GB · England · 50.21°N 5.48°W

st ives

Fishing lanes, sandy coves and art galleries above a small Cornish harbour.

Best time
May–September is best for the beaches and the coast path, with June and September quieter. July–August is crowded and the lanes jam; November–February brings Atlantic storms and very short days.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly direct from KL to London (about 14 hours) on Malaysia Airlines or British Airways, then take the train from Paddington to St Erth, about 5 hours, and the branch line to St Ives, about 15 minutes. The UK is 7 hours behind KL in summer and 8 in winter.
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GB · Englandst ives50.21°N 5.48°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Fishing lanes, sandy coves and art galleries above a small Cornish harbour.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSt IvesGB, England
KLst ives
≈ 10,945 km from KL, as the crow flies
April in St. Ives

Photo: Vdemedina · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

St Ives wraps around a small harbour near the tip of Cornwall, with fishermen's lanes, pale sandy beaches and clear sea. The light has drawn artists here since the late 1800s, and the galleries are still part of the trip.

Makan

  1. Cornish pastyBeef, potato, swede and onion folded into a crimped pastry case, the old miners' lunch.Map ↗
  2. Cornish cream teaIn Cornwall the jam goes on the scone first, then the clotted cream.Map ↗
  3. Crab sandwichFresh crab from the harbour boats on brown bread, a simple seaside lunch.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Porthmeor BeachA broad Atlantic surf beach right below Tate St Ives.Map ↗
  2. Tate St IvesModern art by the artists who worked in St Ives, with big windows over the sea.Map ↗
  3. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture GardenThe sculptor's own studio and garden, with her bronzes set among palms and flowers.Map ↗
  4. The IslandA grassy headland with a tiny chapel on top, between the harbour and Porthmeor.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The branch line from St Erth hugs the coast; sit on the right heading to St Ives for views over the bay.
  • The town-centre lanes are too narrow for comfortable driving, so leave the car at the St Erth park-and-ride and take the train in.
  • Halal food is very scarce in Cornwall. Fish, vegetarian dishes and self-catering are the way to go, and pasty pastry often contains lard.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.