St Ives - Our Town

St Ives has long been a popular destination with tourists and the town has something for everyone. Situated in the South West of England and on the north Cornwall coast, St Ives enjoys fine weather for much of the year. It is an ideal base for many people wishing to visit Cornwall as St Ives boasts many beautiful beaches and good places to eat and drink and is central to many popular Cornish locations and attractions. There are many things to do in St Ives and the surrounding area of West Cornwall.

Legend has it that St Ives was founded by the Irish saint, Saint Ia many years ago after she had travelled across the sea from Ireland using nothing but a leaf. The Cornish name for St Ives reflects this legend and is called Porth Ia. St Ives is also twinned with the french town of Kamaled in Britanny.

St Ives was traditionally a fishing town with a few tin mines scattered nearby. Although some fishing still takes place it is no longer commercially viable and St Ives is now renowned as a desirable tourist destination. A number of boats remain moored within the St Ives harbour walls of Smeaton's Pier and West Pier and some of these boats such as the Golden Princess and Dolly P offer daily fishing trips, or trips to see the seal colony at Seal Island - St Ives Boats.

St Ives is also renowned for it's colony of artists who became intrigued by the beautiful scenery and unique lighting in St Ives. The artists and art of St Ives have led to a splinter of the Tate Gallery to be built in St Ives on the site of the old gas works alongside Porthmeor Beach - Tate St Ives. Artists displayed within the Tate St Ives include Alfred Wallis and sculptor Barbara Hepworth who also has a garden museum dedicated to her within St Ives.

St Ives boasts a total 4 stunning, sandy beaches and is the envy of many seaside resorts around the world. There are also further beaches within St Ives Bay. Porthmeor Beach which houses the Tate Gallery is a popular surfing and family beach and experiences stunning sunsets at night. Porthgwidden beach is a smaller, sandy cove ideal for families with young children. There are sandy banks in St Ives harbour close to all amenities and Porthminster beach is situated within lush, green cliffs. The scenic St Ives Branch Line from St Erth terminates here and is a fantastic way to enter St Ives. All of these beaches and the railway line are within easy walking distance of our restaurant. Why not treat yourself to a delicious home made Cornish cream tea after a long day in the sun?

Further East up the North Cornwall coast, further beaches include Carbis Bay Beach, Porthkidney Sands, Hayle Towans, Beachside, The Towans and Gwithian. You can see these beaches and the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse through the windows in our restaurant.