Old Arch Cottage, The Digey

Dating back to 1760, this traditional fisherman’s cottage is now a beautifully renovated home that tucks itself away on the cobbled Digey in the sought-after Downalong area of St Ives, creating a gorgeous seaside retreat for family holidays.

Laid out over two floors, Old Arch Cottage is deceptively spacious, and though refurbished to an exceptional standard, it still retains many of its wonderful original features. Exposed stone and inset pilchard smoking boxes nod to the property’s humble provenance, while the reclaimed ships’ timbers used for the ceiling beams and fireplace add a sense of cosiness and charm. On the ground floor at street level, there's a lovely open plan lounge / diner as well as a superb separate kitchen. Also on this floor, a shower room makes for speedy de-sanding after days spent down on the beach. Upstairs are the family bathroom and two bedrooms which include an airy master with comfortable king size bed and Smart TV, and a children’s room with plenty of books to read, a window seat with cushions, and a triple bunk bed.

Possibly one of Cornwall’s most famous coastal towns, St Ives is a dream holiday destination with excellent eateries, shops and galleries. Best known for its charming harbour and iconic Tate St Ives art gallery which sits right on Porthmeor beach, there are many other family-friendly attractions in the area too like the Trewyn Sub Tropical Gardens and The Barbara Hepworth studio and garden. The clear turquoise water of the bay invites visitors to surf, paddle-board, swim or kayak all year round while sandy beaches like Porthmeor and Porthminster are terrific for sandcastle building, sunbathing and strolling. And if you fancy exploring slightly further afield, the coastline around St Ives Bay offers walking routes along the coast path with beautiful sea views, as well as a clutch of other beautiful beaches including Carbis Bay, Upton Towans and Gwithian.