Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ST. IVES
319 miles SW of London; 21 miles NE of Land's End; 10 miles NE of Penzance
This north-coast fishing village, with its sandy beaches, narrow streets, and well-kept
cottages, is England's most famous artists' colony. The incredible light on this small
peninsula has attracted artists and visitors alike since the 19th century, but it was
after the arrival of sculptor Barbara Hepworth in the 20th century that St. Ives really
gained prominence. The town is charming, with a bustling harbor, good shops, plenty
of places to eat and drink, and some fine beaches—
Porthmeor Beach
for sand and
surf and
Porthminster beach,
a splendid sandy stretch that is ideal for families.
There's a traditional seamen's chapel on the promontory known as
The Island,
which also has great views of the bay. The town is extremely busy in summer.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
There are no direct trains to St. Ives, so it's necessary to
change at St. Erth, on the main line from London Paddington Station, which is just
a short—and very scenic—ride to St. Ives.
National Express buses
(
&
0871/781-
8181;
www.nationalexpress.com) run to the town from London Victoria.
During the summer, many streets in the center of town are closed to vehicles, so
it's best to leave your car in the public parking lot just outside the town. From May to
the end of September, there is a train park-and-ride service between St. Erth/Lelant
Saltings to St. Ives.
Exploring the Area
Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
MUSEUM Dame
Barbara Hepworth lived at Trewyn from 1949 until her death in 1975, at the age of
72. In her will, she asked that her working studio be turned into a museum where
future visitors could see where she lived and created her world-famous sculptures.
Today, the museum and sumptuous garden, now an extension of London's Tate, are
virtually just as she left them. On display are sculptures and drawings, covering the
period from 1928 to 1974, as well as photographs, documents, and other Hepworth
memorabilia. You can also visit her workshops, housing a selection of tools and some
unfinished carvings.
Barnoon Hill.
&
01736/796226.
www.tate.org.uk/stives/hepworth. Admission £5.25 adults, free for
children 18 and under. Mar-Oct daily 10am-5:20pm (last admission 5pm). Nov-Feb Tues-Sun 10am-
4:20pm (last admission 4pm), with garden closing at 4:20pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.
Tate St. Ives
GALLERY This branch of London's famous Tate Gallery
exhibits changing groups of work from the Tate's pre-eminent collection of St. Ives
painting and sculpture, dating from about 1925 to the present day. The gallery is
administered jointly with the Barbara Hepworth Museum (see above). There are
three changing exhibitions a year, and you might see works by artists such as Barbara
Hepworth, Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson, Naum Gabo, Peter Lanyon, Terry Frost,
Patrick Heron, Simon Starling, and Roger Hilton. Children will love their own inter-
active room, the trails, and the activities available. If you're feeling full of energy still
you can hire bodyboards just opposite and enjoy the surf.
Porthmeor Beach.
&
01736/796226.
www.tate.org.uk/stives. Admission £6.25 adults, free for children
18 and under; £9.75 joint ticket for Tate St. Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. Mar-Oct daily
10am-5:20pm (last admission 5pm); Nov-Feb Tues-Sun 10am-4:20pm (last admission 4pm). Closes
occasionally to change displays; call for dates.
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