St Ives is unique and unlike anywhere else in Britain, this comes from its fishing traditions, artistic inheritance and tourism industry. Its fishing port is typically Cornish; it also has wonderful sandy beaches and numerous art galleries including Tate St Ives. The cobbled alleyways and lanes have intriguing names such as Salubrious Terrace, Teetotal Street and The Digey this all adds to the charm of St Ives.
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Our favorite places to visit and things to do in St Ives
Tate St Ives was opened in 1993 and stands above Porthmeor Beach the paintings on display are by leading artists of the St Ives School. The rooftop cafe is an ideal place to enjoy the panorama.
In the former Mariners Church is the St Ives Society of Artists Gallery and it is the place to see contemporary work by the Society’s members.
Sculptor Barbara Hepworth was the centre of the mid 20th C art scene in St Ives, her studio and sculpture garden offer an insight into her life and work.
The Leach Pottery established by one of Britain’ most famous and influential potters, Bernard Leach is where you can see some of his work and watch contemporary ceramicists at work.
St Ives Museum, hidden away in the old streets in the heart of the town covers every aspect of local history, from geology and archaeology to mining, fishing, farming and shipwrecks.
Trewyn subtropical gardens in the heart of St Ives are a quiet retreat and a peaceful spot for a picnic even in high season.
The beaches of Porthminster and Porthmeor are both in the town. Porthminster is in the south of the town is sheltered and calm, great for swimming and building sandcastles. Porthmeor is at the eastern end and is more popular with surfers.
St Ives is difficult for cars to drive through because of the narrow streets, it is best to park at a ‘park and ride’ or take the train from Lelant one of the most scenic train journeys, past the golden sands of Hayle Towans and Carbis Bay before arriving in St Ives.
Visit in September when there is the 15 day September Festival which features comedy, tribute bands, local folk music and African dance.
As well as the beaches in the town of St Ives, there are many along St Ives Bay; Carbis Bay, Hayle Towans, Porth Kidney Sands, Gwithian and Godrevy. The eastern part of the bay from Porth Kidney to Godrevy is 5km of an unbroken sandy beach backed by sand dunes. At Godrevy there is the famous lighthouse on Godrevy Head which is said to have inspired Virginia Woolf to write ‘To the Lighthouse’.