15 things to do in St Ives, Cornwall (with or without kids)

Last updated on November 18, 2025

St.Ives has been on my bucket list for years – the idea of a charming artsy surf town is one that obviously beckoned. But it took until my fourth decade to finally get there. Thankfully, the long wait was worth it. Parking issues aside, it’s a dream of a holiday destination for adults and kids alike, filled with beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, art galleries, surf shops and that laid-back Cornish charm that makes you wonder if you should move there (yep, I did have Rightmove open more than once!).

Here’s my St Ives travel guide to help you make the most of your trip — including all the best things to do in St Ives with kids (or without). Also see our guide to the best things to do in Cornwall with kids.

Where to stay in St Ives

There’s no shortage of beautiful places to stay in and around St Ives, from design-led hotels to seaside cottages and luxury glamping.

• Holiday rentals– We stayed in an apartment from Aspects Holidays, just above Carbis Bay. I’ve written a full review here. Aspects also plenty more options in and around St Ives, ranging from modern apartments to cosy fisherman’s cottages.
• Carbis Bay Estate (including Pod St Ives) – The fancy option if you’re after a bit of luxury. The estate includes a hotel, spa, apartments and glamping pods right on the beach. Carbis Bay itself is spectacular — more California than Cornwall, with big cliffs and golden sand. I would have loved to try Pod St Ives, but now I have a good excuse to return!
• Tregenna Castle Resort – a popular family-friendly option set on a hill overlooking St Ives Bay. The historic castle has been converted into a hotel with apartments and lodges, and there are good facilities, including an outdoor and indoor pool, tennis courts, a playground, and 72 acres of gardens. The design is a little dated, but the prices are usually very good. You can get a guest pass for the pool even if you’re not staying there.
• Harbour Hotel – A stylish, modern choice in the heart of St Ives with sea views, a spa and an easy walk to the beaches and shops.

Things to do in St Ives

The amount of fun things to do in St Ives is one of the reasons it’s so beloved. Here are some of our favourites.

Choose your favourite beach

St Ives is blessed with some of the best beaches in the UK. Here’s a run of the main ones…

• Porthmeor Beach – The go-to for surfers, backed by beach huts and the Tate St Ives.
• Porthminster Beach – family-friendly, with calm waters and a rocky area perfect for shell collecting.
• Porthgwidden Beach – The smallest and arguably the prettiest, with a tucked-away feel and fewer crowds. Home to the very popular Porthgwidden Beach Cafe.
• Carbis Bay – Epic and serene, with crystal-clear waters and a grandeur that’s reminiscent of Big Sur.
• Godrevy Beach – At the far end of St Ives Bay, with rolling surf, wild dunes, a lighthouse and some of the best coastal views in Cornwall (around 25 minutes’ drive).

Take a surf lesson

One of the highlights of our time in St Ives was our family surf lesson with St Ives Surf School. We had a two-hour session, mostly focused on the kids, but with helpful tips for us too. You can either join group lessons or opt for private sessions. The water was surprisingly warm at the end of October, and we didn’t feel cold at all in all our winter surf gear. I’m sure all the instructors are lovely, but I highly recommend Ben, who was fantastic with our kids. 

Explore the art scene

Art is a huge part of the culture of St Ives. Don’t miss the Tate St Ives, housed in a striking gallery celebrating the town’s long connection to the modern art movement. They have great kids’ facilities, including a full playroom, activity books and interactive elements within the gallery.

The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is another must-see – there’s something extra special about seeing her sculptures in the garden where she lived and worked.

For more local talent, pop into Leach Pottery, the New Craftsman Gallery and St Ives Ceramics. Leach Pottery is particularly worth seeing – it’s famous in the world of ceramics.

Wander the shops

St Ives is a dream for boutique browsing. Favourites include The Paper Sailor, The Painted Bird and Onda for gifts and homeware; The Common Wanderer and Jam Indistries for outdoorsy style; and the cute St Ives Bookshop. Don’t miss the Drill Hall, a creative indoor market filled with indie shops and local crafts. And of course, you should also pop into the iconic Cornish brand, Fat Willy’s! Our kids loved the little souvenir shop close to the post office, where they both bought giant shells.

Hit the arcades

If your kids are anything like mine, they will probably enjoy the arcades. Love them or hate them, they’re a quintessential British seaside staple and a fun dose of nostalgia for parents too. There’s one right next to Porthminster Beach where we wiled away an hour or so on 2p machines.

Spot seals and explore the coast

Head to Mutton Cove at Godrevy Head to spot seals basking on the rocks below (best viewed from above, so ideally bring binoculars). It’s a 10-15 min walk from the National Trust car park at Godrevy, and the seals are best seen at low tide.

For a walk with endless sea views, hop on the iconic South West Coast Path, which winds along cliffs, coves and beaches. It’s one of the most scenic stretches of the trail.

Get creative

Join a crafting session at Barnoon Workshop, where you can try everything from printmaking to jewellery making. It’s relaxed and welcoming to all ages, and a good rainy day option.

Trewyn Subtropical Gardens

A peaceful green space right in the heart of St Ives, filled with lush palms, exotic plants and shady benches perfect for a quiet moment away from the crowds. It’s small but nicely maintained, and you’ll also find a statue of Barbara Hepworth here.

Take a day trip from St Ives

There are some great day trips from St Ives

• St Michael’s Mount – a magical tidal island topped by a medieval castle (around 20 minutes’ drive).
• Mousehole – picture-perfect fishing village known for its pretty harbour and Christmas lights (20 minutes away).
• Zennor – a wild and windswept coastal village just 15 minutes from St Ives, famous for its mermaid legend, rugged cliffs and the characterful Tinners Arms pub. The coastal walk between St Ives and Zennor is one of Cornwall’s best.
• Geevor Tin Mine – atep inside one of Cornwall’s most important mining heritage sites (about 30 minutes away) to learn about the region’s industrial past and explore underground tunnels.
• Penzance & Newlyn – a laid-back pair of seaside towns with a growing arts scene, galleries, and the newly restored Jubilee Pool, an iconic Art Deco lido filled with seawater (25 minutes away).
• Land’s End – the most westerly point of mainland England, about 40 minutes from St Ives. The dramatic cliffs and ocean views are breathtaking, but the visitor centre is pretty run-down and underwhelming. Our kids made us go because they spotted an advert for the adventure golf and became obsessed by it! Personally, I’d steer clear and enjoy the views from elsewhere.
• The Minack Theatre – just along the coast from Land’s End, this extraordinary open-air theatre is carved into the cliffs above Porthcurno Beach. You can visit during the day to explore the terraces and gardens, or come for an evening performance with the sea as your backdrop.

Where to eat in St Ives

Food is a highlight in St Ives, from classic fish and chip shops to beachside cafés and stylish wine bars. It’s definitely better if you eat seafood, but we also fared fairly well as vegetarians. These were some of our favourites and others that were recommended:

• Onzo Pizzeria – impressively good wood-fired pizza beside Porthminster Beach. Very family-friendly.
• St Ives Bakery – Don’t leave without trying a pasty from here. They’re the best in town.
• Talay Thai Kitchen – buzzy restaurant with excellent Thai food (veggie options are limited as they can’t do curries without fish sauce)
• Porthmeor Beach Café – Right on the sand with a relaxed, family-friendly menu and an unbeatable view of the surf.
• Becks Fish and Chips – A Cornish institution and everything you’d hope for in a traditional chippy, complete with an old-school Lifeboat collection box. There’s a big queue on weekend evenings, but it moves pretty quickly (I waited around 20 mins)
• St Eia Coffee Shop & Wine Bar – a chic bistro with great coffee and an evening wine list. This one is definitely better suited to adults.
• Yallah Coffee – excellent coffee from a hip local roaster. The cafe upstairs is beautiful with a small boutique too.
• Moomaid Café – the best ice cream in town.

Other places on my list for next time include: West Greek, Porthgwidden Beach Café (hugely popular, though not great for vegetarians), Silco, The Fish Shed, Little Palais (for natural wine), and the Beach Club at Carbis Bay for sunset drinks. If you eat fish, the Porthminster Beach Cafe is recommended by the Michelin Guide, and Ardor is another high-end Michelin option.

Getting to and around St Ives

Getting to St Ives is easy enough, but once you arrive, parking can be a bit of a headache. The town’s narrow streets and popularity mean spaces fill up quickly, and driving through the centre can be stressful, especially in summer.

If you’re coming by car, it’s best to park in one of the large car parks on the outskirts. Trenwith (the Leisure Centre car park) is the biggest, with a handy shuttle bus that runs down into town. There’s also parking at St Ives Rugby Club, which often operates a park-and-ride service during busy periods. From either spot, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the harbour.

Alternatively, you can arrive by train. The St Ives branch line from St Erth is one of the most scenic train rides in the UK, hugging the coast with glorious sea views all the way into town. There’s parking at St Erth, so you can easily park and ride the final stretch by rail (10-15 minute journey).

Once you’re there, St Ives is nice and compact and best explored on foot. Most of the beaches, cafés and galleries are within easy walking distance. Just be aware that if you park at Trenwith, it’s a steep climb back up to the car park, including many stairs.