepworth Museum

A visit to St Ives would not be complete without visiting the World famous Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Up until the 29th September 2013, visitors can enjoy the summer exhibition which features Marlow Moss, R H Quaytman, Linder, Barbara Hepworth, Linder, Gareth Jones, Nick Relph, Patrick Heron and Allen Ruppersberg, along with taking part in the ‘I Spy Tate’ challenge up until the 3rd September 2013.

The winter exhibition ‘Aquatopia’ is then installed in October 2013.

The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is a lovely peaceful attraction to visit, set in the heart of St Ives. You are given the chance to explore Hepworth’s former studio and tranquil gardens, where many of her master pieces can be admired.

We have three very special properties which offer guests a complimentary pass for two adults to visit both attractions an unlimited amount of times (entry for under 18’s is free), along with gaining a 10% discount in the Tate St Ives gift shop and roof top terrace cafe.

Aquamarine

A stunning two bedroom apartment with amazing panoramic sea views stretching right across St Ives Bay.  Located at the Carbis Beach Apartments, you are just a two minute walk away from the golden sands of the beach below and just 60 seconds from the South West Coast Path.  Sleeping 4 + infant, parking, Superfast broadband, iPad, Sonos music system and much more.

 

The White Lantern

A fabulous contemporary house situated within a 4 minute walk of St Ives town centre and Porthminster beach, sleeping 4 + infant.  Enjoy sea views, outside living space, stunning modern interiors, parking for up to three cars, full Sky TV package, bike locking and wetsuit washing areas and a Playstation III, just to name a few facilities. 

Ultramarine

The sister apartment to Aquamarine, Ultramarine also sleeps 4 + infant and benefits from the same outstanding facilities, including unparalleled sea views, balcony, sleek coastal interiors, parking and amazing entertainments package.

 

During the winter of 2013/14, Carbis Bay Holidays will be offering complimentary passes to the Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden for bookings commencing between the 1st November 2013 and 27th March 2014, excluding school holidays. Please take a look at our winter breaks page for further information, along with details on Tate St Ives winter closing dates.

Hot Tub Holidays

Whether you are looking for a romantic break away for two, or a great way to entertain the kids whilst on holiday, our three luxury Cornish holiday homes with hot tubs are sure to add an extra special treat to your break.

What could be more relaxing than simply escaping to your own private hot tub after an exciting day of exploring?


Atlantic Watch is a hidden treasure on the coastline of Carbis Bay. The property features an indulgent hot tub and enjoys a prime location with uninterrupted sea views. This 5 star gold award property offers superb self catering accommodation only a stones throw from the beach and sleeps 4 + infant. A perfect choice for a romantic getaway. Summer School Holiday Availability - Weeks Commencing 27th July, 17th & 24th August 2013.

Fernhill Lodge boasts exceptional views across St Ives Bay which can be enjoyed from the hot tub. This three bedroom house sleeps 7 + 2 infants and is tucked away in exclusive 'Fernhill'. Built in reverse-level to maximise the views, this really is an idyllic place to relax and admire the panorama whatever the time of year. Blissful summer nights can be spent on the covered balcony or in the eight seater hot tub whilst watching the stars.

Tremorva is a stunning house in St Ives sleeping 8 + 2 infants in four bedrooms.  Located in the prestigious Treloyhan area, with magnificent panoramic ocean views aplenty. The fabulous rear garden boasts a large hot tub, outdoor table tennis table, gas BBQ, beach hut playhouse and outside shower. This stunning property also benefits from 3D Smart television with complimentary Netflix and Sky+ HD, children's den, log burner, super-fast broadband and much more. Summer School Holiday Availability - Weeks Commencing 10th, 17th & 24th August 2013 - Special £100 discount per week, see website for further information.

St Ives Retro Revelation - As Featured in July Vogue

The Vintage Store and Tearoom is quirky and stylish with beautiful wooden Ercol furniture to lounge on feeling like something out of Tom Ford film. Sample an array of gorgeous loose leaf teas or a well made Cornish roasted coffee, not to mention the amazing artisan cakes and freshly baked treats. There is superb view of St Ives harbour if you are lucky enough to get the window seat. A must visit whilst in St Ives, highly recommended!

How to get there - Once you are on the harbour front, about half way along you will spot a stylish A-board for The Vintage Store. It’s up a little flight of stairs and houses a beautifully curated collection of mainly 50’s and 60’s pieces including letterpress posters, angle poises, factory lights and a lovely bit of mid century furniture, from Eames to G-plan. They have also recently just introduced a great collection of household items from names such as Falcon, Tala and Iris Hantverk. 

01736 797530
sales@thevintagestorestives.com

Check out some of the unique and stylish mid century furniture in a selection of our properties at Carbis Bay Holidays.

Star Gazy is a fabulous luxury self catering property located at the prestigious Peninsula Apartments in St Ives, Cornwall. This stunning seaside holiday home is perfect for families. The inspirational interior is equipped with a beautiful Ercol plank table and set of Quaker chairs, as well as a few other quality mid-century pieces. These are teamed with one of the best panoramic sea views in St Ives, a flawless combination for an unforgettable Cornish holiday. 

Barbecue for Breakfast? Absolutely!

Introducing one of our fabulous new seaside properties Seaspray.

A beautiful beachfront Art Deco property with breath taking panoramic views.  Within just three steps you will be on the golden sands of the Blue Flag award winning Carbis Bay beach, you couldn’t be closer.  This property offers the perfect location for a seaside escape, sleeping four plus an infant, is dog friendly and boasts a wonderful log burner, perfect for those cooler evenings.

Food always seems to taste better when made on the grill and breakfast is no exception.  Start off your holiday mornings by the seaside with an alfresco breakfast made on the BBQ.

Here are some great ideas to get you started:

How about some BBQ fruit kebabs with yogurt and honey to get you energized for a morning walk, some BBQ grilled French toast or there is nothing like a traditional grilled bangers and bacon sandwich.

We have a number of alternative four and five star luxury holiday properties exclusively located within the St Ives area which also offer barbecue facilities.

St Ives Food and Drink Festival 2013

Come stay with us at Carbis Bay Holidays this May in time for the St Ives Food and Drink Festival.

Located on the beautiful Porthminster beach one of Cornwall’s finest beaches with amazing views across to Gwithian and into St Ives Harbour, the St Ives Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of the best of Cornish produce.

From wine, cider and beer producers, to chocolate and cheese makers, fruit and vegetable growers and meat, chutneys, curry and bread all produced in Cornwall, the food producers market at the festival is sure to delight the taste buds.

As well as the Producers' Marquee new events, activities and attractions are being added over the coming weeks. These include: Food and Drink Guided Tour, Wild Food Foraging Walk, Cornish Cheese and Wine Tasting, Live Music and Gourmet Evenings, as well as plenty of things for the kids to get involved in such as pasty making lessons.

Cooking demos will also take place over the two day event by local chefs sharing their culinary skills.

What better way to spend the weekend than staying in one of our luxury properties and tasting the culinary delights of Cornwall.

The St Ives Food and Drink Festival takes place Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th May 2013.  If you get here a day earlier, rumour has it you could bump into the Queen during a royal visit to St Ives!

Culinary Adventures in St Ives - Part 1

Surrounded by crystal waters and beautiful countryside, the chefs of St Ives’ restaurants are lucky to be able to have access to some of the finest and freshest produce around to create some of the fantastic dishes on offer for diners visiting the town.

We seem spoilt for choice in this little seaside town so we thought we would let you know a couple of our favourites to get you started on your culinary adventures when staying with Carbis Bay Holidays.

The Black Rock Restaurant, the Market Place

Sophisticated, well cooked cuisine and fantastic fresh farm house bread. The Black Rock has a small but exciting menu offering tasty treats made with quality local ingredients. Coupled with a stylish interior scattered with works from Michael Leech, The Black Rock makes for stylish dining.

• Try the fresh crab claws dripping in wild garlic and butter or the Thai style slow roasted pork belly with noodles.

 

The Porthmeor Beach Café

This beachside terrace in front of Tate St Ives offers a kind of cool but casual alfresco dining experience with incredible views across the beach. Watch the sunset and if you’re lucky you may see a school of dolphins pass by. Fresh Produce is offered in an exciting tapas style menu and has gained itself quite a reputation over the years.

•  Try the Cornish duck breast, apple & fennel, beetroot caramel or the Cornish seafood bouillabaisse, toasted sourdough and saffron aioli

We suggest you ring to book a table in the busier summer months and during school holidays.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from St Ives

Wow!  Only seven days to go until Christmas and here at Carbis Bay Holidays we are all prepared!  Are you?  Our properties are festively decorated and the mince pies have been ordered for our guests to enjoy on arrival.  We even have a seasonal photoshoot planned too!

If you're in St Ives, have a great stay with us and don't forget to check our website for what's on in December.  If you're not holidaying in St Ives, then have a super Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you to Cornwall in 2013.

Do let us know what you think of our St Ives version of '12 Days of Christmas' - we had great fun creating it!

Best wishes,


Alan, Sheena, Amanda, Richard, Alex, Tamsin and Tasha

Calling all little Sand Sculpturers!

It's not escaped our attention that it's October half term very very soon and we thought it would be great fun to invite any of the children holidaying with us in St Ives this year to create a "Snowman Sandcastle."

We know it's only October, but we start thinking about Christmas early here in the Carbis Bay Holidays office as there's lots to organise with all those Christmas decorations to go into our properties. 

With a bit of beachcombing, we are sure you will be able to find some mussels, stones and seaweed that could decorate him or her nicely.  We'd love to see your creations!  Post to our Facebook page or  email us at marketing@carbisbayholidays.co.uk

Celebrating our 100th Luxury St Ives Holiday Home

Established over a decade ago, Carbis Bay Holidays has evolved into one of Cornwall’s most prestigious luxury self-catering agencies, offering only four and five star accommodation exclusively in the St Ives area, and boasting more VisitEngland Gold Award properties than any other rental specialist in Cornwall. 

We have been eagerly anticipating the addition of the 100th property to our portfolio of luxury coastal retreats and this week we have certainly been celebrating this exciting milestone in style with the arrival of Blue Rock. 

For most people staying in St Ives, Blue Rock is one of those properties that you stroll past and say “I would love to stay there”!  This extraordinary property offers all you could need from a Cornish seaside holiday home including stunning panoramic sea views across one of the most beautiful bays in the world, as well as an elevated outlook of the picturesque harbour of St Ives.  All of this is teamed together with sumptuous interiors, wonderful outdoor living space and ample parking, an exciting and fairly unique home for this award winning town. 

Richard Brindley, Operations Director, Carbis Bay Holidays comments:

“It’s been eleven years in the making, but the slow and steady growth of the company has ensured that we can maintain the same high levels of service to our owners whether they joined us ten years ago or more recently. It’s a testament to all of the team, including our housekeepers that we have maintained our ethos throughout. Despite the current difficult economic times, Carbis Bay Holidays have continued to grow in both the number of properties that they let and also the number of bookings achieved per property.  We would like to thank our owners and guests for their continued part in our success.”

Luxury Summer Self Catering Properties with BBQ's

With the news from the Met Office of an imminent balmy summer, it has prompted us Cornish into pulling the barbeque out, and so can you by staying in one of our stunning luxury coastal holiday homes which provides a BBQ.

We have just a small handful of properties available for the school summer holidays, with the following properties providing a BBQ for guest's use:

St Ives

The White Lantern – Sleeps 4 + infant, 3 minutes walk to town centre and Porthminster beach, sea views, rear terrace and ample parking.
Availability – Week commencing Saturday 28th July 2012 

Chy an Pol – Sleeps 7 + infant, sea views, balconies, large secure rear terrace, parking for 2 cars.
Availability – Weeks commencing Saturday 21st July 2012 and Saturday 4th August 2012

Carbis Bay

Fernhill Lodge – Sleeps 7 + 2 infants, panoramic sea views, covered balcony, private garden and spa bath.
Availability - Week commencing Saturday 18th August 2012

Driftwood – Sleeps 6 + infant, dog friendly, secure rear patio and ample parking.
Availability - Week commencing Friday 17th August 2012

We also have a small range of alternative properties available during the summer holidays which do not offer a BBQ but are ideally positioned to enjoy a short stroll to the beach with a disposable BBQ.

The above properties were available at the time of publishing, please visit www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk for up to date availability.