Art galleries don’t get much more family friendly than Tate St Ives, and its Walkabout Talkabout event this Easter will make it even more accessible for younger visitors.

Families will be able to join a member of the learning team for an extra special journey into the current exhibition, bringing the attraction to life for visitors of all ages.

The service is free with admission, and there’s no need to book in advance, just ask to take advantage of the event when you arrive. Walkabout Talkabout will be running on the dates below at 11am:

The many branch lines of the West Country remain one of the rail world’s pleasures, and if you haven’t started the year resolving to ride at least one then you may just miss out.  Not only are they a great way to enjoy some of the views along the way, but journeys such as the route between Lelant and St Ives in Cornwall are also a handy tool for hikers who fancy a one-way stroll.

Our St Ives holiday cottages are often filled with hikers keen to see the stunning coastline of the bay from every angle, and this classic walking route is hiker heaven, as you can walk right beside the ocean-side railway and then hop on a train for the return journey. The coast path and the railway follow the coastline closely, so whichever you choose you’ll have uninterrupted views of the beautiful St Ives. Trains between St Ives and Lelant run every hour and the journey takes ten minutes.

The ancient village of Lelant is five miles from St Ives, and legend has it that most of the ancient village was buried under the sands. It’s said that the Norman arch still visible in the present church is that all remains of the former version of the village, so have a think about the Cornish history you could be walking above as you trudge your way through the dunes.

The height of luxury for any aspiring millionaire has to be the outdoor pool.  Typically these are found on the continent, but increasingly luxury self-catering properties are making waves in the UK with their own pools. With a summer that's predicted to be a ‘scorcher' by the MET office, Blue Chip Holidays has found a selection of available properties in July and August that have access to heated outdoor pools; just the tonic for a hot summer of fun!

Inow and Polurrian, St Ives

Inow and  are set within the magnificent Tregenna Castle Estate situated in the picturesque town of St Ives. There is an extensive leisure centre with a spa and hair salon, fully equipped gym, indoor and outdoor heated pools, sauna, jacuzzi, squash, table tennis, croquet, tennis and badminton courts plus a 16 hole golf course with views overlooking the fantastic St Ives coastline. Set within 72 acres of garden and woodland, and with direct access to Porthminster beach, it's the perfect place to escape for a beach break with that extra touch of luxury.

And if that's not enough, Inow and Polurrian are ideally positioned for days out exploring the beautiful county of Cornwall and all its delights, including the Eden Project, Tate Gallery, Newquay Zoo, Land's End, as well as the county's historical monuments and castles.

With over 700km of coastline and 300 beaches, Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. The county caters particularly well for those looking for self-catering accommodation, with hundreds of cottages, barn conversions and town houses available all year round.

St Ives from the air
St Ives is considered to be one of the premier destinations in Cornwall. Its breathtaking setting and legendary special ‘light' have made the ancient fishing port a magnet for artists and craftspeople for centuries. But art isn't the only attraction to St Ives. Its location makes it a perfect base for exploring the beauty of south Cornwall, the Atlantic coast and the sandy beaches that surround the town. Cottages and town houses in St Ives provide a warm, homely atmosphere for self-catering holidays, and the amenities are plentiful and of superb quality. There are also plenty of activities to keep both young and old occupied - from a round of golf to surfing, walking, riding and diving. Although St Ives is still home to a small fishing fleet, many of the boats have now been replaced with pleasure boats, which can be chartered for a spot of deep-sea fishing or a gentle cruise around the coast.

The labyrinth of lanes give visitors the perfect chance to explore galleries, boutiques and shops selling locally made crafts, and delicatessens can provide the self-caterer with some of the choicest selections of local produce. If you fancy a break from cooking on your self-catering break, St Ives also plays host to some superb restaurants, all serving the very best in Cornish cuisine.

Padstow is located further up the north Cornish coast and is another fishing port with a long and diverse history. The home of smugglers and fishermen, it still holds on to traditions that go back to pre-Christian times. The May Day celebrations are famous, and visitors are welcome (although you have to be born and bred in Padstow to take part in the dancing). The picturesque village tumbles down the rolling hills to the port, where the fleet can still be seen bringing in the catch in the early morning. Padstow has a rich selection of self-catering accommodation, from small fisherman's cottages perfect for a romantic weekend break for two, to larger conversions for family or group holidays. The north Cornish coastline is dramatic and rocky, but there are sandy beaches for families to enjoy just along the coast.

I decided to sample the public transport for my trip down to St Ives although this did involve a very early start! The train journey from Newton Abbot to St Erth passed quickly with the help of a very good book and some very pretty views over parts of Devon and Cornwall you would not normally see by car.

Arriving at St Erth I was met by Jodie who took me for a well earned coffee at the local Tesco’s, which is a few minutes’ drive away from Tregenna Castle Estate which was where our meeting would be taking place. This is the second time I have visited Tregenna and the stunning views of wide open space and down to St Ives beach are still breathtaking and better than I remembered.

Continuing along the drive way you approach Tregenna Castle itself which is extremely impressive. Jodie and I met with Sheila, Wendy and James where we discussed pricing and how our bookings would work and James told us about their future plans for Tregenna. The pool area is currently undergoing some refurbishment which meant the swimming pool had to be emptied and to refill it was going to cost around £5000. For the summer months they are planning to have a kids club with entertainment provided by a magician. There is plenty of things for all the family to do on Tregenna Estate if the weather is not kind!

We have just signed up some new properties in St Ives.  They are on the Tregenna Estate which has a fantastic elevated position overlooking the town and harbour. On site are restaurants, bars, pools and a golf course - plenty to keep both young and old entertained.

Close at hand are some great beaches and for a day out St Michaels Mount is only a short drive away, as is the Minack Theatre.

The properties will be available for booking via the website shortly so remember to check out our St Ives Self Catering page to be one of the first to stay at these new properties.