St Ives Harbour

About this place

St Ives is a seaside town and port in Cornwall, in the far south-west of England, on the Celtic Sea coast north of Penzance, about 11 km in a straight line from it. Its small harbour lies at the heart of the old town, ringed by grey stone houses and narrow winding lanes. For centuries the town lived from pilchard fishing, and as fishing declined it became one of Britain's best-known seaside resorts, more than once named the best seaside town in the UK. Its clear light has drawn artists since the 19th century, making it an art centre, and it is now home to a branch of the Tate gallery. At low tide the colourful fishing boats rest on the harbour sand, and at high tide they float on the calm water of the bay. Several sandy beaches lie on either side of the town, among them Porthminster and Porthmeor, and Smeaton's Pier with its small lighthouse looks over the harbour. Coastal paths climb to «The Island» headland above the town. Exploring the town and beaches is free. The town gets very busy in summer, and the scenic St Ives Bay branch train is better than driving, while spring and early autumn are calmer.