St Ives is a fab destination at any time of the year but rolling into autumn always seems very special, after the busy summer months fade with happy memories for all holiday makers and visitors, and a more civilised and slower pace of life resume for all!
September through to the October half term ticks along nicely with many tourist attractions still open to visit and it’s a particularly nice time of year to get out and about to see the beautiful scenery, bracing walks, beaches and fantastic sub tropical gardens unique to Cornwall without the crowds.
Walking the SWCP is very popular for the energetic, with hundreds of miles of rugged coastline to explore. The SWCP is England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath and national trail. It stretches for 630 miles running from Minehead in somerset along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall to Poole Harbour in Dorset. The areas around St Ives and lands end are spectacular with many people doing daily sections to then return daily to the comfort of their Cherished holiday cottages before tackling a different section the next day.
St Ives to Zennor walk is a great place to start! A challenging but equally stunning section of the Cornish coastline to explore with dramatic scenery and rugged coastline. Its roughly a 6 mile walk to Zennor with many up/down sections, so be prepared and wear sturdy hiking boots, pack snacks, water and sun cream for your day out .
At Zennor there’s the Tinner Arms where you can grab a pint and pub lunch or if you fancy an ice cream for your reward then visit Moomaid of Zennor. Fear not, if you are feeling weary then there’s a regular bus that stops at Zennor (dogs allowed) -check timetable in advance – or if you are still feeling up for it then you can complete the circular 6 miles back a somewhat easier in land route back before returning to the comfort of your Cherished cottage in St Ives
Bracing walks are the order of the day, and St Ives has several of the best beaches in Cornwall right on its doorstep. With the stunning Porthmeor beach, Porthgwidden beach, Porthminster beach, Porth kidney sands and Carbis Bay beach all close by. Further afield (& you don’t have to travel too far) you can find other stunning beaches to enjoy such as Kynance Cove on the Lizard peninsula, Porthcurno beach by the Minack theatre, Sennen Cove near to Lands End, and Porthtowan beach situated in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. Also, not to be forgotten is Hayle, with it’s town and 3 mile sandy beach just a few miles drive from St Ives.
There is no time like Autumn to coincide with a holiday or short break in a Cherished Cottage to fully enjoy these wonderful beaches. We have over 20 dog friendly cottages to choose from and from October 1st the dog ban is lifted on most beaches making it the ideal time to holiday with your four legged friends and let them roam free on the beaches and enjoy a sea swim or two at any time of day!
Cycling – The best way to explore Cornwall!
Autumn is the perfect time of year to explore St Ives and the surrounding area by bike. Quieter roads and cooler weather makes exploring a lot easier and nowhere is too far from St Ives to spend a day out on the bike with friends and family. Heading out to the West Penwith area towards Lands End where you are only a few miles from both coasts to explore the rugged coastline and beautiful wild moors en-route. You are never far from hills in Cornwall, but hiring electric bikes is the solution! St Ives Bikes offer bike rental and guided tours in and around St Ives with a fantastic fleet of high end electric and regular bikes, so whatever standard you are they have a bike for every ability! Visit their website for some cycling inspiration
Cornwall is renowned for the most beautiful, largest, historical and horticultural collection of gardens. Benefitting from the warmth of the gulf stream, these magical Cornish gardens are home to some of the most exciting, rare and beautiful plants and trees in the British Isles. There are too many to mention but some real beauties to visit close to St Ives are Tremenheere sculpture gardens, Trewidden gardens, Trengwainton gardens and Trewithen gardens all within half an hours drive from St Ives.
Further afield must see gardens are Trebah, The Lost gardens of Heligan, The world famous Eden project and the National Trust garden at Glendurgan on the south coast. All subtropical in their feel and design, and most are dog friendly too, they all have parking, cafes & are family friendly. While many are open all year round, always check the opening times by visiting their websites for a real gem of a day out.
Exploring and being adventurous at this time of year is incredibly rewarding, and after your day out you will find many cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops, galleries in St Ives still open with a slightly less frantic and calmer vibe than in the peak summer months to enjoy.
Hoping this has inspired you to visit beautiful St Ives this autumn, dogs and all, and if you are looking for the perfect place to stay have a look at our collection of cosy fisherman’s cottages, romantic studios for two, large family houses or luxury sea view apartments at cherishedcottages.co.uk or contact our very friendly team at hello@cherishedcottages.co.uk or call us on 01736 490 640
Tim
