Visit St Ives

Book a staycation...

and discover St Ives

T Ives - the dazzling jewel in Cornwall’s crown. A picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town. Voted best family holiday destination by Coast magazine and one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 European beaches.

Wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman’s cottages in the heart of St Ives, or sample some of the tastiest award-winning restaurants, cafés and bars in the Southwest. Surf at the blue flag-rated Porthmeor beach and feel the soft sand between your toes, or set off on an inspiring walk along the coastal path towards Land’s End. Surfing at St Ives

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. 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. 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. Get up close with seals

If you are keen to see nature on your trip to St Ives then you need to book a trip to Seal Island. Just 3.5 miles along the coast from St Ives, this is one of the only experiences in the UK where you’ll be able to see these mammals up close in their natural habitat. At certain times of the year the island is also abundant with other wild creatures too. The spectacular views from the boat trip alone will give you a completely fresh perspective on the rough and rugged Cornish coastline.

Discover modern art at Tate St Ives

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.

Enjoy the beauty of St Ives town

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. Fore Street can be a tourist hot spot in the middle of summer, so our recommendation would be to stop by early in the morning before things pick up. Enjoy St Ives’ beaches

If you are looking for a beach holiday then 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 (you’ll have already spotted it if you visited the Tate as we suggested). 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, it’s the perfect family friendly beach. Take a hike to Zennor

If you’re anxious to escape the hustle and bustle of the St Ives, you should consider taking a hike to Zennor. This remote, sleepy village is hidden away on the coast, reached by heading west from St Ives along the wellmarked South West Coastal Path. At four hours and 6.5 miles it’s a long walk, but well worth the effort.