St Ives

Introducing St Ives

Tucked into the coastline of a glittering arc-shaped bay, St Ives was once one of the county’s busiest pilchard-fishing harbours, but it’s better known these days for its longstanding reputation as the centre of the Cornish arts scene. From the old harbour, cobbled alleyways and switchback lanes lead uphill into a jumble of buzzy galleries, cafés and brasseries, catering for the thousands of summertime visitors who arrive every year to sample the artistic atmosphere for themselves. It makes for an intriguing mix, where boutique chic meets the old-fashioned British seaside, and while the high-season traffic can certainly take the shine off things, St Ives is still an essential stop on any Cornish grand tour.

Last updated: Sep 21, 2008