I’ll never forget the drive down to St Ives – we’d packed the car with enough snacks to feed a small army, but halfway there, just past Hayle, the sat nav decided to have a midlife crisis and sent us on a scenic detour through some narrow lanes that made me question every life choice. Still, we laughed it off with a bag of Cornish pasties from a roadside van, flaky and steaming, and arrived just as the sun dipped towards the sea, buzzing with that proper holiday anticipation.

Pulling up to the place, I was chuffed to bits – it’s this smart two-floor terraced spot with elegant decor and tasteful furnishings that instantly felt like a proper retreat for mates or family. Sea views everywhere you look, and the open-plan living and kitchen upstairs is light and airy, with a Juliet balcony off the lounge where you can flop on the comfy sofas and watch the bay sparkle. Downstairs, two en-suite bedrooms – the master’s got a super king bed with sliding doors to its own sea-facing balcony, and the other has zip-and-lock twins, perfect for kids or whoever. There’s even a courtyard out back for al fresco noshing. First impressions? Spot on – we cracked open a bottle of local Rattler cider and toasted the view.

Food pretty much took over from there, as it does on a proper St Ives jaunt. First morning, I fancied playing chef in that cracking kitchen with its island doubling as a breakfast bar. Nipped to the harbour market – heaving with fresh crab, plump mussels, and those massive Cornish oysters that look like they’ve got attitude. Grabbed some mackerel too, dead fresh, and attempted a seaside grill. Disaster struck when I overdid the garlic butter (smoke alarm’s my new best mate), but slathered on some Porthminster Beach Café takeaway sauces we’d snaffled, it turned into a triumph. Sat on the balcony with the doors flung wide, waves crashing below – pure bliss.

Evenings were pub central. St Ives has gems like The Sloop, just a short wander away, where we demolished platters of battered haddock and chips, mushy peas on the side, washed down with a pint of Tribute ale. Proper chatty locals, that easy Cornwall vibe. One night, we pushed the boat out at The Hub – their seafood linguine is legendary, all Cornish clams and chilli kick, and we lingered over sticky toffee pudding till we waddled home. Back at the house, I had a go at a pasty-off using leftover market veg and rump steak from the Godrevy Meadows farm stall nearby. Mine weren’t quite like Philps, but with a dollop of clotted cream (cheating? Maybe), they passed muster round the courtyard table.

Reflecting on it now, sprawled on those sofas with a GandT, listening to the gulls, I realised it’s these daft kitchen cock-ups and pub crawls that make a holiday stick. No fancy restaurants needed – just cracking local grub, a bit of banter, and that endless sea view. If you’re after a foodie bolt-hole in St Ives Bay, this setup’s got it in spades. Can’t wait to go back.