About St Ives
St Ives – the dazzling jewel in Cornwall’s crown. A picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town voted best family holiday destination by Coast magazine and one of TripAdvisor’s top 10 European beaches. Wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman’s cottages in the heart of St Ives.
Come and sample some of the tastiest award-winning restaurants, cafés and bars in the Southwest. Surf at the blue flag-rated Porthmeor beach and feel the soft sand between your toes, or set off on an inspiring walk along the coastal path towards Land’s End.
For up to date information on events and things to see and do, the St Ives website is a great place to start.
things to see, eat and do
Tate St Ives
The transformation of Tate St Ives is now complete. A four-year building project which doubles the space for showing art, adding almost 600 square metres of galleries, and created spectacular new studios for learning activities.
For the first time, Tate St Ives can provide a permanent presence to those iconic 20th century artists who lived and worked in the town, demonstrating the role of St Ives in the story of modern art. This is accompanied by a new programme of large-scale seasonal shows.
Located about a 2 min walk from 21 The Digey
Barbara Hepworth Museum
Visiting the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden offers a remarkable insight into the work and outlook of one of Britain’s most important twentieth century artists.
Located about a 5 min walk from 21 The Digey.
The Leach Pottery
The Leach Pottery is considered by many to be the birthplace of British studio pottery. One of the great figures of 20th century art, Bernard Leach played a crucial pioneering role in creating an identity for artist potters across the world.
The restored Leach Pottery site includes a museum, created to celebrate the life, work, influences and legacy of Bernard Leach. Exhibition, gallery and shop spaces provide regular shows throughout the year showcasing work by leading regional, national and international studio potters.
St Ives Festival
The St Ives September Festival began in a back kitchen in Teetotal Street in September 1977 bringing together the diverging interests of several arts and music professionals.
The Festival has always been a very important part of the town’s cultural life, and people come from year to year to take advantage of the very wide range of events that are on offer.
With at least two hundred events the recent Festival has been more ambitious than ever; reaching out to all ages and interests, in various venues around the town.
St Ives School Of Painting
Held in the historic studios overlooking the sea surrounding St Ives, Cornwall, their art courses attract visitors and locals alike. Their award winning studios are centrally heated, so cosy and warm even in the winter months.
Art classes last two to five days and are designed to enable anyone, at any level, to receive the individual attention they need to develop their skills. Some of the courses are aimed specifically at beginners, whilst a little more experience is recommended for others. However, the majority are suitable for all.
Located only a 2 minute walk from 21 The Digey.
St Ives Surf School
St Ives Surf School is highly regarded as one of the best places to learn to surf in Cornwall. At St Ives Surf School not only do we run fantastic surf lessons we also provide SUP, Coasteering and sea kayaking activities from our beautiful beach locations in the heart of St Ives. Our aim is to provide an unforgettable ocean experience in a fun, friendly and safe environment.
Located only a 2 minute walk from 21 The Digey.
Boat Trips
This is one of the top must do things in St Ives so why not take a boat trip on our recommended operators. St Ives and the surrounding area is a beautiful part of the Cornish coastline.
There are swathes of stunning beaches with golden sands, rugged cliffs and rocky out crops and marine life in abundance. It is a fun way to see the coastline and marine life.
The Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre is one of the world’s most famous outdoor theatres.
Today, it welcomes more than 80,000 people a year to their performances and 150,000 people come just to look round, experience our stunning views and learn more about our story.
The idea for the theatre was born when Rowena Cade, who lived in Minack House at the top of the cliff, decided to create a place for local drama enthusiasts to perform Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Over the winter of 1931 and into 1932 Rowena and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, moved endless granite boulders and earth, creating the stage and the lower terraces of the theatre, in the same place as you see them today. The first performance was in August 1932.
Porthminster Beach Cafe
Nestled beneath the steep slopes of Porthminster Point, right on the beach with unbeatable and uninterrupted views across St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse.
Porthminster Cafe is a multi award winning seafood restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The café specialises in Mediterranean and Asian seafood cuisine and is an oasis of taste and visual beauty. The café is open daily for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a selection of homemade patisserie and fine coffees from St Ives Small Batch Coffee Roasting Company.
Located about a 15 min walk from 21 The Digey.
Talay Thai
Nestled into the picturesque harbourfront in St Ives, with stunning views across the sea, Talay Thai is a chic, modern restaurant offering a range of authentic Thai food.
As well as having an extremely popular restaurant, Talay Thai is also home to a dedicated cocktail bar, meaning they cater for all sorts of evenings out! Since opening in 2018, they’ve quickly become a firm favourite with locals and holidaymakers alike.
Located about a 5 min walk from 21 The Digey.
Hubbox
HUBBOX is an essential stop-off for amazing American inspired street food & great drinks. They have an extensive menu of award-winning burgers made using 21 day dry-aged Cornish rare breed beef. Their hot dogs are New York style & produced in the UK using 100% free-range oak smoked pork. Their fries are hand-cut & double fried.
They stock a great selection of craft beers; on draught, in bottles or in cans, as well as a choice of Origin coffee, special recipe malt-shakes and soft drinks.
Dog friendly.
Located about a 5 min walk from 21 The Digey.
Porthmeor Beach Cafe
Located just below the Tate the Porthmeor Beach Cafe is not only highly recommended for breakfast but is also the best place to watch the sun go down.
Dog friendly - outdoors only.
Located less than a 1 minute walk from 21 The Digey.