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Looking for a spring or summer break with blue waters, golden sands and palm trees without getting on a plane? Think Cornwall. Think St Ives.
THE RIVIERA TOUCH
To say I’m a fan of Cornwall and, particularly, St Ives would be an understatement. I first went there as a teenager and fell in love with the lazy, laid back Cornish attitude and the stunning blue sea and coastline. Like most of Britain, Cornwall has changed over the years but this gorgeous peninsula has lost none of its magic. It still casts a relaxing spell over me every time I visit.
After a particularly ‘challenging’ summer and autumn, I decided to whisk my wife away for a three night break to recharge the batteries so, even though the weather forecast wasn’t good, St Ives was calling.
For our three nights, we treated ourselves to the Master Suite at the five star Blue Hayes Hotel with its fourposter bed and the biggest all-white, luxuriously appointed bathroom I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a few). The pièce de résistance for this suite had to be the French doors which opened onto a private balcony, with our own private view of the harbour and St Ives Bay. I love this hotel almost as much as St Ives itself for many reasons but mostly because, from the minute you walk through the door, you are made to feel so welcome - it genuinely feels like coming home.
We’ve stayed there several times and owner Malcolm Herring always makes us feel like long lost friends when we arrive. He’s completely refurbished what was once a traditional seaside hotel into what stands today, a superb glowing white shrine to quality and excellence. Malcolm is a lovely chap and we genuinly miss him and his team when we come home. If you’ve never been to Cornwall, you must go and, if you do head for St Ives, then treat yourself to The Blue Hayes for that Riviera touch - just for a few days you’ll feel a little bit special.
Things to do
For what to see and do in St Ives when you visit, check out the official website of the Cornwall Tourist Board at www.visitcornwall.com and Malcolm can recommend several in St Ives depending on your taste.
Places to eat
There are so many good restaurants and pubs to choose from. The Cornwall Tourist Board has a list of them at www.visitcornwall.com
Interesting facts about St Ives
■ Tate St Ives opened 1993. Before being renovated into an art gallery the building was a disused gas works. It took two years to build, costing over £3 million.
■ Artists moved to St Ives in the 1880’s. The St Ives School began in 1928 inspired by local fisherman turned artist, Alfred Wallis.
■ St Ives is the most popular town in Cornwall for visitors to visit.
■ St Ives was voted Guardian Seaside Town of the Year 2007.
■ The famed quality of light in St Ives which attracts artists from across the world is due to the sun reflecting off the sea and the unique composition of St Ives sand.
■ Many famous people have lived in St Ives from time to time; Turner, Whistler, Sickert, Henry Moore, Dame Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Bernard Leach and Virginia Woolf.
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