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Things to do in St Ives in September

Although the summer holidays in St Ives have officially come to an end, it doesn't mean the fun has stopped! Take a look at some of our top recommendations of things to do this September in St Ives.

When planning holidays in St Ives, people may overlook September as the summer holidays have always been a hugely popular time to visit. However, there is an abundance of wonderful things to do. Whether it is simply relaxing in the comfort of your holiday cottage in St Ives, or making the most of all the town has to offer, we’re sure you’ll find plenty to do in September.

Get creative

The St Ives School of Painting has been running art classes on the edge of Porthmeor Beach for more than 80 years and they have plenty of classes to enjoy in September. As the autumn begins to settle, there’s still ample light and sunshine so you can truly make the most of working in a studio that overlooks the sea. The St Ives school of painting offers a huge range of classes for all abilities as well as a fantastic range of tutors that cover a breadth of teaching styles. You will find courses that include but aren’t limited to life drawing, landscapes, watercolours, acrylics, mixed media and much more!

St Ives has been a renowned spot for budding artists travelling far and wide to submerge themselves in the vibrant artistic culture within the town, so why not get a little creative and book yourself in for an art course this September? Head over to their website to find out more! We also have an exclusive Orange Roofs discount for our guests that can be found on the Orange Roofs app.

Explore the beaches

For us, September is one of the best times to get your walking boots on and start exploring the beautiful coastline. In the summer, we can often find ourselves just basking in the heat! When staying with us, if you’ve booked a cottage with a sea view, you may have to drag yourself away, but the best thing is to submerge yourself in the view itself and take to beaches, cliffs and surrounding countryside.

The popular beaches in St Ives have so much for you to explore. Whether you stride across Porthmeor, taking in the jagged cliff face of Clodgy then over to St Nicholas Chapel on the Island. You’ll experience two entirely different perspectives of St Ives, which we find are pretty special. Or walk to Porthminster at low tide and you’ll find yourself walking all the way to the harbour front, completely uninterrupted by the sea. Whatever you’re choice, with a coffee in hand and a sturdy pair of shoes, we’re sure you’ll love exploring the St Ives beaches in September.

St Ives School of Painting

St Ives School of Painting

Cook up a storm

All of our self-catered accommodation in St Ives comes with a fully equipped kitchen, ready for you to unleash the inner chef! One of our top recommendations this September would be to take your time and get creative in the kitchen. You’ll find all the basics you need in your property including pots, pans, chopping boards, knives, cuttlery, crockery and if you’re needing to check for something more specific, you can find your properties inventory right at your fingertips on the Orange Roofs App. For the food, why not try a luxury Cornish breakfast hamper from The Cornish Food Box Comany? This hamper will provide you with some of the most delicious local produce, giving you everything you need to cook a scrumptious breakfast for you and your loved ones, all in the comfort of your holiday cottage in St Ives. Our guest’s can also find an exclusive discount for The Cornish Food Box Company on our Orange Roofs app. What’s not to love!

Breakfast at Tinhay

Beachside yoga

When staying in your holiday cottage in St Ives, it is the perfect time to make the most of all the activities available here, beachside yoga being one of our personal favourites. It is certainly one of the best ways to relax and unwind and make the most of the beautiful St Ives beaches too.

There are a number of excellent classes you can join in September for people of all abilities, located right near to Porthmeor. Lucy Aldridge hosts classes at West Porthmeor, giving you a calming outdoor experience this September, all whilst overlooking of of the most picturesque beaches in Cornwall. Showcase Studios also offer yoga classes throughout autumn in Porthmeor Studios. This is a unique venue is perched on the edge of the beach itself and gives a spectacular view out to the ocean. Yoga by the beach is truly something special to try in St Ives this September.

Visit a wine bar

Nothing quite says an excellent September evening like a night spent in a St Ives wine bar. Recently, Little Palais who were once a very small bar on Barnoon Hill have now grown to an excellent bigger venue.

You will find the ‘new’ Little Palais neatly tucked away on the harbour front in The Old Custom House, with views looking out to sea and the hustle and bustle of life along the wharf. The team at Little Palais have an excellent knowledge of all the wines they sell as well as a true passion for what they’re serving you. It doesn’t stop with the wine though! You can enjoy a September evening by the shore enjoying an expertly chosen glass of wine alongside a delicious assortment of small plates. A personal favourite of ours is their Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich and it really is as good as it sounds… a warm brioche bun with house-made chocolate & caramel ice cream. An added plus, they’re also a bottle store! So why not take away a remarkable bottle and enjoy it in the comfort of your St Ives holiday cottage?

Little Palais – Ice Cream Sandwich

Head to the theatre

St Ives only has one theatre that is wonderfully unique, called Kidz R Us. It has been a long-standing establishment in the town, opening its doors in 1994, and has always showcased fantastic local talent found in the teenagers and young adults in and around St Ives.

Every year they host a variety of shows and most of the hugely popular summer shows run throughout September too. We would definitely recommend booking in for a September show for some excellent evening entertainment. Not only will you be guaranteed a great show, but all the support shown outside of the very busy summer holidays is warmly received. They have a licensed bar as well as a range of refreshments meaning you can truly make an evening of it.

Get cosy with a good book

Although September in St Ives is a perfect time to get out and about and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, it is also when it starts to feel wonderfully autumnal, which makes for the perfect excuse to get cosy! We have a fantastic range of cosy cottages in St Ives, whether you’re looking for a cottage with a wood burner for those cooler nights, or cottages with a sea view for the slightly chillier days when you don’t fancy bracing the elements.

Whilst on holiday in St Ives, we feel like it is an ideal opportunity to switch off from the real world and take time to do things which you may miss in day-to-day life, reading is often one of them! Why not pay a visit to the much-loved St Ives Bookseller shop on Fore Street and pick yourself a gripping tale to get absorbed in? One thing that makes this book store extra special is their whole dedicated range of Cornish books which can often make for a great read, especially when in St Ives.

Wood burner at Penhallow

Get involved at St Ives September Festival

The St Ives September Festival is in full flight throughout September and it is an excellent opportunity to not only observe the fantastic arts and culture but you can get involved too!

There is a huge range of activities available for you to participate in throughout the duration of the festival. For example, you can try your hand at trapeze arts! The whole festival is made to celebrate all the wonderful art forms that are inclusive to all, so jump in and submerge yourself in the wonderful St Ives September Festival.

Band performing on the St Ives Harbour

We hope that gives you a little bit of September inspiration. If you're looking for more wonderful reasons to visit this September, places to eat, or just a bit more information about St Ives, check out our articles below!

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