St Ives, Cornwall Travel Guide
City Coastal city in Cornwall, England
Low tide and light pull painters and beachgoers to St Ives’ harbour; tourists come for Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth museum, narrow lanes of seafood shacks, and surfable breaks at nearby beaches.
Why Visit St Ives, Cornwall? #
Artists, beachgoers, and food lovers flock to St Ives for its sunlit harbor, lively art scene, and Cornish coastal charm. Tate St Ives and independent galleries showcase local modernist work against ocean views, while Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches provide surf and sand. Seafood restaurants and pasty shops highlight Cornish specialties, and narrow cobbled streets lead to artisan studios and bustling quayside cafés. The town’s creative energy pairs naturally with sea-scented walks and coastal sunsets.
Top Things to Do in St Ives, Cornwall
All Attractions ›
- Tate St Ives - Modern and contemporary art museum focusing on Cornwall artists, perched above Porthmeor Beach.
- Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden - Former studio preserving Hepworth's sculptures and garden displays in intimate setting.
- Porthminster Beach - Sandy bay popular for swimming, beach cafés, and easy access to town center.
- The Leach Pottery - Working pottery and gallery highlighting Bernard Leach's studio tradition and demonstrations.
- St Ives Island (The Island) - Rocky promontory with old chapel ruins and excellent coastal walking paths.
- Backstreet galleries - Small independent galleries featuring contemporary Cornish painters and sculptors.
- St Michael's Mount - Tidal island with medieval castle and subtropical gardens at Marazion, short drive away.
- Zennor and coastal walk - Historic village with the famous St Senara church and dramatic cliff walks.
Best Time to Visit St Ives, Cornwall #
Late spring through early autumn gives the best combination of milder weather, longer days and the buzzing arts scene. Winters are mild but rainy and atmospheric.
Best Time to Visit St Ives, Cornwall #
St Ives, Cornwall's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 5°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1022 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (125 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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How to Get to St Ives, Cornwall
St Ives is best reached by train via St Erth (Great Western Railway) or by flying to Newquay and taking a bus/taxi. The St Ives branch line from St Erth is short and arrives in the town centre.
Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY): Newquay offers seasonal domestic flights. From Newquay airport take a taxi or First Kernow bus to St Erth or directly to St Ives (journey ~30-50 minutes); taxi fares vary, buses are cheaper.
London (LHR/LGW) / Exeter (EXT): Many visitors fly into London or Exeter and continue by rail. From London Paddington take Great Western Railway trains to St Erth (about 5-6 hours from London), then change to the St Ives branch line (15 minutes). From Exeter the rail journey is longer and may require changes.
Train: Great Western Railway runs services to St Erth; the scenic St Ives branch is a short 15-minute train from St Erth to St Ives (St Ives station is in the town centre). Advance fares from London vary widely; the short St Erth-St Ives hop is typically around £4-£6.
Bus: First Kernow and other local services operate buses around west Cornwall and between Newquay, Penzance, St Erth and St Ives. Buses are useful for reaching beaches and villages not on the rail line.
How to Get Around St Ives, Cornwall #
St Ives is highly walkable - the harbour, beaches and galleries are best explored on foot. Streets are narrow and often steep, so comfortable shoes help. In summer there are park-and-ride services and limited town-centre parking; expect peak-season congestion. Buses (First Kernow) link St Ives with nearby towns like Penzance and St Erth. Taxis operate locally but can be in demand during high season.
Where to Stay in St Ives, Cornwall #
- YHA St Ives - Backpacker hostel near the harbour.
- St Ives B&Bs & guesthouses - Numerous small B&Bs within walking distance.
- St Ives Harbour Hotel - Seafront rooms with harbour views.
- The Sloop Inn - Historic inn with comfortable rooms.
- Tregenna Castle Resort - Castle resort with golf course and spa.
- Luxury holiday cottages & boutique rentals - High-end cottages near beaches and town.
Where to Eat in St Ives, Cornwall #
- Porthminster Beach Café - Fresh seafood with beach views
- The Sloop Inn - Historic harbour pub and seafood
- Harbour cafés and fish shacks - Classic fish and chips by harbour
- Independent cafés on Fore Street - Coffee, pasties and cream teas
- Pasties and bakeries - Cornish pastry specialties to take away
- Ice cream and seaside treats - Ideal for an afternoon stroll
Breakdown of cuisine types found across St Ives, Cornwall's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in St Ives, Cornwall #
Evening life in St Ives tends toward relaxed pubs, hotel bars and seasonal live music rather than late-night clubbing. Many restaurants and bars concentrate around the harbour and Fore Street. In summer the town stays lively later, with a mix of family-friendly venues and intimate live-music nights.
- The Sloop Inn - Historic waterside pub with live music and classic seaside atmosphere.
Shopping in St Ives, Cornwall #
St Ives is known for its art scene: independent galleries, craft shops and pottery stores line Fore Street and the harbour. Expect tourist-oriented boutiques selling local art, prints and Cornish souvenirs. There are also bakeries, specialty food shops and a handful of independent clothing stores; for larger shopping you’d travel to nearby Penzance or Truro.
- Tate St Ives - Gallery and shop focusing on modern art and Cornwall makers.
- The Leach Pottery - Historic pottery with workshops, ceramics shop and studio pieces.
