by cherished2025
With Christmas and New Year now a distant memory, January can feel like a long, dark month of hibernation, broken resolutions, and general winter lethargy. It’s often the time we start dreaming of spring and planning our next visit to Cornwall. But February, especially half term, is actually one of the best opportunities for a cheeky coastal getaway before the busier months and crowds return.
February in St Ives often showcases Cornwall at its most dramatic and beautiful. The pace is slower, the landscapes feel wilder, and while the weather is never guaranteed, clear blue winter days do happen. It’s certainly not all doom and gloom, and there’s nothing quite like a bracing dose of sea air to lift the spirits.
February half term is the perfect excuse to gather the family, pop the dog in the boot, and escape to the coast for a proper reset as winter begins to loosen its grip. If you’re looking for inspiration, read on for some of the best things to do in and around St Ives this February half term.
Cornwall’s beaches really come into their own out of season. In February, you can enjoy the untamed drama and natural beauty without the summer crowds. It’s the ideal time for a brisk beach walk, a long chat with family or friends, and plenty of fresh sea air. Wrap up warm and you can even try your hand at rock pooling.
St Ives is blessed with some fantastic beaches. Porthmeor Beach offers a huge expanse of sand, and because it’s tidal, low tide reveals an excellent network of rock pools formed by the retreating sea. The best areas to explore are at either end of the beach, where rocky outcrops become visible.
Just around the corner, Porth Kidney Beach is another great option and is often more sheltered. Carry on further to Bamaluz Beach, which is also ideal for rock pooling when the tide is out.
February is a brilliant time to visit if you’re bringing your four-legged friends. All local beaches are open to dogs at this time of year, with no restrictions in place, so ‘walkies’ takes on a whole new meaning. Dog restrictions don’t return until Easter Day, making February a smart and stress-free choice for pet-friendly holidays.
Beyond the beaches, St Ives and the surrounding area are extremely dog-friendly during the winter months. Many coastal paths, woodland walks, cafés, and pubs happily welcome dogs, often with water bowls and treats on hand. With quieter streets and footpaths, it’s an ideal time for nervous or older dogs to explore at a relaxed pace. A February break means longer, unrushed walks, muddy paws by day, and a warm fire to curl up beside in the evening – exactly the kind of holiday your dog would choose for themselves.
For keen surfers, February can be excellent for getting in the water. Around St Ives, and across Cornwall more broadly, there’s usually good surf somewhere, whether on the north or south coast.
Beginners will especially benefit from quieter beaches compared to the busy summer months, making it an ideal time to hop on a board and learn. St Ives Surf School on Porthmeor Beach operates all year round, offering lessons and sessions for those keen to master a new hobby.
If you’re feeling energetic and love to walk, the South West Coast Path is right on your doorstep. It’s England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath and stretches for 630 miles, from Minehead in Somerset along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall to Poole Harbour in Dorset.
From St Ives, you can join the path at the end of Porthmeor Beach and head west towards Zennor, or pick it up at the far end of Porthminster Beach and head east towards Carbis Bay and beyond. You can also drive to join the path at almost any point, as it hugs the entire Cornish coastline.
Many walkers tackle the route in sections over weeks, months, or even years. All you need is appropriate clothing, a good pair of walking boots, a map (always wise in case technology fails), a packed lunch, and perhaps a pair of binoculars. After a long walk, return to your cottage for a roaring log fire or drop into one of St Ives’ cosy pubs for some well-earned rehydration.
If you’d rather stay warm, or just want a change of scenery when the weather turns wet or bitterly cold, St Ives has plenty to offer indoors, even in the depths of winter.
The Tate St Ives is one of the most famous galleries in the world and is well worth a visit. Perched above Porthmeor Beach, it hosts year-round exhibitions and offers a healthy dose of culture alongside stunning coastal views.
St Ives Museum overlooks Bamaluz Beach and provides a fascinating insight into the town’s history and heritage. Just up the hill, the world-renowned Leach Pottery is one of the most respected and influential potteries anywhere. Here you can visit the studio, gallery, and shop, and even take part in courses and workshops. The museum element is currently closed while an exciting expansion project is underway.
Beyond these highlights, St Ives is packed with smaller independent galleries, unique shops, and welcoming cafés dotted around the harbour and along its winding cobbled streets. Local food is always high on the agenda, and the town is blessed with outstanding restaurants such as Porthminster Beach Café, Porthmeor Beach Café, and Porthgwidden Beach Café, all offering world-class settings and sea views.
Whatever the weather throws at you in February, you’ll stay warm and sheltered at the world-famous Eden Project. No trip to Cornwall feels complete without a visit to this ever-evolving eco attraction.
The global gardens include vast tropical biomes the size of several football pitches. The rainforest biome is a particular highlight, home to over a thousand species of tropical plants, complete with waterfalls and a suspended canopy walkway. Next door, the Mediterranean biome features ancient olive trees, fragrant plants, and striking cacti.
Garden lovers should also put Trebah Gardens on their February half-term list. Set beneath a canopy of subtropical foliage, Trebah tumbles down a beautiful valley to the waters of the Helford Estuary. At the bottom, you’ll find a peaceful sand-and-pebble beach where time seems to slow down.
Families with dogs will love exploring this hidden haven, while children will enjoy the adventure playground tucked among the trees higher up. There’s also an excellent café where you can relax, warm up, and take in the surroundings.
Visiting St Ives during February half term is a wonderful opportunity to spend proper time together as a family, away from the daily grind of work, school, and household chores. Cornwall offers space to slow down, reconnect, and breathe in that fresh sea air.
Settle into one of our cosy cottages or larger family houses, many with real fires, sea views, gardens, and dog-friendly features. Everything is taken care of, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your holiday. To explore our handpicked selection of properties, take a look at our cottages here.
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