When visiting St Ives we have a thought in our head that the weather is going to be glorious as we see on social media, but for the majority of the time especially during winter St Ives is raining but there are still things to do in St Ives when its raining and there is also free things to do in St Ives when its raining.
Our list of the best things to do in St ives when its raining is from our own experiences
Enjoy a PROPER Cornish cream tea
No visit to Cornwall is complete without traditional jam first cream tea. Head to one of St Ives cosy cafés, like the Porthmeor Beach Café or The Pier Coffee Bar, and enjoy freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam as you watch the rain fall on St Ives.
Photo by Rhoddas
Watch a Film at the St Ives Royal Cinema
Catch one of the latest films at the Royal Cinema or sometimes they have special events on, if you’re lucky enough you could catch a cool event. The Royal cinema is a small, charming, traditional cinema in the heart of St Ives. With comfortable seating and a cosy atmosphere unlike big corporate cinema’s what we know now, it’s a great way to spend a rainy afternoon or evening and then heading out in the town after your movie.
Take a Cooking Class
Embrace the culture in Cornwall by taking a PROPER Cornish cooking class. Learn how to prepare local specialties, such as Cornish pasties or seafood dishes, and enjoy the fruits of your labor in a warm, welcoming environment and a specialised cook teaching you the heritage of 100’s of years in one of the most special places in Cornwall.
Take a Pottery Class
Get hands-on with a creative pottery class in the heart of Cornwall at one of St Ives’ many studios. Leach Pottery, for example, offers workshops where you can try your hand at making your own ceramics. It’s a fun and interactive way to stay dry while tapping into the artistic spirit of the town and enjoying the moment without being rained upon.
Visit the Tate Museum
The Tate St Ives is a must-visit on any trip to the town, rain or shine. The Tate art gallery features contemporary and modern art, with a special focus on artists connected to the local area (St Ives). You can spend hours wandering through the exhibitions, and then art the end enjoy rooftop views from the Tate café with over Porthmeor Beach, that’s if the rain stops for you.
The Local St Ives Museum
Located in the old fishing quarter of St Ives, the St Ives Museum is a treasure of local history full of pictures from when St Ives was just a quaint fishing village with one of the most decorated ports in Cornwall, a time we would love to go back to. From maritime heritage to the town’s art scene, the museum’s exhibits provide a deep dive into the rich history of St Ives. It’s the perfect spot to spend a rainy afternoon learning about the town’s past and learning how St Ives became what it is today.
Enjoy a Local Pub Meal
When the rain sets in, there’s no better way to warm up and soak in the local atmosphere than by enjoying a some beautiful fresh seafood or sunday roast in one of St Ives charming pubs. Many of the town’s pubs offer cosy interiors with roaring fires, perfect for escaping the wet weather. You can enjoy a local pint of Cornish beer or take on the freshest fish and chips you’ll find anywhere, all made with fresh, local ingredients.
Some great options include The Sloop Inn, one of the oldest pubs in St Ives, offering a warm welcoming setting right by the harbour, or The Union Inn, where you can enjoy local comfort food and walk out to fore street, one of Cornwall’s most recognised cobbled streets.
Sunday roast dinner in st ives
Art Class Lessons
St Ives is renowned for its vibrant art scene, making it the perfect place to try your artistic skills if you’re a beginner or you love art on a rain day in St Ives. There are many local studios who are more than accommodating offering art classes and workshops where you can learn new skills or refine your technique.
Try your hand at painting, drawing, or even pottery in a friendly and inspiring environment. Places like the St Ives School of Painting offer a range of courses, from short sessions to full-day workshops, where you can learn from professional artists. Not only will you stay dry, but you’ll also leave with your own masterpiece and a memory for a lifetime.
Chocolate Making Workshop
Indulge your sweet tooth and escape the rain by joining a chocolate-making workshop in St Ives. This experience lets you dive into your inner-child and the world of artisan chocolate, where you can learn about the art of tempering, moulding, and decorating your own chocolatey creations.
You will be guided by St Ives most skilled chocolatiers, get hands-on experience from crafting everything like truffles to chocolate bars, all while having fun and tasting high-quality cocoa chocolate. Workshops often include tastings, so you can sample different types of chocolate and discover new chocolate flavours.
A great place to start is I Should Coco, a well-loved chocolate shop in St Ives that offers fun and interactive workshops for all ages.
Go Shopping at Local Boutiques
Rainy days in St Ives provide the perfect excuse to explore the local boutiques and independent shops that line the streets of St Ives. The town is a great for shoppers, offering everything from handmade jewellery and local art to clothing and homeware for you to take home with you.
Wandering along Fore Street, you’ll stumble upon shops brimming with one of a kind finds wether its a special souvenir, a piece of local artwork, or something that will prepare you for the sunshine coming, the local boutiques in St Ives offer plenty of options. The Sloop Craft Market is another must-visit spot, where you can shop local stalls filled with handcrafted goods made by local artisans.
Each shop has its own story, and you’ll find that the friendly local St Ives shopkeepers are always eager to share the stories behind their products. So, grab an umbrella, take a stroll, and enjoy a leisurely day of shopping.
Go for a Swim
Don’t let the rain stop you from enjoying a swim in St Ives. While the idea of swimming in the sea might not appeal in wet weather its can be more than enjoyable if the sea conditions are calm, grab your wetsuit and changing robe then go for a dip in the harbour otherwise if you’re not a sea swimming then St Ives Leisure Centre offers an indoor swimming pool that’s perfect for a few laps or a relaxing dip, regardless of the weather outside.
The pool is family-friendly, with a shallow area for kids, and even offers lane swimming for those looking to keep fit. It’s a great way to stay active and have fun, all while staying warm and dry inside.
Try out Surfing
Rainy weather doesn’t mean you have to stay dry embrace the elements and hit the waves for a surfing session in St Ives! The town is home to some of Cornwall’s best surf spots, with Porthmeor Beach being a favourite for us.
The rain can often bring with it some fantastic surf conditions, making it the perfect time to grab your board and paddle out or rent one from Porthmeor Beach. The water is likely to be less crowded, giving you more room to catch the waves. Plus, once you’re in the sea, a little rain won’t make much difference as you’re already wet.
If you’re new to surfing or looking to improve your skills, there are plenty of surf schools in St Ives offering lessons, even in wet weather. St Ives Surf School provides expert guidance and all the gear you’ll need, ensuring you can make the most of the waves regardless if you’re a beginner surfer.
Surf school
