101 places to go: St Ives in Cornwall

As it’s the start of the New Year we figured there was no better time to introduce a new feature: ‘101 Places to Go in the UK, Ireland and France’. We admit the title could use a little work but if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more active, take more breaks, have more fun, or get out and about, then you should find a few new ideas. And even if this one doesn’t appeal, there will be another one along next week that might.

We would be surprised if this week’s doesn’t hold some appeal. After all, it involves visiting the ‘Best UK Seaside Town’ in the ‘Best UK Holiday County or Region’ with the possibility of booking accommodation with the ‘Best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company’ (As announced at the British Travel Awards, and voted for by British holidaymakers).

In case you haven’t guessed (or read the title!) we’re talking about St Ives in Cornwall.

Here are a few notable things about the region:

• The Gwithian Academy of Surfing allows you to ‘learn the basics or fine tune your surfing’ on the northern part of St Ives Bay.

• Fans of culture will be equally spoilt for choice in St Ives with a number of different galleries and exhibitions. As well as a Tate Museum there’s the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

• St Ives tourism is set to skyrocket next summer with the release of the next Pirates of the Caribbean film, which was partly filmed in the region.

Have you been to St Ives? We’d love to hear your tips and suggestions on things to see and do.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Search our fantastic featured properties in St Ives on cottages4you.