Our likes and dislikes of what we saw
by Jenniflower
St Ives Harbour and Beach are lovely to chill out at. We didn't swim here as it was too crowded for our liking. It's perfect for grabbing an ice cream or fish and chips, and sitting at, watching the people.
We particularly loved Porthminster Beach (a cove btwn Carbis Bay and St Ives), which was close to St Ives (a short coastal walk away), yet didn't have the throngs of people on the beach.
St Ives is a must, full to the brim with cobbled alleyways (wear comfortable trainers!),
There are a wide variety of galleries - from cheap and average to expensive and high quality artwork.
There are plenty of restaurants for every pocket.
The surrounds are very very steep... and I am not a good hill climber, but this does add to the character of the place.
Gorgeous architecture, beach, harbour... we loved it all... it's hard to fault St Ives... except it would have been nicer if there were fewer people there... how inconsiderate of everyone to visit there when we were! ;)
Great food if you are not in a hurry
by ctillbrook about Blue Fish
The Bluefish is a very nice (pricey) restaurant and one of our confirmed favourites in St Ives.
I does excellent food in a relaxed environment and also has tables on a balcony in the summer.
Also in the summer they have Jazz on a Sunday lunchtime, which is worth a visit.
The one downside is that the service is very slow. Personally I like this because I hate to be rushed over a meal, but if you like promt service then do not go. It is expensive and I seem to remember people complaining each time I have been there.
However, if you don't mind slow service I would definitely reccomend it. I cannot remember the exact name but the fish stew is excellent.
Town pub
by Sjalen about The Union Inn
The Union Inn is a friendly pub where we stopped as they announced Sunday roast and that's not often we get these days when not living in England anymore so we didn't hesitate. It is one of the more well known pubs in town since it is along Fore Street with its shops, but we had no problem finding a table in what is a warm bar with the walls covered in various photos. I guess this is because most tourists generally end up down the waterfront to have a seaview and that is of course something you don't get here but otherwise I found that not just staff was friendly but also the regular locals and we were soon chit chatting away as if it was our local too. Doom Bar and some other beer were nicely kept even if it isn't St Austell and we were happy with our dinner. Me and the daugher had chicken roast and hubby settled for the beef and we were all happy. Portions were generous, chicken was succulent still, and it included all the trimmings we expected.
Porthminster Beach
by Sjalen
Porthminster is perhaps the most famous beach in St Ives since it is the one featuring in most tourist brochures and also the one closest to the railway station. In fact, it is so close that you see it the minute St Ives appears in front of you on the train. A lot calmer waves here than at Porthmeor means that surfing here is only done by small children on body boards and not particularly fast. Most families just picnic, swim and play games here and the cheerful beach is perhaps the one looking mostly like you imagine a holiday beach to look. There is also often entertainment for children in high season, as well as boat rental. A shop selling beach games and toys can also assist you with pumping up inflatable things and they rent out parasols. At the town end you will find a café selling snacks and ice cream whilst further on there is a famous restaurant where booking is a must if you want to secure a table (see tip). If you don't manage to book, this also has a fast food option at beach level downstairs with fish & chips, pasties and the like. Behind the beach is an adventure golf course and as already said, all this is just a couple of minutes stroll from the train. At Porthminster it is also possible to start/end a scenic hike through the green hills along the railway line to or from Hayle.
St Leonard's Chapel
by Sjalen
At the beginning of Smeaton's Pier in the harbour is this delightfully peaceful and very tiny chapel. Smaller than St Nicholas, it looks very much the same in stone and with a bright and spartan interior. It is known from 1577 but has probably existed before then. With its location, it has of course always been a place of worship for fishermen before they set off, and in 1959 a rememberance plaque was put up here for all fishermen lost at sea. There is also a small information desk on fishing in St Ives for you to look at today.
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Old part of St Ives in the evening sun
We rule.
Penny slot and Pac Man combo proved irresistible
The greenhouse
