Sweetheart Cottage 28 The Digey

Sweetheart Cottage sits on The Digey, a narrow cobbled lane in the heart of the old fishing quarter of St Ives. The one-bedroom property sleeps two and is positioned 100 metres from Porthmeor Beach - one of the best surf beaches on the north Penwith coast. St Ives Harbour Beach is 200 metres in the opposite direction, so you can walk to either shore in under 3 minutes. The Tate St Ives gallery is a short walk from the front door.

The cottage has one double bedroom, WiFi, and is dog-friendly. There is no parking at the property, which is consistent with the no-car character of The Digey lane. Guests typically park at the Trenwith car park on the edge of town and walk the 10-minute route down through the old quarter. The cottage has been rated 4.3 from 26 guest reviews on HolidayCottages.

This is best for couples and solo travellers who want to be fully inside the town rather than on its edges. You can walk to the St Ives School of Painting, the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, and a dozen independent galleries without retracing a step. Restaurants and cafes on Fore Street are under 5 minutes on foot.

Good for those visiting St Ives in spring and autumn when the town is quieter - summer crowds and parking difficulties make the car-free location a genuine advantage in July and August. Less good for guests who need on-site parking, a garden, or extra bedrooms for a group.