The cream of Cornwall...

Here at Sail Lofts luxury accommodation in St Ives we love to fly the local flag and where possible always hunt out the best local suppliers so we can give our guests the cream of what Cornwall has to offer.

We use a range of local suppliers and it would be impossible to list them all so we have picked a few of our favourites to highlight just why we can’t get enough of them, much to our waistlines detriment I might add…

St Ives Bakery

No trip to Cornwall is complete without at least one Cornish Cream Tea and when you check-in to Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives you get just that. Awaiting you on the kitchen table is all the ingredients for a traditional cream tea and of course the scones had to be just right. During the tastings we sunk our teeth into the divinely light and devilishly good scones from St Ives Bakery and we were sold. Without doubt, the guys at St Ives Bakery have created a little piece of spongy heaven that melts in the mouth and nothing else came close. Their pasties top our pole too, and trust me; we’ve tried a few!

Baker Tom

One of our newer suppliers, Baker Tom supply us with all the bread for our luxury welcome hampers and our guests have been raving about this newest addition.  This artisan bread is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of crust and a lovely light inside and is delicious smothered in salted Cornish butter from Trewithen Dairy, which conveniently, is also included in your welcome hamper.

Polgoon Vineyard

Tucked away on a farm in Penzance, Polgoon Vineyard produces artisan ciders, wines and juices and supplies us with its beautiful Elderflower Pressé for our welcome hampers. Cool and crisp, a bottle of this refreshing nectar will be chilling in the fridge ready to refresh you when you arrive. Join us over Christmas and try the mulled cider – we may have enjoyed it a little too much this festive season!

Atlantic Blankets

In 2015 we made a number of improvements to our luxury self-catering apartments in St Ives but my absolute favourite was the introduction of gorgeous blankets from Perranporth based Atlantic Blankets. These beautifully crafted, visually stunning and sumptuously soft blankets really add the wow factor to our bedrooms and add a vibrant splash of colour that add a really cheery feel.

There are so many other fantastic suppliers we work with and these are just a few of our favourites. We hope you enjoy them too.

Kelly x

Sparkly St Ives...

When you think of St Ives you’d be forgiven for immediately thinking of fun family holidays spent on the beach but we think St Ives is just magical during the winter. A particularly special time to visit is in the lead up to Christmas when colourful lights illuminate the harbour and punchy mulled cider is a staple in most pubs. Come at the right time and you may even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, who’s chosen mode of transportation in St Ives is (of course) the Lifeboat.

With a packed calendar of events throughout December there are so many reasons to enjoy a luxury break in St Ives, and that’s without mentioning the unique shopping opportunities. Here is a selection of the December events we’re getting excited about:

4^th December: Christmas lights switch on

Fisherman’s Hut, Harbour Front, 5pm

St Ives Mayor and champion fundraiser Madison Glinski will transform the town into a winter wonderland when they switch on the festive lights.

4^th December: Santa arrives in town

Harbour Front, 6pm

Ditching his usual sleigh, Santa arrives into the Harbour aboard the Lifeboat and is met by the Three Kings and their camels who will all parade to Santa’s magic grotto at The Glass Tree in Fore Street.

12^th December: Christmas Puppet Show

Boathouse Theatre, 4pm

This year Humpty Dumpty and Frosty the Snowman present their annual show. Great fun for all the family. Also showing on other dates throughout December.

20^th December: Food Trail

Various venues across St Ives, 12pm

Sample some fantastic local goodies with a food trail across St Ives. Finish up at The Castle where there’s a meal for two at Rum & Crab Shack and a magnum of Champagne up for grabs.

22^nd December: Kidz R Us Christmas Pantomime

Kidz R Us Theatre, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Kidz R Us present it’s famous festive Panto which, this year, combines elements of two traditional stories: Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood. Also showing on other dates throughout December.

24^th December: Christmas Farmers Market

Guildhall, 9.30am

Pick up those essential Christmas treats and last minute gifts from local producers and enjoy some festive entertainment.

Up until 21^st December The Sail Lofts luxury self-catering in St Ives can offer short breaks in all of it’s properties so if you only have a few days to spare you can still enjoy all St Ives has to offer in the build up to Christmas.

With a handful of properties still available over Christmas now is the perfect time to book your festive getaway. Here at The Sail Lofts we think we’ve thought of everything to ensure your Christmas away from home is seamless. Real Christmas trees, crackers, an emergency wrapping kit and a secret present store are just a few of the things that come as standard. We can also order the meat for the big day and our friends at Cornish Food Market can deliver all the trimmings direct to your door.

Whether you’re looking for a pre-Christmas getaway or you’re planning to celebrate the big day with us, you can view our December availability here.

Kelly x   

Autumn days out...

With the red hues of autumn just around the corner and the prospect of long sunny beach days dwindling, we’ve rounded up our top pick of days out for when the weather isn’t so kind. Of course if you just plan to relax in one of our luxury apartments in St Ives, that’s fine, but if you fancy exploring further afield, here are some suggestions.

Tate St Ives

Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
Distance: 5 minute walk

With our guests getting free entry and it being on our doorstop this is ‘a must’. The building itself is an attraction with its obvious art deco design and thanks to its beachfront location the views are pretty spectacular too. Inside you’ll find modern art at its best alongside some thought provoking interactive displays.

Tehidy Woods

Just outside Camborne
Distance: 20 minute drive

With great woodland walks, dog friendly trails, ducks, geese and squirrels, this Country Park is perfect for an autumn stomp. The woods provide wonderful shelter so even if it’s a little wet you’re protected from the elements. Pack a bag of duck food and some nuts for the squirrels and you’ll (literally) have the wildlife eating from the palm of your hand. There’s also a lovely café buried within the woods serving a nice selection of food and drink.

 

National Maritime Museum

Discovery Quay, Falmouth
Distance: 50 minute drive

This museum aims to engage and inspire people with stories of the sea, boats and Cornwall and it certainly does that. If Cornwall’s heritage is something you’re keen to learn more about then it is certainly worth a visit. As well as the museum displays you can climb the Look Out Tower and enjoy panoramic views over the harbour, docks and estuary or head below sea level and check out the Tidal Zone. Here you can look into the harbour through two large windows and see the rise and fall of the tide. You may even get a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this harbour home. If you do make it to Falmouth I’d definitely recommend exploring the town too. There are some fabulous spots for lunch and a great selection of art galleries and boutique shops to nosey around.

Eden Project

Bodelva, Cornwall
Distance: 60 minute drive

Having quickly climbed the ranks, the Eden Project is without doubt Cornwall’s most famous attraction and once you are there it’s easy to see why. Descend into what once was a working china clay pit and you are immediately transfixed by the revolutionary design of the biomes that house plants from all over the world. With a focus on sustainability Eden gives a real insight into how we can do our bit for the environment and offers you a chance to get up close and personal with some weird and wonderful plants. Throughout the year there are some fantastic workshops to get involved with and Eden’s famous Ice Rink, set to a twinkly backdrop, should not be missed.

Whatever the weather our 5* accommodation in St Ives is perfect for a relaxing break and ideally placed for fun filled days out when you fancy getting out and about. For further information about our luxury apartments in St Ives please call 01736 799175 or visit our website, www.thesaillofts.co.uk

Kelly x 

Check Autumn availability

St Ives Sails Competition…

We love St Ives’s local luxury boutique shops and when offered the prospect of teaming up with the wonderful team at Poppy Treffry we jumped at the chance.  So for one lucky family we are offering the chance to win a fabulous four-night stay for up to six people at the award-winning St Ives luxury self catering apartments the Sail Lofts, and a Poppy Treffry original embroidered picture of sailboats. 

  

Poppy Treffry is our first stop when it comes to office birthdays, or family parties, as we know that not one of us can resist a washing bag with a dachshund or a tea towel with illustrative St Ives boats and Cornish pasties.

Poppy Treffry's company was founded by designer maker Poppy Treffry in 2004. They hand make in Cornwall a range of quirky gifts and accessories featuring Poppy’s illustrative designs. A lot of work goes into Poppy’s products, they use quality materials, local suppliers, simple, low impact production techniques and old Singer sewing machines which we are very much in support of.

Poppy still designs the range, taking inspiration from her many sketchbooks, packed with sketches from museum trips, harbour sides, tea parties and more. Poppy creates the products initially, spending hours agonising over shapes and templates in the sampling stage. Once a finished product is created Sarah (or Pixie as they call her) gets to work cutting out pieces, with Freya cutting out smaller applique pieces where required. The pieces are all then assembled into stitching boxes which head off to our various stitchers, Liz, Lucy, Nancy, Jo and Briony, who then bring them back, around one month later, packed with finished products.

 

Poppy Treffry’s shop is always worth a visit when on holiday in St Ives, so by offering one lucky family an original embroidary by Poppy along with a stay in our luxury 5 star accommodation in Cornwall, they will always have a lasting momento of their St Ives vacation.

For more details on the competition, or to shop for Poppy Treffry products online please see the links below…

St Ives Sails Competition

Poppy Treffry Shop

Best of luck!

Katy x 

Find out more about staying at the Sail Lofts 

*Competition closes Monday 31st August

What’s on: St Ives Beer & Cider Festival...

There’s nothing better than a cold bottle of cider to finish of a great day holidaying in our luxury apartments. People have been enjoying cider in Britain since before the Norman Conquest, largely due to the English climate being more suitable for growing apples, than it is for growing grapes. By the 1300’s its popularity had grown so immensely that there are records of it being produced all over the country and by the 18^th Century it was customary to pay part of a farm workers wage in cider. 

  

With so many fantastic local producers down in the West Country we love our proper good scrumpy, that’s cider if you didn’t know. Scrumpy is locally made cider using traditional methods. It has a distinctively cloudy appearance, and is often much stronger than commercial ciders, so pace yourself. It’s not the mass produced bottles you find in most supermarkets.

Why not get a taste for the local tipple and head to the St Ives Beer and Cider Festival? Running for the second year in a row with over 1,500 people through the doors last year, this is an event not to be missed. Conveniently located in St Ives’s Guildhall the festival is within walking distance from our luxury self catering accommodation, perfect if you want to enjoy a few cheeky drinks. With over 60 real ales, as well a proper Cornish ciders, perries and fruit wines there’s something for everyone. There is also live entertainment, local bands and delicious local hot and cold food to line your stomach.

The event runs from the 21^st – 23^rd of August. The grand opening takes place on the Friday at 5pm and closes at midnight. During the weekend the festival is open from noon till midnight, with children welcome until 8pm. Admission is only £5 for the day or you can get a weekend pass for £8. Both tickets include a souvenir glass to commemorate the event and can be bought on the door. If you need directions just ask, don’t be shy. It’s only a short walk from our holiday cottages, you never know you might even see us there! 

Onna x 

A Guide to St Ives Beaches: Part 2

If you caught up with us last week, you will have seen part one of our guide to St Ives beaches and today we’re back with part two. We think St Ives has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, yes we may be a little biased but wait until you see them. What better way to make the most of your self catering holiday than to explore our beautiful Cornish beaches?

Gwithian

About thirty minutes drive from our holiday cottages you will find the beautiful and expansive Gwithian. It offers everything a family could want with The Sunset Surf beachside café and bar overlooking the beach, great surf conditions and plenty of small coves and rock pools for the kids to enjoy.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Cover from 5th May to 30th September and weekends during October.

Parking: Parking at Gwithian Towans

Dogs: Seasonal dog ban from Easter to 1st October.

Toilets: Yes

Carbis Bay

Sheltered by the large tree covered cliffs, Carbis Bay is only is only a ten minute drive from our luxury accommodation making it the perfect family friendly beach. You can even arrive by foot following the beautiful cliff walk that leads straight to the beach. The lack of surf means it’s not ideal for those looking to catch a wave, but the turquoise waters are perfect for swimmers and young families.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence

Lifeguard Service: Cover from 7th July to 2nd September.

Parking: Parking at train station.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted from 5a.m.- 8 a.m during summer. Allowed at any time from October 1^st – Easter Day.

Toilets: Yes

Porthkidney

The vastness of Porthkidney, particularly when the tide is out, makes this beach the perfect option if you want the space to kick a ball about. The sheer size of this beach means you don’t need to worry about overcrowding. It’s also one of the few beaches that allows dogs all year round so if you’ve brought man’s best friend with you it’s a great way to still enjoy some sand between your toes. The only down side is there is no facilities.

PLEASE REMEMBER: The river is not suitable for swimming as the riptides at this end of the beach can be dangerous.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Daily cover from the 7th July to 2th September.

Parking: Very Limited parking at Lelant Church.

Dogs: Dogs allowed all year round.

Toilets: No

That’s a wrap on our guide to St Ives beaches. We hope you enjoy exploring these Cornish gems and much as we do. We’re here to help make your self catering holiday the best it can be, please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any advice on which beach is right for you! 

Onna x 

A Guide to St Ives Beaches: Part 1...

When staying in our beautiful self catering apartments you are absolutely spoilt for choice with some of the most breathtaking beaches in the country. There’s something for everyone, with surfing coves, dog walking spots, and family friendly beaches safe for children. Why not make the most of your holiday by taking in the best beaches we have to offer? Here’s part one of our guide to the St Ives beaches. 

Porthmeor

Just a stones throw away from The Sail Lofts you will find Porthmeor, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches. This Atlantic facing beach is a surfers paradise. It’s not particularly sheltered on a windy day, so make use of the Sail Loft’s wind breaks. It has all the facilities you could need with the Porthmeor Beach Café serving beautiful food to eat in or takeaway. If you’re interested in dabbling in some water sports Porthmeor also boasts the St Ives Surf School which offers lessons, board hire, kayaking and coasteering. 

Awards: Blue Flag & Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: Cover during weekends in April, daily from 5th May to 30th September and weekends in October.

Parking: No Designated Parking.

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes.

Porthminster

Only a 15 minute walk from our holiday cottages this sheltered, family friendly beach has easy access with great facilities. The award winning seafood restaurant, The Porthminster Café, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as having a takeaway service right on the beach, perfect if you forgot to pack a picnic!

Awards: Blue Flag & Trip Advisor Travellers Choice.

Lifeguard Service: Daily from 19 May to 30 September.

Parking: Parking close to the beach (Warning: it fills up quick)

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes. 

Porthgwidden

This small, hidden beach is a real Cornish gem. Lying in the nook of the Island this beach is just a few minutes away from our luxury apartments. It’s extremely sheltered, great for kids and has plenty of facilities including beach huts that are available to rent from the council. The wonderful Porthgwidden Café also over looks the beach with a kiosk for coffee and snacks.

Awards: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.

Lifeguard Service: No Lifeguard Cover.

Parking: Parking in the Island car park. (Warning: it fills up quick)

Dogs: Seasonal ban from Easter to the 1^st October.

Toilets: Yes.

Beach towels and wind breaks are provided in every apartment and buckets and spades are available from our wet room. If you need directions to any beaches don’t be afraid to ask, we’re here to help. Stay tuned till next week for part two of our St Ives beach guide.

Onna x  

Cornish self catering bounty...

Our Welcome hampers for our St Ives self catering guests recently under took a revamp to respond to guest feedback on wanting to see more local Cornish brands represented, so we went on a quest to find the best that Cornwall has to offer…

St Ives Bakery Scones

After copious amounts of taste testing by all Sail Lofts staff we all agreed that no scone was softer, more buttery or delicious than the offering from St Ives Bakery, an independently owned and rather unique little bakery located centrally in St Ives. They have a particular, penchant for pasties and a whole host of other baked goods, so make sure when in St Ives to pop in and try more of their sumptuous delights. 

Trewithen Dairy

Cream, milk and butter in Cornwall does not get better than the offering from Trewithen Dairy, not to mention it has some of the most eye catching packaging. The known home of Cornwall’s happy, healthy cows, they have been located here in Cornwall at Greymare Farm near Lostwithiel since the 1980s and dairy farming’s been in their family for generations.

Roskilly’s Organic Cream Fudge

A family run business with a herd of Organic Jersey Cows, they produce Organic and Farmhouse ice cream and fudge. The farm makes for a great day out where you can stroll around the meadows and enjoy the tranquillity of the ponds.

Polgoon Cornish Elderflower Presse

The light and sparkling Cornish Elderflower Presse from the Polgoon Cidar Farm is crisp and refreshing, with a hint of zesty lime. All welcome hampers come with a presse and a complimentary tour of the Polgoon orchards located just outside of Penzance.

Cornish Sea Salt

We love guests making the most of their self catering surroundings so as a helping hand for cooking sumptuous meals we include a tub of Cornish sea salt, handmade in Cornwall by Cornish Sea Salt Co.

Simply Cornish Biscuits

Produced by Warrens Bakery, Cornwall’s oldest commercial baker and the world’s oldest Cornish pasty produces, it was established at St Just, West Cornwall in 1860. They run a dedicated team, supplying our popular handcrafted products. We couldn't find any shortbread more buttery or delicious to supply our guests.

Here at the Sail Lofts we love experiencing the amazing delights that Cornwall has to offer, and introducing our St Ives self catering guests to experiences that they might not yet have discovered…

Katy x

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