St Ives Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
St Ives featuring a sandy beach, a coastal town and a bay or harbour
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 harbour 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 Hepworth Museum 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 novel To 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 cosy gastro pub or try some other delicious Cornish seafood. In between meals, snack on traditional Cornish pasties, savoury 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 harbour town.

Tregenna Castle Resort
Tregenna Castle Resort
3 out of 5
Tregenna Castle Estate, Treloyon Avenue, St Ives, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,479 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
฿2,479
฿2,975 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in St Ives. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (919 reviews)
Amazing location in walking distance of St Ives
"Amazing location in walking distance of St Ives centre with beautiful views and gardens. Super helpful and friendly staff through out the hotel. The room was recently refurbished with fresh modern look, and was clean, quiet and easy to get a good night’s sleep. Dinner in restaurant was fabulous. ..."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Tregenna Castle Resort
Harbour Hotel St Ives
Harbour Hotel St Ives
4 out of 5
The Terrace, St Ives, England
The price is ฿5,651 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
฿5,651
฿6,782 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in St Ives. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (565 reviews)
"The staff hospitality and overall offer here is why I keep coming back!"

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2024

Harbour Hotel St Ives
The St Ives Bay Hotel
The St Ives Bay Hotel
3.5 out of 5
The Terrace, Cornwall, St Ives, England
The price is ฿1,855 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
฿1,855
฿2,227 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
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 (461 reviews)
"It was in a great location. Staff helpful and clean ."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

The St Ives Bay Hotel
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions St Ives Harbour and St. Michael's ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (54 reviews)
"Great pool and gym and wonderful clean and quiet accomodation"

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2024

Una St. Ives
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse
3.5 out of 5
East Virgin Row, Consols, St Ives, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in St Ives. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions St Ives Harbour and St. Michael's Mount are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
A little gem
"Just a lovely place to stay. Welcome pack was a lovely surprise. Great communication throughout"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2024

The Lighthouse
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.

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Reviews of St Ives

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
92
" "5 - Excellent 69.17293233082707%
4 - Good
36
" "4 - Good 27.06766917293233%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 3.007518796992481%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.7518796992481203%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Recommend Crab & Rum Shack

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

My partner and I stayed at the Mustard Tree over New Year and I cannot praise Mark and Anna (the owners) enough. Lovely B&B and even lovelier people. They made the trip. facilities were great, breakfast was excellent. Best part was Mark and Anna.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fabulous for NYE celebrations

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We visited St Ives for NewYear and really enjoyed the evening.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place to visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic stay ! We're definitely coming back next year 

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