Shepherd's huts near St. Ives, Cornwall

Both a beloved family vacation spot and Cornwall’s cultural epicentre, seaside St Ives buzzes with activity from dusk to sundown. Wake up early for a surf class, hike along the South West Coast Path, and spot seals and seabirds from The Island, then relax at one of many cafés looking out across the harbour. Once you’ve had your fill of beachy sea and sand, head into the town to stroll the cobbled lanes, browse the galleries and artisan boutiques, and admire art masterpieces in the Tate St Ives. Camping is equally varied, whether you prefer a tranquil country camping ground or a 5-star holiday park.

There's a reason St Ives has been named the British Travel Awards' Best UK Seaside Town on multiple occasions: there are few places better to get your dose of sun and sand than here.

1. Hit the beach

Spending the day at the seaside will be at the top of most people’s list when visiting St Ives. The shape of the St Ives peninsula means there’s a beach facing every direction, so whether you’re heading out to take photos at sunrise or going for a sunset paddle, you’ll see a beach that’s bathed in sunshine (assuming the sun is out, of course).

Choose Porthmeor or Porthminster blue-flag beaches for top-quality surfing and swimming, with the latter being the most popular beach in the region. Though the smallest beach in the area, the sheltered Porthgwidden proves a sun-trap throughout summer and is sought out among those looking to top up their town. At St Ives Harbour beach, you can admire the boats from your spot on the shore, while kid-friendly Carbis Bay and its tranquil waters are just a mile from town.

2. Wander the town

Visitors can walk along St Ives’ cobbled streets to the harbour and working port, where fishers go by in their boats. Shops, galleries, cafes and pubs line its street, great spots for dining out while overlooking the harbour.

Wandering the maze of independent shops and galleries in St Ives is a nice way to while away an afternoon, and a trip to Tate St Ives is a great place for rainy days. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is another cultural hotspot, dedicated to one of the region's most influential artists. The historic St Ives Society of Artists, meanwhile, features changing exhibitions through the year.

3. Get active

If browsing art galleries isn't your cup of tea, how about something more upbeat? You can go for a run or ramble on the South West Coast Path, the UK's longest national trail at 630 miles, which can be picked up from St Ives and runs around the southwest peninsula. We wouldn't recommend the St Ives 14-mile walk in one trip, but even following a portion of the trail affords some magnificent views.

To get active in the water, a stand-up paddleboard or kayak can be hired at the beach, or you can also take a boat trip to Seal Island to see a grey Atlantic seal colony.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Both a beloved family vacation spot and Cornwall’s cultural epicentre, seaside St Ives buzzes with activity from dusk to sundown. Wake up early for a surf class, hike along the South West Coast Path, and spot seals and seabirds from The Island, then relax at one of many cafés looking out across the harbour. Once you’ve had your fill of beachy sea and sand, head into the town to stroll the cobbled lanes, browse the galleries and artisan boutiques, and admire art masterpieces in the Tate St Ives. Camping is equally varied, whether you prefer a tranquil country camping ground or a 5-star holiday park.

There's a reason St Ives has been named the British Travel Awards' Best UK Seaside Town on multiple occasions: there are few places better to get your dose of sun and sand than here.

1. Hit the beach

Spending the day at the seaside will be at the top of most people’s list when visiting St Ives. The shape of the St Ives peninsula means there’s a beach facing every direction, so whether you’re heading out to take photos at sunrise or going for a sunset paddle, you’ll see a beach that’s bathed in sunshine (assuming the sun is out, of course).

Choose Porthmeor or Porthminster blue-flag beaches for top-quality surfing and swimming, with the latter being the most popular beach in the region. Though the smallest beach in the area, the sheltered Porthgwidden proves a sun-trap throughout summer and is sought out among those looking to top up their town. At St Ives Harbour beach, you can admire the boats from your spot on the shore, while kid-friendly Carbis Bay and its tranquil waters are just a mile from town.

2. Wander the town

Visitors can walk along St Ives’ cobbled streets to the harbour and working port, where fishers go by in their boats. Shops, galleries, cafes and pubs line its street, great spots for dining out while overlooking the harbour.

Wandering the maze of independent shops and galleries in St Ives is a nice way to while away an afternoon, and a trip to Tate St Ives is a great place for rainy days. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is another cultural hotspot, dedicated to one of the region's most influential artists. The historic St Ives Society of Artists, meanwhile, features changing exhibitions through the year.

3. Get active

If browsing art galleries isn't your cup of tea, how about something more upbeat? You can go for a run or ramble on the South West Coast Path, the UK's longest national trail at 630 miles, which can be picked up from St Ives and runs around the southwest peninsula. We wouldn't recommend the St Ives 14-mile walk in one trip, but even following a portion of the trail affords some magnificent views.

To get active in the water, a stand-up paddleboard or kayak can be hired at the beach, or you can also take a boat trip to Seal Island to see a grey Atlantic seal colony.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Hideaway Camping

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113km from St. Ives · 17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Okehampton, England

Carefree camping and glamping in Devon with a nature-friendly setting and imaginative owners

2. Pittaford Farm

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(67)

129km from St. Ives · 15 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Kingsbridge, England

A campfire-friendly site in South Devon, with a beach, a nature reserve and a pub all less than 45 minutes' walk away

3. West Kellow Yurts

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(22)

69km from St. Ives · 8 units · Glamping · Cornwall, South West England

A small glamping site on a family farm in Cornwall, set just outside the idyllic seaside village of Polperro

4. Private woodland in a shepherds hut

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(1)

102km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Okehampton, Devon, South West England

A shepherd’s hut with a hot tub in a private woodland in Devon

5. Willow Valley Holiday Park

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(16)

99km from St. Ives · 31 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Bude , England

This peaceful, sheltered site has a special character. The site is the ideal place to unwind with plenty of safe space, a meandering river and friendly atmosphere. It offers 4 acres with facilities, 7 acres of wilderness, shower block, level pitches, picturesque river, children’s playground and has been rated AA 4 star gold pennant. Becky and John both love Cornwall and fell in love with the site as soon as they saw it and it provided the perfect opportunity for a new challenge. Having only recently taken over at Willow Valley in the Summer of 2024, there are always ongoing improvements being made so make sure you keep in touch. Any returning campers will be glad to know we aren’t changing the campsite itself though. Why would we when it is already so perfect!

6. Strawfields Cabins and Camping

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(26)

145km from St. Ives · 14 units · Tents, Glamping · Titching Park Lane, England

Camping and rustic glamping with campfires on an idyllic smallholding close to North Devon’s best-loved beaches

7. Sea View Shepherds Huts Porthleven

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(2)

15km from St. Ives · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Porthleven, Cornwall, South West England

Shepherd’s huts and camping with views on a farm campsite in Cornwall

8. South Town Farm

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(7)

148km from St. Ives · 11 units · Tents, Glamping · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England

South Town Camping opened for a month in 2018 to see how guests would take to its private 10-pitch site. Tucked away in North Devon's Arlington estate, amid twenty-plus miles of footpaths and bridleways, this is a campsite designed by committed campers and it shows.The grass pitches are spacious, with paths leading to them mown into the wildflower meadows, all set within six acres kept peaceful (and safe for the kids!) by the absence of cars — simply roll your belongings to your tent with the help of a super-sized wheelbarrow. At the centre of the camping fields hay meadows are left to grow throughout the summer, providing an almost-wild aesthetic befitting of the sprawling surrounding woodland of which you'll enjoy uninterrupted views. Watch the sunset to the west right from your tent and, on clear nights, you'll have an enviable spot to take in the starry skies. If you don't fancy pitching a tent a shepherd's hut is also available, a cosy option for couples with outdoor seating for those nights cooking by the fire.Given that this is a campsite belonging to the environmentally-conscious South Town Farm, your time staying at the site will be as eco-friendly as possible. Your hosts take care of 200 acres of this estate, having National Trust tenancy of South Town and managing its grasslands, which remain unimproved to maintain the unique biodiversity of the region. In keeping with this ethos, your available amenities also won't impact the land — there are composting loos, a gas-powered warm shower and cold drinking water pumped directly from the mains to the sheltered washing-up hut.Despite South Town Camping's position out in the sticks, it's within excellent reach of its neighbouring beaches, all a short drive away. Woolacombe beach will likely be the first port of call for sun-chasers, given its reputation as not only one of the best beaches in the West Country, but one of the best in the world — two miles of sloping sand facing the Atlantic Ocean, and a favourite for families and surfers with thousands descending upon it each year. Or, if you don't fancy feeling the sand between your toes, multiple marked walks await you directly from your tent — embark on a ramble through the ample woodland and emerge at the Pyne Arms, the nearest pub, where award-winning food awaits.

9. Rocombe Valley Retreat

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(17)

142km from St. Ives · 5 units · Glamping · Lower Rocombe, England

Glamping near the English Riviera, with wood-fired hot tubs and coarse fishing lakes

10. Atlantic Horizons

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(1)

107km from St. Ives · 9 units · Tents, Glamping · Bude, England

We are a friendly glamping and camping site set in the beautiful natural surroundings of the North Cornwall coast and countryside allowing for a quiet getaway or family break. Atlantic Horizons aims to offer the camping experience but without the hassle. Supplying you with everything you need for a relaxing yet comfortable glamping experience. We understand how the issues of packing and unpacking can be for you, especially after a long drive, therefore we feel that it is important to remove any challenges by providing you with a variety of glamping packages to suit your needs.

11. Cotna Eco Retreat

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(10)

48km from St. Ives · 5 units · Glamping · Cornwall, South West England

An peaceful, eco heaven near the coast, on a 10-acre organic smallholding in Cornwall with yurts, a shepherd’s hut and a strawbale barn

12. Diddylake Shepherd Huts

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(6)

76km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Bodmin Moor, England

An off-grid shepherd’s hut site out on Bodmin Moor

13. The Shepherdess Hut

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(1)

143km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Ilfracombe, Devon, South West England

Set in a hilltop near Ilfracombe in North Devon, Fullabrook Farm Retreat is home to The Shepherdess shepherd’s hut. Based on a family-run working farm, this romantic hut is ideal for a couples’ holiday amid spectacular woodland views – plus the chance to have the place to yourselves – apart from the grazing sheep in nearby fields of course. Built from scratch by the site owners, the hut is decked out with a kingsize bed, dining and living space, plus an en-suite bathroom with a powerful, hot shower. Thoughtful extras here include robes and toiletries, plus a TV for chilling. There’s a gas oven and hob in the modern kitchenette, alongside a fridge with freezer and a stylish Belfast sink. There’s no danger of you feeling the cold on chillier evenings, as the hut has its own central heating. For those sunny evenings, the private patio has a barbecue, tables and a firepit, so you can dine outside and cosy up around the fire as the night sets in – look out for some spectacular sunsets and starry displays on clear evenings. If you can manage to drag yourselves from this lovely little spot, the local village is West Down (five minutes’ drive), which has a community-run shop for stocking up on barbecue essentials, as well as a foodie pub if you fancy a change of scenery.

14. Northcombe Farm Shepherds Hut

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(2)

110km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Beaworthy, England

Whether you’re planning on darting down to Dartmoor National Park for hikes and the like or exploring sandy beaches and surf hotspots on the Devon coast, you’re going to need somewhere cosy to stay that’s within reach of it all. That’s exactly what you get with the shepherd’s hut at Northcombe Farm, just half an hour’s drive from Dartmoor National Park, 35 minutes from Bude and 40 minutes from Widemouth beach. That’s not all – the shepherd’s hut also has stabling facilities available for one horse, and with three bridleways nearby, there are plenty of options for outings. With two private fishing lakes, you’ll be free to spend the morning fishing for roach and tench if you wish. The river Wolf also runs through the site’s boundaries. It’s likely you’re already aware of the excellent beaches along the south Devon coast, but fab views can also be caught from the ferry or boat trips that operate around the coast. Soak up all that spectacular scenery from the South West Coast Path too, along with splendid seaside towns along the clifftop route. South Devon has three areas designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as a World Heritage Site, a selection of national nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, forests, woodlands and parks. They’re all mighty good places to appreciate nature at its finest. Beaworthy (10 minutes’ drive) first, perhaps, for granite tors, standing stones and ancient woodlands? Or Dartmoor’s ponies, stannary towns and peaceful villages?

15. Robin’s Roost Luxury Shepherd's Hut

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(1)

30km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Truro, Cornwall, South West England

Set in an idyllic AONB valley in between Truro and Falmouth on our 70 acre working farm. The perfect spot to relax and recharge. Loads of local walks, pubs within walking distance and easy access to the water on the Fal River. Loe Beach is a stones throw away where you can hire paddle boards or kayaks. Lots of birds to admire: pheasants, owls, woodpeckers, buzzards and tits.

16. Hideaway Huts

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(4)

75km from St. Ives · 2 units · Glamping · Liskeard, Cornwall, South West England

Luxurious, exclusive glamping hut in Cornwall's idyllic Looe Valley.

17. Rushford Shepherd's Hut

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(6)

129km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Devon, South West England

A dog-friendly shepherd's hut in the Teign Valley at the heart of Dartmoor National Park

18. Quincecote Shepherds Hut

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(1)

113km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Hartland, England

A shepherd’s hut for two with views of North Devon’s countryside and sea

19. Shepherds Hut Hideaway in Devon!

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(4)

113km from St. Ives · 2 units · Glamping · Bude, England

Welcome to Gratton Hideaway- a hidden gem in the Devon countryside. Stay in one of our two beautiful hand crafted Shepherds huts tucked away in our peaceful small holding and hobby vineyard. Surrounded by nature you can truly unwind in the wood fired hot tub as you admire the far reaching views. Gratton Hideaway is a smallholding of around 3.75 acres where we grow 200 vines for wine production, we make cider from our apples and grow our own vegetables and fruit produce. It's the ideal place to relax and really switch off. We are perfectly placed half way between Bideford and Bude, if you love the beach, then just 25 minutes in either direction you will find some of the best in the South West. The huts have wood fired hot tubs, mains electric and mains water supply, a lovely shower room with loo, washbasin and shower. We provide all bedding and towels so you don't have to bring your own. There is a cosy sitting/dining area inside by the fully equipped kitchen which includes a butler sink, oven, hob, fridge, kettle, toaster, glasses, crockery and cutlery. Each outside area includes a fire pit with a bbq grill and seating for dining and relaxing. Everything you really need for your country escape.

20. The Hive

100%

(1)

113km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Bude, England

A shepherd’s hut for two on a farm in the Devonshire countryside

Camper favorites near St. Ives

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

The Shepherdess Hut

100%

(1)

143km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Ilfracombe, Devon, South West England

Set in a hilltop near Ilfracombe in North Devon, Fullabrook Farm Retreat is home to The Shepherdess shepherd’s hut. Based on a family-run working farm, this romantic hut is ideal for a couples’ holiday amid spectacular woodland views – plus the chance to have the place to yourselves – apart from the grazing sheep in nearby fields of course. Built from scratch by the site owners, the hut is decked out with a kingsize bed, dining and living space, plus an en-suite bathroom with a powerful, hot shower. Thoughtful extras here include robes and toiletries, plus a TV for chilling. There’s a gas oven and hob in the modern kitchenette, alongside a fridge with freezer and a stylish Belfast sink. There’s no danger of you feeling the cold on chillier evenings, as the hut has its own central heating. For those sunny evenings, the private patio has a barbecue, tables and a firepit, so you can dine outside and cosy up around the fire as the night sets in – look out for some spectacular sunsets and starry displays on clear evenings. If you can manage to drag yourselves from this lovely little spot, the local village is West Down (five minutes’ drive), which has a community-run shop for stocking up on barbecue essentials, as well as a foodie pub if you fancy a change of scenery.

Northcombe Farm Shepherds Hut

100%

(2)

110km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Beaworthy, England

Whether you’re planning on darting down to Dartmoor National Park for hikes and the like or exploring sandy beaches and surf hotspots on the Devon coast, you’re going to need somewhere cosy to stay that’s within reach of it all. That’s exactly what you get with the shepherd’s hut at Northcombe Farm, just half an hour’s drive from Dartmoor National Park, 35 minutes from Bude and 40 minutes from Widemouth beach. That’s not all – the shepherd’s hut also has stabling facilities available for one horse, and with three bridleways nearby, there are plenty of options for outings. With two private fishing lakes, you’ll be free to spend the morning fishing for roach and tench if you wish. The river Wolf also runs through the site’s boundaries. It’s likely you’re already aware of the excellent beaches along the south Devon coast, but fab views can also be caught from the ferry or boat trips that operate around the coast. Soak up all that spectacular scenery from the South West Coast Path too, along with splendid seaside towns along the clifftop route. South Devon has three areas designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as a World Heritage Site, a selection of national nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, forests, woodlands and parks. They’re all mighty good places to appreciate nature at its finest. Beaworthy (10 minutes’ drive) first, perhaps, for granite tors, standing stones and ancient woodlands? Or Dartmoor’s ponies, stannary towns and peaceful villages?

Robin’s Roost Luxury Shepherd's Hut

100%

(1)

30km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Truro, Cornwall, South West England

Set in an idyllic AONB valley in between Truro and Falmouth on our 70 acre working farm. The perfect spot to relax and recharge. Loads of local walks, pubs within walking distance and easy access to the water on the Fal River. Loe Beach is a stones throw away where you can hire paddle boards or kayaks. Lots of birds to admire: pheasants, owls, woodpeckers, buzzards and tits.

Hideaway Huts

100%

(4)

75km from St. Ives · 2 units · Glamping · Liskeard, Cornwall, South West England

Luxurious, exclusive glamping hut in Cornwall's idyllic Looe Valley.

Rushford Shepherd's Hut

83%

(6)

129km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Devon, South West England

A dog-friendly shepherd's hut in the Teign Valley at the heart of Dartmoor National Park

Quincecote Shepherds Hut

100%

(1)

113km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Hartland, England

A shepherd’s hut for two with views of North Devon’s countryside and sea

Shepherds Hut Hideaway in Devon!

100%

(4)

113km from St. Ives · 2 units · Glamping · Bude, England

Welcome to Gratton Hideaway- a hidden gem in the Devon countryside. Stay in one of our two beautiful hand crafted Shepherds huts tucked away in our peaceful small holding and hobby vineyard. Surrounded by nature you can truly unwind in the wood fired hot tub as you admire the far reaching views. Gratton Hideaway is a smallholding of around 3.75 acres where we grow 200 vines for wine production, we make cider from our apples and grow our own vegetables and fruit produce. It's the ideal place to relax and really switch off. We are perfectly placed half way between Bideford and Bude, if you love the beach, then just 25 minutes in either direction you will find some of the best in the South West. The huts have wood fired hot tubs, mains electric and mains water supply, a lovely shower room with loo, washbasin and shower. We provide all bedding and towels so you don't have to bring your own. There is a cosy sitting/dining area inside by the fully equipped kitchen which includes a butler sink, oven, hob, fridge, kettle, toaster, glasses, crockery and cutlery. Each outside area includes a fire pit with a bbq grill and seating for dining and relaxing. Everything you really need for your country escape.

The Hive

100%

(1)

113km from St. Ives · 1 unit · Glamping · Bude, England

A shepherd’s hut for two on a farm in the Devonshire countryside

Stories from the community

C

Caroline

August 2025

With kids

3 nights at Diddylake Shepherd Huts

The most beautiful location and the huts were so cosy and clean. We had everything we needed. I can't wait to visit again!

I

Ian

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Willow Valley Holiday Park

Really nice break over Easter. Becky and team were welcoming and helpful. The shepherds hut was brilliant. Thank you..

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Shepherd's huts near St. Ives guide

Where to go

Penwith Peninsula

Cornwall’s western arm is a rugged wilderness of soaring sea cliffs and windswept headlands. Hike along the coast, stopping to swim at hidden sandy beaches, discover Bronze Age ruins, and camp out at remote coastal campsites. A visit to Land’s End, the westernmost point of mainland Britain, is a rite of passage for travellers, but equally enchanting is St Michael's Mount, an island monastery marooned off the south coast.

North Coast

East of St Ives, the coastal road to Newquay winds its way past rocky coves, ocean lookouts, and pretty fishing villages. Newquay and Bude are the destinations of choice for budding surfers, but if you prefer a more relaxed beach vibe, head to Perranporth or Port Isaac. Additional highlights include the ruins of Tintagel castle and the foodie hub of Padstow, where you can tuck into everything from seafood to Cornish pasties.

Isles of Scilly

Ferries set sail from Land’s End or Penzance to the Isles of Scilly, a cluster of tiny islands off Cornwall’s western tip. Camping on the islands is a retreat from the mainland crowds, and you can pitch your tent amid verdant farmlands or right by the seafront. Simple pleasures await on the islands—lounge on white-sand beaches, hike along rugged headlands, and spot wildlife along the coast.

Family Holidays in St Ives

St Ives is an ideal destination to take your kids, as the Cornish town is a hugely popular destination for family holidays. With many of its campsites within close proximity to its top spots and gorgeous beaches, St Ives makes for a laid-back trip to take with the kids in tow.

If you're looking to start your holiday off with a bang, then you could even book a trip with the St Ives Bay Line, a train journey from St Erth to St Ives that offers an incredible view of the coast.

Once in St Ives, the kids will love the family-friendly blue-flag beach of Porthminster, which is safe for shallow swimming (dogs are only welcome in winter) and offers views of Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance. It's spacious, too, giving you and your clan plenty of room to find your spot in the sand. If you have younger kids, we'd recommend Cardis Bay, which has far less surf than its counterparts, ideal for toddlers on a supervised paddle.

For evening entertainment, Kidz R Us is an award-winning youth theatre group that hosts events throughout the year. The group works with children, teenagers, and young adults, putting out shows for everyone to enjoy, from musicals to pantomimes.

When to go

Summer vacationers descend on St Ives in July and August so expect big crowds. Advance bookings are essential at this time, for everything from campsites to restaurants. Shoulder-season campers can make the most of lower prices and fewer crowds, and it’s often still warm enough to swim—lifeguard patrols run from easter through early October at the main beaches. For the biggest waves, seasoned surfers hit the water in winter.

Know before you go

St Ives has a few camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up supplies for your camping trip.
St Ives has public transport links to many surrounding towns, but it is handy to have your own transport, especially if staying at rural campsites.
Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment in advance. Be sure to check opening dates, as many campsites close in the winter months.
Wild camping is illegal throughout Cornwall.