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Old Arch Cottage at The Digey, St Ives

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Dating back to 1760, this traditional fisherman’s cottage is now a beautifully renovated home that tucks itself away on the cobbled Digey in the sought-after Downalong area of St Ives, creating a gorgeous seaside retreat for family holidays.

Laid out over two floors, Old Arch Cottage is deceptively spacious, and though refurbished to an exceptional standard, it still retains many of its wonderful original features. Exposed stone and inset pilchard smoking boxes nod to the property’s humble provenance, while the reclaimed ships’ timbers used for the ceiling beams and fireplace add a sense of cosiness and charm. On the ground floor at street level, there's a lovely open plan lounge / diner as well as a superb separate kitchen.

About Old Arch Cottage at The Digey

Dating back to 1760, this traditional fisherman’s cottage is now a beautifully renovated home that tucks itself away on the cobbled Digey in the sought-after Downalong area of St Ives, creating a gorgeous seaside retreat for family holidays.

Laid out over two floors, Old Arch Cottage is deceptively spacious, and though refurbished to an exceptional standard, it still retains many of its wonderful original features. Exposed stone and inset pilchard smoking boxes nod to the property’s humble provenance, while the reclaimed ships’ timbers used for the ceiling beams and fireplace add a sense of cosiness and charm. On the ground floor at street level, there's a lovely open plan lounge / diner as well as a superb separate kitchen. Also on this floor, a shower room makes for speedy de-sanding after days spent down on the beach. Upstairs are the family bathroom and two bedrooms which include an airy master with comfortable king size bed and Smart TV, and a children’s room with plenty of books to read, a window seat with cushions, and a triple bunk bed. Guests who enjoy sunshine dining have their own open courtyard with a table and seating to the side of the cottage.

Possibly one of Cornwall’s most famous coastal towns, St Ives is a dream holiday destination with excellent eateries, shops and galleries. Best known for its picturesque harbour and iconic Tate St Ives art gallery which sits right on Porthmeor beach, there are many other family-friendly attractions in the area too like the Trewyn Sub Tropical Gardens and The Barbara Hepworth studio and garden. The clear turquoise water of the bay invites visitors to surf, paddle-board, swim or kayak all year round while sandy beaches like Porthmeor and Porthminster are terrific for sandcastle building, sunbathing and strolling. And if you fancy exploring slightly further afield, the coastline around St Ives Bay offers walking routes along the coast path with stunning sea views, as well as a clutch of other beautiful beaches including Carbis Bay, Upton Towans and Gwithian.
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Need To Know

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Local Insights: The Digey

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

St Ives, Cornwall

Weather & Local Conditions

16Β°C

Mainly clear

Updated: 23 Jul 2026, 3:25am

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16.00Β°C
Temperature
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10 km/h
Wind Speed
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95%
Humidity
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Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever July throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • βœ“ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for long days out, gardens and BBQs
  • βœ“ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • βœ“ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • βœ“ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
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Rainy Day Tip: A luxury cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film beats a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

The Digey sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

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3
4
5
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9
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Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • βœ“ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • βœ“ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • βœ“ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • βœ“ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
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Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share of an evening.

Location & Elevation

15m

(49 feet above sea level)

The Digey sits in a peaceful Cornwall setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a luxury escape.

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15m
Elevation
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St Ives
Nearest Village
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Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • βœ“ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • βœ“ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • βœ“ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • βœ“ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
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Driving Note: The roads to St Ives are typical Cornwall lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.2150917Β° N | Longitude: 5.4811149Β° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for St Ives (Friday, 31 July 2026):

4:36am

Sunrise

7:20pm

Golden Hour

8:20pm

Sunset

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4:36am
Sunrise
πŸŒ‡
8:20pm
Sunset
πŸ“Έ
7:20pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • βœ“ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • βœ“ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • βœ“ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • βœ“ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
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Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (7:20pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

July Daylight

This month in St Ives, you have approximately 15.73 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at The Digey.

Mobile Phone Signal

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Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

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Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

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Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Cornwall. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 23 Jul 2026 | Location: 50.2150917, -5.4811149

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their stay at The Digey

Getting To The Digey

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Is The Digey Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
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Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The Digey

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The Digey

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