Bay Retreat Guidebook
Food scene
As well as being a coffee roasters, Yallah have opened up this amazing coffee and brunch spot (there's great cakes too of course). It has the most interesting menu in town. Every dish is unusual and tasty.
13 locals recommend
Yallah Coffee Kiosk
Wharf RoadAs well as being a coffee roasters, Yallah have opened up this amazing coffee and brunch spot (there's great cakes too of course). It has the most interesting menu in town. Every dish is unusual and tasty.
As well as making their own gin Searoom offer hearty small plates and loaded fries with a view over St Ives harbour. It's slightly tucked away from the main street so you can often get a seat for a drink. However we would recommend booking a table for the evening.
37 locals recommend
SILCo. Searoom
The WharfAs well as making their own gin Searoom offer hearty small plates and loaded fries with a view over St Ives harbour. It's slightly tucked away from the main street so you can often get a seat for a drink. However we would recommend booking a table for the evening.
Looks can be deceiving! Cafe 54 offers fantastic food throughout the day and it's just a few minutes from Bay Retreat! Try one of the tapas boards with a local craft beer or pizzas to takeaway. The counter is packed with baked goods including fresh bread from the St Ives bakery.
Cafe 54
Looks can be deceiving! Cafe 54 offers fantastic food throughout the day and it's just a few minutes from Bay Retreat! Try one of the tapas boards with a local craft beer or pizzas to takeaway. The counter is packed with baked goods including fresh bread from the St Ives bakery.
Made down the road in Zennor, this is a must. A firm favourite flavour is Shipwreck. There's also a lovely little boutique inside that showcases local artisans and dried flowers.
29 locals recommend
Moomaid Of Zennor Ice Cream Parlour
Street-An-PolMade down the road in Zennor, this is a must. A firm favourite flavour is Shipwreck. There's also a lovely little boutique inside that showcases local artisans and dried flowers.
If you're lucky enough to visit in the cooler months Porthminster Kitchen honestly does one of the best Sunday Roasts we've ever had. Booking is pretty much essential.
101 locals recommend
Porthminster Kitchen
Wharf RoadIf you're lucky enough to visit in the cooler months Porthminster Kitchen honestly does one of the best Sunday Roasts we've ever had. Booking is pretty much essential.
Lula Shack is well worth a visit. Hearty, seafood and more packed with creole flavour. It's a great spot to go for a dip in the sea and even just to grab a coffee and go for a walk.
It's hard to do it justice on here so take a look at their website: https://www.lulashack.co.uk/
North Quay
North QuayLula Shack is well worth a visit. Hearty, seafood and more packed with creole flavour. It's a great spot to go for a dip in the sea and even just to grab a coffee and go for a walk.
It's hard to do it justice on here so take a look at their website: https://www.lulashack.co.uk/
Although we haven't tried this Indian takeaway ourselves, a few guests highly recommend especially as they offer delivery to Carbis Bay.
Spice Centre
Although we haven't tried this Indian takeaway ourselves, a few guests highly recommend especially as they offer delivery to Carbis Bay.
A great pit stop if you've walked here along the coastal path (or taken the bus!). The ice cream is delicious and they have some lovely things in their shop.
Moomaid of Zennor Ice Cream Ltd
A great pit stop if you've walked here along the coastal path (or taken the bus!). The ice cream is delicious and they have some lovely things in their shop.
Activities
Rent a board and wetsuit or sign up for a beginners class in the turquoise waters of St Ives.
62 locals recommend
St Ives Surf School
Rent a board and wetsuit or sign up for a beginners class in the turquoise waters of St Ives.
The South West Coast Path stretches 630 miles from Minehead, Somerset to Poole, Dorset. Strap on those walking boots and hike to Zennor or use it to stroll to St Ives.
South West Coast Path
South West Coast PathThe South West Coast Path stretches 630 miles from Minehead, Somerset to Poole, Dorset. Strap on those walking boots and hike to Zennor or use it to stroll to St Ives.
Golden sands and only a stones throw from the apartment. There's a coffee shop with outside seating called 'The Deli' part of Carbis Bay Hotel as well as another concession.
55 locals recommend
Carbis Bay Beach
Beach RoadGolden sands and only a stones throw from the apartment. There's a coffee shop with outside seating called 'The Deli' part of Carbis Bay Hotel as well as another concession.
A sweeping beach that's a surfing hot spot and great to explore rockpools. Stop by Sunset Surf Cafe for a bite to eat or pick up a board and hit the waves.
142 locals recommend
Gwithian Beach
A sweeping beach that's a surfing hot spot and great to explore rockpools. Stop by Sunset Surf Cafe for a bite to eat or pick up a board and hit the waves.
Minack Theatre
An open air theatre set in the Cornish cliffs. Bookings required.
Good to know
This is the train line often referred to as the 'branch line' which goes between St Ives and St Erth. For a small price you can get into or back from St Ives to save you walking the coastal path back to Bay Retreat.
St Erth connects to the mainline for connections to London, Bristol and even as far as Aberdeen!
The journey has fantastic views so worth doing at least once.
Carbis Bay station
This is the train line often referred to as the 'branch line' which goes between St Ives and St Erth. For a small price you can get into or back from St Ives to save you walking the coastal path back to Bay Retreat.
St Erth connects to the mainline for connections to London, Bristol and even as far as Aberdeen!
The journey has fantastic views so worth doing at least once.
A weird one to recommend but if you're arriving by car you'll drive right past on your way to the apartment so it makes a perfect stop for some extra chocolatey biscuits and other essentials. The only other large supermarket closer to the apartment is Tesco inbetween Carbis Bay and St Ives.
22 locals recommend
Marks & Spencer Hayle
Marsh LaneA weird one to recommend but if you're arriving by car you'll drive right past on your way to the apartment so it makes a perfect stop for some extra chocolatey biscuits and other essentials. The only other large supermarket closer to the apartment is Tesco inbetween Carbis Bay and St Ives.
Sightseeing
This stunning building was inspired by Mont Saint Michel in France. The castle and gardens are a wonderful place to visit and if you time it right you can walk up to the castle if the tide is out and then catch a small boat back when the tide's in for a small fee (or vice versa!). Advanced booking is essential. National Trust members get in free but still need to book through the official website.
St. Michael's Mount
This stunning building was inspired by Mont Saint Michel in France. The castle and gardens are a wonderful place to visit and if you time it right you can walk up to the castle if the tide is out and then catch a small boat back when the tide's in for a small fee (or vice versa!). Advanced booking is essential. National Trust members get in free but still need to book through the official website.
Trelissick Garden
A stunning house and garden that overlooks an estuary.
A lovely little church with some interesting finds like the mermaid bench and story. This is also mentioned in the book 'The Salt Path'.
St Senara's Church, Zennor
A lovely little church with some interesting finds like the mermaid bench and story. This is also mentioned in the book 'The Salt Path'.
Sennen Beach
A stunning beach with great cafes and bars. A great surf spot too!
Traveler advice
Getting around
You can take the bus to Tesco for your groceries
You can take the T2 Tinner, 17 or Land's End Coaster to Tesco (4 mins) from the bus stop at the top of the road (next to Cafe 54).