A ‘working holiday’ may sound contradictory, but with so many of us now working from home or enjoying the benefits of hybrid working, you don’t always need to be staring at the same four walls to be ‘in the office’. In fact, a change of scene might be just what you need to increase productivity and inject some fresh inspiration this year.
St Ives is a great destination for a working holiday, with plenty of well-equipped places to stay, great lunchtime walks right on the doorstep, and a choice of many a ‘room with a view’ to fuel creativity. Our top tip is to take the picturesque train ride via the branch line from St Erth – your working holiday will get off to a breath-taking start!
Nourish yourself with a big dose of sea air and invigorating coastal walks, not to mention the freshest seasonal food plucked from land and sea. You’ll soon see why Cornwall is considered a thriving centre for entrepreneurialism and creativity, even if it is a world away from the nearest big city.
St Ives also now has its very own, and very impressive, coworking space. The Bayspace project has transformed a historic building overlooking the harbour into a modern shared workspace with hot desks, quiet call booths, a café, meeting rooms and more. It’s a great new resource for the town and one that is available to visiting digital nomads with a limited number of day passes.
See below for our recommendations of the best places in and around St Ives to base yourself for a working holiday. Book today and let’s make Monday mornings a little more exciting in the months ahead!
Inglewood
This characterful cottage in the oldest corner of St Ives allows you to tuck yourself away in comfort, with plenty of space to work in the homely lounge or around the table in the rustic, farmhouse-style kitchen.
With four bedrooms at
Inglewood, why not gather your gang of fellow home-workers and split the cost of an office on the coast for a week? Step outside the pretty front door and you’ll be moments from three different beaches, as well as the delis and coffee shops of this idyllic harbourside town.
Gimme Shelter
If an injection of energy is what your work life needs,
Gimme Shelter will provide the perfect surroundings. Packed with colour, pattern, and quirky details, this is a great base for up to six friends or co-workers.
Funky seating areas and a galleried kitchen are good spots to set up your laptop, while the handy storage area for wetsuits and outdoor gear means it’s easy to make the most of those rejuvenating work breaks.
Chy Brea
The large and homely kitchen at Chy Brea would certainly make a cosy workstation, although in the winter you might prefer the lounge with a glowing wood burner for company. At the end of the day, sinking into the ultra-comfy super king size bed is bliss!
Just a few minutes from the shops, restaurants and beaches of the town, Chy Brea is the perfect working holiday base in all seasons.
White Lantern
A more convenient property for a working holiday in St Ives would be hard to find. Close to the train station but also with it’s own on-site parking, White Lantern has sea views to inspire, and outdoor space for rejuvenating work breaks.
All this just a short stroll from the amenities of the town itself, and the golden sands of Porthminster, with its award-winning Beach Café. Any Zoom calls are guaranteed to provoke intense jealousy!
The Light House
Squirrel yourself away at The Light House for a week of uninterrupted work, punctuated by uplifting coastal walks, and tasty Cornish food. The reverse-level arrangement at this cottage has created a light and spacious open-plan living area with sea views, and two cosy bedrooms for peaceful slumber after all that work productivity and nourishing sea air.
Keen to minimise your environmental impact during your working holiday? Read our guide to sustainable travel to and around St Ives.
