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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Ullswater looking north from near Glencoyne.

Ullswater

in the county of Cumbria

St.Bedes Monastery in Jarrow, Tyne And Wear

Jarrow

in the county of Tyne & Wear

Kensington Gardens - Kensington Palace and rectangular pond

Kensington

in the county of Greater London

Pictures of St Ives

a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

About St Ives

There is a magical quality surrounding the whole of the Cornish coast of which St.Ives is a small but special part. The charm of this colourful former pilchard fishing village, where at one time it was not unusual to catch sight of fishermen surveying their catch of pilchards or salmon bass, on the beach, has been the inspiration for artists for over two centuries. As well as enchanting beach and seascapes, the beautiful old cottages, rising steeply up cobbled ways above the little town's ancient harbour, spring to life in from canvasses painted by noted artists, such as James McNeill Whistler and Walter Sickert who came to St.Ives in the 19th-century. Noted 20th-century sculptress, Dame Barbara Hepworth, spent most of her life in St. Ives. Her stunning work of Our Lady and Child is in the parish church of St.Ia, and outside the guildhall stands 'Dual Form', a sculpture she presented to the town in celebration and appreciation of the town's reputation as a paradise for artists. This splendid reputation remains today.

A glorious area of sheer enchantment is the old part of the town between the harbour and Porthmeor beach. Here, you will find a bewildering maze of narrow streets and lanes, crammed with a mix-match of picturesque old buildings. The area has much of visual delight for the observant visitor. Above Porthmeor sands lies the imaginative building that is home to Tate St.Ives. The gallery offers a wonderful opportunity to view paintings and works of modern art, the work of artists inspired by the area's abundance of tin, copper, semi-precious stones, rugged cliffs, sandy coves, ancient harbours and beautiful creeks.

Away from the beautiful sandy bays there are winding country lanes with hedgegrows that are laden with wild flowers, these little lanes lead to a hinterland of beautiful countryside, where you can come upon a tranquil villages with a smattering of old stone colour washed cottages or spot in the distance a lonely ruined engine-house, standing as a silent witness to Cornwall's former tin and copper mining industry.

All around St.Ives there are welcoming ancient inns and public houses offering a generous feast of tasty, freshly caught fish and seafood. Historic churches include St. Leonard's, a small church dating from the Middle Ages. It stands on the spot where St.Ia, after whom the town is named, is said to have landed in a coracle from Ireland during the 6th-century. St. Leonard's was the fishermen's church but it now serves other uses.

It is though and always will be the golden sandy beaches and magic of the mighty Atlantic that draws an endless stream of visitors to this lovely part of Cornwall. Porthmeor beach is ideal for surfing, while the sheltered beaches of Porthgwidden and Porthminster offer superb sun bathing and swimming opportunities for all the family. Fishing boats, gaily painted pleasure craft and yachts, all jostle for position along the lively harbour where you can often catch sight of lobster pots being hauled onto the quay.

There is much to see and do in this attractive and atmospheric resort. Garden enthusiasts will be delighted by the variety of sub-tropical flowers, whose growth is encouraged by the all year round mild climate - a factor that draws visitors in every season. For art lovers, the bright cobbled streets are crammed with craft shops, art galleries and antique centre's. Food lovers will enthuse over the choice of mouth watering dishes served in superb restaurants and little children, will enjoy hours spent building sand castles only to watch a wave knock them down again. The mighty Atlantic will thrill and enthral as you explore rocky cliff formations, carved by the ravages of turbulent seas. It is a refreshing place to be, the pace of life is slower, more gentle and the welcome is warm and sincere. For fun, sun, sand and sea served up with a good measure of artistic and historic flavour, a visit to St. Ives is a must.

Interesting & Historical Facts about St Ives

Believed to date back to around 1312AD making it one of the oldest pubs in Cornwall, The Sloop Inn is a must visit when travelling to St Ives. Situated on the harbour front it has always been a favourite watering hole of local fishermen and anyone visiting this wonderful town.

St Ives facts | Cornwall facts

Recommended towns & villages near St Ives

Sunset

Hayle (32 Pictures) in the county of Cornwall

(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE of St Ives)

Three miles of golden sands backed by impressive sand dunes have made Hayle a perfect summer place for families to enjoy a holiday. It is an old town, made prosperous in the 18th-century when John Harvey opened his tin, copper and foundry business..

Zennor Point - Cornwall

Zennor (23 Pictures) in the county of Cornwall

(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction W of St Ives)

This hauntingly beautiful village stands starkly above cliifs that in parts are over 300ft above the sea...

St. Michael's Mount

Marazion (109 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S of St Ives)

The picturesque village of Marazion with its quaint cottages, shops and pubs, is in a sublime position on the west Cornwall peninsula..

Penzance in Cornwall

Penzance (85 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction SW of St Ives)

A jolly town with a year round holiday atmosphere, where everyone is made to feel welcome...

Mousehole, Cornwall, September 2006.

Mousehole (57 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction S of St Ives)

This delightful coastal village, with its wealth of history, lovely old harbour and beautiful headland walks, makes an interesting base for exploring the superb scenery of Mount's Bay and Land's End...

All towns & villages in Cornwall
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Godrevy Lighthouse

Godrevy (47 Pictures)

(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NE)

This hauntingly beautiful spot was initially made famous by centuries of shipwreck caused by perilous rocks scattered around its.....

Path through the village.

Chysauster Ancient Village (25 Pictures)

(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction SW)

This is a classic prehistoric site, quite possibly a Celtic settlement occupied almost two thousand years ago. In its wild.....

St Michaels Mount from the gardens in Marazion

St Michaels Mount (138 Pictures)

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction S)

The priory on St.Michael's mount is dedicated to the Archangel who is believed to have appeared to local fishermen in AD 495. The.....

Men an Tol, ancient monument in Cornwall

Men-an-Tol (2 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction SW)

The Men-an-Tol is a massive round holed stone standing between two uprights. It quite probably dates from the Bronze-Age and may.....

Lanyon Quoit, (5,000-6,000 year old ancient burial chamber) Bosullow, Cornwall, England

Lanyon Quoit (3 Pictures)

(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SW)

In this moorland area thick with pre-historic remains, this is the most accessible and without doubt the most famous of all the.....

No picture available

Chun Castle

(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SW)

..

Chun Quoit (4,000-5,000 year old ancient burial chamber) Bosullow, Cornwall, England

Chun Quoit (1 Pictures)

(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction SW)

This is the smallest of the areas famous cromlech's, it is also the only one never to have been dislodged. It stands close to.....


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