Travellers guide: St Ives Cornwall.

St Ives is a town in the West of Cornwall UK and one of the most beautiful places in Britain. Situated on the North coast of Cornwall it is surrounded by sandy beaches and dramatic coastal scenery. St Ives is named after the patron Saint of the town St Ia in the fact the name of the town in the Cornish Language is Porth Ia (Ia's Port or cove).

The town has a long association with the arts and is the home to a number of galleries most notably Tate St Ives and The Barbara Hepworth gallery. Barbara Hepworth was one of many famous artists that lived and created in St Ives in the 20th creating the St Ives School of art. Other members included Peter Lanyon, John Wells, Roger Hilton, Bryan Wynter, Patrick Heron and numerous others.

St Ives has a number of unique traditions the most famous of which being St Ives feast which is a celebration of the foundation of the church and town. During this event which falls in early February there is an opportunity to see the Cornish game of Hurling a "mob football" game played by the children of the town.

St Ives was formerly a major fishing port and home to a thriving pilchard (sardine)industry now tourism is it's primary industry.