Porthgwidden Beach at St Ives is the smallest and the most popular for small children, convenient for the town there is also a good restaurant the Porthgwidden Cafe at the head of the beach which even does barbecues in the summer. The walk up the hill to The Island is where you will find St Nicholas Chapel which dates back to the turn of the century. There is also The Lookout which dates back to earlier St Ives history as a smugglers watch and also as a lookout for pilchards.

On a clear day, of which there are many in St Ives, the views are outstanding in both directions. The photo below shows Porthgwidden Beach and behind it Porthminster beach. At the top of the picture is Carbis Bay beach. The view in this direction extends to Godrevy Lighthouse and Trevose Head near Padstow. In the other direction is Clodgy Point and the rough cliffs of Zennor. The South West Coast extends all the way past to Lands End and The Lizard most of the walks having spectacular views.