St Ives Cornwall Vlog - ft. St Erth to St Ives Train Ride

Today, as part of my Cornwall holiday, I make a day trip into St. Ives. Being aware that the town gets busy in the peak summer months, and that car parks are few and far between, we parked at St Erth's park and ride to experience the spectacular St Erth to St Ives Train ride, running parallel to the SW Coast Path, passing the RSPB Hayle Estuary stunning beaches such as Porthkidney Beach, Carbis Bay Beach and Porthminster Beach. Once in St. Ives Cornwall itself, the crowds were a little overwhelming but we had a good old look around the place, visiting Porthgwidden Beach, Porthmeor Beach, Bamaluz Beach, St Ives harbour sand and at the end of the day, Porthmindter Beach, but this time walking along it rather than viewing it from the train. This is one of several Cornwall Vlogs, so if you're planning to visit Cornwall England, you may wish to check out some of my other Travel Vlogs from the current series.

0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Parking/train logistics
2:58 - Food places
3:27 - Harbour
3:58 - Worst lunch ever?
4:52 - Beaches and ice creams
6:58 - Torn in my opinions

[WhenAdventureKnox]

What are your thoughts on St. Ives? Have you been before, or based on this video, do you think it lives up to the hype it gets?

[romanandfizah]

Nice video, a wonderful and enjoyable tour. Looks so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your day

[lindarobinson]

Wow 😍 This is so beautiful Caroline 🥰🥰🥰 I might have to go to Devon next weekend 😍😍. Love the video might have to link up sometime ❤️❤️❤️ xxxx

[michaelrichardson]

My wife and I visited St. Ives from the States in Sept. 1995. My father was stationed there for a year with the 29th inf. Division before leaving for the Normandy invasion. He always told me what a beautiful place it was and how gracious the people treated him and the "Yanks". He was right. Marvelous place. Nice people. We also took the train from St. Erth into St. Ives. Beautiful view.

[janetgrangerdollhouseneedl]

I live in Camborne, 25 minutes from St Ives, and I moved down here from the Midlands because of St Ives - I just love it, so I'm a bit biased!

But I'd say you didn't visit at the best time - during the school holidays, the place is heaving, especially in the 'covid era' when so many people were unable to travel abroad as they usually would, so they all squashed into UK resorts instead! Mid June is better if you want fewer crowds but warm weather, but even in the winter St Ives is gorgeous (and a lot less crowded!).

The way to beat the seagulls is to make sure that you find a place to eat with your back to a high wall - seagulls swoop in from behind you, so if you just walk along a beach with food in your hand, you are an easy target. Keep your food quite close to your chest and sit with your back to a wall and you'll be fine 🙂

As for parking, there is a huge car park called Trenwith car park, up the hill near the leisure centre. If you get there before 9.30am, even in the school holidays, you should get a space. You can walk down into the town, or get a bus.

The reason parking is tight in St Ives is due to its 'charm' - it's a cutesy fishing village!! You can't have both wonderful wide roads and easy parking next to every hotel, along with such a historic-looking fishing village location that was mainly built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's just not possible.

Finally, to be honest, you can't do St Ives justice in just one day. There's so much to see, and it is quite spread out. And there are so many places to eat that you'll want to try more than just a couple during one day :-)

[Filipinospanishwalk]

hi there! the seaside view is absolutely beautiful, people are happy enjoying the water and playing with their own friends and family. great sharing 👍 greetings and watching from Spain. have a lovely weekend

[MattWhitingsEurope]

Loved the views from the train carriage, nice tip about sitting on the right side and sounds like a great way to avoid the car parking in St Ives. The beach and all the little street looked nice but it was a shame about the lunch - especially as you had been looking forward to it. Some very useful and honest advice at the end, it's always quite sad that a place that benefits so much from tourism isn't as tourist friendly as they could be. Man those seagulls are something else - I saw them at their worst when I was in the south-west last year, I literally had to move tables because they kept trying to attack. It's amazing what they'll do for a burger and a few chips!!

[lynnsutcliffethe]

This is just your opinion I'm family and I have been going there for 35 years,
Grown up grandkids still love it .
As I said this is only your opinion.
Thousands of people lover it .

[TravellingTorunn]

Good questions. I have been to St. Ives several times in the summer and I think it is totally beautiful. But I see what you mean about it being busy. And perhaps not all of the restaurants are top notch all the time. But there are great views, lovely paths for walking in the area, good museums and Tate St. Ives, artsy shops and bakeries, quaint alleyways and houses and some good pubs. I am planning for some days there in January when there are a lot less holidaymakers, just to try and get a glimpse of the real St. Ives, and to walk some of the paths in a different season 🥰

[Molotovjack]

I love St Ives. I always find it odd when a tourist complains about how busy a place is when they are one of the people making up the throngs of visitors.

[glyngregory]

Just returned loved it stopped at lealant got bus in and out great service stunning our first visit since 19.92 we hopefully will return

[robertclare]

It's a beautiful place, we travelled down from Liverpool for a week by train, well worth it, Stayed at the Sloop Inn, great food, great locals loved it

[trentsteele]

As someone who lives there just to Easter until mid September is crazy and July and August totally crazy busy. Best time is the winter it is a lot quieter and chilled out with out the mass crowds with bright red bodies with sun burn every where. Plus you see a lot place like all the small art galleries you would probably miss in the summer.

[incognito]

Your first mistake was going in the summer holidays- it’s hellish- I know b/c we’ve been going every summer the last 9 years. You’re best out of season, avoid July- September. Your second mistake was The Rum & Crab shack- it’s a great name for a very mediocre (drinks only) establishment I’d never eat in there in a million years, their hygiene rating is 2 I think 😬. Thirdly you need to stay a few days to get the proper experience away from the buckets and spades brigade and the Benidorm lot who if it wasn’t for Covid wouldn’t be there. Definitely push the ‘St Ives isn’t great’ vibe though because it’s getting far too popular. It needs a few bad reviews to keep the Instagram lot away haha 🙏🏻🙏🏻😂

[tangerinedream]

Generally a good idea to hit St Ives, or most of Cornwall in June or early July, school holiday are manic, nice beaches, restaurants and small shops and bakeries, very traditional British seaside .

[Lavendare]

I thought St Ives was an arty place so I was surprised that there was not murals and sculptures etc. Not what I expected at all. We love train travel in the U.K. No parking problems, no having to fill up fuel, accomodation can have no parking spot, no narrow roads to backup for passing and no worrying about getting the rental back undamaged. Thanks for all the great tips in this episode. 🚂

[bjarnyg]

Never been there, but it still inspired me to write a song about it. Want Katie Melua to sing it😊

[KC-]

Lovely video! How long would it take to visit the main attractions? Would you recommend it to young adults?

[dougie]

That's a good tip about the train ride as an experience. I would avoid most of Cornwall around July and August personally, way too busy. If you're patient re parking there are loads of car parks, you just need to relax and wait. Agreed re street food during the day. A pastie sitting on the sea front is a fantastic thing. The evening I can recommend the restaurants, one of my favs being the Thai restaurant on the front. Like most of the restaurants in popular Cornish towns, book them before you go away with plenty of time or you may be disappointed. St. Ives is very beautiful and has many different features to enjoy on different levels that you can't do with just one visit. The seagulls are tricky in all the coastal towns, Looe being one of the worst for this. Guard your food closer to your chest when walking, don't display it in front of you too much and don't try and fight those seagulls, but honestly it's not that bad. I've never had a problem and nor has any of my family. You might get lucky and see some seals in St. Ives, it's know for them visiting.

[Natz]

Please go to Dorset and find Willy Winters. It's a dinner on the seaside hun. It serves the very best crab tacos meaty and small portions. You also need to try the Oysters sea was a wee bit cold though x