Things to see and do in St Ives

Planning your holiday ?, these are just a few ideas to get a taste of St Ives and Carbis Bay. First of all take a stroll around the town and slow down to the pace of Cornwall,  spend a little time looking around the shops and galleries in Fore Street and then cut through to Porthmeor, a circular walk passing The Island, Porthgwidden beach and you are back to the Wharf or Harbour front.

So much to see in such a small area and so much variety. So whatever your interest, St Ives will provide you with all the opportunity to make the most of your holidays and of course return some other time to explore some more.

This page has a few suggestions for you, more are available on the links shown covering a Restaurant and Pub guide, Art and Culture, Festivals and Events and some recommended Walks - something for everyone.

Fishing trips and boat hire

Choose between a cruise, fishing trip, private charter or just a potter around the harbour in a motor boat. All boats can be booked from the harbour front or phone 0777 300 8000.

Try a 1 hour 20minute trip to see the seals, leaving the harbour, passing Porthmeor and see the beautiful rugged Cornish cliffs and secluded coves, before reaching the famous Seal Island. 

A 2 hour fishing trip using traditional hand lines (as used by professionals) in and around St. Ives Bay. All equipment supplied, keep all you catch. Great fun for all.

Depending on the weather, there are also trips around St Ives Bay on the tradiitional Cornish lugger, The Dolly Pentreath. Alternatively, The Golden Princess takes you on a 2 hour trip past Godrevy Lighthouse to Hells Mouth.

Visit: www.stivesboats.co.uk

Guided Tours and Walks

Shanty Baba is renowned for his guided tours on 'Ghost Walks' around the town in the early evening, you'll find him based behind the Lifeboat and he is sure to amuse and entertain the whole family with some local history, stories of pirates and smugglers. He has two new walks, the St Ives Comedy Walk, and the St Ives Pirate Walk.
Visit: www.shantybaba.co.uk

Guided Tours of St Ives run drop on tours on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11am. These tours all meet outside the Tourist Information Office at The Guildhall in St Ives. They cost £5 and last about an hour and a half with plenty of opportunities to sit. The routes are as level and as easy as is possible in St Ives.
Visit: www.guidedtoursofstives.co.uk/

St Ives Bay Rail Ale Trail

Not sure whether this is something that you want to challenge in a day or even a week, but why not.  The St Ives Bay Line is one of the most scenic in the Uk connecting St Ives with Penzance so why not visit the pubs along the way. The Rail Ale Trail is an official tour just get a stamp in each pub and you qualify for official souveniers to commemorate your achievement. The Day Ranger Ticket allows you to hop on and hop off for the whole day.

For a detailed guide download this PDF . The guide contains details of the route through St Ives, Lelant, Lelant Saltings, St Erth and Penzance and also the directions to the participating pubs on the trip.

Open Top Bus Tour

Starting from the bus station at the Malakoff at the top of Tregenna Hill, there are two open top bus routes, one via Zennor to Lands End, the other through Hayle to Penzance, Newlyn, Lands End, Sennen and St Just.
You can catch this bus anywhere along the route or just enjoy the round trip with stunning views of the coastline and Cornish countryside from the top deck, remember the sun cream or maybe the wet weather gear.

Beaches of St Ives

You are spoilt for choice if you are looking for some sandcastling, surfing or paddling. Porthminster beach is ideal for families and provides safe bathing, Porthmeor beach is renowned for two things Surfing and the Tate Gallery.  Porthgwidden Beach is the smallest and the most popular for small children, The Harbour beach of St Ives is also the town centre and hub of the community, once the clear waters recede, the soft sandy beach is revealed.

Coastal Walk from St Ives

This is a walk you should make at least once on your holiday. From Porthminster Beach take the coast path to the glorious Carbis Bay Beach, about a 20 minute stroll away and if that's too strenuous, you can catch the scenic train back. Enjoy a superb Cornish cream tea in the Carbis Bay Hotel as a further treat.

Art in St Ives

The Tate Gallery overlooks Porthmeor Beach and  bases its exhibitions on the works of contemporary artists. The Barbara Hepworth museum and sculpture garden in the centre of St Ives give a remarkable insight into the work of this famous twentieth century resident of St Ives.  Combination tickets available for The Tate Galley and Barbara Hepworth Museum.

St Ives Museum

An old-fashioned traditional museum that relates to the life and times of St Ives. Collections include: art - paintings by the early artists of St Ives, blacksmith, boat-building, hand-printed silk and linens, children's toys, ceramics, crafts and tools, Cornish kitchen, farming, fishing, geology, Hain Steamship Company, lifeboat, mining, St Ives railway branch line, Victoriana clothes, and unique photographs.  Between Porthgwidden beach and the end of Smeatons Pier at Wheal Dream

St Ives Jazz Club

Looking for some refined entertainment on a Tuesday night, then wander through the town to Royal Square and visit The Western Hotel.  A number of bars and an outdoor beer garden, serving local beers. Every Tuesday evening you can enjoy the St Ives Jazz Club, other artists appear throughout the week.
Visit: www.westernhotel-stives.co.uk

Cinema in St Ives

The Royal Cinema is situated at the bottom of The Stennack in Royal Square, opposite the Co-op. Offering the latest blockbusters - well a few weeks behind !.

There is a large car park two minutes walk from the cinema, up the Stennack or walk down Tregenna Hill from the bus station or Porthminster Beach.

Visit: www.merlincinemas.co.uk/

Leisure Centre Swim and Gym

St Ives Leisure Centre is at the top of the town, a short bus ride from The Royal Square.

The 25 metre main pool is heated to 29 degrees, the children's pool has a kiddie slide and bubblejets. The  64 station Harpers gym which has spectacular views across St Ives Bay, has fully qualified instrctors for the novice. The Dance studio with beech sprung floor and mirrored walls offers associated classes that range from yoga, step aerobics and circuits.

Visit: www.harpersfitness.co.uk/gyms/st-ives-leisure-centre/

St Ives School of Painting

The St Ives School of Painting can be found at Porthmeor Studios on Back Road West. If you are wondering why so many artists have found St Ives so inspirational, then call in at the School and arrage a 1day, 3day or 5 day course. Courses include materials.

Visit: www.stivesartschool.co.uk

More Information :

• Restaurants in St Ives
• Pub Guide to St Ives
• St Ives Art and Culture
• St Ives Festivals and Events
• Things to see and do
• Shopping in St Ives
• St Ives to Carbis Bay Walk
• St Ives to Zennor Walk
• Train Travel to St Ives
• Car Parks in St Ives
• Bus Routes St Ives
• St Ives Weather Forecast
• Free WiFi Hotspots in St Ives
• Local Services
• St Ives Cornwall Know the Tide Times

My Shortlist

0 Properties

Availability Search

Area : show all St. Ives Carbis Bay Hawkes Point Lelant

Location : show all Gallinas Point Peninsula Apartments Houses in St Ives Carbis Beach Logans Court Compass Point Cornwallis Gwel Marten Chy an Kerris Tol Pedn The Spinnakers Riviera The Sands Mariners Loft Houses in Carbis Bay Palm Court Poppies Boskenza Court Tremorna Penreen Riverside Carrack Gladden Sea Urchin The Manor Houses in Lelant

Arrive :

Depart :

Sleeps : any 1 or more 2 or more 3 or more 4 or more 5 or more 6 or more 7 or more 8

Refine Your Search