St Ives

Porthmeor Beach

Description

In the quaint seaside town of St Ives, Cornwall, England’s northwest coast is home to the gorgeous sandy Porthmeor Beach. A popular location for both locals and tourists, Porthmeor Beach is renowned for its golden sands, crystal-clear blue waves, and magnificent surroundings. Because of its exposed location, surfers frequent here to ride the Atlantic swells that pour in from the open ocean. Both left- and right-hand breakers are available at Porthmeor Beach, accommodating surfers of all skill levels.

In addition to surfing, Porthmeor Beach offers a range of other water sports activities, including bodyboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Equipment can be rented locally, and there are also opportunities for lessons and guided tours for those looking to try something new.

The beach’s large sand area and somewhat protected location make it a favorite with families as well. During the busiest time of year, lifeguards patrol the beach to protect swimmers and beachgoers. The area also has amenities such as restrooms, beach showers, and a sizable parking lot close by for people visiting by car. It is easy to get to the beach from St Ives town center; just take a quick stroll along the lovely coastal route or through the charming streets that are home to cafes, galleries, and retail stores.

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About St Ives

A firm favourite with locals and visitors St Ives is a beautiful beach and harbour where tourists flock to enjoy the fabulous views and the harbour. The town sits directly above the harbour and is famous for not just the harbour but the gallery and museum too. St Ives is also well positioned on the north coast and is not too far from many other attractions such as Land’s End and the Minack Theatre. St Ives is also known for its Art culture and its branch of the Tate Gallery. In 2010, a BBC Four film, The Art of Cornwall, presented by James Fox said that the St Ives artists “went on to produce some of the most exhilarating art of the twentieth century…for a few dazzling years this place was as famous as Paris, as exciting as New York and infinitely more progressive than London.”

In more recent years St Ives has been awarded Best Seaside Town by the Guardian in 2007 and Best Seaside Town by The British Travel Awards both in 2010 and 2011. This absolute gem of a town is a must see when in Cornwall. The population of St Ives is around 11,000 but this rises dramatically in the summer months.

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