Things to do in St Ives
In recent years St Ives, formerly a small fishing town, has rightly earned itself a reputation as one of the UK’s cultural capitals.
With so many fantastic restaurants, galleries (including Tate St Ives), museums, shops, surf schools, beaches and scenic walks to choose from, here are just some of the St Ives highlights to whet your appetite.
Beaches in St Ives
With so many stunning beaches to choose from in St Ives you are spoiled for choice, St Ives is certainly the place to be. You’ll have your pick of four main beaches, each within walking distance of the town. While there are plenty of choices, Porthmeor is the most popular with surfers. There’s also Porthminister Beach, our favourite and perfectly located near to train and bus transport links. If you are looking for a more secluded option then we recommend Porthgwidden Beach, tucked away in the corner of Downalong and, as such, can be a quiet spot. With its own beach huts Porthgwidden Beach is the perfect family friendly beach.
Art Galleries
Art lovers should definitely make sure that they visit Tate St Ives. This branch of the art brand has been open to the public since 1993 and is incredibly popular with tourists and locals. Indeed, even the architecture of the building itself is absolutely glorious. The building overlooks Porthmeor beach and the circular entrance is nothing short of iconic. Of course, indoors there is charm to spare with stunning collections of contemporary art. You will also find that there is a focus on St Ives School as well as famed artists like Alfred Wallis.
The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in St Ives, showcases inspiring sculptures, paintings and drawings. Discover more about this leading figure of modern British art. In 1949 Barbara Hepworth created a studio and sculpture garden in St Ives where she lived and worked for the rest of her life.
If you would prefer to get a more hands-on experience, you can book an art course with the St Ives School of Painting, or try one of their drop-in life drawing sessions.
Eating out in St Ives
There are so many amazing restaurants in St Ives to choose from. Enjoy locally sourced fresh food whilst taking in the breath-taking views of St Ives. From seafood restaurants, burgers bars, Italian eateries, cafes and local pubs.
Take a look at our blog post Best Restaurants In St Ives With Sea Views.
Bringing your four-legged friend to one of our properties? Check out our guide to Dog Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in St Ives.
Shopping in St Ives
St Ives is wonderfully quaint and it is an absolute delight simply wandering around the cobbled streets. There are many streets that are visual treats but you definitely need to make time to see Fore Street. With some lovely little independent shops you can buy everything here from designer clothing to fudge, bookstores, craft shops, home furnishing and outdoor camping shops to bespoke gift shops.
If you’re looking for locally sourced Cornish produce then visit The Allotment Deli on Fore Street.
The deli stock a wide range of Cornish produce including award winning salamis, cheeses, olives and Cornish pies. They also offer vegan treats to choose from, plus a range of speciality gluten free foods.
Boat Trips
St Ives offers a range of different boat trips, fast ribrides, boat hire, kayak and paddleboard hire, seal Island, fishing and godrevy lighthouse trips and now a glass bottom boat called Nemo, so you can even see the underwater sealife around the coastline of St Ives.
Surfing & Watersports
If you are keen to learn how to surf then you couldn’t have picked a better spot. It’s true to say that Cornwall is the surfing capital of the UK and St Ives is the prime point to try your luck on the waves. This surfing destination is available all year round and skilled surfers are always keen to try ‘the boiler’ come winter. This is quite a challenging wave but there are opportunities for those who weren’t brought up on a surfboard to take a shot as well, particularly if you visit in summer when Porthmeor provides the perfect spot for new surfers. Regardless of whether you’re an amateur or an avid, experienced surfer, you will always find a spot nearby offering the equipment that you need. The St Ives Surf School is highly regarded as one of the best places to learn to surf in Cornwall. It’s a must do if staying in St Ives.
If your staying in one of our properties in Carbis Bay then check out Ocean Sports Centre which is located on the right hand side of Carbis Bay Beach.
Whether you want to try stand up Paddleboarding, kayaking or Canoeing there is something for everyone.