How to spend the perfect three days in St Ives, Cornwall. A family friendly itinerary

Why visit St Ives?

St Ives is a fantastic Cornish seaside town which really does offer something for everyone. This seaside town not only boasts a selection of beautiful beaches, it has access to some of the most stunning parts of the South West Coast Path, is home to internationally renowned art and sculpture museums and has access to a huge range of outdoor activities. There is a certain alchemy about the light in St Ives, and despite the many enticing options, just watching the sea and the sky is pretty special.

St Ives, one of our favourite holiday destinations in the UK, is a fantastic destination for families with kids of all ages. We spent our days hiking, playing in the sea and exploring art museums before watching the sun set over the Atlantic ocean.

This 3 day guide to St Ives will help you to plan a fun, family friendly and affordable trip. We also give some suggestions for exploring more of Cornwall if you have time.

If you are looking for the ultimate relaxing accomodation in Cornwall, head to this post: 3 perfect days in a floating home in Cornwall.

Getting there and around

Parking is extremely limited in St Ives. We highly recommend leaving the car at home.

Travel to St Ives by train

By train, take the Train to St Erth, one of the final stops on the train route from London Paddington. From St Erth take the St Ives Bay line.

First Bus operate the Land’s End coaster, an open top bus connecting St Ives to Zennor, Lands End and Porthcurno. Click here to see the map and timetable.

Bus travel around Cornwall

The Land’s End Coaster is an open top bus following a spectacular route around Cornwall, including Marazon (access to St Michael’s Mount), Lands End and Zennor. This is an inexpensive, car-free way to explore the area. More information and timetable here.

Alternatively a plethora of local buses can be used to get around Cornwall.

Day 1: Beautiful Beaches, visit the Tate Museum and a spectacular sunset

Start your day in this historic fishing town by exploring the winding maze of streets around Fore Street, before heading to Porthmeor beach for surfing, bodyboarding or simply relaxing.

After lunch, head to the neighbouring Tate St Ives (book in advance for the best prices: adults £9, children free). The contemporary collections include works from local artists alongside changing visiting exhibitions. For younger children a family explorer backpack can be collected from the desk, with items such as magnifying glasses, transparent shapes and cloaks to keep them occupied. Many of the galleries have hands-on activities or games for children, helping to access the art works. When you’ve finished exploring, the restaurant on the top floor has incredible views of the town and the surrounding landscapes, and good cake too.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Porthmeor beach café. Be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The café sits above the beach with panoramic views and a fantastic menu boasting locally sourced ingredients.

Day 2: Visit a sculpture garden, explore town and relax or adventure at the beach

On day two spend some time in the tranquil garden of Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture garden (adults £8, children free).  This subtropical garden is filled with Hepworth’s sculptures and is a beautifully contemplative escape from the busy town. Explore her studios and find out about Hepworth and her contemporaries in the museum and workshop. There are plenty of eating options in the harbour area or town, When you’ve recharged your energy levels, spend some time wandering around the fisherman’s cottages or hunt for sea glass at Harbour Beach.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the soft, golden sands of Porthminster beach. Alternatively, rent kayaks or paddleboards and take to the sea for the afternoon. Finish the day with a picnic and an evening stroll around ‘The Island’. This rocky promontory isn’t actually an island, but has sea surrounding it on three sides and spectacular views over the town and the Atlantic. On the harbour side of the island you will find Porthgwidden beach. This small, sheltered and quiet place is a lovely spot for playing or exploring rock pools. For those interested in pirate tales, try the St Ives pirate walk for some fascinating local history.

Day 3: Hike the South West Coast Path for stunning scenery

The walk from St Ives to Zennor is consistently voted as one of the best walks in England. It’s easy to see why, the spectacular walk covers dramatic scenery, with huge limestone boulders to scramble over, framed by ferns, bracken, heather and wild flowers. There are tiny, rocky coves to admire along the way.

Depending on age and fitness, choose between routes below. Note that the path is very rugged and involves scrambling over boulders. Good footwear required and definitely not a buggy friendly route. We walked the circular route to The Carracks with our children aged 6, 9 and 12. The scrambling and scenery kept them interested despite the length.

All routes in detail at iwalk Cornwall. We would recommend using their app to help navigate. https://www.iwalkcornwall.co.uk/

Long route: Circular walk from St Ives (12 miles)

Medium: Take the 16A bus to Zennor and walk back (6 miles)

Alternative route: Bus or drive to Zennor and try the circular route to The Carracks (5.4 miles), stopping at the end to explore Zennor Church and for a drink in The Tinner’s Arms pub.

Michael Morpurgo has a terrific book of short myths and legends based in the area. ‘The White Horse of Zennor and other stories’ makes excellent pre-trip reading.

After a strenuous day, Harbour Fish & Chips, unsurprisingly found in St Ives Harbour, is a real treat. Be careful of seagulls, who are always ready to take advantage of any unsuspecting tourists. Guard you chips carefully!

Extend your stay: Our top 4 days out in Cornwall

If you have a little longer to spend in Cornwall, check out our top 4, tried and tested recommendations. Or read this post for more information.

Be aware that the beaches are extremely busy in summer, with limited parking. Consider public transport, arrive early, or visit in the off-season to lessen the impact on the area and for a stress-free visit. Many of the beaches are tidal so be sure to check tide times before planning a visit.