St Ives Day Trip: Photo Journal
You know soul mates?
Screw ’em. Let’s talk about soul places.
To me, St Ives is one of those places. The first time I took a St Ives day trip, I meandered with friends through the low-tide harbor. I ate gluten free crepes, clambered on rocks, wrapped up in a warm blanket under a heat lamp at the Porthminster Beach Cafe with a bottle of wine and the sound of night-time waves just a few meters away.
I’ve been back to St Ives a few times since then, each time my jaw dropping at the perfect afternoon light, the crescent curve of the harbor, the shingled roofs. When I saw Jaime’s post about St Ives a couple weeks ago, it hit me: I now live only two hours from St Ives, yet I hadn’t been on a St Ives day trip for two years. Two years!!
Why is that? Well, living life day to day, other things always seem so important: I need to do my weekly food shop, laundry, bank. I really need to catch up on American Gods on Amazon Prime. (And let’s be real: Love Island, soz if you lose respect but we all have a vice). When I have a free afternoon, I either end up hunched over in the library with a cappuccino, or (if I’m lucky) in the beer garden at the local Wetherspoons. And when I travel? Well, I go to Spain, Morocco, Norway, the Czech Republic. I keep brushing off little old Cornwall, thinking “it’s so close, I’ll go another day…”
Seeing Jaime’s post reminded me: I don’t have to get on an airplane to travel. Also, announcement, but I won’t be in Plymouth for all that much longer. I need to take advantage of the incredible ability to go on a St Ives day trip while I can! (And a St Ives day trip for the same price as my library cappuccino, I might add).
So, last weekend my housemate and I hopped on the train (with our laptops in stow… it turns out I am very productive on trains!) and commenced our St Ives day trip. I’m hoping to fit in another few St Ives day trips over the summer, plus a long weekend in September when my family visits!
So, St Ives, my little soul place… I have lots of advice (the best gluten free restaurants! The most heart clenching views! Everything Virginia Woolf!) but for now, I want to give you guys my St Ives day trip photo journal. Because a picture’s worth a thousand words, as they say, and I’m sure I’ll be writing thousands more words on St Ives over the course of my life…
Some details…
- How to get to St Ives: The best way is by train, you will transfer at St Erth for the beautiful 15 minutes seaside/saltmarsh journey. Make sure to sit on the right hand side leaving St Erth for the best views! The St Ives station is very close to the harbor, but it is up a big hill (great views! Not great for wheelchairs/mobility!).
- Where to eat: Porthminster beach cafe, The Searooms, Pels, Moomaid, Pedn Olva, Rum and Crab Shack
- What to do: wander, rent a kayak or SUP, walk (or sunbathe) on the beaches, walk the southwest coastal path, visit the Barbara Hepworth museum, visit the Tate Museum
- Where to stay (if you wanna extend that day trip):
- Budget: Airbnb (use my code for a discount!)
- Mid-range to Luxury: Jaime loved her stay at Trevose Harbor House B&B, and Pedn Olva is the most gorgeous and luxurious place I have ever stayed, ever.
I hope my photos convinced you to take a St Ives day trip! Have you ever been? Do you have a soul place?
Sarah xx
P.S. – I used my Canon camera for this trip. Do you guys like the photo quality? Can you tell the difference? I would be really interested to know!! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think 🙂
Pin it for later…
I will be linking up with Lauren of Lauren on Location, Van of Snow in Tromso, Isabel of The Sunny Side of This, and Marcella of What a Wonderful World for Wanderlust Wednesday, and also City Tripping with Mummy Travels and Wander Mum.
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St. Ive’s looks like such a dream! I haven’t made it to Cornwall yet, but now I really want to. I really need to explore more of the UK!
It’s the most beautiful place in the world … in my opinion 😉 Quite far away for you, but I really recommend a visit if you ever make it down to the Southwest!!
I love St Ives – even in March when I was last there, it’s so pretty and your photos are stunning. I’d never have thought of it as a day trip from Plymouth either, definitely something to make the most of. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
The first time I visited was in March – actually I think I’ve been a couple times in March, and if it can be beautiful in a rainy/foggy English March it is beautiful any month of the year, haha! I’ve done a day trip to it from Exeter before, too, which is a bit more grueling, but it’s quite comfortable from Plymouth!
soul places, yes:) so lovely!
Haha, thanks for reading Tanja 🙂
Gorgeous photos! You’re lucky to have this beautiful place so nearby, great that plan to make the most of it! We’re heading there this weekend and I’ve made a note of your suggestions. Really looking forward to visiting; it looks wonderful and I can’t wait to be by the seaside! #CityTripping
Wow good timing on this post then, have the best time!
Those colors are gorgeous!!! Great photos 🙂 The boyfriend and I are planning a weekend road trip through the UK in August and we almost chose Cornwall (ended up on the Cotswolds because they are closer to London!)
Ohhh nooo ! Well, I was in the Cotswolds last summer and they are pretty perfect, too. I guess you just have a reason to come back then!
Oh Sarah, it looks dreamy! All those blues. Despite being British, I’ve never been to Cornwall – but I’m more convinced than ever I really should. The picture quality looks great by the way!
What!! You will have to visit some day 🙂 And thank you… I rarely use my nice camera because I was convinced there wasn’t much quality difference, but I am now thinking there is!
Stunning photos, Sarah. Cornwall really is beautiful – especially when the sun is shining. We went to the Lizard peninsula over Easter and we were blown away by its beauty. #citytripping
I would love to go to Lizard peninsula! I drove through once but didn’t do any stops. To be honest, all of Cornwall is gorgeous (especially on a sunny day like today)
Oh my! These photos are heavenly!
Thank you!
I love the term “soul place.” It makes total sense to me. And, wow, I can see why this place won your heart quickly. It is spectacular. I have see photos of Cornwall that have left me speechless. Good you were able to go and enjoy! #citytripping
Hahah thanks 🙂 Yes, Cornwall is pretty special and it only takes a couple photos to convince people of that!
We always forget about the places that are close to home, don’t we? I haven’t visited St Ives since I was a child, but I’m dying to get down to that part of the world again soon. Gorgeous pictures! #citytripping
Exactly! I need to take more advantage of it before I move away!
When I read “St Ives”, I was imagining a place somewhere in the Caribbean and then you write about England of all places??!!! Honestly, your pictures could have been taken in a much warmer climate though cause that does not look like the England I know. So stunning!! And I absolutely love the quality of those pictures – especially the one of the pink flower! Makes me want to get it as a poster to hang on the wall!!
Hahahahaha Van!! Yup, little old England 😉 Tbf we did visit on a very hot, sunny and altogether un-British day!!
I love the idea of a soul place, what a great term!
I totally fell for St. Ives, we went a few months before moving to Chile and loveddd it! It really is a stunningly beautiful place.
Ahh thanks it just popped into my head 😛
It’s so lovely! Where are you moving to next?
Hahah Marina that is a good question! It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment but my degree finishes in a few months so I know I will be leaving Plymouth then 🙂
I really need to take a trip back to st ives 🙂 such lovely photos Sarah!
Thank youuuuu!
LOVE the thought of “soul places!” And this absolutely looks like one! Gorgeous!
Ahh thanks!!
Looks beautiful! I wish I’d made more of an effort to explore Devon while I was in uni at Plymouth… Now it’s a 2-3 hour drive and that much more difficult
Yes I’m currently in Plym and trying to take advantage of Devon and Cornwall before I leave! It’s quite far removed down here, difficult to explore if you don’t already live here!
We went to St Ives two years ago and really liked it. We didn’t get such nice, sunny day at the time, but I can see why it would look even better during summer. Of course I am going to say how much I miss scones. hehe
Hahaha obviously. Scones are probably the most important part 😉
I have been wanting to visit St Ives ever since I moved to the UK. I have to make it happen, and hope for some glorious weather. St Ives looks gorgeous in your photos.
I have just moved to the UK and I’m always looking for new places to visit, this is great! I’ll definitely try to visit during the summer. Great pictures!
Um, I have massive regrets for not going to Cornwall whilst I lived in the UK and your photos aren’t helping.
I haven’t got round to visiting St Ives yet but your post may well give me the push that I need! The ice cream looks very tasty. I’d love to visit the Tate outpost there.
I’m so envious you got to enjoy St Ives longer than we did (rookie error)! When you go back though, I’d avoid Tregenna Castle… it was meh…
Beautiful pictures! I haven’t been here but I’ve heard lovely things and your post has definitely made me want to visit 🙂
I COMPLETELY understand what you mean about soul places! I’ve never thought of them like that before but it’s SO true. Mine would probably have to be St. Albans in England. I’ve only been twice but fell completely in love. St. Ives looks so beautiful, I can see why you love it so much!
OMG
-the fact that the ice cream place is called Moomaid is the best
-yay American Gods!
-that is the bluest and most beautiful water I’ve ever seen
-I’m pretty sure St Ives was plucked out of a peaceful fairy tale
This looks wonderful! Adding Cornwall to my list 😀
St Ives looks SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I’d love to spend a summers weekend there.