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Our Cornwall Holiday

06/19/23 | Cornwall, David Baldacci, England, Family Travel, Live Travel Update, National Trust

 Cornwall Holiday - Porthmeor Beach in St Ives

We just got back from our maiden family holiday!  For five nights we headed down to Cornwall not only our first trip as a family but my first time to the far west of England.  From London it was a long drive, listening to audio books where Lily slept the majority of the time in her car seat (so thankful) and mark and I listened to audiobooks. We finished  American Assassin by Vince Flynn and The Camel Club  by David Baldacci (Author) the first Mitch Rapp and Camel Club book respectively.  We are now on to the second Camel Club book, The Collectors,  and personally I am listening to The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley.  As I feared the seven hour drive – more like nine or ten with stops – would be too much for Lily in one day we stopped for the night in Exeter on the way and bath on the way back.

Once in Cornwall we stayed in Carbis Bay in a cute Airbnb. This location was is just down the beach from st Ives and was a great central spot to explore the area. On half day trips we visited St. Michael’s Mount which has been on my bucket list for years as well as lizard point.  Then on the Sunday we spent the day exploring the area on foot doing a long 10 mile walk taking turns carrying Lily.   Here are some of my favorite shots from our Cornwall holiday:

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As we arrived at St. Michael’s Mount in the morning at low tide we were able to walk across the Causeway to the island 

Family Selfie on the Causeway to St Michael's Mount

 

It was much prettier once you climbed the hill and got closer.

Castle of the Top of St Michael's Mount

St. Michael’s Mount while originally a monastery and then a castle is now a family home i love the historic Dining Room

Living Room in the Castle at St Michael's Mount

I asked Mark to take this photo of Lily and I with the historic Castle Cannons at St. Michael’s Mount

Kelly with Lily with the Castle Cannons at St. Michael’s Mount

How pretty are the terraced subtropical gardens of St Michael’s Mount?

Terraced subtropical gardens of St Michael's Mount

I am glad we bought the full castle ticket as I have never seen anything quite like these outdoor succulents!

Succulents in the subtropical gardens
I had hoped the haze would burn off by the early afternoon but even though it hasn’t you can see the castle on the top of the island clearly and also the causeway completely covered by the tide.

View of The National Trust St. Michael’s Mount

Sunday was Fathers Day and a cute shop in downtown St. Ives, Pengenna Pasties, had traditional Cornish pasties to celebrate. 

Fathers Day Pengenna Pasties in Downtown St. Ives

The view of  Carbis Bay from Airbnb (you can find the listing here) was beautiful!

View of Carbis Bay from airbnb

Even though school has not let out for the Summer Carbis Bay Beach was still quite busy.  If we had not been with Lily I definitely would have rented a kayak or maybe even taken a surf lesson!

View of Carbis Bay Beach from the south

On the recommendation of a coworker we did the St. Ives Coastal walk and then added in a few miles for good measure.

St. Ives Cliff Walk on Strava

A family]y selfie at mile six!

Family Selfie at Porthmeor Beach

There are countless seagulls in St. Ives and we did not escape them, we got a bit of poop on BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Free

bird poop on BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Free

A gorgeous view of St. Ives at low tide from Porthminster Beach

View of st ives at low tide from Porthminster Beach

And I am obsessed with Lily’s little pouty face in this shot – she looks so unimpressed with the clear blue water!

Mark and Lily at the Porthminster Beach in St Ives

Which is your favorite shot from our Cornwall holiday?

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Comments

  1. Erin says

    June 24, 2023 at 9:34 am

    Great photos and I can’t choose just one. Such a beautiful spot and so many fun things to see.

    Glad that a baby has not damped down your travels and adventures. Can not wait to see what is next 🥰

  2. Suzie says

    June 22, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    Too many good shots to just pick one. You look so happy with Lily in your polka dots, love the island shot and the cliffs.

    Sorry about the bird you know what. Lily is getting so big and getting ready for lots of travels. Have fun,

  3. LuAnn says

    June 22, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    So picturesque and looks like the weather was smashing.

    Never been there but would really like to add it to my “bucket list”

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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