Up until now, our family adventures had somehow missed out on the charming wonders of Cornwall, which is pretty surprising since it’s a top pick for family getaways in the UK. We were all set to rectify this with a week-long escapade to St Ives, Cornwall’s crowning glory.
The thought of a six-hour drive with our little ball of energy was daunting, to say the least! So, we came up with a genius plan to stop over in Torquay, breaking up the journey and injecting some extra fun into our travel to ensure it wasn’t just bearable, but a blast!
After many ‘Are we nearly there yets’ from Ronnie, we finally made it to the winding roads of Cornwall, which were especially busy as it was heading into the peak holiday season. Driving along the top coast road into St Ives took our minds off the long journey, and the views were dazzling as we came through Carbis Bay and into the picturesque fishing harbour. One thing to note, which I wasn’t aware of, was the narrow roads that wind around St Ives. Navigating them in a large campervan was no mean feat, but we survived with no bumps or dents!
St Ives has the title of Coast magazine’s “Best Family Holiday Destination” and is also in TripAdvisor’s top 10 European beaches Hall of Fame, so we knew we had something to look forward to.
Beach Heaven!
This historic town boasts an array of stunning beaches — from Porthmeor, a haven for surfers, to the family-friendly shores of Porthminster. Each cobbled street is unique, showing off an artistic flair and surrounded by breathtaking coastal paths that have enchanted notable figures like Rosamunde Pilcher and Virginia Woolf, along with illustrious names from the art world. The town is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering surfing, paddle boarding, tennis, and golf. Moreover, it’s a cultural hotspot featuring world-famous art destinations such as the Tate and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Our boat trip was a highlight, offering charming views of Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse, adding to the memorable experiences in this enchanting town.
The Sail Lofts
Our stay was arranged through the five-star rated Sail Lofts in the stunning Ocean apartment. This apartment boasts breath-taking views of Porthmeor Beach, creating a serene backdrop for our stay. Ocean has three bedrooms, one king-sized on the ground floor with a family bathroom, separate shower cubicle and a bath TV, and two on the first floor, a double and a super king which has sea views towards Porthmeor, that can also be made up as a twin bedded room, and a separate shower room. On the second floor, the spacious, elegant, light-filled living area with Velux windows and a gabled roof also has views across Porthmeor Beach. Ocean’s kitchen-diner is separated by an arch from the living room and is equipped with all your creature comforts, including a Nespresso coffee machine. Ocean has two bathrooms, both finished in black slate: a family one on the ground floor and a shower room on the first floor. The ground-floor family bathroom also has a separate shower cubicle and an over-bath TV, which Ronnie thought was the best thing ever.
The Sail Lofts team were always on hand to help us and advise us on the best things to do and see during our stay. Their knowledge was second to none, so as first-timers to the area, we could handle our lack of know-how. They have pretty much thought of everything, including an onsite wet room stocked with buckets and spades, plus traditional Cornish belly boards available for us to borrow. It is no wonder they scooped the coveted silver award at the prestigious Cornwall Tourism Awards, which recognises the concierge team’s exquisite standard of accommodation and attention to detail.
The Sail Lofts location couldn’t have been more ideal, roughly 20 metres from Porthmeor Beach and 200 metres from Porthgwidden Beach. The heart of St Ives and the harbour front is a 5-minute walk, so we were close from the action whichever way we walked!
We adored the laid-back atmosphere of St Ives, which felt like a world away from our daily lives. It was hectic because we chose to visit at peak times, but this added to the vibe. The only thing we had to plan for in advance was where we should book for dinner. The harbour, in particular, was a favourite spot for us, as it offered more shelter from the not-so-perfect weather. Ronnie enjoyed running around and searching for crabs on the Harbor beach when the tide was out. Our teenage daughters preferred Porthmeor, the surfer beach, which is overlooked by Tate St Ives. We discovered an excellent café where we could sit and watch the kids having fun. The girls even had a chance to try surfing for an hour, and although they didn’t manage to catch any waves, they loved the experience and wanted to do it again. Meanwhile, Ronnie enjoyed exploring the rockpools and playing with a ball. While the beach was stunning and expansive, it was also open to the elements. Although the weather wasn’t perfect, The Sail Lofts provided beach equipment, including a wind guard, which allowed us to find a little shelter from the cool breeze.
One major added bonus was the Sail Lofts private car park, which was a short 8-minute stroll from the apartment. We could park directly outside to drop off our luggage, which also made life much easier. You wouldn’t want to be dragging a suitcase around St Ives!
We are now converts to UK staycations, and this will definitely not be a one-off trip to Cornwall. We would love to follow the traditional trend of having our own UK holiday destination that our children will remember and continue when they grow up. For this, St Ives would be our first choice. The only downer was the great British Weather, but that is out of our control and certainly wouldn’t put us off visiting again next summer.
The Sail Lofts History
Originally built to store fishermen’s nets and dry sails and then becoming one of the largest pilchard pressing yards in St Ives, work began in 2017 to transform these buildings into the unique year-around award-winning getaway that can be enjoyed today. Comprising twelve beautifully appointed, interior-designed apartments thoughtfully clustered around a sub-tropical courtyard, Sail Lofts – St Ives luxury accommodation is just moments from Porthmeor Beach, one of St Ives’ coveted blue flag beaches, and just a short walk from the bustling harbour.
Rates
Weekly rates start from £649 in the low season, £949 in the mid-season, and £2269 in the high season for a family of four staying in a two-bedroom apartment. Prices include an allocated parking space in the Sail Lofts private car park for the duration of your holiday, as well as access to the onsite concierge.
Bookings can be made online: Book Here or via phone 01736 799175 or email info@thesaillofts.co.uk.
Last Minute Availability:
Island – Friday 19th Jul for 7 Nights, sleeps 4 (£2122)
Beach – Friday 19th Jul for 7 Nights. SLEEPS 6 (£2887)
Harbour – Friday 26th Jul for 7 Nights. SLEEPS 4 (£2250)