Tate St Ives & Barbara Hepworth Museum

Perched on the cliffs of St Ives overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Tate St Ives is a beacon of modern and contemporary art set in one of Britain’s most enchanting coastal towns. Opened in 1993 on the site of a historic gasworks and expanded in 2017 to double its size, the gallery showcases work by artists including Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Patrick Heron, and international contemporary creators—many drawn to St Ives by its light, landscape, and artistic legacy. A ten-minute walk away, the Barbara Hepworth Museum occupies her original studio and home, Trewyn Studio, where the acclaimed 20th-century sculptor lived and worked until her death in 1975. Together, they offer an intimate portrait of an artist and a vibrant window into modern British art.

Location Details

• County: Cornwall
• Postcode: TR26 1TG (Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach; Barbara Hepworth Museum: TR26 1AD, Barnoon Hill)

Tate St Ives: The Gallery

• Exhibitions & collection: The main gallery presents modern and contemporary art through a dynamic exhibitions programme. Permanent displays celebrate St Ives artists—the modernist movement of the 1920s onwards brought Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson, and Barbara Hepworth to this Cornish haven, transforming it into an international art destination. Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.
• The building & views: The striking architecture (designed by Evans and Shalev) commands the clifftop overlooking Porthmeor Beach. The rooftop sculpture garden and café offer breathtaking Atlantic vistas—art and landscape in perfect harmony.
• Learning studios: The 2017 expansion added new learning spaces hosting workshops, talks, and family activities throughout the year.
• Shop & café: Browse the curated shop featuring art books, gifts inspired by local artists, and unique St Ives-themed items. The rooftop café serves food and drink with unbeatable coastal views.

Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden

Ten minutes’ walk up Barnoon Hill, Trewyn Studio is where Hepworth created her monumental abstract sculptures from 1949 until her death in 1975. The studio remains largely as she left it—tools, materials, works in progress—offering an intimate sense of her artistic process. The garden, designed by Hepworth herself, displays her bronze and stone sculptures among lush greenery, creating a meditative dialogue between art and nature. Entry requires a separate ticket (Tate members get unlimited free access). Photography inside the museum is restricted to preserve the intimate atmosphere, but the garden photographs beautifully.

Good to Know

• Tickets & entry: Tate St Ives and the Hepworth Museum require separate tickets (combined tickets available). Free for under-18s at Tate St Ives; book online in advance (tickets are limited, especially in summer). Tate Members and Locals Pass holders enjoy unlimited free entry without advance booking.
• Hours: March–October: daily 10am–5.20pm (last admission 5pm). November–February: Tuesday–Sunday 10am–4.20pm (last admission 4pm). Closed Mondays in winter.
• Duration: Allow 1–2 hours for Tate St Ives, 1–1.5 hours for the Hepworth Museum. A full morning or afternoon combining both is ideal.
• Getting there: St Ives is reachable by scenic railway (the St Ives Bay Line from St Erth—a magical 10-minute journey). By car: use Trenwith Coach and Car Park with a free shuttle bus (5 minutes) into town. Street parking is extremely limited. Park & Ride services run May–September from St Erth and Lelant Saltings train stations.
• Facilities: Café with views at Tate St Ives. Limited facilities at the Hepworth Museum (no café). St Ives town centre (10-minute walk downhill) has abundant cafés, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
• Accessibility: Tate St Ives has full wheelchair access (lifts to all galleries, accessible toilets). The Hepworth Museum is NOT wheelchair accessible—steps, uneven surfaces, and no ground-floor wheelchair access. However, the museum staff can advise on limited mobility options; some exhibitions may be viewable from certain vantage points.

Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby

St Ives is a destination in itself—packed with independent cafés, seafood restaurants, and fish-and-chip shops overlooking the harbour. Porthmeor Beach has beach shacks and casual eateries. Evening dining ranges from fine dining to traditional pubs along Fore Street and The Wharf. Accommodation includes everything from luxury seaside hotels to guesthouses and holiday cottages scattered through the town.

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