Saint Ives is a picturesque coastal town on the Cornish coast and a well-known holiday destination. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was awarded the title of the best spa town in Great Britain three times. There are sandy beaches, nice 19th century buildings and a charming marina from which excursion boats leave.
Until the 19th century, Saint Ives was primarily a thriving fishing center. The local fishermen mainly caught mackerel. When the shoals changed their feeding places, many fishermen and their families moved north in the first half of the 19th century, including to Scotland.
In 1877 a railway was brought to Saint Ives. This made this part of the Cornish coast a destination for tourists looking for places to relax by the sea. The city began to develop rapidly, guesthouses and hotels, as well as private holiday homes of the aristocracy and representatives of the financial elite appeared.
Today's Saint Ives has largely preserved buildings from the middle of the 19th century. The town's buildings are surrounded by a port hidden behind the peninsula, where today mainly cruise boats moor. You can also take advantage of the offer of fishing trips or go to sea safaria to watch the seal colonies living nearby.
The main attraction of Saint Ives are the sandy beaches hidden in the bays. It is also one of the UK's major surf centers. It is only surpassed in popularity by Newquay, famous for its high waves.
