St Ives Travel Guides

St Ives spotlight

Where to Stay in St Ives - From Family B&Bs to Beach View Apartments

St Ives has been a popular tourist destination for decades, and its accommodation options are plentiful, whether you’re staying in the centre or on the rural outskirts. Family-friendly hotels and B&Bs are positioned close to beaches, and self-catering apartments often feature balconies and sea views. Staying in the centre is key for many visitors, and you’re never far from a spectacular view.

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Shopping in St Ives - Art Galleries to Craft Markets

This seaside town is bursting with diverse shops, most of which line the harborfront or are tucked away down narrow cobbled alleys. You can pick up maritime souvenirs and trinkets from independent stores, or one-off jewelry pieces and artwork from galleries and working studios. Fore Street, Tregenna Place, and High Street are lined with surf shops, high street names, and designer boutiques.

What to See and Do in St Ives - Surfing, Coastal Walks, and Art

St Ives is a fantastic destination for all ages, with 4 main sandy beaches close to the town centre where you can build sandcastles, have pasty picnics, and go surfing. The coastline stretches for miles, and boat trips can provide an insight into the town’s ancient fishing industry. Galleries showcase an art scene that has been thriving for decades and attracted artists like Barbara Hepworth.

A Guide to St Ives - Gateway to Beaches and Art

Known as the jewel in Cornwall’s crown, St Ives is a seaside town with golden beaches fringed with azure waters, in the south west of England. Its name is said to have originated from the Irish missionary St la, who according to legend, drifted to Cornwall from Ireland on a leaf. Rich in seafaring history, mining heritage, and modernist art, this small resort oozes charm and is a family favorite.

Traditional Pubs, Live Music, and Beach Bars - Nightlife, and Entertainment in St Ives

St Ives might be small, but it’s buzzing with evening entertainment all year round. Fishermen and miners have been frequenting local pubs for centuries, and the town’s live music scene has taken off over recent years. Old traditional pubs sit alongside modern stylish bars on the harborfront, and beach bars provide respite from bustling streets, as well as magnificent all-weather sea views.

Family-Friendly Fun and Activities in St Ives

St Ives is a fantastic place for family fun and activities, with 4 centrally located flat, sandy beaches with calm waters. Arty activity trails at the Tate St Ives, crab fishing in rock pools, and surf lessons on Porthmeor Beach will entertain kids. Families will love boat trips and bike rides along the Zennor coastal path, followed by a scrumptious Cornish ice cream from Moomaid of Zennor on the harbor.

Arts and Culture in St Ives - From Maritime History to Modernist Art

St Ives is steeped in seafaring history that dates back to the Middle Ages, and this maritime heritage lives on in the smoked fish and local mussels dishes on show at food festivals. Culture lovers can enjoy St Ives September Festival, or February’s traditional hurling of the silver ball. Tate St Ives displays works from artists like Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson, who lived close by in the 1900s.

Where to Eat in St Ives - From Beach Dining to Traditional Pubs

Fresh seafood is plentiful in St Ives thanks to its scenic coastal setting, and the town has a wide range of gastronomic delights. Traditional pubs serve classics like fish and chips and pies, while modern restaurants have tapas platters, Cornish mussels, and steaks sourced from local farms. With seafront cafés, beach restaurants, and old-fashioned beamed ceiling pubs, there’s something to suit the taste buds and budget of every traveller.

Travel Tips for Making the Most of your Seaside Vacation in St Ives

St Ives is a thriving seaside town in Cornwall that has become famous over the centuries for fishing, mining, artists, and tourism. The area's natural beauty has inspired the works of artists such as J M W Turner and Barbara Hepworth. A working harbor is the town's hub with fishing and leisure boats, golden beaches, and seafront cafés, art galleries, gift shops, and pubs like the historic Sloop Inn.

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