Things to do in West Cornwall
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Sloop Inn
Old Speckled Hen, Doom Bar and Bass ales make this beam-ceilinged boozer a favourite with St Ives' old boys. Settle into a booth seat for the night, or bag a spot on one of the wharfside tables.
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Guildhall
Hosts music and theatre, especially during the St Ives September Festival.
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Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
Barbara Hepworth was one of the leading abstract sculptors of the 20th century, and a key figure in the St Ives art scene, so it seems fitting that her former studio has been transformed into a moving museum. The studio has remained practically untouched since her death in a fire in 1975, and the adjoining garden contains some of her most famous sculptures.
Hepworth was known for her use of geometric shapes and striking mix of natural materials and sculpted metal; many of her pieces show a fascination with pagan or primitive motifs, inspired by her fascination with Cornwall's prehistoric monuments. Works to look out for amongst the shrubs include the harplike Garden Sculp…
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Tate St Ives
The artwork almost takes second place to the surroundings at the stunning Tate St Ives, which hovers above Porthmeor Beach. Built in 1993, the gallery contains work by celebrated local artists, including Terry Frost, Patrick Heron and Barbara Hepworth, and hosts regular special exhibitions. On the top floor there's a stylish cafe-bar with imaginative bistro food and some of the best sea views in St Ives. A joint ticket with the Barbara Hepworth museum can be purchased for adult/child £8.75/4.50.
There are plenty more galleries around town; at the Sloop Craft Market you'll find a treasure trove of tiny artists' studios selling everything from handmade jewellery to driftwoo…
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St Andrews St Bistro
A hectic heap of North African rugs, objets d'art and oddball furniture covers this fantastic bistro, where the modern British menu is jazzed up by traces of African and Middle Eastern cuisine. Artisan bread, lentil curries, grilled fish and spicy casseroles all feature, and you'll be as chuffed with your choice whether you're a veggie or a carnivore.
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St Ives Museum
Housed in a pierside building variously used as a pilchard-packing factory, laundry, cinema, sailors' mission, and copper mine, the St Ives Museum is a typically haphazard local-history museum, with artefacts ranging from shipwreck salvage to photos of famous St Ives artists and a replica of a Cornish kitchen.
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Porthminster Beach Café
Fresh from scooping top prize in a recent survey to find Britain's top coastal cafe, the Porthminster boasts a sexy Riviera vibe, a suntrap patio and a seasonal menu ranging from Provençal fish soup to pan-fried scallops. The result? Cornwall's top beach cafe, bar none.
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Alba
Split-level sophistication next to the lifeboat house, serving some of the best seafood this side of Padstow. In-the-know locals bag tables 5, 6 or 7 for their gorgeous harbour views.
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St Ives Society of Artists
The St Ives Society of Artists - one of Cornwall's oldest and most influential artists' collectives, founded in 1929 - still has its gallery in a converted church on Norway Sq, with a separate 'Mariners Gallery' in the former crypt.
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Blas Burgerworks
This pocket-sized burger joint has a big reputation: sustainable sourcing, eco-friendly packaging and lots of wacky burger variations have earned it a loyal following. Traditionalists go for the 6oz, 100%-beef Blasburger, while veggies might plump for a haloumi stack or a ginger, coriander and chilli tofuburger.
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Alfresco
Watch the world spin by at this wharfside bistro, with just a few tiny wood tables and sliding doors opening onto the harbour. It's especially strong on seafood, with a sideline in Italian-influenced salads and risottos.
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Seafood Café
Fish of every description comes straight off the day boats into the kitchen of this café, from weaver and turbot to sea bream and shark steaks. The ciabattas, club sandwiches and cakes are also really good.
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Isobar
St Ives's sole club, split into two levels; chrome-edge chill-out bar on the ground floor, hot-and-heavy dance floor upstairs. Funk, house, techno and cheesy disco played throughout the week.
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Hub
After-dark action is thin on the ground in St Ives; thankfully this funky open-plan café-bar fills the void, with DJs and live music by night, and lattes and hot chocolate by day.
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Porthgwidden
Near the museum, tucked under the grassy headland known under The Island, is the little cove of Porthgwidden, a pleasant picnic spot and a handy paddling spot for the little 'uns.
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St Ives Pleasure Boat Association
Sea-fishing trips and coastal cruises to the grey-seal colony on Seal Island are run by the St Ives Pleasure Boat Association and lots of other operators on the harbour.
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Chapel of St Nicholas
On the promontory is the pre-14th-century Chapel of St Nicholas, patron saint of children and sailors, and the oldest (and certainly smallest) church in St Ives.
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Porthmeor
Below the Tate is Porthmeor, top choice for swimmers and novice surfers thanks to its gentle swells, and with a handy beach café just below the Tate.
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Porthminster
With an attractive arc of soft golden sand that's usually sheltered from the wind by the cliffs, this beach inevitably gets busy on warm days.
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Onshore
Pizza, pizza and more pizza; woodfired and award-winning, with super harbour views from the front deck.
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Sloop Craft Centre
The Sloop Craft Centre is a treasure trove of tiny artists' studios selling everything from handmade jewellery to driftwood furniture.
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St Ives Surf School
Several places around Porthmeor Beach and Fore St rent wetsuits and surfboards; try the BSA-approved St Ives Surf School.
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Windansea
Several places around Porthmeor Beach and Fore St rent wetsuits and surfboards; try Windansea.
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