It’s behind you…

Hall for Cornwall in Truro is an active hub for great events that happen in the area, a brilliant trip for a night out of St Ives, and only a 30-minute drive…

For anyone that fancies a barrel of laughs, featuring the county’s very own comedian Kernow King, with his unique West Country twang, check out Dick Whittington which will run up until 3^rd January 2016 at the Hall for Cornwall.

For a truly magical experience why not try Rogue Theatre’s ‘Winter Wood’ at Tehidy Woods? With evenings spanning the run up to New Year indulge in theatrics in Tehidy woods. Follow the twisting woodland path and let the faeries and sprites entrance you with their wondrous songs and stories. Journey further into the woods an find Old Man Winter who will tell you tales of the path you follow. Accompanied by hot chocolate and face painting, this is an enchanting festive adventure that will stay with you long after Christmas is over.

If you are not the outdoors type why not try a day at the Eden Project with WildWorks Theatre and the Yule Tide Arkive. Eden has an array of activities over Winter that are not to be missed, including its ice skating rink, Enchanted Rainforest and opportunities to meet Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Looking further back to Cornish Winter traditions Let’s Wassail at The National Trust’s Cotehele House brings you a Pagan festival to scare away the evil spirits from the orchard to ensure good crops for the year ahead. You will find all manner of people in fancy dress, and you can even go inside the house and see the spectacular Christmas garland. An alternative look into Cornish heritage, the event is free and starts at 11.30 on Saturday 19^th December.

If history is your interest why not also experience a Tudor Christmas at Trerice House on the outskirts of Newquay, discover traditions old and new and get creative with Christmas craft activities whilst enjoying the festive food in the Barn restaurant and listen to the local choirs. The next open days before Christmas are the 19^th and 20^th December.

With plenty on in the local St Ives area why not take the chance to book a last minute St Ives break at the Sail Lofts five star luxury accommodation. Call us on 01736 799175 to find out more.

Katy x

We're back (even though we never went anywhere!)

We might have been quiet recently - sorry about that - its been very busy at Sail Lofts HQ! The last month has seen sun, surf, flat spells, a bit of rain and lots and lots of happy visitors to St Ives.

Since we last posted we welcome a new team of cleaners to The Sail Lofts, we have launched our next venture in Suffolk (see below for more info) and we have launched 2012 pricing - if this isn't enough we have some other exciting new projects coming soon.

A late cancellation means our Bay apartment is available next week, grab a bargain as we have reduced the price to £1249 and it sleeps 8 - thats only £22 per person per night.

Moving on, our new venture is a pub in the pretty village of Stoke by Nayland in Suffolk, it is a 16th century inn, which we have added our touch to with a sympathetic refurbishment, a new chef and a new menu (new website is coming soon - we'll keep you posted). If you are around the area do pop in for a drink, some food or stay the night in one of the boutique rooms. We wish the team in Suffolk the best of luck over the coming months. Here are some pictures to give you a flavour...

Summer is upon us

Its been a manic couple of months at The Sail Lofts, hence the lack of a recent post. Since our last post our new spa in St Ives has opened, two websites have gone live, we have a new look email newsletter and we have uploaded 2011 prices. 

The Sail Lofts Ocean Spa has gone down a treat with holiday makers and locals alike, the Spiezia products are receiving great feedback and we are really proud that almost all of the products used are organic and natural (we'll always tell you if they're not). Shelley Worth is the new Spa manager, and can be found posting on Facebook with the rest of the team. Have a look at the website and let us know what you think - and don't forget to make the most of the launch offers before the end of July. 

Enough about us though, St Ives is really coming alive now that the school holidays have begun. Boat tours, trips to the Minack, events at the Tate and of course the beaches. 


The surf has been a mixed bag, with some really nice swells cropping up and many of those small summer onshore days. The week ahead isn't looking to promising but if you have a longboard or summer board to hand there should be a wave or two. I'm hoping to get my summer board this week from Freeriders - fingers crossed it has arrived!

The recently refurbished Porthmeor Cafe has proven popular and we have had some excellent reviews of the food there as well, so we wish them the best of luck this season. It doesn't get much better than watching the sunset from the terrace with a great selection of tapas. 


Finally, we have some availability during August because of the inevitable cancellations etc.. Our Curno apartment is available from the 20th August for one week and 5 Bethesda Place is available for the weeks of the 20th and 27th August. 

A glorious week in St Ives

All the visitors to St Ives this week have been basking in glorious sunshine for the majority of the week with many making the most of the lovely beaches, walks and bike rides around here. It has also been a good week to learn to surf as the waves have been small and clean providing the ideal conditions, as some of our guests have found.

For anyone struggling to getaway this weekend due to flight cancellations and the ash, hen why not visit St Ives for a sunny break? We still have a couple of apartments available for the week or less starting from today and tomorrow so why not give us a call on 01736 799 175 or email info@thesaillofts.co.uk. 

We have a set of special weekend breaks for the bank holiday at the end of the month. It will be a great opportunity to visit St Ives and stay in luxury accommodation. We can help arrange surfing, chefs to cook you a stunning meal, discounts to the Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth, and book restaurants. To find out more about a bank holiday break visit our website or call us on 01736 799 175.

We are also booking up very quickly for July, August and September and are recommending guests or others interested in staying with us to start looking and making enquiries to avoid disappointment.

Last minute offers to take advantage of the great weather

We have had a great response from the newsletter we sent out last week, we are pleased guests are excited about our new offering to be officially announced shortly. 

The weather in St Ives has been glorious for the past week or so and long may it continue. For those of you who would like to take advantage of this we have a selection of last minute breaks available. 

To find out more about these breaks please visit our late availability page. With both two and three bedroom properties at great rates it could be the perfect way to celebrate spring.

The surf has been mixed with a bit too much North in it, but next week should see a new pulse coming mid week. Any forecasters or surfers who think otherwise please leave a comment, I'm always interested in other peoples opinions.

Busy week at The Sail Lofts

The Sail Lofts is making the most of the quiet season (although last week wasn't quite so quiet). We are currently fitting out and transforming a fishermans cottage in the heart of St Ives into a beautifully interior designed property which meets the high standards of our Sail Lofts apartments.

The property will be a 3 bedroom property, with 2 double bedrooms, one en suite and further single bedroom. For anyone who is interested in a fabulous holiday cottage tucked away in a beautiful part of St Ives please contact our office on 01736 799 175.

The Sail Lofts also has another piece of news, but we're keeping this hush hush for the moment, so watch this space in the coming weeks to find out more!

There has been lots of news flitting about for the St Ives Festival in September a full line up (so far) is here.

Rumours have also been flying around as to who will be taking over Woolworths on Fore Street, apparently Pizza Express has submitted a planning application, but who are the other takers and what are your thoughts?

Other news is that we are still offering a fantastic 25% off late availability breaks in St Ives in a selection of our wonderful apartments.

Surfing and hanging

The Sail Lofts has been busy this week with bookings flying in and a change of scene in some of the apartments. Whilst we are busy changing art, it is nothing compared to the scale of the rehanging at the Tate St Ives as they prepare for the new Dexter Dalwood exhibition opening on the 23rd January. 


New artwork has been added to many of our apartments, with some new pieces of work from Andrew Garner and additional pieces from Sonya Walters a local St Ives artist. Andrews work is very contemporary and his latest works, entitled ‘Passage’, reflect the layers in the stages of life.

It has been a good week of surf too, I've made it into the water a few times and feeling very jealous of those surfing Porthmeor today, 2-3ft and clean with a light offshore! Luckily the swell is going to keep rolling in we should be able to find a wave for a while yet. The winds are going to become a little more tricky, with North Westerlies forecast, possibly some South coast days?

For those who want to fly down to Cornwall for a bargain holiday, AirSouthWest are offering flights at £29, superb value!


We were interested to find out today too that not only are we five star but we have the Gold Award, which means we are at the very top of self catering holidays!

We still have great offers for breaks, so visit our website for more information and to take advantage of up to 50% off.