the classic guide

A guide to the West Country from the people that know…

St Ives

One of the jewels in the UK’s crown. St Ives is a maze of cobbled streets, fishermen’s cottages, shops, galleries and restaurants waiting to be explored. St Ives bay has beaches catering for everyone's holiday needs, from sheltered bays for the family to surfing at Porthmeor beach. Home to the Tate St Ives, the town has long had a reputation as a Mecca for artists due to the weather and the unique quality of natural light.

5 Stars

Oct 2022

Delightful

Excellent position with quaint winding narrow streets and interesting shops.

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4 Stars

Apr 2015

Lovely

St Ives is a big place and has everything you could need for your holiday having a classic fish 'n' chips, corner shops for groceries, pubs etc it's a must go too for the experience.

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5 Stars

Jan 2014

Myself and my partner have visited St Ives on numerous occasions in both the summer and winter time. There is so much to do and see whilst here. It is so full of character with it's cobbled streets and beachfront restaurants. Even better in wintertime when places are much less busy! Great to sit on a balcony of one of the restaurants and watch the tide! There is a wide variety of shops and restaurants to suit all tastes! We love walking along the harbour rain or shine. We have often seen seals visiting in the summer months which is always lovely. I'm sure that we will be back again and again! Lots of small arty shops which sell some lovely things! Definitely our favorite place in the South West!

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4 Stars

May 2012

A myriad of cobbled streets with art galleries and independent quaint shops makes this town a must-see for anyone who loves Cornwall. Not much else to do there though - unless you want to laze on the beaches which are nice and sandy.
We avoided the Tate Gallery because of the admission charges for adults, but there were plenty of other art galleries (all free) - and often artist working in / outside them.
Get there early for parking - and be prepared to walk quite a way (up/down steep hills) to reach the harbour/beach/ Art Galleries. For all practical purposes, you can't drive round St Ives - there are restrictions for non-locals and the roads are extremely narrow anyway! A great place for 'mooching around'! 5*, except for parking access, which lowers score to 4*

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5 Stars

Sep 2011

I'm very surprised to have so few reviews. St Ives is without doubt one of the prettiest towns in Cornwall, the view as you approach it from the train is quite breathtaking. You could be forgiven for thinking you have been transported to the south of France. There is an incredible amount of galleries, shops, eateries.
A must see.

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4 Stars

Jul 2008

No town can be better provided with beaches than St Ives, on any day it's possible to find a patch of sand to suit. The variety of beaches mean that you can spend a morning surfing at the more exposed Porthmeor followed by an afternoon on the lilo at the sheltered island or picturesque harbour beach. The problem with seagulls is over exagerated, just use common sense in choosing a location to unwrap your chips!

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