On Saturday I spent the day in St Ives, west Cornwall. It’s a tiny seaside town, just over a hundred miles from home and has limited parking, so when I learnt that there is a park and ride, it seemed like a good plan to leave the car there. Parking at Lelant Saltings was just a few pounds, and for £4 you can buy a return train ticket that allows you to travel between St Erth and St Ives, getting on and off as much as you want. This branch line is rated as one of the most scenic in the country.

Try to sit on the right of the compartment if you ever take this journey. As the train approaches St Ives, Carbis Bay is one of the first beaches you see, but you can see clear across the Hayle estuary to St Ives bay.

When you get off of the train there is a footpath with pretty hedges, leading to Porthminster beach (above) to the right and the town to the left.

And the pretty  path .

Now there’s a clear view of the harbour, especially if you zoom in .

But there’s no rush, lets have a look at Porthminster’s sand.

We’re going to skip on past the town now and have a peep at this little bathing beach.

and its resident poser!
On around yet another bend in the coastline,

is Porthmeor.

Lastly, looking back from – I think – Porthgwidden.
St Ives is lucky to have so many beautiful beaches. Of course it helped that it was still early in the season, give it a month and these sands will be teeming with people.
The town isn’t just about beaches though, there are galleries galore, cutesy cobble streets and lots of foodie opportunities. I’ll be back with more sometime soon.