Our first stop in Cornwall was the iconic St Ives. Having been forewarned about the narrow streets in the town centre, we opted for a park and ride carpark in a residential area, but being such a beautiful day we decided to forego the shuttle bus and walk to the city centre. We were so glad that we did – the views were just stunning!

The carpark was perched on a hill which overlooked the township and harbour, and the walk down consisted of a series of narrow staircases and laneways which ran between historic cottages and villas bordered by old stone fences. There were several vantage points to stop and enjoy the vista on this gloriously sunny day as we gradually descended down the hill.

When we finally made it to the bottom we found a charming historic town centre full of quirky little one way streets (glad we hadn’t tried to drive), and being a Sunday there were people everywhere, which added to the vibrancy.

We eventually found our way to the beach and the tide was out, with people, dogs and seagulls enjoying the late summer warmth on the wide expanse of rippled sand. We found a great little ice-cream shop with handmade cones and ice-cream, perfect for a stroll along the promenade.

We had intended to take the bus back up to the carpark but decided to tackle the steep walk instead – it was a tough climb but revisiting those views made it worthwhile!

St Ives was named after the Irish princess St Ia, who sailed from Ireland to Cornwall in the 5th century. It has long been a small fishing village, and mining was also a big industry in the area, particularly tin and copper. As mining declined in the 19th century, between quarter and half a million people migrated from Cornwall in search of opportunities abroad, which is one of the reasons that Cornish miners were so prevalent in Australian goldrushes.

Prominent artists began arriving in St Ives in the early 1800s, establishing a flourishing arts community which is still going strong. The opening of the railway line from London in 1877 cemented St Ives as a popular tourist destination with a creative vibe, which still remains today.

Although St Ives only has a permanent population of 10,000, around 750,000 day trippers and holidaymakers visit annually. I can see why – even amongst the crowds its natural and historic beauty shines through. It would be a lovely place to spend a week or more, with plenty of interesting spots in the area to explore. Definitely one to return to!