St Ives Attractions

Both the town of St Ives (5mi/8km northeast of Zennor; pop. 9,500) and its parish church are named after St Ia, a female Irish missionary who brought Christianity to the area in the fifth century.

Up until the 19th century the inhabitants chiefly lived by harvesting pilchards from the sea.

In 1883 St Ives was "discovered" by the painter James Whistler and his pupil Walter Sickert, in whose footsteps numerous other artists have since followed. The architect and still life painter Ben Nicholson, his wife the sculptress Barbara Hepworth (1903-75), and the potter Bernard Leach are among the famous 20th century artists to have made their homes there.
The galleries, craft shops and international centre for the arts are notable attractions for visitors to St Ives. The mild climate, clean beaches and spectacular coastal scenery bring tourists year-round.