• Stunning family-friendly beaches
• Fantastic galleries and craft shops
• Working fishing port

St Ives has been renowned throughout the South West for many years for its dual fishing and artistic heritage and now as a family-friendly holiday destination. This small but picturesque town boasts three superb beaches all perfect for family-fun or romantic picnics, plus the harbour beach where you can sit and watch the local fishermen. The harbour is a hive of activity with fishing and sailing being the main focus coupled with and the hustle and bustle of open fronted restaurants and people watching the world go by.

The pretty narrow streets of St Ives are brimming with galleries, craft shops, restaurants and cafes all just waiting to be discovered. The main street is pedestrianised with narrow lanes branching off towards the harbour where you will find a large choice of cafes and restaurants; the perfect place to relax with a drink and a bite to eat whilst enjoying the breathtaking view.

Situated in the 'downalong' district of St Ives, the heart of the town's traditional fishing community, the modern architecture of the Tate St Ives over looking Porthmeor Beach is a pleasant contrast. It is home to an inspiring collection of both modern and contemporary art and also includes The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Food and Drink

St Ives is blessed with lots of excellent restaurants, many of which serve locally caught fresh fish. Whether you fancy fish and chips on the sea front or a fine dining experience every taste is catered for. Choices include: traditional, seafood, Mexican, Indian, Italian and Chinese.

Of course a trip to Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without tasting a traditional Cornish pasty and delicious cream tea. Stoll down to the harbour and in the summer months the seafront cafes and restaurants fold back their picture windows to reveal a true al-fresco dining experience; watch the world go by and enjoy a coffee and indulgent homemade cake.

Family Attractions

St Ives is an attraction in itself with its sparking turquoise waters, golden sands, superb scenery, galleries and history much can be enjoyed without having to spend a penny. Within the town there is also a cinema and fitness and leisure centre with a large swimming pool for rainy day activities. Some attractions you many enjoy include:

Tate Gallery
Overlooking the beautiful Porthmeor Beach the Tate St Ives boasts a fantastic display of art created in and associated with Cornwall by both local and national artists.

Cornish Mines
For a day away from the beach why not discover the heritage of the Cornish mines and take a tour of one of the many tin mines in the area. Follow in the footsteps of 18th century miners and you will be amazed to find tiny tunnels and deep shafts where boys as young as 12 used to work.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
A wonderful exhibition dedicated to the life, work and memory of the 20th century sculptor, Dame Barbara Hepworth.

Paradise Park
A fabulous day out for the whole family. Enjoy in amazement the spectacular bird displays such as the Free Flying Bird Show which features Billy the cockatoo flying into the crowd to collect money!! There are also eagles, falcons and owls on display.

Shopping

The narrow cobbled streets lined with watercolour cottages and colourful flowers make St Ives a wonderful place to meander around and browse the eclectic mix of crafts shops, galleries, boutiques, gift shops and delicatessens.

For the more essential day-to-day items and provisions there are a few speciality food shops plus a Co-op local, Boots the chemist and several banks in the town centre. Further out of town (on the way into St Ives from Carbis Bay) you’ll find a large Tesco supermarket.

History & Heritage

As the most important port on the north coast, St Ives is probably most well-known for its ancient fishing history however equally as important is its mining and artistic heritage.

St Ives is not only an ancient fishing town, but it was also an important port for moving Tin from the mines in the area. You can still see the prehistoric remains and the haunting ruins of the once great tin and copper mining industries, which flourished throughout the area.

The moving of this tin was a dangerous profession and, while it was vital to the industry of the area, many lost their lives with numerous ships being wrecked off the coast of St Ives. Since the decline of fishing and tin mining the town is now a popular holiday destination.

Since the 19th Century St Ives has built up a reputation for being one of the country’s finest locations for artists to retreat and be inspired. The area draws in traditional, contemporary and modernist artists with several schools that offer the chance to have tuition. And, with such fascinating and inspirational scenery it’s not difficult to see why many artists never leave!

Beach Guide

With one of the mildest climates in Britain St Ives is fantastic for beach life and outdoor activities. There are 5 fabulous beaches with beautiful golden sands to choose from in the area, all of which have good accessibility and facilities such as a cafe, toilets, showers and parking.

Why not spend the day playing one the beach a game of cricket or Frisbee is sure to entertain everyone. And if that gets too much, relax with a tasty picnic, a good book and maybe an afternoon snooze.

Porthminster Beach
A sheltered Blue Flag Beach with ½ a mile of golden sands to play on. Facilities include toilets, a shop, cafe and safe bathing with lifeguards during the summer months. Dog are not permitted between Easter and October.

Porthmeor Beach
A Blue Flag Beach that is excellent for surfing and families. Facilities include showers, toilets, a shop, cafe and safe bathing with lifeguards during the summer months. Dog are not permitted between Easter and October.

Porthgwidden Beach
A small sheltered cove with safe bathing and a cafe. Dog are not permitted between Easter and October.

Harbour Beach
Low tide reveals a sheltered sandy beach that is popular with families as it is close to all amenities. This is a working harbour and while there are many interesting activities to watch it can also be dangerous for young children to be left unsupervised. Dog are not permitted between Easter and October.

Carbis Bay
About a mile outside of St Ives this sheltered sandy Blue Flag Beach provides safe bathing and is ideal for waterskiing and windsurfing. Facilities include showers, toilets, a shop, cafe and lifeguards during the summer months. Dog are not permitted between Easter and October.

Events and Entertainment

Throughout the year Cornwall is host to many exciting events including:

• Kidz R Us Theatre – A small theatre in the centre of St Ives puts on a full programme of shows throughout the year.
• The Hall for Cornwall – Enjoy a unique selection of music, dance, drama, comedians and Christmas pantomimes at Cornwall’s largest theatre.
• Royal Cornwall show - The Premier event of the year includes trade stands, exhibitions, displays and a floral marquee; something for all the family.
• Hurling of the Silver Ball on Feast Monday in February - At 10.30am on Feast Monday the silver ball is thrown from the wall of the Parish Church. Once the ball is caught by a member of the crowd below, it is passed from one to another on the beaches and streets of the town. Whoever is in possession of the ball when the clock strikes noon receives the traditional reward of five shillings.
• St Ives September Festival – A two week festival of art and music featuring a wide and diverse range of events and activities including talks, films, poetry, jazz, classical, rock and folk music.

Activities

St Ives offers many exciting activities in and around the town. Stop off at St Ives surf centre and take a half a day’s tuition to learn this fantastically exhilarating sport – it can even be done when it’s raining! Or for a more leisurely pace (with superb views) why not enjoy a round of golf at the Tregenna Castle Golf Course or a spot of fishing from the harbour wall.

You can join the South West coast path and enjoy the spectacular views atop the magnificent cliffs adorned with flora and fauna of all varieties and you can walk as much or as little as you want. The scenery will inspire any budding artist or writer so make sure you don’t forget the camera!

If you’re fascinated by marine life enjoy a boat trip spotting the varied sea life. Seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales can all be spotted off the coast.

Other activities that you may enjoy include horse riding, cycling, visiting the counties National Trust houses, gardens and woodlands, painting classes or visiting some of the local towns.

Travel

St Ives has a train station and coach station both of which are very well connected to London and the North.
The train station is situated by Porthminster Beach and can be reached by changing to the branch line at St Erth which is on the main London Paddington to Penzance line.

If you choose to travel to St Ives by car you will join the M5 motorway south (towards Exeter) and head for the A30 towards Bodmin, Redruth and Perranporth. Once you pass Camborne, St Ives is signposted all the way from the A30 through Carbis Bay and into the town.

The nearest airports to St Ives are Newquay and Plymouth.