Carbis Bay is a small village located in St Ives Bay - known as the gem in Cornwall’s crown.
Being the location for the 2021 G7 Summit, it is a tranquil alternative for those
who want to escape the bustle of St Ives town for a serene coastal scene yet
still have access to excellent bars, restaurants and spas.
Carbis Bay beach has an idyllic location boasting sub-tropical palm fringed waters and offers excellent beachside facilities. Around the headland, the pristine expanse of Porthkidney Sands is ideal for water sports. Whether you fancy surfing, paddle boarding, kite surfing or prefer to just relax, there is something for everyone.
The town of St Ives is a pebble skim away. Around one
mile west and served by the quaint St Ives branch line, you can be there in three minutes. Alternatively take a leisurely stroll along the scenic south west coast path.
St Ives outstanding natural beauty and light attracts many artists, creating a rich and diverse cultural vibe. The town’s quaint cobbled streets offer a bounty of art studios, galleries and potteries including the renowned Tate St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and The Leach Pottery. It also boasts a collection of unique jewellery outlets, bookstores, surf shacks, boutiques and craft markets.
The town also hosts many festivals including St Ives Literature festival, the Food and Drink festival, St Ives Beer festival, and the renowned September festival where the streets come alive with an extravaganza of artists.
St Ives Bay is recognised as a foodie hot spot and is home to many award winning restaurants and pubs. Cornwall’s lush landscape and warm climate provide an excellent environment for quality raw ingredients. World renowned ales, wines and ciders including Camel Valley Vinery, St Austell ales and Rattler cider are all produced here.
Cornwall is also home to the legendary Roddas Clotted Cream, Kelly’s and Moomaid Ice Cream. Mouth-watering cheeses of Cornish Blue, Davidstow Cheddar and Cornish Yarg and the infamous Cornish pasty with its own protected status. In addition, the clean waters around West Cornwall sustain a wonderful range and quality of fresh fish, caught daily.
Whether you want to wander for a while or stride out for miles, Carbis Bay is an excellent base from which to explore West Cornwall. Soak up magnificent coastline views along the breathtaking South West Coast Path.
Zennor is relatively close to St Ives. This historic village, made famous by DH Lawrence and the legendary mermaid, has stunning views and an excellent pub.
Lands End is found south past the golden sands of Sennen. It’s spectacular rugged coastline overlooking the vast swell of the Atlantic is the most westerly point of mainland Britain.
Visit the visitor centre to experience seasonal attractions.
Porthcurno pearly sands and azure waters are overlooked by The Minack Theatre which is carved into Porthcurno cliffside where everything from Roald Dahl to Shakespeare is performed with a backdrop of dolphins, if you are lucky.
Visit the Telegraph Museum to see how Cornwall was once at the forefront of world
communications.
Mousehole is a
picturesque fishing village with galleries, pubs, shops and cafes clustered around
the harbour.
Penzance is a vibrant harbourside town which offers an alternative high street where you can explore fine art galleries, local craft shops, cosy cafes and historic pubs.
Marazion is one of Britain’s oldest towns
which offers magical sea views and excellent pubs. Walk along
the causeway at low tide or take a quick boat trip and stand in the footsteps
of giants at the iconic St Michael’s Mount.
Porthleven is the town with the iconic clock tower and
excellent restaurants and is the most southerly fishing port in Britain which was originally
developed for sailing refuge on a coastline infamous for shipwrecks.
Lizard peninsula is the most southerly point in the UK and has a wild terrain. It has a coastline of beautiful sandy bays, jagged rocks and little fishing ports with huge granite walls which give protection from the Atlantic waves.
Falmouth has a lively art and music scene and is one of Cornwall’s oldest coastal towns with a
seafaring heritage which you can learn about at The National Maritime Museum.
It’s large working harbour and sandy beaches are separated by Pendennis Castle,
a 16th century fortress built by Henry VIII and well worth a visit for a historic day out.
Padstow – this pretty coastal town offers an abundance of quality dining experiences amidst many independent shops. Build up an appetite by walking the coast path to Hawkers cove, taking a ferry to
Rock or biking the camel trail to Wadebridge.
The beautiful Isles of Scilly with a heritage of fishing, traditional gig racing and flower farming
are made up of five main inhabited islands. Take a helicopter or ferry over to the isles from Penzance or fly from Newquay or Land's End.
Truro - If you fancy a break from the coast, combine sightseeing and shopping with a trip to the city of Truro. Browse high street stores and Cornish markets and take a tour of Truro Cathedral and the Royal Cornwall Museum. Take a break at one of many trendy eateries before catching a film at Truro cinema or a show at Hall for Cornwall.
Covid-19 Update - to comply with social distancing, visitors may be limited and you may need advance tickets. For up to date information see www.visitcornwall.com