“The Story of St Ives” Tour
St Ives has a fascinating history – from its roots as a remote fishing and mining village, to its position in the mid twentieth century as a world-renowned centre of modernist art, and now as a well-loved holiday destination.
The Story of St Ives tour will guide you through all these facets of the town’s history, providing insights into the lives of people in the town throughout the centuries.
We will take you on a leisurely walking tour of the town, stopping at notable landmarks to relive key moments of the town’s history. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the past and present of St Ives
Who will enjoy “The Story of St Ives”?
This tour is for everyone who wants to learn more about St Ives. From people who have never visited St Ives before to those who have been coming every year for 40 years! We have lots of visitors who lived here as children, and some whose relatives emigrated to Australia to ply their trade when the traditional industries of mining and fishing went into decline.
Tour Details
The tour takes in all the places of interest in a leisurely walk, finishing at the Tate St Ives opposite Porthmeor Beach. It generally lasts around 90 minutes, depending on the number of questions, which are encouraged, so we don’t limit the time except by your level of interest!
The tour costs £10 per person, with a minimum price of £40, payable in cash or with a card to the tour guide, please. Reduced rates are available for groups of 10 or more – please get in touch for a personal quotation for your group. We can take groups of up to 30 people, but please note we cannot take groups of more than 20 into the Guildhall (where there are a couple of very special pieces of art that most people never see).
Tours run in all weathers, sometimes necessitating detours, but they are always fun and informative and if the weather is really impossible we can always shelter somewhere or drop into a local café and continue the talk inside. However we are usually lucky!
Please call Dawn on 07816 180639 to arrange a private walking tour at a time that suits you.
The Story of St Ives tour also takes place as a drop-on tour on Wednesdays at 11.00am from Easter until the end of October. It departs from outside The Guildhall on Street-an-Pol (follow the signs to the Visitor Information Centre). There’s no need to book – just turn up around 10 minutes before the tour leaves. You can pay the guide upon arrival – £7.50 per person by cash or card.