The Greenbank’s Insider Guide: 24 Hours in St Ives

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THINGS TO DO IN ST IVES – OUR 24 HOUR GUIDE

St Ives is one of our favourite spots in Cornwall to visit for a day trip. Plenty of sandy beaches, restaurants, ice-cream shops, bars, museums, shops and walks means you could fill an entire week of things to do in St Ives. However, we have narrowed it down to our top must-visit spots and compiled your ultimate 24-hour guide to exploring this dreamy Cornish town. Let’s get started!

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8am – 10am: Start the day right with a greenbank breakfast

Before you head off for your day trip, you’re going to need a good breakfast to set you up. Rise and shine in Greenbank style, with hearty Cornish food and panoramic views across the harbour. Once you’ve polished off your breakfast, set off to St Ives. It’s about a 50-60 minute drive from The Greenbank Hotel.

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10am – 11:30am: mooch around the boutique shops

Once you’ve recovered from the shock of how stunningly beautiful St Ives is, it’s time to get exploring! Wander along the cobbled, winding streets and discover charming boutiques galore. From quirky clothing, gorgeous home-ware and vibrant art galleries to souvenir shops and windows full of tempting Cornish fudge, have a browse or buy some keepsakes to take home with you.

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11:30am – 1pm: Check out tate st ives

Visit the modern and contemporary art museum on the seafront. Tate St Ives has various different exhibitions and events on throughout the year. Check ahead to see which artists they’ll be featuring and book your time slot to visit.

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1pm – 2pm: tuck into a pasty along the harbour

Nothing beats a proper Cornish pasty. Especially with a view like this! Like most towns in Cornwall, local bakeries and the scent of warm pasties are never far. Enjoy your lunch al fresco style with views of the harbour front. Just be extremely wary of the sneaky seagulls. They’re pesky at the best of times, but St Ives seagulls are renowned for being the niftiest food thieves in the county.

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2pm – 4pm: hit the beaches

Beach lovers will not be disappointed by the choice of sandy spots in St Ives. From surfing hot spots like Porthmeor to picturesque coves and the harbour beach dotted with boats when the tide is out, bring your beach towel along during your day out.

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4pm – 5pm: take a boat ride over to seal island

Take to the waters and enjoy an adorable excursion with a boat trip over to Seal Island. 3½ miles west of St Ives near Zennor resides a rocky island home to a colony of grey Atlantic seals. An hour-long boat trip, this is the perfect activity to end the afternoon.

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5pm – 8pm: dinner and drinks

This Cornish seaside town is bursting with brilliant restaurants, from fresh seafood to mouth-watering burgers and classic fish and chips. Savour delicious cuisine and indulge with a few Cornish tipples (if you’re not driving!). In the summer, this part of the county is the best for al fresco dining in the sunshine. Just remember to watch out for the seagulls.

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8pm – 9pm: Take one last stroll along the seafront

Once you’ve polished off dinner, take one last stroll around the beaches and harbour front before heading back to The Greenbank to put your feet up and relax.

book your coastal escape to the greenbank

Give our reception team a call to book on 01326 312440 or email reception@greenbank-hotel.co.uk.