St Ives Harbour and Beaches
About
St Ives is quite possibly the most beautiful seaside town in England. The harbour is a classic Cornish scene — fishing boats beached on golden sand at low tide, pastel-coloured cottages climbing the hillside above, and that extraordinary light that's drawn artists here since Turner first visited. The town has four beaches: Porthmeor faces the Atlantic and gets proper surf, Porthminster is sheltered and family-friendly, Porthgwidden is a tiny sandy cove, and the harbour beach fills and empties with the tide. The town itself is a warren of narrow lanes, galleries, surf shops, ice cream parlours, and seafood restaurants. Porthminster Beach Café is outstanding — book ahead in summer. The Tate St Ives (already in your database, so skip that) sits above Porthmeor with its views across the Atlantic. Parking in St Ives in summer is a nightmare — take the branch line train from St Erth, which arrives along one of the most scenic railway routes in the country, hugging the coast with views across St Ives Bay. Out of season, St Ives is even more magical — the light in winter is extraordinary and you'll have the beaches to yourself.
Opening Times
Beaches open 24 hours. Town shops typically 9:00-17:30.
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