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48 Hours In: St Ives - The Ultimate Couples' Escape
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Day 1
Stay
For boutique charm, check into Harbour View House (https://www.harbourviewonline.co.uk), where beautifully designed rooms overlook the harbour. If being steps from everything is your priority, The Lifeboat Inn (https://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/the-lifeboat-inn-st-ives) is perfectly positioned on the waterfront. Looking to make the weekend extra special? Book a room at Harbour Hotel St Ives (https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/st-ives), complete with a luxury spa and breathtaking views across Porthminster Beach.
Take a moment to soak in the sea air before heading into town.
Coffee stops with a View
No holiday should begin without exceptional coffee.
Start at Yallah Coffee (https://yallahcoffee.co.uk), one of Cornwall's best speciality coffee roasters, where expertly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries provide the perfect start to your weekend.
Alternatively, head to Mount Zion Coffee (https://www.mountzioncoffee.co.uk), a minimalist independent café loved by locals for its carefully sourced beans and relaxed atmosphere.
Wander the Harbour
One of the best things about St Ives is wandering the cobbled streets without a plan.
Lose yourself among the narrow lanes lined with independent boutiques, galleries and artisan shops before making your way down to the picturesque harbour, where fishing boats bob alongside golden sand.
Keep an eye out for the town's incredible ceramic studios. St Ives has long attracted artists and makers, and you'll discover beautiful handcrafted pottery tucked away down tiny streets.
Lunch
Head to Brine (https://www.brinestives.co.uk) for one of the best lunches in town.
Their relaxed coastal menu champions Cornish produce, with beautifully fresh seafood taking centre stage. If it's on the menu, order the oysters and pair them with a glass of sparkling wine before enjoying one of their creative brunch dishes.
It's the kind of leisurely lunch that effortlessly stretches into the afternoon.
Beach Hopping
The beauty of St Ives is in it's beaches.
Walk from Porthminster Beach with its calm, crystal-clear water to Porthmeor Beach, famous for surfers and spectacular Atlantic views. Continue to the quieter Porthgwidden Beach, tucked away beneath the cliffs.
If you're feeling adventurous, venture further along the coast to discover Mermaid Pool, a hidden gem of a natural sea pool carved into the rocks so worth seeking out for the views.
Sundowner & Dinner
Well worth booking a table at Silco Bar & Kitchen (https://drinksilco.co.uk/pages/book-silco). Lovely spot on the water front for cocktails, incredible sharing plates and some of the freshest seafood in town, one of the best dining experiences in St Ives. The stylish interiors and harbour setting create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening.
Day Two
Slow Breakfast
Ease into the morning with a coffee stop and a trip to St Ives Bakery (https://www.stivesbakery.co.uk) known for its beautifully crafted breads, buttery pastries and seasonal bakes. Grab a cinnamon bun or flaky croissant with a flat white and enjoy it on the harbour as the town begins to wake up.
Tate St Ives
Few galleries enjoy a setting as spectacular as Tate St Ives (https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives). Perched above Porthmeor Beach, it celebrates the artists inspired by Cornwall's extraordinary light. Even if contemporary art isn't usually your thing, the architecture and sea views alone make it worth visiting. Grab a coffee and cake stop post browsing to watch the surfers at the Porthmeor beach cafe too.
Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
Just a short is the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden (https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden). Hidden behind traditional Cornish cottages, Hepworth's former home offers a peaceful escape filled with striking sculptures, lush planting and fascinating insight into one of Britain's greatest artists.
Lunch at St Eia
For a slower afternoon, head to St Eia (https://www.steia.co.uk).
This stylish wine bar and café serves seasonal small plates alongside an excellent selection of wines. It's relaxed, intimate and ideal for lingering over lunch with a glass of something delicious.
Shop Local
Take time to browse St Ives' many independent ceramic studios and galleries. The town has long been a haven for artists and makers, and you'll find so many great places to browse and loose yourself in. Feeling flush start at Salt Society (https://www.saltsocietyshop.co.uk), a beautifully curated lifestyle store filled with coastal-inspired homeware, ceramics, jewellery and thoughtfully sourced pieces from independent makers. Next, pop into The Painted Bird (https://www.thepaintedbird.co.uk), an independent boutique showcasing an ever-changing collection of contemporary clothing, accessories and unique homewares, and no visit to St Ives is complete without stopping by The Cornish Deli (https://www.cornishdeli.com), where shelves are packed with artisan cheeses, Cornish chutneys, locally made preserves and gourmet treats. It's the ideal place to stock up for the journey home.