I’ll never forget the drive down to St Ives – or rather, the near-disaster that kicked off our holiday. We’d piled into the car from upcountry, full of excitement about escaping to Cornwall, but about an hour from Carbis Bay, the heavens opened. Proper biblical rain, the kind that turns motorways into rivers. I was navigating on my phone, convinced we were nearly there, when we hit a massive tailback. Turned out a lorry had skidded off the road ahead. We sat there for ages, engines idling, me frantically googling the traffic while my other half drummed her fingers on the dash. “This is meant to be a relaxing break,” she sighed. By the time we finally rolled into the area, we were knackered but buzzing with that arrival anticipation – you know, that tingle when you’re about to see your holiday home for the first time?

Pulling up to the property, we were gobsmacked. It’s all in the name! This spot offers breathtaking views of Carbis Bay in a peaceful and relaxing retreat for couples or families alike, in a secluded location, just a short amble from gorgeous Carbis Bay beach. First impressions? Spot on. The sun even peeked out as we unpacked, casting a golden glow over the bay below. We cracked open a bottle of fizz on the terrace, toasting our good fortune and plotting the week’s adventures – all centred on walking, of course. St Ives is made for it, with those coastal paths begging to be explored.

Day one, we ambled down to Carbis Bay beach as planned. The sand was soft underfoot, waves gentle, and we wandered along the water’s edge, chatting nonsense and skimmiing stones. But British weather, eh? By afternoon, it had flipped to a brisk wind whipping in from the Atlantic. No matter – we layered up and headed out anyway, following the South West Coast Path towards St Ives proper. It’s only a couple of miles, but those ups and downs give you that proper leg-burn, with stunning cliffs dropping to turquoise sea. We laughed as we dodged the odd puddle, me slipping once and nearly ending up on my bum. “Graceful as ever,” I quipped to myself.

Next morning, more drama. We’d earmarked a hike up to Clodgy Point for those panoramic views over Porthmeor Beach, but woke to horizontal rain lashing the windows. Plan B: a gentle loop around the bay, hoods up, turning it into a muddy treasure hunt for hidden coves. The weather forced us to slow down, really take it in – the gulls wheeling overhead, the wildflowers nodding in the gusts. It was unexpectedly magical, that forced intimacy with the elements. One evening, as the clouds parted for a dramatic sunset, we strolled back from St Ives harbour, past the little lifeboat station, salt spray on our faces. Pure bliss.

Looking back, that mishap on the journey set the tone – holidays here aren’t about sun-lounging; they’re about embracing the walk, whatever the sky throws at you. The weather kept us on our toes, swapping grand hikes for cosy ambles, but it made the whole trip richer. I caught myself reflecting one drizzly afternoon, staring out at the bay: when did I last let the unpredictability of a good walk just wash over me? Feels good to remember. If you’re after a spot that delivers on views and those soul-stirring rambles, this is it. We’re already plotting a return – raincoats at the ready.