Earthworks St Ives...

We’d like to introduce you to our friends Earthworks St Ives who have just opened their lovely new shop off the harbour front along Fish Street. The shop offers a great selection of products from Cornish coffee to greetings cards and handmade soap. 

They also have a beautiful range of bright and contemporary St Ives inspired mugs using their own original designs – there’s even one with a gorgeous image of the Island! As well as all of the above you’ll find reclaimed nautical objects such as brass light fittings and ship port-holes which have been made into stunning mirrors. If you’re after a gift for a friend or just looking for something a little different and funky for your home Earthworks St Ives is the place to go! 

Abi x

Alfresco Theatre

Schools out for summer and the sun is shining so why not make the most of the beautiful weather and take the family to an outdoor theatre performance in Cornwall.

Nothing quite matches the charm and magic of watching a show in the fresh air with expanses of sky above you and even the space to spread out with your own blanket, cushions and tasty picnic!

The most famous outdoor theatre venue is of course the Minack Theatre…

Nestled in the granite cliffs above the azure waters of Porthcurno the amphitheatre looks as if it was carved by the Greeks thousands of years ago. In fact, it was just under eighty years ago that the magnificent structure was created.

Throughout the summer the Minack offers a busy schedule of events from storytelling for the children in the daytime to classic Shakespeare plays in the evening. For more information on what’s on at Minack just follow the link below:

http://www.minack.com/whatson.htm

For something a little more contemporary there’s the Kneehigh Theatre Company based in Truro. Offering a unique theatre experience from their bespoke nomadic tent in the heart of the countryside, Kneehigh seek to evoke a sense of magic and playfulness through their ground-breaking productions.

Also as a Kneehigh ticket holder you will benefit from free access to the Lost Gardens of Heligan from 6pm so you can enjoy the scenery and grab a bite to eat before the show. To check out the Kneehigh summer schedule follow the link below.

http://www.kneehigh.co.uk/page/the_asylum_kneehigh.php

Besides the Minack and Kneehigh, the National Trust often have outdoor theatre events at their many venues throughout Cornwall and finally The Miracle Theatre Company are also worth a look as they offer numerous shows at a variety of locations in Cornwall.

If you've never been to an outdoor theatre performance I thoroughly recommend it and suggest you add it your list for summer 2014!

Abi x

Taste St Ives...

St Ives is well known for its fantastic selection of good quality restaurants so if you plan to dine out somewhere different every night you really are spoilt for choice.

What happens though if you want to prepare a picnic full of local goodies or you you’d like a light supper in your apartment? Here are our top tips of some of the best spots to shop for tasty, locally sourced produce:

Cornish Deli
3 Chapel Street , St Ives Tel: 01736 795100

Offering a great selection of local cheeses, deli meats and freshly baked bread, Cornish Deli is a must if you want to put together a picnic hamper fit for a king. Cornish Deli also prepare a great selection of freshly cut sandwiches on site so if you’re after an easy lunchtime treat it is most definitely worth a visit.

The Allotment Deli
30 Fore Street, St Ives Tel: 01736 794578

For a mouth-wateringly good selection of homemade goods pop along to The Allotment Deli where the choice changes daily. Fill your jute bag with wedges of deep filled quiche, create your own salad box or treat yourself to a slice of one of their homemade cakes. The Allotment Deli also do a number of gluten free options each day so if you struggle to find tasty, gluten free goodies The Allotment Deli is the place to head for.

Loft Larder
Norway Lane, St Ives Tel: 01736 794204

The Loft Larder is a new venture which is an extension to the Loft Restaurant (and it’s right on our doorstop).  The Larder will be selling a range of artisan Cornish produce alongside a range of home cooked jams and chutneys, biscuits and infused oils. The Loft Larder will also be hosting weekly savoury and sweet evening classes where you can learn about a range of cooking techniques, including meat and fish preparation, cake decorating, pastry making and much more.

St Ives Farmers Market
The Guildhall, St Ives – Every Thursday

Pop along to The Guildhall on a Thursday for a real foodie treat where you can source a whole host of delicious Cornish produce. Salted chocolate brownies, freshly caught seafood and bahjis and samosas made in Ruby June’s St Ives kitchen are just some of the tasty treats on offer. If you call the office around lunchtime on Thursday and there’s no answer, we’re more than likely here.

Enjoy!

Kelly x

Spoilt for choice...

I am quite frequently met with that classic Cornish conundrum – which beach should I go to??! With just 10 miles separating the South Coast from the North Coast we have access to a ridiculous number of stunning beaches, coves and bays. From Porthcurno to Sennen, St Ives to Praa Sands we are spoilt for choice!

But this Sunday, as I do live in the gorgeous Marazion, I decided to stay local and go with Humphrey (our sunshine addicted dog – I think he might be solar powered!) to the beach in front of St Michaels Mount.

When we left the house the sun was shining, the flowers were blooming…

and the tide was on its way out allowing people to walk across the causeway to the mount…

It was so hot on the beach that Humphrey and I decided to settle up on the quay where we’d get more of a breeze. We had a really relaxing afternoon basking in the sun!

A couple of times I had to drag Humphrey into nearby rock pools (to his disgust)  to make him cool off – I wish I’d got a picture of that, but I think phone, dog and rock pool would have been a recipe for disaster!

It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday and I can’t emphasize enough how beautiful Marazion is!   

Cornish wildlife in June

June is an enchanting time to visit Cornwall with everything coming to life at once…

Cornwall bursts into a rainbow of colour this time of year with meadows dotted with ox-eye dasies and wild orchids and the old granite hedgerows are draped in a blanket of fox gloves, blue bells, wild garlic, lush ferns and cow parsley. A great way to appreciate the flora and forna is on the 300 open top bus along the stunning coastal road from St Ives to Lands End. Alternatively if you‘re feeling more adventurous you can always walk the breathtaking coast line.  

Many of the sites along West Penwith, where you find these beautiful flowers, are also important breeding areas for a variety of butterflies such as the Adonis Blue and the Dark Green Fritillaries which can often be seen in June revealing their dashing colours.

June is also breeding time for many sea birds around Cornwall. You don’t have to wander far in St Ives before you come across female seagulls tucked up in their nests or fluffy chicks screeching out to be fed.  If it’s something a little more unusual you’re looking for then make your way to the small headland known as The Island where you can see adult Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills.  These diving birds choose to hunt here as the tidal race which passes close to the point teems with shoals of small fish which are perfect for feeding their young who are usually hidden away in the remote coastal cliffs.
 

The well-stocked larder in the tidal current, which surrounds the Island, also makes it a great place to spot pods of dolphins and solitary seals. Check out the link below to see a recent clip of playful dolphins in the sea off Porthmeor Beach.

www.cornishman.co.uk

If you fancy grabbing your binoculars and coming to enjoy June’s impressive display of wildlife then take a look at our gorgeous properties as we still have some available which are just moments away from The Island and a few minutes from the West Penwith Coastal Path. There are lots of wildlife events going on in June so just pop to the RSPB or Cornwall Wildlife Trust website to check out their schedules:

www.rspb.org.uk

www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

capturing the beauty of Cornwall...

We are delighted to have teamed up with Hayle based company ‘The Day That’ to offer our guests a very special way to capture the beauty of Cornwall.

Every morning since June 2005 the wonderful photographers at The Day That have been up and out in the early hours to ensure they are set up and ready to capture the sun as it rises over the Cornish coastline.

Offering a stunning collection of prints that capture the sunrise every day over the past 9 years, a print from ‘The Day That’ makes the perfect wedding or anniversary gift, is a wonderful way to mark the start of a new life or choose a print taken on a day whilst you holidayed in Cornwall as a special memento of your stay.

Sail Lofts guests who purchase one of their beautiful products (framed photograph, canvas, box frame, acrylic , aluminium or bevelled edge print) will receive a free digital download of any photograph within the collection (worth £35) to reproduce in any they would like.

To take advantage of this offer simply visit www.thedaythat.co.uk/sail-lofts and choose your favourite photograph from your special day, it’s as easy that!

Kelly x 

St Ives in May...

The sun is shining, the temperature is creeping up and the anticipation of summer is definitely in the air and with a packed diary of social events in May, it really is a wonderful time to book a break in St Ives…

May Day Celebrations: 5^th May

Celebrating the end of winter and the coming of spring, this tradition dates back hundreds of years. With May pole dancers, traditional Cornish dancing and music, local choirs and brass bands it is a fun filled day with a great atmosphere.

St Ives Literature Festival: 10^th – 17^th May

Enjoy a packed programme of literary events happening at various locations across the town. There will be book launches, poetry readings, workshops and open air events.

Tate St Ives: 17^th May

From the 17^th May Tate St Ives reopens its doors for it’s new exhibition ‘International Exchanges: Modern Art and St Ives 1915 – 65’. Exploring the wider national and international contexts, which shaped art in St Ives in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s this exhibition forms part of a series that will explore the history and legacy of art in St Ives.

St Ives Food and Drink Festival: 17^th – 18^th May

Taking place on Porthminster Beach St Ives Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of local food and drink. Taste, try and buy a range of produce made locally and see some of the towns finest chefs take centre stage for some exciting cookery demonstrations.

We hope to see you soon,

Kelly x