St Ives Cornwall Vlog - ft. St Erth to St Ives Train Ride
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- Today, as part of my Cornwall holiday, I make a day trip into St. Ives. Being aware that the town gets busy in the peak summer months, and that car parks are few and far between, we parked at St Erth's park and ride to experience the spectacular St Erth to St Ives Train ride, running parallel to the SW Coast Path, passing the RSPB Hayle Estuary stunning beaches such as Porthkidney Beach, Carbis Bay Beach and Porthminster Beach. Once in St. Ives Cornwall itself, the crowds were a little overwhelming but we had a good old look around the place, visiting Porthgwidden Beach, Porthmeor Beach, Bamaluz Beach, St Ives harbour sand and at the end of the day, Porthmindter Beach, but this time walking along it rather than viewing it from the train. This is one of several Cornwall Vlogs, so if you're planning to visit Cornwall England, you may wish to check out some of my other Travel Vlogs from the current series.
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Parking/train logistics
2:58 - Food places
3:27 - Harbour
3:58 - Worst lunch ever?
4:52 - Beaches and ice creams
6:58 - Torn in my opinions
What are your thoughts on St. Ives? Have you been before, or based on this video, do you think it lives up to the hype it gets?
Never been but I'd like to go one day. It's quite far down my list though, and maybe now I've seen your video it's dropped another couple of places!
Oh no... sorry for pushing it further down the list!! 🤦♀️ With hindsight, I think I'd have enjoyed the day a bit more had the museum been open (and based on all your videos I've watched I think you'd be the same), visited that in the morning, we'd done street food for lunch and then spent the afternoon walking back along the South West Coast path as watching the walkers from the train, it looked stunning! Later on this trip, we went to Padstow and learnt from our mistake of giving too much time to the town of St. Ives and spent more time cycling in and out, went with a fantastic fish and chips take away and I loved that day. Funny how you live and you learn!
@@WhenAdventureKnox Ha, no worries - it's always good to see both sides of travel. We all definitely live and learn, your revised day sounds good, I would definitely have aimed for the museum as you did, shame it was closed as I'm sure it would have been interesting. It's always good to learn about the places we visit. Also, I've always thought that expectations can be the thieves of joy - some of the best days I've had are when my expectations are low.
My experience in St Ives was absolutely positive though. Yeah, totally understandable, when not all events or experiences on that day were good (or maybe just the day itself was in the low mood and attention was directed towards noticing negative things). Anyway, great vlog 🙂
Cornwall is the second poorest region in the whole of northern Europe*, behind only west Wales, and among the 50 poorest on the entire continent
My wife and I visited St. Ives from the States in Sept. 1995. My father was stationed there for a year with the 29th inf. Division before leaving for the Normandy invasion. He always told me what a beautiful place it was and how gracious the people treated him and the "Yanks". He was right. Marvelous place. Nice people. We also took the train from St. Erth into St. Ives. Beautiful view.
Silver linings in the horrible situation that your dad was in, but so happy to hear the Cornish treated him so well whilst he was here as with the exception of your border force which is always hit or miss, everyone else has always been so welcoming of us when visiting the US! The train ride from St. Erth to St. Ives really is stunning isn't it
@@WhenAdventureKnox yes it is. Coming out of the woods and seeing the water and beaches was breathtaking. We stayed at the Pedna Olva Hotel, right off the water. My Dad's company was housed in the St. Ives Bay Hotel which was still there in 1995. There is also a picture of his Company in the Maritime Museum. Company A, 175th infantry. Sadly at our age Transatlantic Travel is no longer an option but we have plenty of pictures of our time there and our memories. Take care and safe travels to you.
I live in Camborne, 25 minutes from St Ives, and I moved down here from the Midlands because of St Ives - I just love it, so I'm a bit biased!
But I'd say you didn't visit at the best time - during the school holidays, the place is heaving, especially in the 'covid era' when so many people were unable to travel abroad as they usually would, so they all squashed into UK resorts instead! Mid June is better if you want fewer crowds but warm weather, but even in the winter St Ives is gorgeous (and a lot less crowded!).
The way to beat the seagulls is to make sure that you find a place to eat with your back to a high wall - seagulls swoop in from behind you, so if you just walk along a beach with food in your hand, you are an easy target. Keep your food quite close to your chest and sit with your back to a wall and you'll be fine 🙂
As for parking, there is a huge car park called Trenwith car park, up the hill near the leisure centre. If you get there before 9.30am, even in the school holidays, you should get a space. You can walk down into the town, or get a bus.
The reason parking is tight in St Ives is due to its 'charm' - it's a cutesy fishing village!! You can't have both wonderful wide roads and easy parking next to every hotel, along with such a historic-looking fishing village location that was mainly built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's just not possible.
Finally, to be honest, you can't do St Ives justice in just one day. There's so much to see, and it is quite spread out. And there are so many places to eat that you'll want to try more than just a couple during one day :-)
I can't wait for the day when I retire from teaching (or find another career) that allows me to visit all these places that everyone tells me are so much better when it's not the school holidays. I fully appreciate what you've said about Mid June being the ideal and I can picture it now, I bet its fab. The tips for the Trenwith Car Park are most helpful, especially for whenever I do return as I feel I perhaps didn't do St. Ives justice - though I did love the train ride. Your tips of how to eat al fresco with seagulls about is fab, I've never heard of sitting up against a wall, but next time I'm at the beach, I'm doing it!! 🙏 Thank you for such a kind and thoughtful comment, I hope it's able to help others too.
@@WhenAdventureKnox I wish I could take credit for the keeping your food safe from seagulls tip, but I saw it on Shaun's 'Love Sundays' video channel :-)
You moved to Camborne. St Ives a bit out of your price range was it ? Just wondering.
@@oddities-whatnot No properties available! Neither in our price range or out of it!
Nice video, a wonderful and enjoyable tour. Looks so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your day
Hey guys, so pleased you enjoyed the tour around St. Ives. Definitely very beautiful!
It's a beautiful place, we travelled down from Liverpool for a week by train, well worth it, Stayed at the Sloop Inn, great food ,great locals loved it
Wow 😍 This is so beautiful Caroline 🥰🥰🥰 I might have to go to Devon next weekend 😍😍. Love the video might have to link up sometime ❤️❤️❤️ xxxx
Hi Linda. So sorry for the super late response, TH-cam for some crazy reason had flagged this as 'likely spam' and was hidden away from me! So pleased I was able to show off the beauty of this place in the video, though may be worth mentioning that St. Ives is in Cornwall, not Devon, but both counties were stunning in my opinion!
I love St Ives. I always find it odd when a tourist complains about how busy a place is when they are one of the people making up the throngs of visitors.
I don't feel like this video has aged too well. The comments about the crowds weren't meant to be a criticism, but rather, it was back when the government were loosening their rules around COVID so a large amount of time had been spent social distancing and keeping to small group sizes, so this was a bit of a shock to the system... any other year I think the numbers would have felt normal!
hi there! the seaside view is absolutely beautiful, people are happy enjoying the water and playing with their own friends and family. great sharing 👍 greetings and watching from Spain. have a lovely weekend
You're most welcome!! I love Spain, but haven't been for years - last trip just over a year ago was cancelled due to COVID restrictions 😞 Where in Spain are you based?
@@WhenAdventureKnox seville capital
@Filipino Spanish walk Ah, we were due to stay there for 3 nights on that trip. It was the only accommodation we couldn't get a refund on so we have credit so I know we need to go at some point, and I'll be sure to vlog when there. From my research, it looks amazing!
@@WhenAdventureKnox hahaha almost reservations here won't be refunded, absolutely seville is an amazing old town. but just carefull of bikers.
I was quite grateful for the credit on the accommodation as I'd booked it as a non-refundable stay and technically they didn't need to do anything for me. Plus it's a small 'mom & pop' style place so definitely not the same as feeling like a big chain hotel has kept your money! Thank you for the tip regarding bikers. Despite similar advice when I visited Amsterdam, I did make 1 faux pas and it was a close call so hopefully I've learnt my lesson!
Loved the views from the train carriage, nice tip about sitting on the right side and sounds like a great way to avoid the car parking in St Ives. The beach and all the little street looked nice but it was a shame about the lunch - especially as you had been looking forward to it. Some very useful and honest advice at the end, it's always quite sad that a place that benefits so much from tourism isn't as tourist friendly as they could be. Man those seagulls are something else - I saw them at their worst when I was in the south-west last year, I literally had to move tables because they kept trying to attack. It's amazing what they'll do for a burger and a few chips!!
So pleased you enjoyed the views from the train, I was hoping I'd been able to do them justice as the train in and out was the highlight of my day! It's funny how really touristy places aren't the most welcoming, yet once you get off the beaten path, you feel like the red carpet gets rolled out for you. Pre-COVID I was fortunate enough to go on the Classics school trips, flip flopping each year between Italy and Greece. I was always torn as I significantly enjoy the Roman history to that of ancient Greece, but with the Italy trips we'd always get that feeling of 'oh yet another coach party - whatever', but in Greece, their faces would light up, we were warmly welcomed everywhere we went and it would always feel like everyone would go above and beyond to make sure staff and students were enjoying themselves. But then Italy knows it has the sights so tourists will come regardless of what they do! I feel like St. Ives is similar. Crazy that you had to move tables because of the seagulls!!
@@WhenAdventureKnox Yes the Greece/Italy experiences are great examples. Heading there for school trips sounds amazing! I use to get Wicken Fen & Flatford Mill - oh how times have changed. 😂
@Matt Whiting's Europe Haha, my school trips were equally as local - with the exception of a week in Germany in Year 9. But we had to endure a 23 hour bus ride from Sunderland to Dover and then onto Germany from there. Whilst I have done the odd overseas trip flying Ryan Air... most times it's been with British Airways. These students are so lucky! All that said though, Wicken Fen is on my bucket list so don't feel too bad for being taken there as a kid! 😉
@@WhenAdventureKnox Haha 23 hour bus ride from Sunderland to Dover - sounds brutal. I have some good memories of Wicken Fen but the journey on the bus could be a bit of a challenge down those tight, narrow, winding roads. I'm sure that's where my travel sickness started as a kid! 🤒
This is just your opinion I'm family and I have been going there for 35 years ,
Grown up grandkids still love it .
As I said this is only your opinion.
Thousands of people lover it .
Hi Lynn, I agree and with hindsight, I don't think I planned this visit all too well, and since posting this video, I have a lovely list of places to check out and eat out at for the next time I make it down that way. I imagine it will be the redemption visit. Not St. Ives redeeming itself, but me redeeming myself from not having given it a proper shot! Just got to find the time and money to make it back!
I thought St Ives was an arty place so I was surprised that there was not murals and sculptures etc. Not what I expected at all. We love train travel in the U.K. No parking problems, no having to fill up fuel, accomodation can have no parking spot, no narrow roads to backup for passing and no worrying about getting the rental back undamaged. Thanks for all the great tips in this episode. 🚂
You're most welcome and I'm pleased you've found it helpful. You're right about St. Ives being quite artsy, but it's more behind closed doors in gallery shops or galleries such as the Tate or Sculpture Garden. If travelling only by train is feasible then I'd prefer this every time over driving. I agree about not needing to worry about parking and I love being able to sit back and enjoy the journey, or get on with other things whilst a train driver drives me there, but I often find myself wanting to go to lots of places that public transport either doesn't serve, or so much time would be taken up trying to navigate the convoluted public transport, it doesn't seem worth it in the end. If you fancy visiting just St. Ives and its immediate area, I'd highly recommend going by train!
There are heaps of sculptures around town and a few special artworks and really good galleries, but not where she is on the harbour. There are also really wonderful restaurants, not that one! I could easily show people around where it's not very crowded. Depends what people want. If it's chips, ice- cream and crazy souvenirs they can squash into Fore Street and the harbour and never find out anything about the real St.Ives.
@Jean Webb I should have done more research before visiting - really wish I'd known about the sculptures. Do you know if they're signposted at all? Wouldn't say no to a handful of restaurant recommendations either - I thought I did well researching that place, but since posting this video, it seems like the general consensus is it's good as a bar for drinks, but not for food! 🤦♀️
@@WhenAdventureKnox restaurants: Porthminster Beach Cafe, Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, Caffe Pasta on the harbour. There are many, but these are reliable.
On the sculptures- I think Tourist Information have a map to find them.otherwise the Barbara Hepworth might have one- you should never miss her garden, by the way. It's the best. The Back Road West gallery is a joy. Also, Alfred Wallace's house is along there and the famous St. Ives School of Art. His grave is in Barnoon cemetery and is special, tiled. I'll say no more, I worry about its safety! The walk around the island is fabulous and you can sit by the chapel on the top looking at the town and all the beaches. Hope thst helps.
I love my hometown although I am overseas. Best to go out of season.
Never been there, but it still inspired me to write a song about it. Want Katie Melua to sing it😊
So pleased it was able to provide inspiration!
Just returned loved it stopped at lealant got bus in and out great service stunning our first visit since 19.92 we hopefully will return
I bet with the weather today it was amazing! Does the bus also have the coastal views?
Your first mistake was going in the summer holidays- it’s hellish- I know b/c we’ve been going every summer the last 9 years. You’re best out of season, avoid July- September. Your second mistake was The Rum & Crab shack- it’s a great name for a very mediocre (drinks only) establishment I’d never eat in there in a million years, their hygiene rating is 2 I think 😬. Thirdly you need to stay a few days to get the proper experience away from the buckets and spades brigade and the Benidorm lot who if it wasn’t for Covid wouldn’t be there. Definitely push the ‘St Ives isn’t great’ vibe though because it’s getting far too popular. It needs a few bad reviews to keep the Instagram lot away haha 🙏🏻🙏🏻😂
We kept saying throughout the whole trip that we must go back in Autumn or Winter sometime. There's also some really prestigious restaurants in that neck of the woods that I'd love to try, and getting a table at any last summer was a non starter. I wish I'd had your sage advice about the Rum and Crab shack before I visited. I couldn't help but chuckle about your Insta comment at the end... but then I thought - wait, is that me but just the TH-cam version?!
@@WhenAdventureKnox I have had the most amazing steak and amazing fish at the Beach restaurant there. But you'll need a reservation 😊
Wtf😂
Good questions. I have been to St. Ives several times in the summer and I think it is totally beautiful. But I see what you mean about it being busy. And perhaps not all of the restaurants are top notch all the time. But there are great views, lovely paths for walking in the area, good museums and Tate St. Ives, artsy shops and bakeries, quaint alleyways and houses and some good pubs. I am planning for some days there in January when there are a lot less holidaymakers, just to try and get a glimpse of the real St. Ives, and to walk some of the paths in a different season 🥰
I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get good weather in January as I imagine if you can score good weather then, you'll have the best time as so few people travel in that month here! Are you just doing the mainland of Cornwall on this trip, or are you thinking about the Isles of Scilly too?
@@WhenAdventureKnox Definitely fingers crossed for good weather, but as I'm living in the rainy city of Bergen in Norway, I'm used to rain and wind and will bring approptiate clothes 😊 I am actually invited to a friend's birthday celebration closer to London, but I thought as long as I already am in England - why not try out St. Ives and the environments in the winter season. I know it is a long train trip both ways but I have the time, and will bring a book and my knitting. And some entertainment on the phone 😁 The Isles of Scilly will have to wait for some time. 😊
As someone who lives there just to Easter until mid September is crazy and July and August totally crazy busy. Best time is the winter it is a lot quieter and chilled out with out the mass crowds with bright red bodies with sun burn every where. Plus you see a lot place like all the small art galleries you would probably miss in the summer.
Definitely got to make it back there not in peak summer!
@@WhenAdventureKnox has a local October before the school break up is good and late march is good. the lane's will be very free to walk down and notice a lot more. And you see more off the locals as well and the shop and restaurants will be more relaxed. In the summer people will ended up working 7 days weeks.
That's a good tip about the train ride as an experience. I would avoid most of Cornwall around July and August personally, way too busy. If you're patient re parking there are loads of car parks, you just need to relax and wait. Agreed re street food during the day. A pastie sitting on the sea front is a fantastic thing. The evening I can recommend the restaurants, one of my favs being the Thai restaurant on the front. Like most of the restaurants in popular Cornish towns, book them before you go away with plenty of time or you may be disappointed. St. Ives is very beautiful and has many different features to enjoy on different levels that you can't do with just one visit. The seagulls are tricky in all the coastal towns, Looe being one of the worst for this. Guard your food closer to your chest when walking, don't display it in front of you too much and don't try and fight those seagulls, but honestly it's not that bad. I've never had a problem and nor has any of my family. You might get lucky and see some seals in St. Ives, it's know for them visiting.
Hi Dougie, thank you for some really great ideas for when I eventually make it back there. I still think I'd opt for the train over patiently waiting in a car park. The views from the train are just too good to make the alternative seem appealing! 🤣 I love Thai food so that recommendation comes well received. Like you, I've been lucky with the seagulls * touches wood * but I can see why they picked on such a small girl as she wont have seemed as scary to them as a grown woman like myself! I'd have LOVED it if I'd spotted seals on our visit. I know to keep my eyes peeled better next time!
Generally a good idea to hit St Ives, or most of Cornwall in June or early July, school holiday are manic, nice beaches, restaurants and small shops and bakeries, very traditional British seaside .
I wish I could visit at those times of year, but sadly being a teacher limits me to visiting in peak season. One day though - maybe once I'm retired!
I’ve always wanted to visit St Ives and now I regret that I never went whilst living in the Uk!
Hi Haslin. Hopefully it will still be standing and relatively unchanged whenever you make it back this way! But I can sympathise with the feeling. The amount of times I've returned from a far away trip and wished I'd gone somewhere or done something!
Lovely video! How long would it take to visit the main attractions? Would you recommend it to young adults?
Heya. I think you could see all of the main attractions as a day trip, but if you wanted to while away a few hours in a nice restaurant or bar, or on a beach, or doing a specific activity, then a weekend or maybe even more. There's what looks to be lovely coast path walks in each direction out of town, there were boat trip tours, surf schools etc. which would easily fill more than a day, but wouldn't class it as the main attraction. We visited on a Friday and it had a good vibe in the evening with young adults a-plenty. Hope this helps :)
@@WhenAdventureKnox love it! Thanks a bunch 🙂
No problem - you're most welcome!
Save watching the video....answer is yes.... totally worth the hype. Better in fact.
I definitely need to go back with a better plan of action for sure!!
Please go to Dorset and find Willy Winters. It's a dinner on the seaside hun. It serves the very best crab tacos .....very meaty and small portions. You also need to try the Oysters ........the sea was a wee bit cold though x
Hi Tash, this place sounds amazing, but after a quick Google search, I've not been able to find it. If you can give any more hints, I'd love to know more.
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Thank you
Last part of my research attractions Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden surfing st Ives boat trip sea island beach cafes down Long Island is tiny chapel of st Nicholas harbour st Ives railway st erth trains off on scenic ten minutes twice an hour train runs seven day week all year round st erth penultimate station on main line between London padding penzance arriving by car use new park ride at erth station by jw 276 tr porthminister beach there kid zrus theatre portinmeer beach st Ive bay Cornwall coast path porthgw idden beach st Ives harbour beach tatst Ives arts museums zennor circular walk southwest coast path walk thank you for sharing your trips with us giving us chance to read learn improve our English language as well stay safe blessed bon voyage have great time good luck to you your family friends
I think we have researched some of the same things I remember reading very similar information regarding the train from St Erth to St Ives! So pleased my videos (and our communication in these comments I'm assuming) is helping you to improve your English - I never thought my TH-cam Channel would help people in this way, but I'm so pleased it does!!
👍👍👍👍👍
Hi Jamal, so pleased you liked it
The trouble with restaurants and cafes in tourist areas is that they don't rely on repeat business . Wherever you shop or eat on holiday , don't lie , but infer that you will be back the next day . I know of a lot of people who have been on holiday , mostly overseas, that have suffered from the ' switcheroo ' after being asked ' Are you here on a day excursion '? Never ever let anyone wrap your purchase out of view . Out of view - Switcheroo .
100% with you on this, and it's such a tricky one too. Relies on needing to do the research or being able to strike up conversations with locals. I have found this channel to be helpful for recommendations on where to go for future trips though! The perils of being a tourist eh!?
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Love your video great job over here from Eamon and Bec nice to meet you!
Hi Gina, thank you for coming over and saying such lovely things about the video. Eamon and Bec are just amazing, nice to meet another fan of theirs!
Hii
Hi MR games - welcome to the channel!
How are you doing mrs Caroline happy thanksgiving you in uk and USA same date in this blessed occasion ilove it very much last year I watched American families on TH-cam gathered at table make feast turkey every one mentioned god blesseings good things happened to him thank him for it both young and old even kids but ijust read in England thanksgiving only in churches and schools for students on September and October learn about harvest farm life because British people have only new land good ocean trips the thanksgiving is harvest festival annual national holiday in USA and Canada modeled on 1621 by English colonists pilgrims of Plymouth Wampanoag people started in USA during civil war president Abraham Lincoln proclamed any way as always iam gathering main information about places you visited briefly here it’s st Ives corn wall is town known for great galleries north coast fishing its one of most expensive tourists destinations in uk bad facial exfoliatiant. Lead to long term skin damage it’s well known rhyme nursery starts as iwas going to st Ives met man with seven wives every wife had seven cats every cat had seven sacks every sacks had seven skitts. Meaning of st Ives means cove it’s seaside town civil parish port in Cornwall England lies north of nezance west of cambrone coast of Celtic sea commercially dependent on fishing was incorporated royal Carter in 1639 st Ives was became renowned for number of artists
You're right that we don't really celebrate Thankgiving here in the UK, but we do have harvest festival. I remember when I was really young it was about bringing in the harvest and sharing the surplus of grown food amongst those less fortunate. These days we have food banks and they usually want long lasting things like dried or tinned foods. 100% agree with Cornwall being an expensive tourist destination, up there with London in my opinion!
St Ives is stunning. Spent the summer there with the kids at Tregenna Castle.
Tip on the video sound: might be worth getting a rode wireless microphone?
My other half has been saying this recently... about a wireless microphone! I feel like I need to do some research into something that's better than my current one as it picks up anything and everything... and when it's windy on hikes, it sounds like a dinosaur is attacking it! I hadn't heard of Tregenna Castle when doing research for my trip, so just did a quick Google search for it and WOW!!! Very lucky that you guys got to stay there, it looks stunning!! 😍
@@WhenAdventureKnox th-cam.com/video/G0EbeF0HP2U/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for your expert advice.
NO ITS NOT WORTH THE HYPE….. They are very unfriendly
Haha, the internet is very split on this one!
Why are you wearing a Pink Horse Bag on your Face ????
I thought it was a good look?