The beautiful little UK village that’s said to be ‘far better’ than its busy, well-known neighbour

Visitors have been raving about a small Cornish village that sits just a few minutes from one of the UK’s most popular holiday spots, with many saying it might actually be the better choice.

This location lies about a mile southeast of St Ives, one of Cornwall’s busiest and most famous destinations.

St Ives welcomes over half a million day-trippers every year, along with more than 200,000 overnight visitors.

Photo © Joe Pritchard (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Known for its pretty harbour, golden sands and thriving art scene, it’s a favourite with tourists. But when the crowds pour in, nearby Carbis Bay offers a calmer and more peaceful escape.

One TripAdvisor reviewer, @Vegetarian82, said they thought Carbis Bay was “better than St Ives beaches”.

They wrote: “We were lucky enough to stay in a holiday home above the beach, so it was a bit of a steep walk down each day. The beach looks like something from a Mediterranean holiday, clear blue sea and gentle waves.”

They added: “The sand is soft and stretches for ages, which was perfect for the kids. There are small caves and even a little waterfall on the rocks, which made great spots for our pirate stories.”

Another visitor, @Safari279601, also said Carbis Bay was a better choice than St Ives thanks to its peaceful atmosphere.

They posted: “We visited St Ives, which was really busy, and walked the coastal path over to Carbis. It was a long walk, but wow, it was worth it! Crystal-clear water, golden sand and hardly any crowds. Absolutely beautiful – a must-see!”

Photo © Alan Rolfe (cc-by-sa/2.0)

While some people mentioned there’s less to do in Carbis Bay compared to St Ives, many saw that as part of its charm. It’s a place to slow down, unwind and enjoy nature.

User @Flyinghigh1000 wrote: “Clean and really lovely. Much nicer than St Ives – fewer touristy things and a more natural, peaceful feel. Beautiful sand and the perfect spot to relax.”

Carbis Bay hit global headlines in 2021 when it hosted the G7 summit, welcoming world leaders including Boris Johnson, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron.

St Ives and Carbis Bay are only a short distance apart, taking just eight minutes by car, 14 minutes by bike or around 43 minutes on foot, making it easy to enjoy both during a trip to the West Country.

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Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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