Carbis Bay Hotel overlooks this beach near St Ives

Carbis Bay Holidays :: Carbis Bay

Carbis Bay
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Carbis Bay - the hidden treasure of Cornwall. St Ives is considered to be the jewel in the crown of Cornwall, if so then Carbis Bay is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Carbis Bay beach is never overcrowded. The cliff walk to St Ives past the Carbis Bay Hotel is not to be missed, nor a walk around Hawkes Point to Porth Kidney Sands with spectacular views to Hayle and Godrevy Lighthouse. Carbis Bay has had various names and was also known as Porthreptor, Carrack Gladden Cove or Barrepta Cove

Rosamunde Pilcher the internationally renowned author who wrote many a romantic novel for Mills and Boon but is perhaps best well known for her novel The Shell Seekers. The film version was set in nearby Lamorna Cove, Marazion and Lands End. The Carbis Bay Hotel appears in many of her novels as The Sands Hotel. A number of her other novels were also filmed in the area, Coming Home was a mini series actually filmed in the village of Lelant. Visitors from all over the world come on a pilgrimage to West Cornwall to view the dramatic scenery described in her work.

A scrumptious cream tea can be enjoyed in the conservatory of the hotel overlooking the beach, where you can learn more about the history of Rosemunde Plicher and also view the superb collection of historic postcards of the area.

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Restaurants in Carbis Bay

Spoilt for choice by the number and quality of restaurants in St Ives, there are also a few close by that are worth a visit. Some are within walking distance of your holiday home in Carbis Bay, others a short drive away. Friendly atmosphere and fresh Cornish produce served at these pubs, hotels and restaurants in Carbis Bay and nearby villages of Hayle and Lelant. La Casi... (more)

Rail link to St Ives

This train service runs throughout the year and is favoured by many of our guests as one of the best ways to travel in between Carbis Bay and St Ives - just a 4 minute journey. This trip should be taken at least once on your holiday for the experience, if not for the convenience of leaving your car behind. For those holidaymaker wishing to trave... (more)

Car Parks in Carbis Bay

Car parking in Carbis Bay is very simple, whether you are staying in one our luxury holiday homes or just visiting Carbis Bay beach for the day. The majority of our stunning properties in Carbis Bay offer on site car parking, and for the small handful that do not, quiet roadside parking is available near by. Specific properties which do not offer a designated parking sp... (more)

Shuttle bus to Carbis Bay Beach

Struggling to get to and throw from the beach with your pushchair, windbreak and tired children? A new shuttle bus service is due to be introduced to Carbis Bay operating from Porthrepta car park to Carbis Bay beach. This summer only service is sure to bit a hit with beachgoers. The car park has ample parking for over 200 cars. (more)

Carbis Bay to St Ives Walk

You can take the train from Carbis Bay and be in St Ives in less than 5 minutes, but this 20 minute walk is one that you must make at least once on your holiday. Take the road down the beach and across in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel, join the path up to the railway bridge. Cross over the bridge and take in the view across St Ives Bay to Trevose Head. Up the... (more)

Carbis Bay to Hayle Walk

Porth Kidney Sands is sometimes claimed by Lelant but is in fact a lesser known beach of Carbis Bay. Reached at low tide from Carbis Bay beach around Hawkes Point, Porthkidney stretches as far as the Hayle Estuary and is backed by sand dunes and unspoilt by buildings. The views across the beach to Godrevy create evocative images which have been the inspiration of many artists i... (more)

Carbis Bay to Trencrom Hill Drive/Walk

The iron age hill fort that tops Trencrom Hill - also known as Trecrobben Hill - provides some historic and archaeological interest however, the unfailing attraction of the hill is the magnificent views from the summit. At around 700 feet above sea level, you have panoramic views across to both coastlines. As you look clockwise from the west y... (more)

St Ives Bay Biathlon

The St Ives Bay Biathlon is an annual July event and is based in St Ives and Carbis Bay. As other biathlons, it consists of a 2 km run from St Ives to Carbis Bay beach and then a 1.5km open swim back to St Ives. This scenic challenge see's competitors tackle the challenging climb through St Ives to the main road and then swim the open sea across the usually she... (more)

Slideshow of Historic Postcards

The history of Carbis Bay is a fascinating one, some of the postcards below illustrate how this beautiful place has developed over the years. Further pages will be added shortly covering the mining history and the effect of the St Ives rail link on tourism. Carbis Bay's popularity as a seaside resort increased over the years and saw the increase in the number of hotels and gues... (more)

Ocean Sports Adventure

Ocean Sports Adventure is on the beach at Carbis Bay during the peak season and has combined the thrill of surfing and paddling to create bespoke ocean breaks during the summer. Whether you want to surf stand up, explore the coast line on an ocean ski, sit-on-top, traditional Hawaiian outrigger or mix and match all three with their coastal safaris there is something for eve... (more)

Knill Steeple and Nature Reserve

A delightful walk from Carbis Bay or St. Ives, the most noticeable feature when approaching the Nature Reserve from any direction is the 50 foot high granite pyramid which crowns the summit of Cock hill. The views from the top of the hill are stunning, worth the climb. Knill’s Steeple, as the monument is known locally, was intended to be a mausoleum for customs officer a... (more)

History of Carbis Bay

Carbis Bay inherited its name when the Great Western Railway opened its St. Erth - St. Ives branch line in 1887. The valley was known as Carbis Valley and Carbis Water was further up at the main road, so the railway decided upon the name Carbis Bay for their station. The Cornish Telegraph of 19th September 1878 noted that the Great Western Railway had coined the name Carbis Bay... (more)