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St Ives Harbour at dusk

Porthgwidden Beach is the smallest and the most popular for small children, convenient for St Ives town. Porthgwidden Cafe at the head of the beach does barbecues in the summer and is on our list of the best family friendly restaurants in St Ives. There is safe bathing up to the buoys and small rock pools to explore. The walk up the hill to The Island is where you will find St Nicholas Chapel which dates back to the turn of the century. There is also The Lookout which dates back to earlier St Ives history as a smugglers watch and also as a lookout for pilchards.

From The Island overlooking Porthgwidden Beach, the views are outstanding in both directions. In one direction the view extends across St Ives Bay past Godrevy Lighthouse to Trevose Head near Padstow. In the other direction is Clodgy Point and the rough cliffs of Zennor. The South West Coast extends all the way from here, past Lands End and The Lizard most of the walks having spectacular views. Porthgwidden does have a car park tucked away but is best accessed from the harbour or Porthmeor beach. The St Ives Museum is on the headland and worth a visit to understand the history of St Ives.