セント・アイヴス・コーンウォール・ウォーキングツアー：コーンウォールのクリエイティブパラダイス – セント・アイヴス

セント・アイヴス・コーンウォール・ウォーキングツアー：コーンウォールのクリエイティブパラダイス – セント・アイヴス

On the Cornish coast, St. Ives shines as a 
true masterpiece where a lively art scene, the constant rhythm of the sea, 
and a fascinating history come together. It’s no wonder this town is 
frequently hailed as one of the UK’s best seaside destinations. We’ll ride 
the coastal train directly into town, ready for an afternoon adventure. Our journey 
will take us through the quaint cobbled streets, across the golden beaches, and into the cultural 
highlights that define this much-loved location. We’re just arriving at St. Erth Station, 
which is a few stops away from St. Ives. It has a large park and ride, which we are told is 
much better than trying to navigate the car parks in St Ives, as they get very congested during 
the summer season. With the promise of a coastal train ride on the St Ives Bay line, it felt like a 
great place to start our afternoon adventure. So, this is the car park. It’s a few miles away 
from St Ives, and it’s a park and ride and as parking is so bad in St Ives that people are 
encouraged to take the train. And so we’re going to do that. It’s supposed to be a very nice 
10-minute coastal run into St Ives. So we’ll pay the £4.50 that it is to park here for the 
afternoon. I think it is for the whole day, and then we’ll catch the next train. 
You can hear the train going behind us now. They run about every half an hour at 
this time of day, but you do need to check the GWR website for the actual times. But we’ll 
go and get a ticket and get on the platform. Direct trains to St. Erth are available from 
London Paddington with advanced one-way tickets costing approximately £45. The journey duration is 
around 5 hours. Travellers from other parts of the country can reach here by changing trains 
in locations such as Bristol or Plymouth. For information on bus journeys from towns and 
villages around St. Erth, check the bus website. A day return to St Ives is £4.20 
per adult, and the last train of the day back leaves St Ives 10:08 p.m. 
But check the timetable for the latest information. Sit on the right-hand side 
of the train when you board at St. Erth. This side offers uninterrupted sea and 
bay views for almost the entire journey. The dream of a railway to St. Ives was born 
in the bustling era of Victorian Britain. Whilst proposals floated around as early as the 
1840s, it wasn’t until the Great Western Railway took charge that the project gained momentum. In 
1873, an act of Parliament gave the green light, and by June 1st, 1877, the line officially opened. 
The St. Ives Bay Line holds a unique distinction. It was the very last broad gauge passenger line to 
be built in Britain. The tracks were an impressive 7 ft wide, a nod to GWR’s original engineering 
vision. However, this didn’t last long, and by 1892, the entire rail network was converted 
to the standard gauge we know today. Initially,  the railway served a dual purpose. It 
was a lifeline for the local economy, transporting fresh fish from St Ives to the rest 
of the country. But it also unlocked the town for a new kind of visitor, the Victorian tourist, who 
came to enjoy the bracing sea air and picturesque scenery. As the 20th century progressed, the 
line faced a new set of challenges. The local fishing and agricultural industries that 
had relied on the railway began to dwindle. The biggest threat, however, was the rise of 
the automobile. People were now driving to Cornwall and passenger numbers on the train 
line plummeted. By the 1960s, the line was under serious threat. It was marked for closure 
in the infamous beaching cuts, a massive plan to rationalise and shut down large parts of Britain’s 
rail network. Miraculously, the line was saved. Its incredible scenic value, now seen as a major 
draw for tourism, proved to be its salvation. The journey begins with the line following 
the western side of the Hayle estuary. This area is a protected RSPB nature reserve, 
and from the train window you can often spot a diverse range of wading birds including 
oyster catchers, curlews and little egrets. We climb onto the sandunes above 
Porthkidney Sands with breathtaking panoramic views of the vast golden sandy 
beaches that sweep around St Ives Bay, extending all the way to the iconic Godrevy 
Lighthouse perched on an island off the coast. As the train continues, it hugs the steep 
cliffs at Hawkes Point. The views from here are spectacular, looking out over the open sea. 
The southwest coast path runs parallel to the railway for much of this section. So you often 
see walkers enjoying the same incredible vistas. [Announcement] We are now approaching Carbis Bay After rounding a headland, the 
train pulls into Carbis Bay. The station is located just above the 
beach, offering a beautiful view of the turquoise waters and golden sands 
that’s given the area its tropical feel. [Announcement] The next station is St Ives The line then crosses the Carbis viaduct, 
a short but impressive granite structure that adds to the charm. The final leg of the 
journey takes the train across the headland of Porthminster Point. Here, the famous view 
of St. Ives comes into sight with its jumble of whitewashed houses, the busy harbour, 
and the stunning Porthminster Beach below. The train glides across the St. Ives viaduct, 
arriving at the station located directly above Portminster Beach. Lots of people are waiting 
to make the return journey back to St. Erth. Leaving the train behind, a walk across 
the car park brings us to the terrace for excellent views of the harbour and Portminster 
Beach, where a food festival has just finished. Joining Tregenna Hill, we begin our walk down 
into the centre. The town is famed for its extraordinary quality of light, a luminous, 
clear ambience that has been a siren call for artists for well over a century. I can’t say 
that we really experienced it on our visit due to the mostly cloudy conditions, but there were 
times during the afternoon that we seemed to be caught between clouds on one side of the town 
and blue skies on the other, which did create some strange lighting. The origins of St. Ives are 
attributed to an Irish missionary named St. Ia, who, according to legend, floated to the 
coast on a leaf in the fifth century. A community grew up around her, and the parish 
church was dedicated in her name. While the town has ancient roots, its formal development began 
later. In 1487, King Henry VII granted St. Ives a charter to hold a weekly market and annual fairs, 
establishing its role as a key trading centre. This area became a stage for significant events, 
most notably during the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549, when Mayor John Payne was executed here 
for his involvement. The iconic market house, a prominent granite building in the 
square, was constructed in 1832 to replace the original 15th-century structure. 
It once served as the town hall, a court, and even held a small prison cell. While its 
civic functions have since moved elsewhere, the building remains a central part of the 
town’s identity. Today, the marketplace is a vibrant hub where multiple streets converge, 
surrounded by shops, cafes, and art galleries, and it continues to host markets that carry 
on the town’s long-standing trading tradition. St.Ia or St. Ives Parish Church was constructed 
from local granite between 1410 and 1434 in the perpendicular Gothic style. Its tall tower stands at over 80 ft and has served as a vital beacon for sailors for centuries. A notable feature of its 
interior is its slender leaning sandrock pillars, possibly caused by subsidence, but 
which some believe were deliberately designed to resemble the hull of a ship, 
a nod to the town’s seafaring heritage. Another notable feature includes the sculpture 
of the Madonna and Child by the renowned St Ives artist Barbara Hepworth, created in memory of 
her son, who died in 1953 whilst serving in the RAF. These features collectively tell the story 
of the town’s faith, art, and maritime history. Fore Street has a long history as the town’s main 
commercial road running from the marketplace to the harbour. Historically, the narrow winding 
street was the bustling heart of the fishing and mining community. Lined with fishermen’s 
cottages and businesses that supported the local industries. Today, it’s been transformed 
into a vibrant tourist hub. While it retains its historic character, the traditional shops have 
been replaced by a mix of independent boutiques, art galleries, and popular brands, all catering 
to the millions of visitors who frequent the town. Let’s take a brief detour off Fore Street 
to show you the entrance of the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture 
Garden located at Trewyn Studio. This is where the celebrated sculptor lived and 
worked from 1949 until her tragic death in 1975. Run by the Tate, you’ll need to buy a timed 
ticket to enter. The site preserved according to her wishes offers a rare glimpse into her 
creative world, with her studio and living space maintained as they were. The main attraction is 
the sculpture garden designed by Hepworth herself, which showcases her monumental works of art in 
the natural setting in which they were created. Just around the corner from this 
attraction is Trewyn Gardens, a small public park good for getting away 
from the crowds and maybe eating your lunch. Back on Fore Street. Let’s 
continue browsing the shops. The white building ahead of us with the blue 
windows upstairs is where we’ll take a left onto “The Digey”. This building was once the dye 
house for dying fishing nets. The name of the road is probably associated with this. The Digey 
is located in the “downalong” area of St Ives, which historically was where the fishing families 
lived due to its proximity to the harbour, and it’s where we’ll find many cute cottages 
as we make our way to Porthmeor Beach. Porthmeor Beach is a stunning stretch 
of white sand and clear blue water. A prime destination for surfers and 
swimmers, with the St Ives Surf School located directly on the beach, 
offering lessons and equipment rentals. The beach is a favourite amongst families due to its safe sandy shores and the rock 
pools. The beach cafe offers food with a view and is conveniently located 
near the Tate St Ives on the same road. The gallery celebrates the artists who have 
links with St Ives and the surrounding area, with a particular focus on the St. 
Ives school figures like Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon, and Barbara Hepworth, alongside international modern and contemporary 
artists. Entry requires a ticket or membership. I read an interesting story about a chap 
named Alfred Wallis who lived in St. Ives and is buried in Banoon Cemetery, right next 
to the Tate and overlooking the beach. Wallis was a British artist and marine stores 
dealer who is celebrated as a key figure in British naive art. He was a self-taught artist 
who began painting at the age of 70 in 1925, following the death of his wife. Wallis 
used readily available materials such as household paint and scraps of cardboard, as 
he had little money. Having lived by the sea for most of his life as a mariner and fisherman, 
his paintings often depict seascapes, ships, and coastal scenes from memory. His distinctive style 
is characterised by a disregard for conventional perspective, with the size of objects often 
determined by their own importance in the scene, which gives his work a map-like quality. Wallis achieved little commercial success during his lifetime, despite being discovered and championed 
by prominent artists Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood in 1928, who were captivated by his raw and 
unpretentious approach. They introduced his work to the broader art community. His paintings are 
now held in major collections, including in the Tate. He died in a workhouse in Madron near 
Penzance in poverty. A group of artists in St. Ives, including famous potter Bernard Leach, came together to ensure he would not have a pauper’s grave. The tombstone is an elaborate memorial 
made of painted stoneware tiles. The tiles depict a mariner at the foot of a large lighthouse, 
a recurring motif in Wallis’s own paintings. In the distance is the island. Not 
a proper island, more a headland. Atop is a small chapel, 
which we’ll head towards now. If you are prepared to navigate the lanes of St. Ives, then there is a small car 
park at the bottom of the island. Suddenly, the sun is out again. We’ve got our 
macs on cuz we thought it was going to rain, but now I think we’re going to get roasted. This grassy peninsula that juts 
out between Porthmeor Beach and Porthgwidden Beach was historically known 
as “Pendinus”, meaning fortified headland, and has played a significant role in 
the town’s history as a defensive point and a landmark for sailors. You can 
see why with these fantastic views. At the very top of the island sits the Chapel 
of St. Nicholas, a simple granite building. It is believed that a chapel has stood on this spot 
since at least the 15th century, possibly earlier, serving as a place of worship for the 
town’s mariners. St. Nicholas is, after all, the patron saint of sailors. Over the centuries, 
the chapel has served different purposes. In the 18th century, it became a lookout post for 
revenue men seeking to intercept smugglers. Later, it was used by the War Office as a 
store for the gun battery that was built on the headland. In the early 20th century, the 
War Office began to demolish the chapel, but a public outcry led to it being restored in 1911 
to commemorate the coronation of King George V. At St. Ives Head is the National 
Coast Watch station, keeping an eye on everything along the coastline, 
monitoring radio channels to keep us safe, and notifying the Coast Guard 
when someone is in danger. As you wander through the winding 
cobbled streets of St. Ives, you’ll inevitably find yourself 
drawn to the town’s beating heart, Wharf Road, a vibrant, bustling 
artery that runs along the harbour. The air is filled with the scent of salt and 
freshly baked pasties. The sound of gulls soaring overhead and the chatter of locals and 
tourists alike. Overlooking the sheltered harbour, it provides a front row seat to the ebb and 
flow of daily life. At high tide, the water laps against the harbour wall, bobbing boats rising 
and falling with the swell. At low tide, the sandy expanse reveals itself, dotted with families 
and children exploring the rock pools left behind. The road is a foodies paradise, lined 
with an irresistible array of eateries from traditional fish and chip shops to gourmet 
seafood restaurants. You can grab a scoop of Cornish ice cream and enjoy it while watching 
the boats, or settle into a centuries old pub like “The Sloop Inn”, where fishermen and 
artists have shared stories for generations. Beyond its culinary delights, 
Wharf Road is a key part of St. Ives’ story. It’s the site of the 
St. Ives lifeboat station. A testament to the town’s seafaring heritage 
and the bravery of its community. So when you visit St Ives, take your time on 
Wharf Road. Don’t just walk down it. Immerse yourself in it. Watch the fishermen returning 
with their catch. Brave the cheeky gulls. They’re notorious for eyeing your food 
and soaking in the timeless atmosphere. And it’s from here we’ll look ahead to 
our last video in this Cornish series. Tucked away on the stunning Roseland 
Peninsula lies the charming village of  St. Mawes. With its picturesque harbour, 
winding streets, and thatched cottages, you can feel the past all around you. Join us next 
time as we explore this delightful Cornish gem, including a tour of the magnificent Tudor fortress 
built by King Henry VIII. We’ll walk the walls of this unique cloverleaf-shaped fort that has 
guarded the estuary for nearly 500 years. We’ll take to the water for a charming 
20-minute chug across the Carrick roads to the famous port of Falmouth, where 
centuries of maritime history meet a thriving modern culture. We’ll soak up the 
lively atmosphere of its bustling streets before returning to the calm and tranquillity 
of St. Mawes. Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss our next video. See you again 
soon. Thanks for watching the MemorySeekers.

St Ives: Welcome to St Ives in May, a breathtaking town where art, history, and the relentless beauty of the sea converge. We’re taking you on an unforgettable journey through the cobbled streets and golden sands of this iconic seaside destination, hailed as one of the UK’s finest.

Our adventure begins on the legendary St Ives Bay Line, a scenic train journey that promises views you’ll never forget. This railway, born in the Victorian era, was miraculously saved from the Beeching cuts, its stunning vistas proving too valuable to lose. It’s a spectacular way to arrive, climbing dunes and hugging cliffs with panoramic views of Godrevy Lighthouse and St Ives Bay stretching out before you. We’ll show you why this is the only way to arrive and immediately fall in love with St Ives.

Once in town, you’ll discover why St Ives has captivated artists for over a century, thanks to its unique, luminous quality of light. The town itself is a canvas of history, with its origins tied to an Irish missionary, St. Ia, and its streets shaped by centuries of fishing and trading. The magnificent granite Parish Church and the historic Market House tell the story of a community built by the sea. Wander down Fore Street, the town’s bustling commercial heart, and let its history unfold.

But the real magic of St Ives lies in its connection to the sea. Porthmeor Beach offers a surfer’s paradise with the Tate St Ives gallery standing proudly nearby, celebrating the town’s rich artistic heritage. For a different perspective, we’ll venture to The Island, a headland with a fascinating past as a defensive fort and a present that offers unbeatable views.

And no trip to St Ives would be complete without a stroll along Wharf Road. This vibrant thoroughfare is the town’s beating heart, where the smell of salt and pasties fills the air, and the chatter of locals mixes with the calls of seagulls. From the centuries-old Sloop Inn to the St Ives Lifeboat Station, Wharf Road is a living, breathing part of the town’s history.

Join us as we explore every nook and cranny, from the beautiful beaches to the rich cultural sites, and discover why St Ives truly is a masterpiece.

Don’t forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and let us know in the comments what your favourite part of St Ives is!

Helpful links:-
www.gwr.com
www.transportforcornwall.co.uk
https://www.tate.org.uk

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00:00 Overview of St Ives
00:39 Getting to St Ives
02:26 St Ives Bay Line (St Erth to St Ives) by Train
08:36 Walk into St Ives Centre from Station
09:39 St Ives History
11:01 St Ia (St Ives) Parish Church
12:14 Fore Street Walk
13:29 Barbara Hepworth
15:02 More Fore Street
16:01 The Digey
17:04 Porthmeor Beach
18:05 Tate St Ives
18:33 Alfred Wallis Story
20:41 The Island (Chapel of St Nicholas)
23:37 St Ives Head
24:31 Wharf Road – St Ives Harbour
26:57 Next Time….

#stives #visitcornwall #cornwall