In a tightly contested field, St Ives is one of the most idyllic coastal towns in all of Cornwall, a fact that you'll come to appreciate when gazing out the bay window in the living room of this home. From the comfort of a cosy chair, you can gaze out across the glistening bay and beaches in the distance. Swivel around in your seat and you'll find a home that keeps it reassuringly safe and simple with the design, with white walls, wooden floors and the odd piece of nautically themed artwork making for a space that's instantly calming. The glossy kitchen is clearly influenced by the trend for all things minimalist, while the boxy bathtubs upstairs share similar traits – and offer a lovely way to finish the day. When it comes to seeing the best of the locale, you're in an excellent position to do so. Porthmeor Beach is only a seven-minute walk away and the Tate art gallery sits close by, too. Even closer to home – three minutes on foot, to be precise – you can get a primer on the work and life of Barbara Hepworth at the museum and sculpture garden dedicated to her art. Home truths: *The home is spread out over two floors with both of the bedrooms on the upper level *There's one allocated parking space available for guests and there's a paid car park a few minutes' walk from the home at which you can buy a weekly permit *Your host can provide a cot for free upon request