Rainy days out in St Ives

St Ives is an idyllic, picture-perfect town whose gentle turquoise waters, soft white sand and charming streets make it the poster girl for Cornwall and the beauty of its coast. However, throw in some grey skies, add a few downpours of rain, and whisk up the sea into frenzied white caps, and bucket-and-spade days on the beach seem a bit too optimistic. Luckily for the little seaside town,  there are plenty of things to do in St Ives in the rain, for couples, families and groups alike!

Its jumble of streets are packed with art galleries, from glitzy, starched spaces housing the work of famous artists, to tiny backstreet studios with creators working away. There are pubs, restaurants and cafes aplenty to while away a few cosy hours while the rain calms down outside. Then, there’s the leisure centre, museum, pottery, spas and more, offering a variety of indoor things to do in St Ives when the weather’s just not playing ball.

Read on to discover what to do in St Ives in the rain; we’ve even included information about off-peak opening hours if applicable to make sure you’ve got plenty to do in St Ives in winter too!

Cottages in St Ives

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• Galleries
• Indoor attractions
• Art and craft workshops
• Cafes
• Pubs
• Shopping
• Sea swimming

Galleries in St Ives

Tate St Ives

When put on the spot to think of a St Ives gallery, you’ll most likely come up with the Tate St Ives, and it's certainly worthy of its reputation. It’s one of the top things to do in Cornwall in the rain full-stop, because it’ll keep you busy for hours as you peruse the exhibitions and discover the artists associated with the town. It’s not just for adults, either. There are often events on for children, as well as trails to keep them occupied on the way around.

And if it’s still raining when you’ve enjoyed a leisurely tour of the gallery? Well, it’s a good excuse to try out the Tate St Ives cafe, where you can watch the rain tumble down over Porthmeor Beach and the Atlantic Ocean in comfort.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Barbara Hepworth, one of the most famous artists ever to hail from St Ives, has a museum and sculpture garden dedicated to her work. Run by the Tate St Ives, it is set within the artist’s former studio and showcases some of her fabulous works in bronze, stone, clay and wood.

There are indoor areas in the artist’s home and studio, and the garden offers a peaceful sanctuary as a backdrop to her glorious sculptures. The indoor-outdoor nature of the venue makes it a good choice for a showery day, as you can make the most of sunny spells to discover the gardens.

Porthminster Gallery

If you want to visit one of St Ives’ galleries, but you don’t fancy paying an entrance fee, head for Porthminster Gallery (ducking into a few others en route!). Here, you’ll find a vast array of art and sculpture from more than 60 British artists, spread out across a bright and inviting space.

Ponder work by famous artists including David Hockney, Barbara Hepworth and Peter Lanyon, and you may even find something to grace your walls at home. Taking in all the artwork on show could keep you occupied and out of the rain for at least half an hour, by which time it’s surely time for coffee and cake?

Other indoor attractions in St Ives

St Ives Leisure Centre

There’s something lovely about sinking into a heated indoor pool while the rain lashes down outside, and the pool at the St Ives Leisure Centre won’t disappoint. Run by the Better chain of leisure centres, the 25-metre pool has windows overlooking St Ives Bay, and a 12-metre, 32-degree learner pool with a children’s slide and bubble jets.

The leisure centre is super family friendly, with a changing village, fun swim sessions and a cafe for those all-important post-swim snacks. You could even squeeze in a holiday workout while you’re there!

St Ives Museum

Situated in the ancient fishing community of Downalong, the St Ives Museum occupies a building which was once used for curing pilchards. Subsequent uses were as a chapel, laundry and cinema! With a rich history itself, it’s the perfect venue to house a plethora of artefacts, photos and information about the town and its mining industry, boat building, fishing and much, much more.

The museum is run by a team of volunteers and is closed over the autumn/winter months. Children’s activity sheets can be purchased for 20p, perfect if you’re scrabbling around for things to do in St Ives in the rain with kids!

St Ives Farmers' Market

Popping up in the Guildhall on Thursday mornings, the St Ives Farmers' Market offers a welcome respite from the rain, while satisfying your tastebuds with a mouth-watering selection of local produce of mainly Cornish origin.

There are also crafts, plants, and alcoholic drinks – in fact, you could do your whole week’s shopping for your self-catering holiday here!

Spa days

If it’s cold and rainy outside, what could be more comforting than a luxurious spa day at one of St Ives’ upmarket resorts? Harbour Hotel and Spa offers an idyllic sanctuary in which to experience a relaxing massage or a dip in the gorgeous swimming pool or hydrotherapy pool. The Spa at Una offers a tempting menu of treatments using their chosen luxury product Elemis, and the stunning C Bay Spa showcases a sensational infinity pool with views of Carbis Bay, and a range of treatments and classes.

If you’re just looking for a quick pick-me-up before you carry on your day, book a session at the Attic Cellar Treatment Rooms in the heart of St Ives.

Jungle Barn at Paradise Park

We admit, it’s not technically a ‘thing to do in St Ives in the rain’ as it’s actually in Hayle (6.5 miles away), but sometimes, on a family holiday when rain sets in, only soft play will provide the necessary outlet for the kids to let off steam and the adults to catch up on coffee consumption!

The Jungle Barn Indoor Play Area is packed with giant slides (including drop slides!), soft play equipment and a toddlers' barn with a ball fountain. So, kick back and spend a few rain-free hours burning off some of the children’s pent-up energy. If the sun comes out, you could always stick around and explore the rest of Paradise Park (an additional ticket fee applies).

Royal Cinema

There is a small cinema in town, which makes for a fun couple of hours of escapism when you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day in St Ives. It shows all the latest releases for surprisingly good value, and at times you may have the whole big screen to yourself.

They often offer weekend Mini Merlins children’s sessions at reduced prices – bring on the popcorn!

Art and craft workshops in St Ives

Barnoon Workshop

Where better place than arty St Ives to take up a paintbrush and embrace your creative side, especially on a rainy day? There are many St Ives galleries and shops where you can spend an indulgent few hours honing your painting skills or trying a new craft, and one of the best is Barnoon Workshop.

They offer a variety of art and craft workshops all year round, both indoors and outdoors, and have wonderful exhibitions to peruse when you’re not getting creative yourself.

Leach Pottery

The famous Leach Pottery is the original home and workshop of the respected potter, Bernard Leach. It features exhibition spaces with a changing programme of shows of historic and contemporary pottery, and a museum where you can discover the 100-year-old pottery, the clay room, throwing room and Japanese climbing kiln. Take a guided tour, and book one of their fabulous pottery courses.

The Leach Pottery classes offer something to suit everyone, from throwing taster sessions for adults, to clay play for under-5s. It’s a lovely, creative and relaxing way to spend a rainy day in St Ives.

St Ives School of Painting

A whole range of courses and classes are on offer at St Ives School of Painting, for everyone from beginners up to practising artists who’d like to hone their skills. There are weekend workshops, longer courses, and online options which you could get stuck into from the comfort of your St Ives holiday cottage!

All the tutors are artists themselves, providing inspiration and transferring their skills to help you leave a better artist yourself.

Best cafes in St Ives

Images courtesy of Brewhouse Cafe St Ives

Brewhouse Cafe, St Ives

There are numerous cafes in St Ives where you can while away an hour or so on a rainy day, but the Brewhouse Cafe is ideal if you’ve parked up in Trenwith Car Park for the day, then the heaven’s open as you get out of the car. Located right next to the car park, it’s also good for a pit stop to dry off if you got caught walking back up through the town.

As the name suggests, the cafe is fully licensed and serves up a range of delicious, St Ives-brewed beers alongside the staple coffees, cakes and mouth-watering lunches.

Yallah Coffee Kiosk

A delightful little find, right on the harbourside, is the Yallah Coffee Kiosk. It has a window selling coffee to go, but walk up the stone steps and you’ll find a cute little cafe where you can get the most delicious coffee, cake, brunches and plant-based dishes.

Hub St Ives

This popular chain restaurant has snapped up a fantastic location right on the harbourside in St Ives. Cosy up with a smooth Origins coffee, or turn up at lunchtime for a feast of burgers, hot dogs or salad. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting with dimmed lights, industrial-style decor and views out over the harbour.

Hub is a good choice for families, with plenty of space inside for prams, and pups can lounge under the table as you escape the rain and tuck into your hearty meal.

Best pubs in St Ives

Images courtesy of the Lifeboat Inn

The Lifeboat Inn

If you like your beer with a view, then the Lifeboat Inn, right next to the lifeboat house, is a top choice for a tipple. There are few things to do in St Ives more relaxing (and romantic) than hunkering down in a welcoming pub with a roaring fire and a menu of pub classics.

They have a seasonal menu, so if you’re visiting St Ives in winter, you’ll find dishes to warm the cockles and you won’t even give a second thought to the rain outside.

Sloop Inn

Another of St Ives’ pubs that you can’t miss is The Sloop Inn. The olde-worlde tavern sits alongside Harbour Beach, and on dry days you can sit outside as you sip your pint and watch as the world goes by. However, on rainy days in St Ives, you can head into this favourite fishermen’s haunt that dates back to 1312, and follow in the footsteps of many before you as you take a seat in its historic interior.

Set across three storeys, you can enjoy the traditional pub experience on the ground floor, table service on the second-floor ‘Captains Table’, or the views from the ‘Upper Deck’ when it’s dry (and you’re over 18!).

Images courtesy of The Castle Inn

Castle Inn

There’s no end of pubs in St Ives, Cornwall, and the Castle Inn is another traditional option which has been a favourite for artists over the years including Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Peter Lanyon. Bursting with character with all the historic features you’d expect to see in an establishment of its age, it prides itself on its Cornish real ales and extensive gin menu.

Dogs are warmly welcomed too, so settle in behind the striking stained-glass window as the rain pours down to while away a couple of hours in comfort.

St Ives shopping

Images courtesy of Onda

Onda

A bit of retail therapy is sure to take the edge of the gloomy weather, and there are numerous St Ives shops to choose from! If you’re looking for things to do in St Ives in the rain, take a wander down Fore Street (St Ives town centre), umbrella in hand, and make sure you duck into Onda which oozes cosy hygge vibes.

The small shop sells an exquisitely curated collection of clothing and lifestyle accessories whose aesthetic will make your heart sing.

Images courtesy of the St Ives Bookseller

St Ives Bookseller

If you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day in St Ives, how about having a browse of a good, old-fashioned bookshop? St Ives Bookseller is a veritable treasure trove, with oak bookshelves packed to the rafters full of bestsellers, titles by local authors, children’s books, reference books and a bountiful supply of delicious fiction to devour during your holiday.

Images courtesy of Sweetlime

Sweetlime

While it’s raining outside, transport yourself to somewhere more exotic with a visit to delectable Sweetlime, a cute shop selling tribal jewellery and homeware from around the globe. The perfect St Ives shopping experience for brightening up any grey day, you’re sure to come away with a unique piece from the fabulous collection curated and created by owner Elspeth.

Go for a dip!

If there’s one thing St Ives isn’t short of, it’s beaches! Jumping in the sea on a rainy day can be an exhilarating experience, and it makes that coffee stop on the way back up through town all the more rewarding. The St Ives water temperature averages around 16.9°C in August, dropping to around 9.4°C in March, the coldest month for sea swimming.

If you fancy your chances though, the opportunity to bathe here exists all year round, and there are, in fact, six or seven beaches in St Ives (depending on who you ask!) to choose from! With dog-friendly options amongst them, the whole family can enjoy a rainy day splash in the waves.

Book a stay in St Ives

If you’re looking for inspiration for an upcoming holiday in St Ives and have yet to find your perfect accommodation, take a look at our collection of St Ives cottages. From romantic couples retreats from which to explore the captivating town, to large family houses with hot tubs and additional features aplenty, there’s something to suit everyone.

Browse our St Ives collection below.

Cottages in St Ives