Laura’s guidebook
Best beaches
A stunning cove, right below the dramatic Minack Theatre. Stunning blue sea and white sand, and the hillsides are covered in wild flowers in summer. Gets very busy in high season so get there early! Narrow road leading to beach so be prepared to reverse / manoeuvre...
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Porthcurno Beach
A stunning cove, right below the dramatic Minack Theatre. Stunning blue sea and white sand, and the hillsides are covered in wild flowers in summer. Gets very busy in high season so get there early! Narrow road leading to beach so be prepared to reverse / manoeuvre...
Beautiful site with beach, great surf break and dramatic headland walk, with the chance to spot seals on a hidden cove! There are two great cafes - Godrevy cafe (seasonal timings apply) and The Rockpool. Entry to site is free but parking charges apply.
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Godrevy Lighthouse
Beautiful site with beach, great surf break and dramatic headland walk, with the chance to spot seals on a hidden cove! There are two great cafes - Godrevy cafe (seasonal timings apply) and The Rockpool. Entry to site is free but parking charges apply.
A private beach owned by the swanky Carbis Bay Hotel, but they allow access to the public too. Great for kids as its pretty flat without any steep drop offs, although be prepared to trek uphill back to your car, unless you catch the train there. Recommend the train station car park for £5 daily rate. Lots of people spot dolphins here! You can get drinks and food from the various Carbis Bay Hotel restaurants or bring your own.
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Carbis Bay Beach
Beach RoadA private beach owned by the swanky Carbis Bay Hotel, but they allow access to the public too. Great for kids as its pretty flat without any steep drop offs, although be prepared to trek uphill back to your car, unless you catch the train there. Recommend the train station car park for £5 daily rate. Lots of people spot dolphins here! You can get drinks and food from the various Carbis Bay Hotel restaurants or bring your own.
My favourite part of St Ives. A large beach with great surf, a couple of great restaurant / cafes (and a hut for ice creams etc. in summer). There is a small car park right by the beach but its often jam packed in summer or in case of good surf! Try the larger one on the hill above, or park elsewhere and walk through town.
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Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor HillMy favourite part of St Ives. A large beach with great surf, a couple of great restaurant / cafes (and a hut for ice creams etc. in summer). There is a small car park right by the beach but its often jam packed in summer or in case of good surf! Try the larger one on the hill above, or park elsewhere and walk through town.
3 miles of gorgeous soft white sand, dotted with cafes at certain points and various car parks. Pick which bit suits you at different tides ☺️
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Hayle Beach
3 miles of gorgeous soft white sand, dotted with cafes at certain points and various car parks. Pick which bit suits you at different tides ☺️
Neighbourhoods
This is the end of Hayle that The Chapel is in (Hayle is bascially one long road with two ends, Foundry and Copperhouse!). It has pubs and a cafe, local shops, Mr Bees Ice cream shop, petrol station, a Lidl supermarket, large recreation ground with kids play equipment and a skate park. It also has access to Hayle beach via the road through Phillack.
Copperhouse
This is the end of Hayle that The Chapel is in (Hayle is bascially one long road with two ends, Foundry and Copperhouse!). It has pubs and a cafe, local shops, Mr Bees Ice cream shop, petrol station, a Lidl supermarket, large recreation ground with kids play equipment and a skate park. It also has access to Hayle beach via the road through Phillack.
Food scene
Gorgeous cafe / restaurant in Lelant (20 mins walk from Asda in Hayle, or a 5 min drive). Paid parking available at Lelant saltings train station or limited spaces at front of cafe. Mainly italian, with great cakes, coffees, local deli items and sometimes even gorgeous locally grown flowers and gifts. They have tables inside with a cosy log burner, as well as a covered, heated outdoor seating area. Booking advised during peak season.
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The Old Forge Lelant
Gorgeous cafe / restaurant in Lelant (20 mins walk from Asda in Hayle, or a 5 min drive). Paid parking available at Lelant saltings train station or limited spaces at front of cafe. Mainly italian, with great cakes, coffees, local deli items and sometimes even gorgeous locally grown flowers and gifts. They have tables inside with a cosy log burner, as well as a covered, heated outdoor seating area. Booking advised during peak season.
The iconic Philps! A favourite among locals and visitors alike, they do great pasties in various shapes, sizes and flavours. They also have sandwiches, cold drinks, cakes, scones and other bakery items. Frozen pasties, vegan and gluten free all available but you need to preorder these. Takeaway only.
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Philps Bakery
1 E QuayThe iconic Philps! A favourite among locals and visitors alike, they do great pasties in various shapes, sizes and flavours. They also have sandwiches, cold drinks, cakes, scones and other bakery items. Frozen pasties, vegan and gluten free all available but you need to preorder these. Takeaway only.
Delicious pizzas to takeaway! Grab one after your shopping trip to Penzance and eat on the harbour...
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Totti
41 Market Jew StreetDelicious pizzas to takeaway! Grab one after your shopping trip to Penzance and eat on the harbour...
A bright, family-friendly cafe with free parking, between Hayle and Lelant. They have high chairs, changing facilities and a safe outdoor area, with a great view of the river that is home to Canada geese and loads of other bird species.
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Birdies Bistro
A bright, family-friendly cafe with free parking, between Hayle and Lelant. They have high chairs, changing facilities and a safe outdoor area, with a great view of the river that is home to Canada geese and loads of other bird species.
Vegans rejoice! This little caravan serves food, cakes and coffee from the bottom of the Asda car park in Hayle. They have a couple of little outdoor tables but it's generally a takeaway.
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Be Kind The Vegan Coffee Caravan
Vegans rejoice! This little caravan serves food, cakes and coffee from the bottom of the Asda car park in Hayle. They have a couple of little outdoor tables but it's generally a takeaway.
Not so much a recommendation of the Inn per-say (average pub grub type place), but they have the best view in Hayle! With loads of pub tables overlooking the Hayle Estuary and St Ives Bay, you can't beat it for a drink in the sun. Paid car park, also allows access to the beach (small cove at high tide, can walk from Hayle at low tide). They also have a small kids play area.
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Bluff Inn
18 Riviere TowansNot so much a recommendation of the Inn per-say (average pub grub type place), but they have the best view in Hayle! With loads of pub tables overlooking the Hayle Estuary and St Ives Bay, you can't beat it for a drink in the sun. Paid car park, also allows access to the beach (small cove at high tide, can walk from Hayle at low tide). They also have a small kids play area.
Amazing food, lovely interior and a great view of St Ives harbour. Need I say more?! Must book to avoid disappointment.
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Porthminster Kitchen
Wharf RoadAmazing food, lovely interior and a great view of St Ives harbour. Need I say more?! Must book to avoid disappointment.
A really cosy, remote pub with amazing food. Booking advised!
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The Gurnards Head
A really cosy, remote pub with amazing food. Booking advised!
Gorgeous, modern Thai food facing St Ives Harbour - what’s not to like?! Used to be walk-ins only but call them to check as this may be different during Covid restrictions… They also do takeaway for collection.
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Talay Thai Kitchen
Wharf RoadGorgeous, modern Thai food facing St Ives Harbour - what’s not to like?! Used to be walk-ins only but call them to check as this may be different during Covid restrictions… They also do takeaway for collection.
The Old Coastguard
The ParadeCasual place with an Asian twist. Family friendly, right opposite pothleven harbour!
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Kota Kai Kitchen Bar
The ShipyardCasual place with an Asian twist. Family friendly, right opposite pothleven harbour!
A large, stylish restaurant / bar serving huge burgers, loaded fries etc. and good drinks. They do take walk ins but always worth booking if you want food.
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Hub St Ives
4 Wharf RdA large, stylish restaurant / bar serving huge burgers, loaded fries etc. and good drinks. They do take walk ins but always worth booking if you want food.
A great traditional Chinese takeaway that deliver (allow 1.5 hrs as they get really busy!) or you can collect. Salt & Chilli chicken is our personal fave 👌🏼 check out their Facebook for up to date photo numbers to order.
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Chilli Chinese Takeaway
17 Penpol TerraceA great traditional Chinese takeaway that deliver (allow 1.5 hrs as they get really busy!) or you can collect. Salt & Chilli chicken is our personal fave 👌🏼 check out their Facebook for up to date photo numbers to order.
We love Indian takeaways from here. They normally deliver within 45 mins or you can collect. Highly recommend Chicken Hariali if you like spice!
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Balti King
53 Fore StWe love Indian takeaways from here. They normally deliver within 45 mins or you can collect. Highly recommend Chicken Hariali if you like spice!
An informal beachside cafe / restaurant with great drinks, food and music on weekend evenings. They also do takeaway. We highly recommend the mussels!
Parking available on-street nearby, in the pay and display car park opposite or up the hill in the Hayle beach car park.
Gilbert's Beach Bar & Kitchen
An informal beachside cafe / restaurant with great drinks, food and music on weekend evenings. They also do takeaway. We highly recommend the mussels!
Parking available on-street nearby, in the pay and display car park opposite or up the hill in the Hayle beach car park.
Amazing food and drinks with a laid back beachside atmosphere. You cannot get much closer to the beach, and the terrace looks over the water towards St Ives. Usually only open during the day, but they have evening events occasionally too - keep your eyes on their socials for details!
Park near The Bluff Inn and walk along the coast path, or along the beach if the tide allows.
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Cove Cafe
80 Riviere TowansAmazing food and drinks with a laid back beachside atmosphere. You cannot get much closer to the beach, and the terrace looks over the water towards St Ives. Usually only open during the day, but they have evening events occasionally too - keep your eyes on their socials for details!
Park near The Bluff Inn and walk along the coast path, or along the beach if the tide allows.
Friendly local restaurant serving mainly Italian food. Seating inside and out on their terrace. Takeaway pizzas available.
You can walk there or park in the nearby Commercial Road car park.
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TERRACE hayle
35 Commercial RdFriendly local restaurant serving mainly Italian food. Seating inside and out on their terrace. Takeaway pizzas available.
You can walk there or park in the nearby Commercial Road car park.
Trendy cafe / bar near the bus station in St Ives. Great view over the harbour, and they sometimes have music nights.
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Harbour View House
Trendy cafe / bar near the bus station in St Ives. Great view over the harbour, and they sometimes have music nights.
Booking advised as there are limited tables! Varied menu, friendly staff and good drink options - generally served from lunch til dinner. Park at foundry square car park.
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Salt Kitchen Bar
25 Foundry SquareBooking advised as there are limited tables! Varied menu, friendly staff and good drink options - generally served from lunch til dinner. Park at foundry square car park.
Lucy Bakes
Pasties, toasties and amazing cakes to take away! A real rival for philps…
Spanish style tapas with homemade pasta and pizza too. Lovely warm atmosphere, easy on street parking.
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La Casita
Trencrom LaneSpanish style tapas with homemade pasta and pizza too. Lovely warm atmosphere, easy on street parking.
Upmarket eatery that is part of the Carbis Bay hotel complex. Right on the beach, higher budget but great food and exceptional service.
Walter's on The Beach
Upmarket eatery that is part of the Carbis Bay hotel complex. Right on the beach, higher budget but great food and exceptional service.
Upmarket restaurant with a casual, beachy feel. Right on the beach next to the carbis bay hotel.
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Carbis Bay Hotel Beach Club Restaurant
South West Coast PathUpmarket restaurant with a casual, beachy feel. Right on the beach next to the carbis bay hotel.
Chef Adam Handling’s Carbis Bay restaurant. Very high end food and service, mainly taster menus. Great for a special occasion!
Ugly Butterfly Restaurant and Bar Cornwall
Chef Adam Handling’s Carbis Bay restaurant. Very high end food and service, mainly taster menus. Great for a special occasion!
Sightseeing
A stunning historic residence build on an island just off the coast of Marazion. You can walk over at low tide, but must take a boat at high tide. Check tide times and seasonal opening hours on their website. Paid entry as it's a National Trust property, but well worth it to see both the house and the stunning terraced tropical gardens. There are two large areas of paid parking in and near Marazion.
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I-Saint Michael's Mount
A stunning historic residence build on an island just off the coast of Marazion. You can walk over at low tide, but must take a boat at high tide. Check tide times and seasonal opening hours on their website. Paid entry as it's a National Trust property, but well worth it to see both the house and the stunning terraced tropical gardens. There are two large areas of paid parking in and near Marazion.
A foodie haven and characterful town. Home of Kota and Kota-Kai restaurants run by TV chef Jude Kereama, a Rick Stein fish restaurant and other good restaurants and pubs. There is also an annual food festival here (dates varying at the mo due to Covid). The harbour wall is famous for shots of stormy seas (please do not stand there during a storm it is extremely dangerous!), and at high tide you'll see kids jumping into the water, lots of SUPers, kayakers and surfers in the water. There is a decent beach too.
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Porthleven
A foodie haven and characterful town. Home of Kota and Kota-Kai restaurants run by TV chef Jude Kereama, a Rick Stein fish restaurant and other good restaurants and pubs. There is also an annual food festival here (dates varying at the mo due to Covid). The harbour wall is famous for shots of stormy seas (please do not stand there during a storm it is extremely dangerous!), and at high tide you'll see kids jumping into the water, lots of SUPers, kayakers and surfers in the water. There is a decent beach too.
Tintagel Castle bridge
South West Coast PathPendennis Castle
Castle DriveGeevor Tin Mine
Tate St. Ives
Maritime Museum station
City/town information
This place may well be the main reason for some of you to visit West Cornwall! It really is a favourite with visitors, due to it's maze of tiny streets lined with idyllic little cottages. There is a great selection of restaurants, cosy pubs, cafes and shops here. And if you visit over the winter its beautiful for Christmas shopping, a brisk walk around the headland and the huge fancy dress NYE party that takes over the whole town!
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St Ives
This place may well be the main reason for some of you to visit West Cornwall! It really is a favourite with visitors, due to it's maze of tiny streets lined with idyllic little cottages. There is a great selection of restaurants, cosy pubs, cafes and shops here. And if you visit over the winter its beautiful for Christmas shopping, a brisk walk around the headland and the huge fancy dress NYE party that takes over the whole town!
A large town with lots of amenities for campers and outdoors enthusiasts in the way of camping shops, large supermarkets etc. Don't miss all of the gorgeous independent shops on Chapel street, and I strongly recommend a visit to Archie Browns cafe for the most delicious veggie and vegan food! (currently closed due to covid). There are loads of car parks, either on the harbourside or at the top end of town.
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Penzance
A large town with lots of amenities for campers and outdoors enthusiasts in the way of camping shops, large supermarkets etc. Don't miss all of the gorgeous independent shops on Chapel street, and I strongly recommend a visit to Archie Browns cafe for the most delicious veggie and vegan food! (currently closed due to covid). There are loads of car parks, either on the harbourside or at the top end of town.
If you love to cook with fresh fish, then Newlyn is the place for you! Shop for your dinner from the various fish shops that grab fish straight off the boat. Newlyn Filmhouse is also not to be missed. An art-house cinema showing mainstream and alternative films, with a lovely restaurant / bar too.
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Newlyn
If you love to cook with fresh fish, then Newlyn is the place for you! Shop for your dinner from the various fish shops that grab fish straight off the boat. Newlyn Filmhouse is also not to be missed. An art-house cinema showing mainstream and alternative films, with a lovely restaurant / bar too.
A lively town c. 25 min drive from Hayle with a variety of high quality butchers, cafes, pubs and restaurants, as well as a cove with a surf break below the town. Park in the town car park for shops, and park at the Driftwood Spars pub car park for the beach (or walk c. 20 min downhill to the cove).
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St Agnes
A lively town c. 25 min drive from Hayle with a variety of high quality butchers, cafes, pubs and restaurants, as well as a cove with a surf break below the town. Park in the town car park for shops, and park at the Driftwood Spars pub car park for the beach (or walk c. 20 min downhill to the cove).
A picturesque little Cornish village and fishing port, famous for its Christmas lights. Nice for a stroll around with an ice cream, perhaps a bit of crabbing and a lovely meal at the Ship Inn. If you're after something a bit more fancy then try the Old Coastguard for food. Booking recommended.
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Mousehole
A picturesque little Cornish village and fishing port, famous for its Christmas lights. Nice for a stroll around with an ice cream, perhaps a bit of crabbing and a lovely meal at the Ship Inn. If you're after something a bit more fancy then try the Old Coastguard for food. Booking recommended.
Family activities
A sweet little zoo park in Hayle with free parking, perfect for families. The zoo part is mainly outdoors, with even paths suitable for pushchairs. They have loads of varieties of birds, including penguins and flamingoes, and some red pandas, otters and rabbits etc. Don't forget your free bag of goat food from reception!
Then there is a separate indoor soft play centre. Booking essential via their website.
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Iphakathi Park
16 Trelissick RdA sweet little zoo park in Hayle with free parking, perfect for families. The zoo part is mainly outdoors, with even paths suitable for pushchairs. They have loads of varieties of birds, including penguins and flamingoes, and some red pandas, otters and rabbits etc. Don't forget your free bag of goat food from reception!
Then there is a separate indoor soft play centre. Booking essential via their website.
A flat, even walkway along the Hayle river. Suitable for pushchairs, bikes and scooters it's the perfect spot for a stroll, and as it's very sheltered it's a good option if it's too windy for the beach. There are secret paths for kids to discover, fish ponds and beautiful plants the whole way along. Free parking at the Foundry end of the park, and you can walk the whole way to Hayle playground if their little legs can manage it!
King George V Memorial Walk
King George V Memorial WalkA flat, even walkway along the Hayle river. Suitable for pushchairs, bikes and scooters it's the perfect spot for a stroll, and as it's very sheltered it's a good option if it's too windy for the beach. There are secret paths for kids to discover, fish ponds and beautiful plants the whole way along. Free parking at the Foundry end of the park, and you can walk the whole way to Hayle playground if their little legs can manage it!
Isithuthi saseCornish Seal
Lappa Valley
Dairyland Farm World
Izoo yase-Newquay
Trenance GardensBlue Reef Aquarium
Towan PromenadeCamel Creek Adventure Park
Flambards Theme Park
Clodgey LaneIprojekthi le-Eden
Pirate's Quest Newquay
22 St Michael's RdBeautiful little animal park with cafes and soft play. Lots of birds, otters, red pandas, penguins and much more all set in mature gardens - a lovely place for half a day or so with the kids.
There is a little train that runs when it's dry for £1 each (bring cash!), you can buy goat and sheep food at reception, and it's good value if you buy a return ticket for £5, gaining you a second days entry. Great to be able to use the soft play when the weather isn't the best!
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Iphakathi Park
16 Trelissick RdBeautiful little animal park with cafes and soft play. Lots of birds, otters, red pandas, penguins and much more all set in mature gardens - a lovely place for half a day or so with the kids.
There is a little train that runs when it's dry for £1 each (bring cash!), you can buy goat and sheep food at reception, and it's good value if you buy a return ticket for £5, gaining you a second days entry. Great to be able to use the soft play when the weather isn't the best!
Great Gardens
A famous garden worth a whole day of your time. They also do seasonal events so check their website.
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Izicwangciso Zemithi YaseHeligan
B3273A famous garden worth a whole day of your time. They also do seasonal events so check their website.
A very hilly garden containing sculptures with a great view over to St Michael's Mount (approx £8 entry), with a lovely cafe / restaurant, beautiful shop and specialist succulent nursery attached.
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I-Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
A very hilly garden containing sculptures with a great view over to St Michael's Mount (approx £8 entry), with a lovely cafe / restaurant, beautiful shop and specialist succulent nursery attached.
A large, fairly accessible garden containing an amazing collection of camelias, magnolias, rhododendrons and other impressive specimens. There is also a small tea room and they sell a selection of plants, mainly camelias. Best to visit in early spring. Dogs welcome on a lead. £7 ish for entry, free parking.
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Trewidden Garden
A large, fairly accessible garden containing an amazing collection of camelias, magnolias, rhododendrons and other impressive specimens. There is also a small tea room and they sell a selection of plants, mainly camelias. Best to visit in early spring. Dogs welcome on a lead. £7 ish for entry, free parking.