Why I Took a Chance on Winter in St Ives (and Would Do It Again)
I booked St Ives on a whim during Reading Week. Cornwall in winter isn’t exactly a trending topic, and the forecast warned of rain. But I had a few days off, and I wanted to gamble on some salty air and quiet streets. That gamble paid off—big time.
Rain, Quiet, and a Lucky Turn
We arrived on a drizzly Sunday. The sea was grey, the streets nearly empty, and the shops mostly shut by 4pm.
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But the stillness had its charm. It felt like stepping into an old postcard—moody skies, crashing waves, and an almost eerie calm.
The town was mostly white locals, not a single coach tour in sight. It felt more like England than any other trip I’ve taken here.
Sunshine on Day Two
By morning, clouds cleared. Suddenly we were walking under the brightest blue sky, the whole town glinting under soft winter sun. Locals were out walking dogs—there were more paw prints than footprints on the sand.
We walked down to Porthmeor Beach, one of the most peaceful stretches in all of Cornwall.
The waves were long and gentle, and we watched a few surfers bobbing calmly beyond the break.
Where We Ate (and Ate Again)
Every restaurant we tried was better than expected—fresh, local, and so photogenic it was almost annoying. Our picks: SILCO, Porthmeor Beach Café, Talay, The Cornish Deli.
We even went back to MooMaid of Zennor twice just for their chocolate brownie and orange ice cream.
Cold outside, but we didn’t care.
Little Shops Worth Getting Lost In
St Ives’ two main streets are lined with galleries and indie shops. The best part? Everything felt personal. I couldn’t stop browsing.
Favorites: Sweetlime for decor from around the world, Retro (a charity shop with stunning vintage ceramics), and Hudson for wool knits and handmade cards.
I didn’t expect to shop much, but I ended up taking home tiny sea-glass earrings and a felted puffin.
That Guesthouse, Though
We stayed in a guesthouse where the host was probably an artist. The room was so beautifully styled that we immediately started taking photos.
The living room had art books, soft jazz, and the kind of windows influencers pay for.
And My Bag? Not a Thought
I took just one backpack—the one I use for most of my short getaways. And yes, it’s waterproof.
Between train transfers, beach walks, and dodging drizzles, it handled everything.
If you’re wondering: it’s the Backpackbeat Expandable Waterproof Backpack. I didn’t even need to think about it, which is why I keep using it.
Looking for a travel-ready companion that handles wet weather and winter days like these? Explore the Backpackbeat Expandable Waterproof Backpack →