A picture-perfect fishing harbour and quaint seaside town in West Cornwall, St Ives is an exceedingly pretty place to visit no matter the season. Its collection of white and gold sand beaches and protected coast make it popular with sunbathers, children and water sports fans alike. And those keen to explore the Atlantic further can head out to sea in search of lighthouses and seals.
For the creatives, St Ives and art go hand in hand and there are endless ways to get inspired, from a walk around Tate St Ives to workshops at the St Ives School of Painting. You can explore the natural landscape which has inspired not just artists, but locals and visitors too, with a wander around The Island, or take it further with hikes along the coast path.
Dive into the area’s rich heritage with a mosey around the local museum or have it brought to life for you with an atmospheric ghost walk. And when you’re done? Head to the oldest pub in town for something to eat.
With that in mind, here are some of our favourite things to do in St Ives…
Catch the train from St Erth
All aboard! Easily the best way to arrive in St Ives is by train. Not only one of the most beautiful train journeys in Cornwall, but the ten-minute journey from St Erth to St Ives is also one of the prettiest train rides in the world. The views are phenomenal and you can also enjoy a relaxed, leisurely arrival that captivates the whole family. Plus, it’s dog-friendly too.
Spend a day at the beach
If beach-based holidays are your cup of tea, St Ives will delight. With seven beaches to choose from, there’s a never-ending supply of inspiration for days by the sea. Young families particularly love Porthgwidden Beach for its small, sheltered layout, while surfers head to Porthmeor Beach where the north westerly position regularly serves up sets of decent waves.
If you've brought your dog on holiday, it's Bamaluz Beach you want, the main dog walking beach during the peak season. While for iconic Instagram snaps, head to St Ives Harbour Beach which features Smeaton’s Pier and the backdrop of the town behind it.
Marvel at modern art at Tate St Ives
The Tate opened its south westerly outpost in 1993, sat on the site of an old gasworks overlooking Porthmeor Beach in St Ives.
St Ives has a long and rich history with art; it became particularly notable during the Victorian era when the quality of light began to attract artists from near and far. Word spread and St Ives became somewhat of a mecca for artists looking to immerse themselves in a community of like-minded souls.
Today, Tate St Ives pays homage to modern British artists with links to the town. Past exhibitions have featured Simon Carroll, Naum Gabo, Patrick Heron and Barbara Hepworth.
Explore the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
You can't talk of artists with links to St Ives without mentioning the legendary 20th century sculptor, Barbara Hepworth.
Barbara moved to St Ives with her young family at the outbreak of war in 1939 and today you can visit her former home, The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. Carefully preserved, her studio and garden remain largely intact as they were when she lived and worked there from 1949 until her death in a fire at the studio in 1975.
Wander the garden and admire the bronze works, most of which were placed in position by the artist herself. She even laid out most of the garden, with the help of her friend and composer, Priaulx Rainier.
Buy artwork from an independent gallery
St Ives remains a large source of inspiration for many artists to this day, as evidenced by the sheer quantity of studios and independent galleries that line its streets. Treat yourself to a wander around a few to get a sense of what's on offer and take your own slice of St Ives home with you.
One of the best places to go for artistic inspiration is Porthmeor Studios. Originally built in the early 1800s for pilchard fishery, it has hosted some of the most illustrious artists working in Britain and welcomes visitors on select days for open studios and special exhibitions. Just some of its connections include Julius Olsson, Frances Hodgkins, Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, Francis Bacon and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.
Learn to paint at St Ives School of Painting
Ready to fine-tune your own creative skills? Head to St Ives School of Painting, set in historic studios overlooking the Atlantic, and learn to paint from expert artists. From one-off workshops to multi-day events, there is something for every artist.
Sip a drink at the oldest pub in town
One of the oldest pubs in Cornwall, The Sloop Inn dates back to 1312. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the popular, dog-friendly haunt sits at the top of the harbour, with a cobbled pub garden peppered with tables perfect for soaking up the sun and sea views with a drink. Inside the place smacks of history, with its dark low beams, brass pumps and timeworn slate floors.
Inside you can book a table at The Captain's table, a quieter, more intimate setting to dine. Or head to the Upper Deck, an outside, sun-soaked terrace with its own table service.
Stroll around The Island
Wedged between Porthmeor Beach and Porthgwidden Beach you'll find The Island. Jutting out into St Ives Bay and providing shelter for the harbour, this picturesque headland isn’t technically an island but is beloved as such all the same.
Handily, a path circles the perimeter of The Island making exploring easy. Pack your binoculars for your loop and you might spot gannets, seals and dolphins. Sometimes, you can even spot whales.
At the top of The Island you'll find St Nicholas Chapel, which dates back to the 15th century. The simple granite chapel used to be the main place of worship, before the main church in town was built.
Wander up and have a stroll around to discover more curiosities, including a gun battery built in 1859 to protect St Ives from potential French invasion, a coastguard lookout, and SurfHouse, a community building for workshops, film screenings and events.
Go back in time at St Ives Museum
What started off as a humble display in the corner of a library has since evolved into St Ives Museum. Winner of 'Exhibition of the Year' at the 2024 Cornwall Heritage Awards, this veritable treasure trove of a museum is packed to the rafters with interesting displays and exhibits about its beloved town. Look around and learn about the area's rich mining industry, uncover WW2 artefacts, and find out what wash day looked like backalong.
Learn local history through Barnoon Cemetery
Another way to learn about local life in times gone by is with a look around Barnoon Cemetery. Sat high up above Porthmeor Beach, it’s a peaceful spot with elegant gardens and lovely views. As you wander around, a story is told of the town’s history, from artists and wars to shipwrecks.
Learn how to make chocolate
I Should Coco is a family-run artisan chocolate shop which opened its doors in 2008. The team specialise in making artisan chocolate products by hand, using Cornish cream and local produce wherever possible. If you want to get in on the action, book a chocolate workshop - they have adult and children’s versions. And if that sounds like too much hard work for a holiday in St Ives, the tasting session might suit.
Browse bestsellers at St Ives Bookseller
A beloved independent bookshop in the heart of the High Street, St Ives Bookseller is the place to go for your bookworm needs. It's a pleasure to peruse the books on offer here, walking along the Cornish slate floors and selecting books from their oak bookcases. The children's section is especially rich, and there are always titles from local authors and independent gems on offer too, along with plenty of tales set in Cornwall.
Stroll through a garden
Need a break from the beach? St Ives is packed with pretty, petite gardens perfect for a moment of peace and solitude. Check out Trewyn Gardens, St Ives Memorial Gardens, The Malakoff, Porthminster Gardens and Norway Square.
Visit Steeple Nature Reserve
If you fancy more space to explore and don’t mind a little walk, you could head out to Steeple Woodland Nature Reserve perched above nearby Carbis Bay and overlooking the coast of St Ives. This 40-acre public space boasts woodland, heathland and glorious views out to sea.
Go on a boat trip
If you like to be beside the seaside, then how about being on the sea too? A fantastic way to enjoy the backdrop of St Ives and its surrounding coastline is by boat. The views across the town are glorious and there’s also the chance to see beautiful marine life too. To float your boat, there are plenty of options to choose from, from meandering up and down the coastline of St Ives, to heading out to Godrevy Lighthouse, to looking for seals at Seal Island. Book a trip online or keep it old school and amble down to the harbour where there are no shortage of boat reps only too happy to advise.
Watch the stone balancers
For something a bit different and perhaps a little meditative, head on down to Lambeth Walk Beach near the RNLI station in the heart of St Ives. This is a popular spot with families and dog walkers at low tide, but at high tide something rather mysterious happens. People build stone structures that appear to defy gravity. You might be lucky enough to see them in action, but if not, staring at the stones is a mind-bending way to occupy the time.
Go on a Cornish ghost walk
If you're looking for something memorable, informative and a little bit quirky, book a tour with Shanty Baba the St Ives Storyteller. With two decades of experience, he has honed his craft and regularly receives rave reviews citing his tour as a holiday highlight.
To test your nerve, you can go on a Lantern Ghost Story Walk to investigate the town's dark and haunted past. Or for something less frightening, take the Cornish Folklore Story Walk which explores the magic and myths of these parts. There are history focused tours, as well as a pirate walk during which you can expect piratical dress, swashbuckling tales, and perhaps some hidden treasure along the way.
Whether you’re feeling creative or in need of some respite by the coast, St Ives makes a wonderful holiday destination throughout the year. Explore our collection of holiday cottages in St Ives and start planning your next coastal getaway.
