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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 25 April, 2023

This popular annual festival showcases the best of local Cornish food & drink, in one of Cornwall’s loveliest towns.

As you’d expect, food stalls sell locally-sourced and made produce, from fresh seafood to artisan cheese. There are live demonstrations from top chefs, plus live music and entertainment.

If you can’t make the festival, consider tackling the St Ives Food Trail instead. It lists local establishments in the town offering the whole range of Cornish produce and specialities.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
Frequency: annually
When: 2nd weekend May
Duration: 3 days

Getting there & doing it

Daytime entry into the festival and Friday night is free. Tickets are required for Thursday and Saturday night events – buy online in advance. Under 12s go free.

When to do it

The festival is held on Porthminster Beach on the 2nd weekend in May each year.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa

St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

Tranquil, luxury boutique hotel and spa, perfectly located on Porthminster Beach, with stunning views out to sea.

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Boskerris Hotel

St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

A beautifully chic, beautifully run boutique hotel outside St Ives, with stunning ocean views. No kids under 16.

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The Godolphin

Marazion, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

An intimate and welcoming 17th-century coaching inn, with spectacular views across to St Michael’s Mount, right above Marazion’s beach.

Official star rating:

Chapel House

Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

A heritage Georgian home, originally built by an Admiral, now a stylish and welcoming 6-room guesthouse.

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Cornwall

Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

A region of craggy cliffs, sheltered creeks, glorious sandy beaches and quintessential villages – rich in local life, pagan legend and delicious, locally-made food and drink.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Tate St Ives

St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

Internationally-renowned contemporary art gallery, an offshoot of London’s Tate, idyllically set overlooking Porthmeor Beach.

Best for ages: 4+ | £11

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

children making chocolate at cocos kitchen
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Chocolate-making workshops at Coco Kitchen

St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

Families and chocoholics will love these chocolate workshops, that see you designing, moulding and decorating a variety of chocolate treats (that you take home after). A brilliant group experience for all ages, with special activities even for the toddlers.

Best for ages: 4+ | £25 | 1 hour

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Jubilee Pool, Penzance, Art deco, sea water filled lido at Penzance, Cornwall
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Jubilee Pool

Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

Stop for a swim at this Art Deco lido gem, with curving white walls, diving platforms, rows of cubicles, a baby pool and a warner geothermal pool (extra charge). Under 4s swim free. Right on the seafront, the pool is fed by the tide. Open end May to early September.

Best for ages: 4+ | £6

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King Edward Mine Museum
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King Edward Mine Museum

Cambornev, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)

A 100-year-old preserved tin mine showcasing the history of mining (and the Mineral Tramways generally); much of the original mining equipment remains. It includes the Mineral Tramways Discovery Centre, with displays and information about the old mineral tramways, the mines, the ports used by the industry and the people involved with the trade.

Best for ages: 8+ | £8

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