: St Ives – Best UK Seaside Town

The bay of St Ives in Cornwall

Recent winner of Best UK seaside town in the British Travel Awards 2011 as voted by the great British public, St Ives in Cornwall is a wonderful place to visit and only a 60 minute drive from our Cornwall resorts of Trenython Manor and Hustyns.

The coastal town lies north of Penzance and after the decline of the fishing industry, on which it relied, a shift in emphasis towards tourism has seen St Ives become one of the most visited seaside towns in the UK.

A brief early history

The earliest recording in history of the town and the name St Ives derives from the Irish Saint La or Hya, an Irish princess who arrived in the area in the 5th century. Legend tells of her forming an oratory in a clearing of a wood on the site of the existing Parish Church that is now dedicated to her.

The town grew in importance after the construction of the harbour as many ships plied their trades between St Ives and destinations worldwide. St Ives even had its own shipping company called the Hain Line, formed in 1878. In 1917 they merged with the Norge Company and others to become part of the P&O group.

The Sloop Inn dating back to circa 1312

One of the oldest and most well known inns in Cornwall can be found in St Ives and dates back to circa 1312. The Sloop Inn, described as “A classic old fishermen’s boozer, complete with low ceilings, tankards behind the bar and a comprehensive selection of Cornish Ales”, can be found in the wharf and is a popular attraction nowadays among visitors and holidaymakers.

Modern day tourist town

Today, the area of St Ives provides clean large sandy beaches with crystal clear waters that have been awarded European Blue Flags for cleanliness. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, the beaches and waters are a magnet for surfers and sunbathers and offer some of the most fabulous sunsets in the UK. Trained lifeguards are deployed along the beaches in the summer months to make bathing as safe as possible.

Offshore, dolphins, seals and basking sharks make their home and more often than not in the harbour a seal’s head will pop out of the water as they are regular visitors.

Picture Credit: john47kent

Blessed with stunning coastal scenery and surrounding countryside, St Ives is a must visit town during a holiday in Cornwall and is the perfect place for adults and children to explore. Home to quaint pubs and inns, little craft shops, narrow streets, and local art galleries – St Ives is a treasure trove just waiting to be discovered.

In September the annual St Ives Festival takes place lasting for 15 days, featuring a large range of arts including music, poetry, film, talks and books the annual festival attracts thousands of people to the town every year.

Club La Costa World Resorts & Hotels (CLC World) has two magnificent resorts in Cornwall. Trenython Manor is an elegant country house which provides fabulous hotel and lodge accommodation in grounds overlooking St Austell Bay and Hustyns, near Wadebridge, is an oasis of luxury nestled in a sheltered valley of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands.

For more information on our Cornwall resorts, visit their websites below:

www.trenython.co.uk
www.hustyns.co.uk