5 things to do in St Ives, Cornwall for a ‘back to nature’ break

The UK has so many beautiful places to explore and we often forget about these destinations on our doorstep. Cornwall was recently revealed as the most ‘pinned’ destination for road trips this year, with 78 Pinterest boards dedicated to the coastal county. The picturesque coast has also seen a surge in Google searches, with a 50% increase in people searching for ‘Cornwall’ from Jan 2023 to Jan 2024.

So we decided to take a trip to the beautiful town of St Ives, Cornwall for a weekend of adventure and outdoor activities. For anyone planning a trip, I thought I’d share my favourite things to do in St Ives, for a ‘back to nature’ break.

Stay in the most magical glamping spot at Wildflower Wood

This off-grid glamping spot is stunning, based at Beersheba Farm, Wildflower Wood has 5 magical pods with the most beautiful views of the Cornwall coast.

The perfect base for exploring all that the area has to offer. Each Landpod has its own outdoor kitchen area, firepit, aswel as a private toilet, shower and fridge.

The site also has two new top-of-the-range electric bikes to hire during your stay, so you can get around the area without being stuck in a car and the stress of trying to find parking. There are lots of picturesque cycling routes you can explore straight from Beersheba Farm.

Take in the breath-taking views at Godrevy Lighthouse

Taking in the breath-taking views at Godrevy Lighthouse is one of the most popular things to do in St Ives, made famous by Virginia Woolfe’s novel ‘To the Lighthouse’.

You can explore the area on foot, with a walk around the cliff side and down to the beach or book a boat trip and take in the views from the water. Down by the rocky beach, you will see a family of seals sleeping on the beach. This is not accessed on foot however you can watch them quietly from the top (or from a boat).

Cycle to Zennor on an electric bike

St Ives now has its very own e-bike rental and specialist St Ives Bikes, with a vast range of bikes on offer including; hardtail moutain, road, touring and regular bikes. E-bikes are a great way of exploring a new area, cycling up the steep hills without breaking a sweat!

St Ives to Zennor is a popular 10 mile route for all abilities, with scenic views of the costal line and stunning views through the moorland. Stop off for a bite to eat in Zennor and have a peak at the gorgeous St Senara’s Church.

Moomaid is a popular attraction in Zennor with tempting sweet treats and ice creams. Grab a frozen treat and enjoy it with those stunning views.

Take a trip the beautiful ‘secret’ Nanjizal beach

Whilst this is a 30 miniute drive from St Ives, the secluded beach and coves of Nanjizal make it so worth venturing out. There is no direct access via road, so once you arrive and park up it’s a 30-40 minute walk down to the beach.

With stunningly clear waters, you won’t feel like you’re in the UK. A popular ‘Instagrammable‘ spot is the ‘Song of the Sea’ which is a tall slit in the cliffs of the hidden cove of West Cornwall.

Over to the right of the beach is a deep cave to explore, often missed by tourists. From inside the cave you can see the whole beach, sit and watch the waves crashing onto the rocks.

Take a boat trip to Seal island

Seal Island is west of St Ives on a small rocky inshore island, home to a colony of beautiful Atlantic grey seals, which is where its name comes from.

With daily boat trips from St Ives harbour, a day of seal watching is a must on a trip to the beautiful Cornwall town. There are so many opions to choose from for exploring the most stunning areas via boat.

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