St Ives
St Ives has won numerous awards for the Best Seaside Town, as your Recoco buying agent can confirm. The harbour is sheltered by the headland of St Ives Island and Smeaton’s Pier. Property buyers will be delighted to hear that the town is mild in winter and warm in summer, with sunshine levels well above the national annual average.
St Ives lies west of Camborne and north of Penzance, and it’s worth taking a little time out from your property search to explore its four beaches. Recoco property finders may well suggest Porthmeor for surfing enthusiasts; the working port is Harbour; Porthgwidden is a sheltered Cornish cove; and Porthminster will appeal if you love sand between your toes.
Transport
The St Ives branch line links to the London Paddington to Penzance main rail route, and to nearby Lelant and Carbis Bay. There is a park and ride facility at St Erth Station; National Express coach services run to London Victoria and Heathrow Airport.
Recoco property finders will happily provide details of the local small airports, Newquay and Land’s End, close to St Just. Private planes can use Perranporth Airfield. The nearest international airport is Exeter.
History
The town allegedly takes its name from Ia, an Irish holy woman of the 5th century; the 15th century parish church is dedicated to the saint. A storm in 1697 broke through the sea-wall, damaging the roof and a large window above the altar.
The town played a pivotal role in the defeat of the Armada in 1597, when a storm separated the Spanish fleet, and two Spanish vessels docked here, seeking refuge. The intelligence provided by the prisoners proved essential for Sir Walter Raleigh, whose ship Warspite was also in harbour.
After 1877, the town grew rapidly when the St Ives Bay branch railway line arrived.
Leisure and Events
The founding of the town is celebrated with an annual procession to St Ia’s well on the Sunday and Monday closest to February 3. Every five years the town hosts the gloriously quirky Knill Ceremony on 25 July, or St James’s Day. The ceremony was created by the ever-so-slightly eccentric mayor of the town, John Knill.
Check with your Recoco buying agent for details of the annual September arts festival, which incorporates poetry, music, lectures, film, books and art. Property buyers can drink in the free music and atmosphere in local pubs, with the Western Hotel and St Ives Guildhall two of the busiest.
The scenic railway route between St Erth and St Ives passes the RSPB birdwatching sanctuary at Lelant, the sand dunes of Porthkidney Beach, and views of Carbis Bay and St Ives itself.
Although commercial fishing has declined dramatically in recent years, the harbour remains popular. Ask your Recoco property finder about the boating, tourist fishing trips, and day excursions to the nearby seal colonies and wildlife havens.
Property buyers who enjoy local history will delight in the “jumbos”, unique Victorian fishing boats only found in St Ives and now operated by the St Ives Jumbo Association. Or revitalise your property search by wandering the cobbles and pretty, whitewashed fishermen’s cottages of the Down-a-long: venture into Salubrious Place, Teetotal Street, and the Digey.
Education
St Ives has an infant school, junior school, and a technology college. St Ives School is part of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, and is also a member of Inclusive Dyslexia Friendly Schools. There is also a local Surf School, School of Painting, and a dedicated language school.
Celebrity Connections
Artists have flocked to the area since 920, when ‘Father of British studio pottery’ Bernard Leach set up the Leach Pottery with Shoji Hamada. Our Recoco buying agents will be more than happy to help locate properties near here, or the Tate St Ives, a branch of the Tate Gallery, which opened in 1993. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and her world-famous sculpture garden have been owned by the Tate since 1980.
Cornish language poet Mick Paynter lives in St Ives, and author Elizabeth Day often stays in the town.
Foodies’ Corner
Should your property search make you slightly peckish, head for the award-winning Porthminster Beach Cafe. Dating from the 1920s, it’s one of the longest-established eateries in town. Or try the Porthmeor Beach Cafe or the Porthgwidden Cafe – though do remember to check seasonal opening times. Or nip into the traditional fishermen’s Sloop Inn on the wharf. Dating from around 1312, it’s one of the oldest taverns in Cornwall.
Fun Fact
Since 2014, St Ives has been twinned with Laguna Beach, California.