From the Cove shop
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Few places capture Cornwall's light like St Ives. Once a busy pilchard port, this West Cornwall town is now celebrated for its art, its harbour and a run of golden beaches lapped by turquoise water. With the Tate and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, it's as much a cultural pilgrimage as a seaside escape.
Harbour guide
A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.
St Ives has the kind of harbour character we love: practical, weathered, and full of small details that reward a slower look.
Harbour strolls, seafood, families, boat watching and coastal photos.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Shop the range
Hand-picked Down The Cove ranges that pair with this read.
Arrive early in peak season where possible, and leave time for parking, slopes and narrow streets.
A good family read before a visit: talk about boats, tides, old buildings and how harbour life works.
Check tides, parking and opening times if you are visiting for food, boat trips or a family wander.
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
St Ives was a busy fishing port but fishing has declined over time. It is now a very popular tourist resort and has an excellent reputation as a centre for art.
There are a choice of beaches including Porthgwidden Beach, Porthminster Beach, the Harbour beach and Porthmeor Beach. All beaches are lovely sandy beaches and popular with families.
The RNLI have stationed a lifeboat at St Ives since 1840. The pier shown above is called Smeaton's Pier and helps to protect the harbour.
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach is on the west side of St Ives and is overlooked by the Tate Gallery.
It is a lovely sandy beach and is probably the best beach for surfing in St Ives.
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay is adjacent to St Ives.
Carbis Bay has a lovely long sandy beach that is very popular with families.
Sea Fishing in St Ives
St Ives is a good area for bass and flatfish. On the high tide try spinning for mackerel.
St Ives RNLI
The Lifeboats
Nora Stachura - Shannon Class Lifeboat
Donald Dean - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Lifeboat crews at St Ives have been saving lives at sea since 1839 and received 33 medals for gallantry. The station currently operates two boats - a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a D class inshore lifeboat.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Support St Ives Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
St Ives RNLI
The Lifeboats
Nora Stachura - Shannon Class Lifeboat
Donald Dean - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Lifeboat crews at St Ives have been saving lives at sea since 1839 and received 33 medals for gallantry. The station currently operates two boats - a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a D class inshore lifeboat.
Support St Ives Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
