If you love ‘Cornwall with Caroline Quentin’…

‘Cornwall with Caroline Quentin’ on ITV1 has drawn a big audience in 2012. If you’ve been enjoying the programme, why not make St Ives your holiday destination this year?

Arguably the jewel in the crown of this beautiful county, St Ives boasts magnificent sandy beaches, stunning coastal scenery, a world-famous arts scene and some of the best restaurants in the land.

Add to that a mild climate (with the highest temperatures in the UK), a picture-perfect harbour, twisting cobbled streets, and a Mediterranean-hued sea right on your doorstep, and you can understand why visitors return again and again.

If the freedom and comfort of luxury self-catering appeals to you, Blue Horizon is a great base for exploring St Ives and West Cornwall. Its idyllic location overlooking Porthmeor Beach, is close to the coastpath and within a few minutes’ walk of St Ives town centre.

Stunning sea views, free parking right outside, and an almost traffic-free road all add to the appeal.

It does tend to book up quickly though, so to be sure of the St Ives holiday or short break you want, don’t leave it too late!

Visit www.bluehorizonstives.com for more information, and we hope to see you soon.

Banish the winter blues in St Ives!

For some years now, St Ives has firmly established itself as a true ‘year round’ holiday destination with a lively atmosphere from January right through to December.

So, why not beat the crowds and grab a bargain by treating yourself to a luxury winter break by the sea?

West Cornwall offers so much to see and do at this time of year and it’s a fantastic place to banish the winter blues – either for a full week or a short break.

Be inspired by turning leaves, crashing waves, beautiful sunrises and empty beaches.

Recharge your batteries with lungfuls of fresh sea air on the stunning South West Coast Path.

Bring your bike and explore the area’s many pretty villages and ancient moorland landscape.

Hire a wetsuit and learn to surf, with expert tuition from a local surf school.

Indulge your taste-buds with some sumptuous cuisine at the town’s award-winning restaurants.

Enjoy a glass or two in the cosy comfort of a traditional local hostelry.

Check out some of Cornwall’s beautiful stately homes and gardens.

Catch up on some pre-Christmas shopping – or stock up in the New Year sales.

Try your hand at drawing or painting at a local art class– or simply soak up the culture at the town’s many art galleries.

Whatever floats your boat, St Ives has it. And with its luxurious facilities, stunning ocean views, and convenient location (with private parking) Blue Horizon makes the perfect base.

Book now and discover how beautiful St Ives and Cornwall are across the seasons.

Call Aspects Holidays on 01736 754 242 and secure your wonderful winter getaway!

Exploring Heligan

A 40 minute drive from St Ives takes you to what BBC Gardeners’ World viewers have voted the nation’s favourite garden.

It’s 20 years since the Lost Gardens of Heligan were rediscovered, and if you’ve not been, we’d highly recommend it.

At its peak at the end of the 19th Century, the thousand acre estate fell into disrepair soon after, but is gradually being lovingly restored – and the gardens themselves are deservedly winning international acclaim.

We took our two young boys there recently and found the place fascinating.

There are over 200 acres to explore, including Victorian productive gardens (which met the needs of the Tremayne family and their guests), vibrant pleasure grounds, lush sub-tropical jungle, and an evolving wildlife project.

Highlights include an alpine-inspired ravine, original rhododendrons and camellias, New Zealand tree ferns, walled flower garden, glasshouses and other atmospheric working buildings.

Although we didn’t get to see everything, because not all the paths are buggy-friendly, there was still easily enough to fill the best part of a day – rounded off by an obligatory Cornish cream tea in the tearoom and wander round the plant centre.

A bonus for foodies is the outstanding Lobbs Farm Shop adjacent to the entrance, (where we treated ourselves to a couple of bottles of Cornwall’s very own Polgoon Rosé!)

The gardens are open all year, except Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – and if you have time you might consider a flying visit to Mevagissey, an attractive fishing village just down the road.

A foodie’s paradise!

If the fresh sea air isn’t enough to whet your appetite on holiday in St Ives, the local menus surely will.

Although Blue Horizon is equipped with everything you need to prepare just about any meal in style, one of the great advantages of self-catering accommodation for many people is the freedom to explore local eateries.

Let’s face it, how many of us go on holiday to cook three times a day? And half board in a hotel or bed and breakfast is simply too restricting for a lot of us.

Far better to indulge your taste buds at some of the many superb restaurants, cafes and pubs with which the town is blessed – including some of the best fish and seafood venues in Cornwall. And here are a few suggestions in no particular order.

1 Porthminster Café
OK, it’s not cheap. But it is special – and you’re on holiday, right? Striking art deco building, in a perfect location on the soft, white, sands of Porthminster Beach, looking out onto the ocean and across to St Ives harbour. The food (Mediterranean and Asian) is out of this world. Book early!

2 Alba
Modern British cuisine: local produce, line-caught fish, seasonal vegetables. Smart, informal dining on two floors, in the old lifeboat building. Good views, excellent wine list. Lunch and early evening specials are very good value.

3 Sloop Inn
14th Century characterful inn on the harbour front. Real ales and good pub grub – including lots of local fish. Tables outside with superb view across the harbour. Fab breakfasts, lunches and dinner.

4 Café Pasta
Much more than pizza and pasta (though these are very good): the fresh fish and seafood are excellent. Very relaxed, great for families and good value. Popular with locals.

5 Porthgwidden Beach Café
Superb views and good, simple food – less formal and more affordable than its sibling, the Porthminster Café.

6 Seafood Café
Good selection of fresh local fish and shellfish, Cornish meats and free range poultry; vegetarian options also available. Choose what you want from the chill cabinet and how you would like it cooked. Relaxed atmosphere.

7 Ocean Grill
Family-friendly, first floor restaurant overlooking harbour. Varied and interesting menu including lots of fresh fish.

8 Gurnard’s Head Hotel
Fine country dining pub on the wonderful coast road between St Ives and Land’s End. Imaginative food and excellent wine list.

We love all the above, and hope you do too.

Others we are looking forward to trying soon include: the Wave Restaurant (modern Mediterranean), Saltwater Café (classic dishes, local ingredients), Blas Burgerworks (gourmet beef, local/organic ingredients), Onshore (pasta, seafood, pizzas) and the Loft Restaurant and Terrace (fresh, seasonal produce).

Bon appétit!