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Questioning what to do in St Ives, Cornwall? Right here’s my in-depth journey information to the quirky, creative, and very picturesque seaside city…
Sitting on the entrance to the Penwith Heritage Shoreline, St Ives is an enthralling little city with tons to entice. Recognized for its quaint harbour and beautiful seashores, St Ives is ideal for a seaside vacation. It’s additionally the perfect base for exploring West Cornwall.
Throw in a thriving artwork scene – together with a beachside department of the celebrated Tate Gallery – and a unbelievable meals scene… and you’ve got a bustling cultural hub with loads to maintain guests busy.
Dwelling in Southwest England has its perks. I could also be a looooong practice trip away from London (and the airports), however I’m inside straightforward driving distance of a number of the perfect components of England. Like Cornwall – certainly one of my very favorite spots for a beachy British vacation!
As quickly as spring hit this 12 months, I received myself right down to St Ives for a beautiful, lengthy weekend of windswept cliff walks, artwork galleries, and fish n chips within the sunshine!
I used to be staying at Bay Hill Cottage, an Elements Holidays property with fairly presumably the BEST view on the town! Extra on that later on this put up.
It was an ideal weekend. There’s a lot to do in St Ives, from artwork galleries and boutique outlets to wonderful seashores and dramatic coast walks! Plus, there are many nice day journeys to find the highlights of western Cornwall.
Primarily based on quite a few journeys to west Cornwall, right here’s my information to what to do in your vacation in St Ives…
My journey to St Ives was supported by Elements Holidays. However all phrases and opinions on this put up are my very own.
What to do in St Ives if you happen to Solely Have One Day
Quick on time, or visiting St Ives as a day journey? Beneath is a fast shortlist of the can’t-miss sights and actions. Extra data on each within the subsequent part…
- Discover the Harbour and stroll by way of the Downalong to the Island.
- Go to the Tate St Ives to absorb the city’s well-known artwork scene. In case you have time, pop into a number of the city’s different galleries, too.
- Take a ship tour to seal island (you probably have time), or get energetic with a coast stroll.
- Hit the seashore!
13 Issues to do in St Ives
1. Benefit from the St Ives Seashores
For most individuals heading to St Ives, spending a day on the seashore is high of the checklist! Whether or not you wish to surf, swim, or just loosen up on a tranquil sandy seashore, St Ives has you lined…
- Porthmeor Seaside – a large sweep of sand ignored by Tate St Ives and the hunched determine of The Island (see entry quantity 3). Additionally a well-liked surf spot.
- Porthgwidden Seaside – a small, sandy cove tucked into the bottom of The Island.
- Porthminster Seaside – a large, sheltered crescent of sand with calm swimming waters and a scattering of vibrant seashore huts. Widespread with households.
- Carbis Bay – simply alongside the coast from St Ives (however nonetheless inside strolling distance), it is a stunning sheltered bay with pale golden sands backed by grass-topped dunes. Additionally a well-liked kayaking and paddleboarding spot.
2. Discover the Harbour and the Downalong
Backed by the sloping headland often called The Island (see beneath) and crammed with vibrant boats, St Ives Harbour is probably the most picturesque in Cornwall.
The small, picturesque harbour has at all times been the beating coronary heart of St Ives. Pilchard fishing was as soon as an enormous trade right here, and the quayside is stuffed with outdated pilchard curing and urgent homes. Immediately, many of those have been transformed into galleries and boutique outlets. Take a look at the Elements Holidays’ workplace webcam for a reside view of the harbourside!
St Ives Harbour is surrounded by some nice eating places, bars, and cafes. Seize a takeaway from Harbour Fish & Chips and sit on the harbourside for an al fresco dinner with a view!
Behind the harbour, alongside the ridge that leads in the direction of The Island, is a maze of jumbled, tightly-packed cobbled streets with names like The Digey and Teetotal Road. Often called The Downalong, or Down-a-Lengthy, this cluttered little neighbourhood is crammed with historic buildings and fairly whitewashed cottages. It’s cute, photogenic, and filled with character – don’t miss it.
3. Stroll to The Island
Overlooking the harbour and the Downalong, The Island isn’t actually an island in any respect however a small headland separating the harbour from Porthmeor seashore.
Skirted by jagged rocks, the highest of this grassy headland affords some unbelievable views throughout St Ives to the Bay. No shock, then, that this was as soon as residence to an historic promontory fort.
Immediately, there’s a coastguard lookout on the high, together with a tiny chapel of St Nicholas. Courting from not less than the fifteenth century, this easy, one-room granite chapel is assumed to have been used within the 18th century as a lookout by income officers conserving look ahead to smugglers.
4. Take a Boat Tour to Seal Island
West alongside the coast from St Ives is a tiny, rocky island – simply off the coast – which is residence to a colony of Atlantic gray seals.
You may really spot them from the coast path, particularly if you happen to convey binoculars – although the stroll is a troublesome one (see entry 13). However one of the best ways to see the seals is from the water!
You may take a ship tour from St Ives on a “sea safari” to identify seals both at Seal Island or Godrevy Island. There are a few tour firms leaving from the Harbour: the “Dolly P” Boat Journeys run by St Ives Boats are one of many highest rated, or there are the glass backside boat journeys on board the Nemo.
These boat excursions run from Easter to October. I used to be gutted that I couldn’t do it on my most up-to-date journey there, in March. Subsequent time!
5. Go to the Tate St Ives
Do you know that St Ives has a protracted heritage as a creative retreat? The clear mild and breathtaking pure great thing about the encircling shoreline have lengthy attracted artists to the city.
This shocking creative aspect to the small seaside city is finest explored on the Tate St Ives. Overlooking the sands of Porthmeor Seaside, the Cornish outpost of certainly one of Britain’s most prestigious artwork establishments is a must-visit whereas exploring St Ives… even when it’s simply to benefit from the gorgeous views from the exhibit halls and fourth-floor cafe!
Study extra in regards to the artists and actions that lived, labored and had been impressed by St Ives. There have been the impressionists of the Newlyn College of the Eighties, and later, the summary artists of the St Ives College within the Nineteen Forties and 50s.
DON’T MISS
Two names to look out for are Barbara Hepworth and Alfred Wallis. Dame Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) was a famed modernist sculptor and a number one determine within the St Ives College of Artwork. Wallis (1855-1942), a fisherman turned self-taught artist, started portray within the Twenties utilizing marine paints on cardboard – and his naïve type is assumed to have influenced the St Ives College.
6. Uncover an Iconic Artist on the Barbara Hepworth Museum
Dame Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth DBE (1903-1975) was one of many leaders of the colony of artists who grew to become often called the St Ives College. A modernist sculptor of giant affect, she moved to St Ives at the start of WWII – and stayed there for the remainder of her life.
Go to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Backyard in her former residence and studio to be taught extra about Hepworth’s life, work, and modernist type.
Exterior is a good looking backyard, laid out by Hepworth and stuffed together with her sculptures – a lot of which had been created proper right here in her studio. It’s a good looking, tranquil house the place artwork and nature mix – don’t miss it!
7. Go to extra of St Ives’ Galleries
The Tate and Barbara Hepworth Museum are the 2 “essential” artwork galleries in St Ives, however there’s much more to the native artwork scene. Make sure you go to just a few of those different galleries when you’re on the town.
Even if you happen to solely have a passing curiosity in artwork, these areas supply a great likelihood to discover an integral a part of St Ives’ character…
- Penwith Gallery – based by Barbara Hepworth and her St Ives College contemporaries, it is a stunning public gallery housed inside a former pilchard packing manufacturing facility.
- Livingstone – uncover up to date and fashionable artwork related to St. Ives, its creative heritage, and future course.
- St Ives Society of Artists – housed within the former Mariners Church, the Mariners Gallery showcases work by members of the society. There are additionally separate exhibitions by invited artists between the principle exhibitions. Further reveals are held at The Crypt Gallery.
- Porthminster Gallery – one of many largest and best-loved industrial artwork galleries in St Ives, displaying and promoting works by each established and rising British artists.
- Belgrave Gallery – Trendy British and Up to date Artwork, with a selected emphasis on artists related to Cornwall.
8. Stroll the St Ives Bay Coast Path
St Ives sits on the westernmost finish of St Ives Bay; a large, sweeping curve lined with stunning sandy seashores, with the wildlife-rich Hayle Estuary at its centre.
Observe the South West Coast Path from St Ives to Hayle (about 6 miles) over grass-topped sand dunes with attractive views of the bay. At Hayle Estuary, cross a historic swing bridge, loosen up on the sands at Hayle Seaside, and spot wetland birds within the RSPB Nature Reserve.
Additional alongside the bay, Godrevy Head and the long-lasting lighthouse is one other great place for a stroll. At 10 miles or so, the stroll there from St Ives is a little bit of a mission – however you could possibly take the bus or drive, then benefit from the a lot shorter stroll round Godrevy Head.
9. Benefit from the Views on Cornwall’s Most Scenic Railway
St Ives Bay can be residence to certainly one of Cornwall’s Nice Scenic Railways. The department line from St Ives to St Erth runs proper alongside the bay, with unimaginable views of the glittering ocean, earlier than following the Hayle Estuary down in the direction of St Erth.
The journey is simply round 10-Quarter-hour and prices £4 return (off-peak). So you could possibly merely spend half an hour using the railway there and again to benefit from the views. Or, if you wish to make a day of it, you could possibly take the practice to St Erth, then stroll again alongside the coast path (or vice versa).
Prime tip: for the very best views, sit on the left-hand aspect of the practice as you permit St Ives, and the right-hand aspect for the return journey from St Erth.
10. Study to Surf
Like a lot of the Cornish coast, St Ives is a main browsing vacation spot. There are a number of surf spots close by, together with Sennen Cove and Gwithian Seaside.
Porthmeor Seaside, on the west-facing aspect of the city, is good for rookies. The seashore will get constant Atlantic swells – but additionally enjoys safety from the wind because of the shelter of The Island. That is the place you’ll discover the St Ives Surf College – which provides group and personal classes for rookies, improvers, and extra superior surfers.
11. Kayak and Paddleboard in St Ives Bay
The extra sheltered waters in St Ives Bay is probably not suited to browsing, however they’re a great place to take pleasure in some gentler watersports reminiscent of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Two of the very best spots are Carbis Bay, with its vast sandy seashores, and the Hayle Estuary, the place the encircling marshes are wealthy with birdlife.
Hire a kayak or paddleboard and hit the bay for a calming paddle. You may rent gear and ebook excursions and classes at Ocean Sports activities Centre in Carbis Bay.
12. Pop into St Ives Museum for Some Native Historical past
If you wish to be taught slightly extra in regards to the space’s historical past, head to the St Ives Museum on the coronary heart of the Downalong. Uncover an intriguing assortment of artefacts regarding the industries which have fueled St Ives through the years: pilchard fishing and curing, mining, and boat constructing.
Sadly, the museum wasn’t open once I visited. Like many vacationer sights in Cornwall, the St Ives Museum solely opens from Easter to October. However this volunteer-run museum appears like an amazing place to spend an hour or two shopping the eclectic assortment.
13. Hike to Zennor
Surrounded on three sides by the epic, long-distance South West Coast Path (SWCP), Cornwall is FULL of nice coastal hikes to go well with all talents. Beginning proper from St Ives, the hike to Zennor Head takes in some dramatic (and steep) cliffs with unimaginable views – and the possibility to identify seals!
That is a tough, however rewarding 6-mile hike following the SWCP (signposted with an acorn waymarker. You may return alongside the gentler inland route for a 12-mile spherical journey, or come again by bus (these are rare so verify timetables earlier than setting out).
As you cross the headland in entrance of Seal Island, you might nicely spot just a few gray seals swimming within the bay or basking on the seashore just under you. However please don’t stroll onto the seashore itself – disturbing the seals might result in moms abandoning their pups.
A warning!
This hike just isn’t for the faint-hearted. I’m used to the SWCP and located it a wrestle! There are a number of sections the place you’ll have to scramble over boulders, in addition to some fairly steep climbs up and down. I strongly suggest climbing boots, and presumably some climbing poles too (my knees wished I had some!). For those who don’t suppose the total hike is for you, you may drive or take the bus to Zennor and do a shorter round route round Zennor Head as an alternative.
Issues to do Close to St Ives
14. Take a Day Journey to Land’s Finish
One in every of Cornwall’s most well-known landmarks is inside straightforward attain of St Ives. Land’s Finish – mainland Britain’s most southwesterly level – is simply half-hour drive from the seaside city, so it makes an excellent little day journey.
You don’t want lengthy to discover Land’s Finish. Take a photograph with the long-lasting signpost, have a wander across the outlets, and ship a postcard from the 1st & Final Submit Field. There’s a restaurant and a number of other sights, together with indoor loopy golf, a 4D Movie, and the interactive Aardman presents: A Grand Expertise.
If you wish to make a day of it, remember to go for a cliff stroll. Following the South West Coast Path in both course will take you alongside gorgeous clifftops. You may even uncover a shipwreck: the MV RMS Mulheim, which was wrecked at Gamper Bay in 2003.
Prime tip: the carpark prices £7:50. A less expensive various is to park at close by Sennen Harbour Automobile Park and stroll the coast path (about half-hour) to Land’s Finish.
15. Discover the Penwith Heritage Shoreline
Land’s Finish is simply one of many many sights alongside the Penwith Heritage Shoreline, the westernmost a part of the Cornwall Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence.
This gorgeous, sparsely populated shoreline begins simply west of St Ives and skirts the peninsula all the way in which in the direction of Penzance on the southern coast.
There are distant seashores, rugged cliffs, granite moorland hills, and tiny fishing villages to find. Take a hike alongside the South West Coast Path, or head inland do discover the peninsula’s historic stays just like the Carn Euny Historical Village and the Merry Maidens Stone Circle.
Don’t miss the Minack Theatre on the southern coast, in Porthcurno. Carved right into a clifftop, this out of doors theatre hosts common reveals and occasions all year long.
16. Hop on and Off the Land’s Finish Coaster
The Penwith Heritage Shoreline is usually a great place for a street journey. However if you happen to can’t – or just don’t wish to – drive, there’s a unbelievable various.
Land’s Finish Coaster is a hop-on, hop-off, open-top double decker bus service which circuits the Penwith peninsula. Operating in a large circle between St Ives, Penzance, Land’s Finish, and St Simply – with a number of extra stops in between – it is a nice method to get across the peninsula.
In reality, it could possibly merely be a enjoyable exercise all by itself: sit on the highest deck and watch the countryside and shoreline roll by! Widespread stops embody Geevor Tin Mine, the Minack Theatre, and Maraizon (for St Michael’s Mount).
17. Go to Godrevy Level
On the jap aspect of St Ives Bay, Godrevy Level is one other unbelievable day journey. With miles of golden sands, clifftop walks, and many wildlife, there’s one thing for everybody right here.
The towering headland is coated in wildflowers in spring, particularly purple Phacelia. In summer time, the heathlands are filled with butterflies, together with the tremendous uncommon silver-studded blue butterflies. Godrevy can be residence to gray seals, which might usually be noticed swimming off the headland or resting on the seashore. On high of all that, it is a birdwatching paradise, with one thing to see all 12 months spherical.
Simply off the headland stands Godrevy Lighthouse: inbuilt 1859 to mark a harmful reef. Literature followers gained’t wish to miss it: Godrevy was the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse. Though the novel was set on the Isle of Skye, the landscapes had been based mostly on Godrevy, as Woolf’s dad and mom owned a home in St Ives and the creator spent her childhood summers there.
What to do in St Ives within the Rain
Sadly, this being England, sunshine and seashore climate isn’t at all times assured in Cornwall! Fortunately, quite a lot of the actions and sights talked about above are nice in any climate. However right here’s a fast shortlist of the very best issues to do in St Ives when it rains…
- Discover the Tate St Ives. There’s quite a bit to see so you may simply whereas away just a few hours right here – and the views from the galleries and upstairs cafe are unbelievable!
- Take shelter within the different St Ives galleries, particularly the Penwith and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. Don’t neglect the others talked about above, too!
- Get pleasure from a basic cream tea in one of many quite a few cafes. The Porthmeor Seaside Cafe has a conservatory with nice views in any climate.
- Head to the indoor St Ives Farmer’s Market on a wet Thursday morning to browse native produce. The market is held in The Guildhall each Thursday from 9:30 to 2pm.
- Loosen up with a spa day at one of many native lodges. Attempt St Ives Harbour Resort, Una Resort, and Carbis Bay Resort.
- Study one thing new! There are many enjoyable lessons in St Ives, together with artwork lessons at Barnoon Workshop and Porthmeor Studios, chocolate-making workshops at I Ought to Coco, and yoga lessons with St Ives Yoga.
The place to Keep in St Ives
There are just a few lodges and B&Bs in St Ives – however personally, I’d suggest reserving one of many many self-catering cottages discovered all through the city.
These are an amazing choice, as they afford more room and really feel rather more homely! Self-catering helps reduce prices, too, as you don’t need to eat out for each meal. And staying in slightly “residence away from residence” comes with some useful conveniences – like accessing a washer after a protracted day on the seashore!
On my vacation in St Ives, I stayed at a surprising self-catering vacation cottage from Elements Holidays. They’ve a whole lot of cottages all throughout Cornwall, together with numerous actually beautiful ones in St Ives.
Elements Holidays are a small, native firm based mostly in Cornwall, with an enormous portfolio of lovely vacation cottages throughout the county. Being an area firm means an amazing, pleasant workforce of workers who you may belief to provide you all the very best info.
Bay Hill Cottage St Ives
I stayed at Bay Hill Cottage: a stunning, white-washed cottage on a quiet lane on the hill above Porthminster Seaside. Unfold throughout three flooring, this cosy, characterful cottage had essentially the most unimaginable views throughout the seashore and harbour in the direction of St Ives.
It’s been a very long time since I used to be that blown away by a view from a vacation residence! Away from the home windows, although, the entire property was superbly embellished. There was an ideal mixture of contemporary, up to date feels and cute, cosy cottage vibes. Plus numerous ocean-blue hues and seaside nods right here and there!
Regardless of trying fairly small from the skin, the property was extremely spacious. The center flooring is at road stage on the entrance, with a small twin room and a comfy lounge – full with a comfy fuel fireplace and two reclining chairs positioned in entrance of the large window.
As a result of the property is on a hill, the downstairs kitchen and eating room – gorgeously embellished with blue tiles and many vibrant native art work – opens out into the again road. There are huge French doorways to profit from that unimaginable view. I cherished throwing these open within the morning to sip my espresso within the sunshine while watching the waves crashing on the seashore beneath!
Upstairs is the toilet (small however very nicely laid out) and two double bedrooms. Each had been beautiful, with calming colors and cosy double beds. However the master suite, behind the home, has the view! There’s nothing fairly like waking as much as a sea view – it was very arduous to pull myself off the bed within the mornings!
Bay Hill Cottage genuinely blew me away! I’d fortunately suggest it to anybody in search of a vacation cottage in St Ives.
Finest Time to Go to St Ives
For the strongest likelihood of fine climate and sunshine, summer time is the very best time to go to St Ives. Nonetheless, summer time can be peak season, which implies increased costs, busy seashores, and extra bookings.
For those who are visiting in summer time, attempt to ebook as far upfront as attainable, as a result of lodging can get booked up fairly shortly! This additionally applies to British financial institution holidays, faculty half phrases, and the Easter holidays.
For those who favor a quieter journey, the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn will also be a good time to go to St Ives. Costs are typically decrease and also you’ll discover the city much less crowded – excluding the Easter Holidays. Plus, the cooler temperatures are perfect for climbing the South West Coast Path.
The way to Get to St Ives
The way to get to St Ives actually is determined by the place you’re coming from. Beneath are the finest methods to succeed in the city from London – however you may choose these companies up at numerous spots – together with Exeter and Plymouth – alongside the way in which.
Practice:
Trains from London Paddington take round 5.5 to six hours, altering at St Erth for the scenic department line (see entry quantity 9 above).
Alternatively, you may take the Evening Riviera Sleeper – certainly one of simply two sleeper trains within the UK. It leaves London Paddington at 23:45 and arrives into St Erth at 07:46, simply in time so that you can catch the primary department line service to St Ives.
Bus:
That is typically essentially the most cost-effective method to attain St Ives. Nationwide Categorical function a long-distance bus service from London Victoria Coach Station to Cornwall. Nonetheless, they don’t name at St Ives, so that you’ll have to take a bus to St Erth or Hayle, then change for an area bus (or take the practice from St Erth). The quickest is a direct in a single day bus (8 hours 20 minutes to St Erth). Daytime companies require a change at Plymouth Coach Station.
Automobile:
Take both the M4 then M5 from London in the direction of Exeter (or the A303 is an efficient various if there are visitors points on the motorway). Go away the M5 motorway simply after Exeter at Junction 31 and be a part of the A30, which you’ll comply with all the way in which to the Hayle Bypass – the place you’ll choose up street indicators for St Ives.
Visitors
Most guests to Cornwall have a tendency to come back by automobile. Whereas that is most likely the simplest and quickest method to attain St Ives, visitors throughout the county is usually a nightmare in peak season! All that congestion causes points for each the locals and the atmosphere – so if you happen to can, journey at quieter instances of the day, or come by public transport as an alternative.
St Ives Street Journey Route
For a slower, extra scenic driving route – and one of many UK’s finest street journeys – head to Tub and choose up the A39.
Nicknamed the Atlantic Freeway, this winding street will take you thru the gorgeous Exmoor Nationwide Park, then on to the gorgeous bays and seashores lining the coast from Barnstaple to Bude.
Newquay Airport to St Ives
For those who’re coming from additional afield, the simplest method to attain St Ives is perhaps to fly into Newquay Airport – then choose up a rental automobile or take public transport to your last vacation spot.
Newquay Airport is round an hour’s drive to St Ives (relying on visitors circumstances). There’s no direct public transport, sadly, so that you’d have to take a bus into Newquay, then take the practice (through Par) to St Erth, and at last the scenic Department Line to St Ives (see entry quantity 9 for more information on that). Alternatively, you may pre-book a taxi switch: the official airport taxi firm is Shoreline Journey.
Newquay Airport has hyperlinks with quite a few locations inside the UK (in addition to just a few European cities). These embody London Gatwick and Stanstead, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, Belfast, and a number of other extra.
Extra on Cornwall and Close by
I hope you discovered this information to St Ives and what to do when you’re visiting useful! In case you have longer to spend in Cornwall and South West England, you may take pleasure in a few of my different weblog posts:
25 Locations to Go to on the South Coast of England
St Agnes & North Cornwall Journey Information
Finest Locations to Go to in South Devon
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