Art
Tate St Ives
Explore modern and contemporary art overlooking Porthmeor. Check the exhibition programme and ticket requirements before choosing the day for your visit.
Plan your visit (opens in a new tab)
Photo creditsYour next place to explore
Discover St Ives
St Ives brings sandy beaches and a working-harbour setting together with one of Cornwall’s strongest art traditions. Small streets, galleries and changing light make it a place to explore slowly rather than rush between sights.
Combine a beach morning with a gallery visit, then leave time to browse the town. Hayle and Carbis Bay are different accommodation bases: check the actual park location before assuming you can walk into St Ives.
Start exploring
Three ways to discover St Ives
Choose a starting point, then take the day at your own pace.
Beach days
Porthmeor and the harbour
Choose between watching the surf at Porthmeor and a harbour-side wander. Let conditions guide any swimming plans and keep food secure around gulls.
Plan your visit (opens in a new tab)Sculpture
Barbara Hepworth Museum
Discover the sculptor’s former studio and garden. Plan for a smaller, more intimate visit than the main Tate gallery and check access information directly.
Plan your visit (opens in a new tab)Little explorers welcome
Make memories with the family
Beach exploring
Take buckets and spades to a suitable town beach and make the day flexible. Check tides and dog restrictions for the exact beach, not just the town.
Plan your visit (opens in a new tab)Out in the open
A breath of fresh air
South West Coast Path
Try a short outward-and-return walk with a clear turnaround point. The coast beyond town is more demanding than a harbour stroll, with uneven ground and exposure.
Explore outdoors (opens in a new tab)Keep a plan B
When the weather turns
Leach Pottery
Look into the pottery’s museum, exhibitions and bookable activities. Confirm which parts are available on your dates; workshops may need separate booking.
Find out more (opens in a new tab)Local flavours
Good food, no rush
Food & drink in St Ives
Browse the harbour for seafood and casual meals, or pick up a pasty before heading to the beach. Explore back streets as well as waterfront menus.
Find out more (opens in a new tab)A little less obvious
Penwith Gallery
Follow the town’s art story beyond the major museums. This gallery offers another way to discover the creative identity that shapes St Ives.
Explore this idea (opens in a new tab)Stay a little longer
There’s more around the corner
Newquay
Newquay mixes Atlantic surf, sandy coves and an energetic town centre. It suits a holiday where a beach morning can turn into a harbour wander, a family attraction visit or a quiet hour in the gardens.
Read the guide →
Bude
Bude has the ingredients for a relaxed north Cornwall holiday: a tidal sea pool, surf beaches and a canal that offers a quieter alternative to the Atlantic shore. It is an easy place to mix active days with slower ones.
Read the guide →A little planning goes a long way
Good to know before you go
Planning your visit
Consider rail travel for the final approach and check parking options before driving into the centre. Narrow streets and gradients can affect access even on short journeys.
Official visitor information (opens in a new tab)Access, opening & seasonal changes
Check current attraction opening, detailed accessibility information and local restrictions for your dates. Ask the operator about any particular needs before booking rather than relying on a general destination description.
Check current local advice (opens in a new tab)Explore St Ives on the map
Open an area map to plan your own route.
Open area map ↗OpenStreetMap · opens in a new tabMake yourself at home
St Ives caravan holidays
Listings use the park catalogue’s location; they do not confirm availability or walking distance to attractions.
No eligible caravans are currently published for this area. Explore the wider area →
Reviewed · Next review 2027-04-29
Sources & useful links
Our own guide, researched using tourism organisations, local authorities and attraction operators. Check operators for current opening and access information.
Photo credits
- St Ives — St Ives Cornwall Harbour promenade — Otto Domes, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, WebP conversion; displayed with a crop.
- Newquay — Newquay Harbour 2013 — Afterbrunel, CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized, WebP conversion; displayed with a crop.
- Bude — Summerleaze Beach and Bude Haven — Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized, WebP conversion; displayed with a crop.
