Top Things to do in St Ives
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in St Ives, England
St. Ives boasts a quartet of golden-sand beaches. Sheltered coves draw swimmers and sun-worshippers, but water-sports aficionados visit St. Ives for great surfing, windsurfing and water-skiing conditions. And on your way there, keep your eyes peeled for a dude with seven wives. You never know when nursery rhymes might come true.
Restaurants in St Ives
1. South West Coast Path - Godrevy Head
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
This short 0.6 mile walk on the South West Coast Path has great views across St Ives Bay, and out to the lighthouse on Godrevy Island just off shore. Children will love the long beach, as well as the island and the lighthouse and the tales of shipwrecks. A good walk in spring, when the coastal grasslands are full of wildflowers and fulmars nest noisily in the cliffs.
Reviewed By mikehowroyd75 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Fantastic site. Lovely staff on the car park who happily showed us how to use the garmin devices for the geocaching and the kids loved it..
2. Barnoon Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By El_Stevo1 - London, United Kingdom
A very peaceful place with a beautiful view of Porthmeor Beach. It was very interesting the headstones and of some of the people buried here. Some were Master Mariners, where others had served in the wars, especially one of Mary Gyles Andrews whom served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. The surname ‘Carbines’ featured very heavily here so presumably this family name is heavily associated with St. Ives. The beautiful gravestone of the late Artist, Alfred Wallis, was also lovely to look at.
3. St Ives Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By paullegate - St Ives, United Kingdom
St Ives Bay covers a quite a wide area and many places fall within the bay area. The bay starts in the west at St Ives and following an eastward track covers Carbis Bay, Hayle, the Towan beaches, Gwithian up to Godrevy Point at its most eastern edge. All of these places are popular tourist areas and are amongst the most visited in Cornwall. As the roads get extremely congested and parking can be nightmarish around the St Ives Bay area, a viable option is to use public transport. The bus and train services are quite reliable and although they don’t cover all destinations it certainly beats having to find a parking space.
4. Salthouse Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
5. The Penwith Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
The Penwith Gallery is the home of the Penwith Society of Arts in Cornwall. The gallery, formerly a pilchard packing factory, has a remarkable complex of buildings, including three public galleries, sculpture area and archive. This allows for a varied and interesting series of changing exhibitions throughout the year. The society was founded in 1949 by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon, Bernard Leach, Sven Berlin and Wilhelmina Barns– Graham, amongst others. Later members have included Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and Henry Moore (honorary member). This association with so many progressive and influential artists has given the Penwith Society a unique place in British art history. Today the society continues to play a central role in the thriving and vibrant St. Ives art community, exhibiting contemporary art from Cornwall and beyond.
Reviewed By 730peterd - Wadebridge, United Kingdom
We had a great visit to the Penwith Gallery on a blustery morning. It is free and had work from a great variety of contemporary artists including those who work in and around the town snd who work in many media and styles. The sheer breadth of the work displayed was great to see and we found much to admire and ponder on. Even a couple of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, one of which was for sale. Some lovely wintery scenes, some abtract and much to enjoy. Well worth a visit.
6. South West Coast Path Walk- Lelant Station to St Ives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
A 4.5 mile walk along the South West Coast Path to blow away the cobwebs, travelling alongside the railway line high above St Ives Bay, through an area rich in ancient history, from Stone Age times to the nineteenth century, when lookouts watched out for the pilchard shoals arriving in the bay. Return to Lelant by train.
Reviewed By Curiosity824333
I walk St.Ives to Leyland at every visit, sitting high over Layland beach above sand dunes and train line with a crab sandwich is just the best. Helps if it is blue of course, if the moon is full then walk the beach and on sand around point back to Carbis Bay if the tide is right.
7. Zennor Circular Walk - South West Coast Path Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
A 5 mile challenging but very rewarding walk on the South West Coast Path, with magnificent views and rich wildlife and historical interest. A fine wildflower walk in spring, when the squill and dog violet in the coastal grasslands are followed by orchids and tormentil.In autumn it's a great place for birdwatching, with flocks of kittiwakes and terns flying past.
Reviewed By Suz1238 - London, United Kingdom
We walked from St Ives to Zennor on a fine, sunny day. Beautiful, stunning walk. Around an hour from Zennor, there are boulders and wet bits of the path. Took around 3.5 hours with say half hour stop. My desert boots weren't really up to the job by the time we got to the boulders! So, it may seem obvious but you do need proper walking boots. I'm reasonably fit but did find it tiring towards the end. You definitely need a reasonable level of fitness and good mobility as some parts were pretty tough. It's say 6 miles but as its not flat seemed longer. At the end, there's Tinners pub, good food. Closes earlier at moment Cafe nearby selling Moomaid ice-cream. Zennor Church is only open on Sundays. Churchyard very atmospheric with Zennor moorland above. Beautiful place. Buses back to St Ives, every hour. Last one was around 16.42 hours. Pub will call taxis for you. £15 to St Ives. Will continue to Pendeen one day, 7 miles from Zennor
8. Smeatons Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By paullegate - St Ives, United Kingdom
Smeatons Pier is one of the main landmarks in St Ives and is located at the northern side of the harbour. There was an original pier in place with references to it dating back to 1478 and was rebuilt to the design by civil engineer John Smeaton between 1766 and 1770. The pier was extended from 360 feet in 1890’s to its current length and a new lighthouse was added during the upgrade. There are some great views of the harbour from the pier, it can be quite an obstacle course if the lobster pots are piled up along the pier. Smeatons Pier is worth walking along for the view alone.
9. St. Ia, St. Ives Parish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By J3919TFstevew
this was a very nice Church and inside was amazing i lit 4 candles for mine and Peters parents and it was so peaceful we were pleased to visit we gave donation for the candles
10. Saint Nicholas Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By leileireid - Murano, Italy
Really enjoyed the walk to and from the chapel as there are signposts explaining the history of the area as well as fantastic views of the coast. The chapel is really sweet and looks very picturesque on top of the coast.
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