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Shopping in St Ives
From books to jewellery to freshly made food, shopping in St Ives is a Cornish tradition thanks to the cobbled streets and independent shops that line them.
Moments from the harbour front is Idlehour, a two-storey cottage tucked behind the beautiful harbour of St Ives in the heart of Downalong. Whilst a traditional cottage, dating 200 years old, Idlehour has a modern, cosy, feel sleeping four in two bedrooms and, only a five minute stroll from the cottage. There is a small outside seating area to the front of the property, in which to sit and relax. Step through the stable door entrance into the open plan living area, which lends itself perfectly to everyone to relax together, whilst you prepare something tasty in the well-equipped kitchen. Upstairs, you will find two bedrooms, with the master bedroom enjoying gorgeous views across the roof tops to the harbour, providing the perfect view to accompany your morning coffee in bed. The location is ideal for exploring St Ives, being only a stone's throw from bustling town centre with its many shops and galleries, including the renowned Tate St Ives, with a great choice of restaurants and cafes in which to sit and watch the world go by. For beach lovers, the harbour front and beach is just 50 yards away and within a few minutes you will come across the beautiful sandy beaches of Porthgwidden, and the award-winning surf of Porthmeor with its surf school, if you wish to take to the waves.
With a private designated parking space, the hassle of trying to find parking needn't be a worry as you can come and go as you, please, and explore the surrounding areas, such as Gwithian and Godrevy, or take the stunning coastal road to Zennor, where you can enjoy a delicious pub lunch at the Tinners Arms or Ice cream at Moo Maid. All in all, Idle Hour really is the ideal place from which to relax, unwind and explore all that St Ives has to offer.
ramp leading down to stable door into:
two sofas, Smart TV, coal effect gas fire, electric oven with a gas hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, Dolce Gusto coffee machine, table with seating for four. Stairs to first floor:
4ft double bed, TV, hanging only behind the door and chest of drawers, sea views across rooftops to harbour front.
twin beds, TV, hanging space and drawers.
shower, heated towel rail, WC and basin.
bench seating two, outside hose to wash down wetsuits.
please note being a traditional cottage the stairs are steep, so may not be suitable for those with limited mobility and young children should be always supervised, private parking space is a five minutes' walk from the cottage at Porthgwidden Car Park at the cost of £60 per week please speak to Bookings to add this onto your stay, electric heating, WiFi, short breaks available.
The cottage is perfectly located and everything you need for a break in town. The inclusion of free parking is a real selling point. The kitchen is well equipped and the heating keeps the cottage cosy. The welcome pack was great with the free, stamped, postcards a lovely touch. Lovely quality bedding and there were even enough dishwasher tablets for the whole week! The bathroom may be a little small for some people, but it is functional and there's plenty of hot water for showers. Overall a great second stay and remains on our list for another visit.
Miss Henson October 2024
Our second visit to Idlehour this year because we loved it so much the first time! Perfect location for beaches, harbour and shops. Having the parking space so close to the property is an absolute winner! A very well equipped, cosy cottage with beautiful decor too. Definitely will book to stay here again.
Mrs Burrow October 2024
Steeped in history, Downalong is a timeless haven that captures the fishing heritage and thriving art community of this enchanting area of St Ives. With all that St Ives has to offer on your doorstep, spend endless days exploring the sandy shores, stunning coastal paths and bustling harbourside.
Downalong is a historic Cornish term for an area of harbourside fisherman's cottages 'down along the harbour'?
From books to jewellery to freshly made food, shopping in St Ives is a Cornish tradition thanks to the cobbled streets and independent shops that line them.
We know how important honest reviews are when it comes to booking your holiday. To help you choose the right property for you, we publish all reviews left by guests who have stayed here in the past, with the few exceptions stated in our Review Guidelines. Please bear in mind that some facilities referred to by past guests in reviews can be removed or changed at any time.
The cottage is perfectly located and everything you need for a break in town. The inclusion of free parking is a real selling point. The kitchen is well equipped and the heating keeps the cottage cosy. The welcome pack was great with the free, stamped, postcards a lovely touch. Lovely quality bedding and there were even enough dishwasher tablets for the whole week! The bathroom may be a little small for some people, but it is functional and there's plenty of hot water for showers. Overall a great second stay and remains on our list for another visit.
Miss Henson 3 weeks ago
Our second visit to Idlehour this year because we loved it so much the first time! Perfect location for beaches, harbour and shops. Having the parking space so close to the property is an absolute winner! A very well equipped, cosy cottage with beautiful decor too. Definitely will book to stay here again.
Mrs Burrow 1 month ago
Great place to stay, already booked again it’s got everything you need for a stay in St Ives
Mr Whiteman 1 month ago
very comfortable little cottage, one or two little things to be aware of like the very small but adequate bathroom. no washer/dry, something to consider if packing light or have children. Saying that, all was wonderful, having parking so very close is always a bonus shame about the parking charge next year. would go back any time.
Mrs Walker 1 month ago
This is our 2nd stay in Idlehour. It has been re-decorated since our last stay & it did not disappoint. Love the convenient location & the added bonus of a good size & easily accessible parking space. It’s great value for money. The shed / hose outside is great to hose off beach gear / sandy feet without having to trundle everything inside & a convenient storage space. The property is well kept, clean & well equipped. Would recommend to anyone wishing to stay Porthmeor side of town & still have easy access into town.
Mrs Tinsley Aug 2024
Great location and a comfortable stay for a family of four.
Mr Green Aug 2024
A lovely property that made me feel at home from arrival & throughout my stay. A great location for the many wonders of St Ives yet such a restful & private feel to this great property. Private parking is such an advantage & another plus point for Idlehour. Happy Holidays sums it up.
Mr Ford May 2024
Fabulous property in a great location with parking nearby an absolute winner. Decor, furnishings and equipment makes it a real home from home. Would definitely stay here again.
Mrs Burrow Apr 2024
Staying here again and new fire installed easier to use. Great property everything you need for a holiday in St Ives. Already booked to stay for a 4th visit.
Mr Whiteman Mar 2024
We loved our week staying at Idlehour it was ideal for the two of us. There was a lovely welcome pack and the property was very comfortable and cosy. Everything at our disposal was of good quality, the location is great and of course the parking space is very much appreciated and not too far away. Like others we have also booked to return.
Mr Baker Nov 2023
Beautiful cottage everything as advertised. Stayed twice and will be back again in March 2024
Mr Whiteman Oct 2023
This is a delightful cottage well worth visiting as it’s in the heart of St Ives. We had a brilliant week here as a family of four. The cottage was exceptionally clean on arrival and the welcome pack including a bottle of Prosecco was very much appreciated! The view out of the bedroom window of the harbour is idyllic and we can’t wait to go back.
Mrs Steward Sep 2023
A very clean, stylish cottage in a fantastic location. We would highly recommend! The addition of a parking space was amazing. We’ve stayed in St Ives before, without a parking space, and know that once you’ve found a space, you cannot move your car otherwise you won’t get back in! The parking space is therefore invaluable, and meant that we could visit other places during our two week stay.
Ms Rigg Aug 2023
We went to Idlehour a cottage in st Ives in late July through Asoect Holidays. It was perfect in every way. The parking was close to the cottage. The views from upstairs across the harbour were breathtaking. The facilities in the cottage were great. It was a dream cottage in a lovely place. Thank you Aspect Holidays.
Mr Culley Aug 2023
Easy to find, felt very welcoming when you enter the property. Loved the welcoming basket which had all of the essentials including a bottle of Prosecco. The view from the master bedroom is stunning and it made our holiday to wake up to each morning. The customer service was outstanding and refreshing. Will definitely use Aspects Holidays again
Mrs Hughes Jun 2023
Property is in prime location for The Harbour and Porthgwidden beach. 1 parking permit included in price of booking which is great and the parking is around the corner. Decorated to a high spec with modern design, comfy sofa and working gas fire for the cold nights. Views from bathroom and main bedroom of harbour are beautiful.
The property did have its faults though and as a family we won’t be returning 2 adults and 2 children (14&10 years) The double bed is very small and up against the wall making getting in and out extremely difficult as you have to climb over your partner to get out and because of this there is no bedside table on that side, there is one tall boy in the main room but not sufficient enough for two adults clothing. A few night one of us slept on the sofa as we kept waking each other up.
No washing machine but a maiden
The house is on a slant due to its age and runs downhill from front to back, this isn’t an issue for me but my child has sensory issues and the unsteadiness made her feel ill and dizzy, therefore if you have a disabled child with similar issues, take note.
For a family of 3 this property would be ideal with one person in the double bed and two in the twin.
Mrs Rowse Jun 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased to hear you enjoyed those lovely views that Idlehour has to offer, as well as the parking space. We are sorry that you found the property's double bedroom to be on the small size, we try to advertise this as clearly as possible through the property description and photos, so that guests are aware of the bedroom's layout. Likewise, we try to advertise the hanging and clothes space as clearly as possible. The property does comfortably sleep 4, with a ¾ double bed and twin beds, but we do appreciate that the layout may not suit some families.
As you have mentioned, Idlehour is a traditional style cottage, and the age of the property does mean there are some quirks. We mention that the steps can be steep, but we do urge anybody with any sort of mobility problems or other concerns to get in touch with us with any questions before or during your stay. Katy, Customer Services.
Idlehour is a compact cottage in a superb location minutes from the harbour and Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches. The view of the harbour from the main bedroom is stunning. The close proximity of the parking space is a big bonus given the limited availability of parking in Downalong.
Mr Martin May 2023
This is a brilliantly located property within seconds of the wharf and minutes from two beaches. The parking spot is close and allows easy parking withing a couple of minutes. The views from the main bedroom are wonderful. The house is small and best suited to a couple or a family with smaller children. The bathroom is small, but functional and wholly made up for by the position and convenience of the cottage. The heating is a gas fire and electric wall heaters upstairs. This did concern me before we went, but it was perfect and the gas stove gave the place a lovely cosy warmth, very quickly. We had a fantastic Easter stay and have booked again for 2024.
Miss Henson Apr 2023
Great cottage, position very good with a dedicated parking space close by. Everything you would want for a stay in St Ives. Perfect for relaxing and having a cuppa in bed looking over the harbour. Alterations on-going in the cottage next door, but it did not give us any problems at all. Already booked for later in the year.
Mr Whiteman Mar 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
We are glad that you enjoyed your time here and glad to hear that the work next door didn't cause any problem for you. We tried to give as much information as possible before your arrival, but it is always difficult to get a full picture from third parties, so we are glad to hear that it was not a problem, and we hope to see you back again soon. Tanya, Customer Services