St Nicholas chapel, on top of "The Island" peninsula

St Ives harbour

St Ives lies on St Ives Bay in the west of Cornwall. Porthmeor beach, on the north side of the town, is a major surfing area, and is overlooked by holiday apartments and artists' studios. A hilly peninsula known locally as "The Island", which features a single chapel on the summit open during Summer months.  The chapel site dates back to the 15th century.  There are two other buildings on the island, a private dwelling - "The Battery", the site of which was home to a battery and three cannons during the Napoleonic Wars, and a CoastGuard Station.  The Island separates Porthmeor beach from Porthgwidden, a much smaller beach next to the town centre.

 Much of the town's outskirts are built on steep terrain. Because of the surrounding area of beaches and nice terrain St Ives is also a great destination for Tourists