What to Do in St Ives When It Rains

Short answer: St Ives has more indoor culture per street than anywhere in Cornwall: Tate St Ives above Porthmeor, the Hepworth museum (free for children), the Leach Pottery, hands-on chocolate workshops at I Should Coco, and galleries in every lane.

The big three

• Tate St Ives — the modern art gallery above Porthmeor Beach, with interactive activities for children and a café with superb views. Watching the storm come in over Porthmeor from inside Tate is a St Ives experience in itself.
• Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden — the sculptor's own house, studio and garden. Free for children, and moving even for non-regulars. The garden is outdoors, so save it for a lull.
• The Leach Pottery — the studio and museum of a pioneering potter, with hands-on decoration sessions sometimes available.

The one kids remember

I Should Coco runs hands-on chocolate workshops that families rate as a holiday highlight. Book ahead on a wet day — everyone else has had the same idea.

Gallery-hopping

The lanes are full of free galleries: Penwith Gallery, the Society of Artists in the converted church (don't miss the crypt gallery) and New Craftsman among them. With children, read our child-friendly galleries guide first.

Warm-ups

St Ives Bakery for a steak and stilton pasty (early, before it sells out), The Pier Coffee Bar for excellent Italian coffee. And for a long, dry breakfast: our early breakfast guide.

Getting in dry

Take the train from St Erth rather than hunting for parking in the rain — see our park and ride guide. More in the St Ives guide.

Opening hours shrink from autumn and small attractions sometimes close mid-week — check before you drive over for one thing. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.