Only a five-minute walk from the town centre, Porthmeor is a great family beach and perhaps the most popular in St Ives. While the sea is generally quite calm here, in the summer it is one of the area's most consistent surf spots and boasts one of the best surf schools in Cornwall. Located directly next to the train station, Porthminster is a long, sandy beach which is ideal for families as it offers safe, lifeguard patrolled waters. Porthgwidden is a small, sandy cove sheltered from both the wind and much of the waves, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing and a taking a dip in the sea.
Once a tiny fishing village, St Ives was transformed into a vibrant cultural hub following World War II and is home to some of the most influential works of modern British art. Alongside the multitude of local galleries and workshops, it's difficult to miss the imposing white rotunda of the Tate, an award-winning museum of modern and contemporary art overlooking Porthmeor beach. One of the Tate's outposts can be found nestled away in Barnoon Hill, where you'll find the iconic modernist pieces by Dame Barbara Hepworth in her must-see Museum and Sculpture Garden.
A trip to St Ives wouldn't be complete without sampling a traditional Cornish pasty - buy the best from the charming family bakery S H Ferrell & Son's, or grab a tasty crab sandwich and a pint in the Sloop Inn, thought to be one of Cornwall's oldest pubs. If you're looking for something slightly more refined, the cosy Cellar Bistro offers an array of delicious seafood and Mediterranean classics in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. For fantastic views, visit Porthmeor Beach Cafe where you can tuck into fresh calamari and crispy churros while watching the sun set over the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
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