Quiet Cornwall: 10 reasons to visit St. Ives in winter

Quiet Cornwall: 10 reasons to visit St. Ives in winter

wonderfully quiet beaches, cheap prices, cozy pubs and hearty food - a winter holiday in St. Ives is the perfect antidote to a busy summer

It is not difficult to understand why Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations of the UK. It has 300 miles of breathtaking coast, over 2,400 miles hiking trails in the interior, 12 areas of exceptional natural beauty, four restaurants and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the dramatic cliffs in the north to the beautiful, bare hills of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall England is at its best. One of the most beautiful ports is St. Ives, a picturesque city with tight cobblestone streets, independent shops, fishing huts and bizarre galleries, of which the Tate St. Ives is the most famous.

The city has four beaches, including one of the 10 best in Europe, according to TripAdvisor. Unnecessary to say that it receives its fair share of Cornwalls 4.5 million annual visitors every summer. It is less obvious that St. Ives is also ideal for a winter vacation. Why, we explain below.

1. Wonderfully quiet beaches

It is not difficult to say that Cornwall's beaches are particularly majestic when the temperatures drop. Hikes of sun worshipers soft hikers who are wrapped in their winter wool pants.

Alt = ““ “Span Class =" Media-Credit "> Anna Moskwina/Shutterstock A winter break in St. Ives offers wonderfully quiet beaches

In St. Ives you can enjoy the wonderfully quiet beaches of Porthmeor, Porthgwidden, Harbor and Porthminster. Take an early morning walk along Porthminster at low tide to the harbor and the rescue station, and then take a break in a café for a hot coffee and a pate.

Of course, not only the beaches are calmer. Overall, there is a quieter atmosphere and the locals are happy to deal with the more manageable number of visitors to the winter. It is also easier to reserve a table in the best restaurants or to select the best holiday homes in St. Ives.

2. Cheaper prices

A winter holiday in St. Ives is much cheaper than a visit to summer. While some hotels and cafes close for winter, it is far from a ghost town. There are many guest houses, holiday homes, restaurants and cafés that are aimed at the winter audience, many of which reduce prices to maintain a steady stream of customers.

alt = “Some shops close over the winter; those who do not do this often lower the prices”> Mubus7/Shutterstock Some shops close over the winter; Those who do not do this often lower prices

This is good news for winter guests who can enjoy a still living city, but without the hustle and bustle or the higher prices of the summer season. In fact, they would be forgiven if they felt rather coherent in the face of all of them.

3. Watch the storm

The storms in Cornwall are simply spectacular. Dramatic sky darken over angry seas, while winter storms of colossal waves on cliffs and beaches.

alt = "The wild winter storms are particularly dramatic in Cornwall"> Richard Bowden/Shutterstock The wild winter storms are particularly dramatic in Cornwall

The coast wakes up to life when hypnotic waves hit harbor walls and rain the landscape. The storms are reminiscent of the Cornwall of Daphne du Mauriers Jamaica Inn, which is located in the nearby Bodmin Moor.

The Gurnard’s Head and Godrevy Point are good places to watch storms. It is an exciting experience, but it can also be dangerous, so let yourself be advised by the St. Ives information center before you get on your way.

4. Dog -friendly

Most dogs love beaches, but many of them in Cornwall are not welcome dogs in summer. In winter, however, most of them raise their restrictions and kilometers of lonely beaches are opened for dog executives.

alt = “Dogs are welcome in the winter on the beaches of St. Ives”> Lewis Cooper/Shutterstock On the beaches of St. Ives are welcome in winter

A winter break in St. Ives means that you can bring your four -legged friend and enjoy the Porthmeor, Porthgwidden, Harbor and Porthminster, all of which are subject to restrictions in summer. There are only a few things that are more refreshing than a winter walk on a wind -whipped beach with a happy dog ​​that chases the waves.

5. Surfing is announced

A winter break in St. Ives is ideal for surfers. Waves swell over the coast of Cornwall, driven by low pressure areas in front of the Atlantic, and create a huge, exciting playground for surfers.

alt = “Cornwall is ideal for surfing in winter”> Philip Hector/Shutterstock Cornwall is ideal for surfing in winter

If you prefer to watch, winter is the season for it. The good weather surfers are long gone and leave the waves experienced enthusiasts. The grace and skill of surfers who know what they do is something beautiful - and Cornwall in winter is the perfect place to see it.

6. Winter hikes

A winter day, a wind -whipped cliff and a fresh walk on a lonely beach are far more worthwhile than a day in the sun. The scenic beauty of Cornwall, which is filtered by the winter sun, is nothing less than life -affirming.

Alt = "Winter walks in St. Ives are particularly refreshing"> Stevie_uk/Shutterstock Winter walk in St. Ives are particularly refreshing

get dressed warmly and go along a section of the South West Coast Path or St. Michaels Way, which leads from St. Ives Bay to the famous St. Michaels Mount (12 miles simple route).

Don't forget to pack your camera. The low sunlight is perfect to capture Cornwall's unique beauty. From frost -covered moorland to stormy seas, Cornwall in winter has a different character.

7. Cozy pubs

After a day while hiking (or surfing) it feels like making it comfortable in a cozy pub. A winter holiday in St. Ives would not be completely without a visit to The Sloop Inn, a first -class place to warm up after a day outdoors.

alt = "A cozy reception after a strengthening walk"> Alex5711/Shutterstock A cozy reception after a strengthening walk

Maybe you would also like to try the Garrack with his selection of places to linger. Decide for a place on the open fire or make yourself comfortable at the window to watch the wintry waves.

Last but not least, St. Ives is a wonderful loophole to simply catch up in a cozy house, cook with fresh products, enjoy good wine and spend long evenings on the open fire.

8. Hearty Kornische Essen

In winter, the Kornische Essen comes into its own. Boiling hot pies, fish and chips and cream teas are all delicious, but not exactly easy.

alt = “In winter the Kornische Essen fully comes into its own”> ckp1001/Shutterstock In winter the Kornische Essen comes into its own

In cold weather, these hearty dishes meet an additional purpose: they are not only delicious, but also breastfeeding a natural desire for food. A winter break in St. Ives means that you can enjoy the best of Kornische Kitchen when it is most fulfilling.

9. Lantern parade

It is far too early to think at Christmas, but we cannot recommend a winter vacation in St. Ives without mentioning the lantern parade, which both locals and tourists welcome.

alt = "Lantern parade of St. Ives"> Fair Use Lantern parade from St. Ives

The parade begins at the parish church of St. IA and leads through streets that are lined with sparkling Christmas trees and festive shop windows. If you don't want to participate, you can watch from the sidelines.

10. Easier access to nearby sights

A winter break in St. Ives makes it easier to reach the many strange and wonderful sights in Cornwall without struggling with crowds to have to fight parking spaces or to get to admission.

alt = "near Bodmin Moor"> Helen Hotson/Shutterstock near Bodmin Moor

Numbers from Highways England show, for example, that the number of vehicles on the A38/A30 branch at Bodmin reached a maximum of 42,000 a day in August 2017, compared to almost half in January. That is reflected in the whole country.

If you want to visit Bodmin Moor, St. Michael’s Mount and the other famous sights from Cornwall, visit St. Ives in winter and enjoy the rough beauty of Cornwall at a much quieter pace.

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main picture: Paul Nash, Shutterstock

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