There are a few places in this country that I long to return to the minute I’ve left, and Cornwall has been one of them since my very first visit. Boasting a number of beloved holiday destinations offering sun, sea and sand on UK soil, with great food, great experiences and the relaxed Cornish hospitality at its heart, this West Country delight aims to please all who visit.
I have no doubt that a few places rank highly for travellers seeking out a slice of paradise on home turf, and St Ives is right up there. This enchanting town, with its picturesque harbour, inviting beaches, array of great eateries, renowned art galleries, spend-worthy shops and more, welcomes visitors all year round. I visited in summer and discovered the perfect retreat for visiting couples or solo travellers; an opportunity to live like a local in the heart of the town at a former artist’s studio turned heavenly hideaway.
Where to stay
Recently renovated and opened just this summer, The Balcony Studio boasts luxe furnishings, incredibly relaxing views and lots of original features throughout to make any stay here a welcoming and unique one. It really doesn’t matter whether you visit the popular coastal town in winter, spring, summer or autumn as it has a way of offering a perfect escape whatever the weather and The Balcony Studio is in the centre of the action.
Summer is obviously the best time to guarantee the better weather for water-based activities and The Balcony Studio has you covered with their branded windbreaks, body boards and deck chairs to make the most of the stunning local beaches. On colder and wetter days, I can only imagine that cosying up on the large, oh-so comfortable chairs with a book, artist’s easel or simply gazing at the magnificent views of Smeaton’s Pier to one side and Gwithian Beach to the other will be the most relaxing way to spend some time.
Positioned at the foot of the large and very comfortable four poster bed, the armchairs and footstool provide the perfect place in front of the windows to gaze out and take in the winning views, and just in front you can hop on to the listed balcony for an even better outlook and to sit in the spot where artists have painted their works in years gone by. It’s easy to see why this famed building has housed so many creatives over the years.
I couldn’t get enough of the view and any spare moment was spent with the windows open sitting on the armchairs, taking in the views and the listening to the lapping waves just below. Bliss.
The spa bathroom is like something I’ve never seen. The spa bath – a William Holland Alvius bath big enough for four – sits under a glass panel which looks up to the bedroom above and makes for an interesting feature. In addition to this you’ll find two sinks, a wetsuit drying room and a couple’s rainfall shower in the huge open plan space. There’s also a small porthole which looks out to the water – you’ll spot plenty of legs walking past as they traverse the pathway in front of the studio.
A little lounge/snug is the perfect spot for some time spent relaxing with a film and the multi-level, open plan nature of the property makes it feel spacious. Elements of the seaside are scattered throughout from the porthole windows from the shower to the main bathroom space to the cushions and lampshade in the snug to the bedroom’s soft furnishings. Bare stone walls, wood floors, slate tiles, exposed wood beams, white walls, blue curtains and blue and white thin striped fabric in the chairs all nod to the rustic, natural feel of the Cornish surrounds. There’s space to store clothes and plenty of room for a couple to feel more than comfortable whether they’re staying for a few days or longer.
Everything you will need is provided including toiletries, a cosy robe and slippers, and two stamped postcards so you can show friends and family what they’re missing. Towels are supplied as is a hairdryer, Wi-Fi and sound system and useful kitchen extras like a dishwasher tablet can be found. For anything else, there are a couple of convenience shops within a few minutes’ walk.
Where to eat
With The Balcony Studio, you have plenty of options when it comes to dining as there’s a fully equipped kitchen with top notch appliances, including a Smeg fridge freezer, wine fridge and De’Longhi espresso machine, an induction hob and oven and all the crockery and utensils you’ll need to whip up a bountiful brunch or delightful dinner for two.
If, however, you want to stay in and chill with a takeaway – fish and chips is a must when visiting the Cornish coast – then you have plenty of space to enjoy the local delights.
Dining in one of the many restaurants and cafés of St Ives is what makes a trip here complete, however, especially for a food lover like me, and so during my stay I headed out for dinner on both evenings.
The Rum and Crab Shack serves up a succulent crab sharing board, which consisted of a dressed crab, mussels, crispy coated whitebait, fries, chunky bread and whole king prawns in their shells at £55. Advertised for two to four people, this was a good amount of food for two as a main course with no starter. Desserts of rum baba and a chocolate filled donut were delightful and rum fans will be in heaven with the great choice of cocktails and spirits available to sip here, while gazing out at the great sea views.
The Loft Restaurant and Terrace is another great choice for dinner and serves up delightful dishes with an Italian, Asian or British influence. I devoured the burrata cheese with fig, rocket, and balsamic glaze for starter and couldn’t resist the crispy crumbed haddock with chunky triple cooked chips, crushed minted peas and tartare sauce for my main course. All washed down with a bottle of Moet, this was a delicious dinner.
Other local destinations you should have on your radar on your trip to St Ives include Harbour Kitchen, Bar and Terrace at St Ives Harbour Hotel, the 2AA awarded Porthminster Beach Café, and you won’t be disappointed with nearby Carbis Bay Estate’s offerings of Walters on the Beach and Adam Handling’s Ugly Butterfly – a restaurant that you must visit for its creative cuisine and stunning setting.
What to do
Whether you wish to take a trip out on the water to spot seals, recline on one of the gorgeous beaches, enjoy a ghost walk at night, walk the coast path, charter a boat for fishing, take a painting class, be exhilarated on a RIB ride, learn to surf, make your own Cornish gin at Tarquin’s Gin School or take in world renowned art at the local galleries, St Ives certainly has you covered.
I paid my first visit to both the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and was thrilled to be immersed in such defining art.
The Tate, which sits on the seafront and boasts marvellous views from its top-floor café, showcases works from the last 100 years from local and international artists. As the website explains, it is: “celebrating how West Cornwall has welcomed and inspired artists and revealing new connections to artists from around the world.” Expect to spot pieces from Picasso, Barbara Hepworth, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Cornish artists along with a colourful, interactive and thought-provoking exhibition entitled Biosfera Peluche by Ad Minoliti, which runs until the end of October this year. The building itself is a marvel and the gift shop and café are certainly worth a visit.
Nearby, you can immerse yourself in the dazzling sculptures crafted by Dame Barbara Hepworth in her old studio at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Learn all about the life of the modernist artist, see inside her studio and wander the gardens where you’ll discover a selection of her bronzes.
From old photographs and newspaper clippings showcasing Dame Barbara’s life to a gallery upstairs to a blissful garden full of her beautiful works, it’s easy to see how she was inspired by the locale to stay and work for the majority of her life.
It is recommended to book tickets in advance for both; tickets start at £9.50 for Tate St Ives and £6 for the Barbara Hepworth Museum.
In a nutshell
An art lover’s sanctuary, a beach lover’s haven, a food fanatic’s retreat, whatever type of trip to St Ives you enjoy, you can be sure that it’ll be up there with the best. The Balcony Studio is one of the finest options a couple or solo traveller can choose from when hoping to enjoy the best of the best in this popular town, from the luxury you’ll find inside to the gems that are a stone’s throw from this heavenly hideaway.
Factbox
The Balcony Studio is available to book via The Cottage Boutique as well as Airbnb and direct through the website.
Prices start at £270 per night with a minimum stay of three nights. A percentage of the profits will be donated to the RNLI.
Address: 3 St Andrew’s St St Ives Cornwall TR26 1AH
Website: thebalconystudio.co.uk
Email: david@thebalconystudio.co.uk
Instagram: @thebalconystudiostives
See snippets of my travels on Instagram @tashheard_food_travel
