St Ives

Travel Guide
St Ives showing boating, a coastal town and rocky coastline
With its white-washed cottages and white-sand beaches, this seaside village is as pretty as a painting and a magnet for artists and artistic happenings.

The town of St. Ives curves around a harbor overlooking the clear waters of its eponymous bay. Beyond the shoreline lie a cluster of fishermen’s cottages and narrow cobbled lanes where galleries, cafés and craft shops proliferate. Splash around in the surf and explore the impressive artistic offerings in town.

Though once just a regular fishing village, St. Ives has attracted many prominent artists since the early 19th century, including J.M.W. Turner and James McNeill Whistler. The town’s reputation as an artistic hub still remains and many renowned galleries are now based here.

Stop by the Tate St. Ives near the popular swimming spot of Porthmeor Beach. See works from modern British artists, including painter Ben Nicholson. Another important figure in the art scene of St. Ives is modernist sculptor Barbara Hepworth. She is honored at the Tate-owned Barbara HepworthMuseum and Sculpture Garden. Continue your artistic explorations at the Leach Pottery museum, where displays are devoted to the work of the master British potter Bernard Leach.

For relaxation during the warmer months, hit the golden sands of Porthminster Beach. From here, admire views of the Godrevy Lighthouse, the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s famous 1927 novelTo the Lighthouse. Adventurers surf, kayak and paddleboard here too.

Explore the labyrinthine streets in the old heart of the town, known locally as Downalong. To learn more about the town’s history, visit the St. Ives Museum. Exhibits focus on its mining, fishing and boatbuilding industries.

When dining, seafood is the obvious choice. Eat beer-battered fish and chips at a cozy gastro pub or try some other delicious Cornish seafood. In between meals, snack on traditional Cornish pasties, savory baked pastries filled with minced meat and vegetables.

There is lots to keep you excited and amused in St. Ives, but consider a boat excursion out to Seal Island, where a colony of seals reside.

St. Ives is located in Cornwall on England’s southwest coast. Make the 3-hour drive from Bristol or use rail or coach services instead. Enjoy simple seaside pleasures and artistic delights at this picturesque harbor town.

The St Ives Bay Hotel
The St Ives Bay Hotel
3.5 out of 5
The Terrace, Cornwall, St Ives, England
The price is ¥14,146 per night from May 22 to May 23
¥14,146
per night
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in St Ives. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.2/10 (265 reviews)
"Friendly staff good location. Room was in need of a make over xx"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

The St Ives Bay Hotel
Tregenna Castle Resort
Tregenna Castle Resort
3 out of 5
Tregenna Castle Estate, Treloyon Avenue, St Ives, England
The price is ¥20,325 per night from May 14 to May 15
¥20,325
per night
May 14 - May 15
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in St Ives. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (736 reviews)
Beautiful place
"Lovely place and good food"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Tregenna Castle Resort
Harbour Hotel St Ives
Harbour Hotel St Ives
4 out of 5
The Terrace, St Ives, England
The price is ¥26,015 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥26,015
per night
May 16 - May 17
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in St Ives. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (533 reviews)
Amazing stay
"Really comfortable stay, everything was made super easy from parking to eating."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Harbour Hotel St Ives
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Una St. Ives
Una St. Ives
5 out of 5
Laity Lane Carbis Bay, St Ives, England
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in St Ives. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Carbis Bay Beach and St. Michael's ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Cannot wait to return, absolutely wonderful stay, we loved the lodge, the amenities, the hot tub and luxurious beds. Having a choice of pools was fabulous for us and the restaurant breakfast was superb. Just had the most relaxing and enjoyable time at Una- many thanks!"

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Una St. Ives
Trestenor Cottage St Ives town. Cosy Cottage.
Trestenor Cottage St Ives town. Cosy Cottage.
St.Ives
Stay at this cottage in St Ives. Enjoy patios, cable/satellite TV service, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Carbis Bay Beach and St. Ives Theatre ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (126 reviews)
Lovely cottage in great location
"This was our second stay at the cottage, we had a great time! The location is excellent for central St Ives with the beaches and shops in close proximity. Would love to stay again in the future."

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

Trestenor Cottage St Ives town. Cosy Cottage.
EASTER DATES STILL AVAILABLE FROM 2nd April onwards - Seagulls Rest
EASTER DATES STILL AVAILABLE FROM 2nd April onwards - Seagulls Rest
Lelant
Stay at this vacation home in St Ives. Enjoy patios and an indoor pool. Popular attractions Carbis Bay Beach and St. Michael's Mount are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Nice place to stay
"I'ts well appointed, and everything that we needed. Was great for us as a starting point for our drives around Cornwall and Devon."

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2024

EASTER DATES STILL AVAILABLE FROM 2nd April onwards - Seagulls Rest
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of St Ives

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
10
" "5 - Excellent 66.66666666666667%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 21, 2020

Check with any restaurants you are willing to go to as their season often starts between late March and Easter time.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

It's easy to get their from London Heathrow. Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington. The train goes to Penzance. One can transfer at St. Erth.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 31, 2019

Absolutely gorgeous Fishing Town in Cornwall.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 12, 2019

The area is beautiful! We walked around the port, visited 2 museums & dined in the town. The taxi service is terrific & spared us the ordeal of driving the narrow streets.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 14, 2019

The residents of St. Ives are intelligent, friendly, accommodating, hardy, resourceful, and quite artistic. St. Ives has a rugged and wild beauty that I will remember fondly for the rest of my life.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 29, 2019

Very friendly quaint and charming seaside village. Cottage was ideal this time of year with gas fireplace, comfortable king bed and very nice bathroom with separate amazing shower. Spent a week in St. Ives studying pottery at Leach Pottery.

Cities near St Ives