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Independent Shops in St Ives.

The shops in St Ives offer a wonderful mix of independent boutiques, galleries and local businesses, making the town a great place to browse and discover something unique. 

With its old cobbled streets and pretty harbour front, St Ives is home to a fantastic selection of independent shops. Cornwall’s strong creative heritage and abundance of local artists, makers and producers have created a wonderfully diverse and eclectic shopping scene. 

Whether you are browsing during a summer holiday in Cornwall or looking for original homeware, artwork, gifts or locally made products, St Ives has plenty to tempt you. Here are some of our favourite independent shops to discover in the town. 

Gallery 38.

We love popping into this friendly little gallery for quirky Cornish gifts and unique artwork. All the work displayed and sold here is made by British artists and craftsmen, with a wonderful collection of Cornish glasswork and wooden crafts. Pick up a print as a souvenir of your holiday in St Ives. Top tip: it’s a handy place to know about for last-minute birthday cards! This is a fabulous member of independent shops in St Ives.

38 The Wharf TR26 1PG

Take a look at Gallery 38’s wares on their Instagram page.

Shop front of Gallery 38 in St Ives, an independent shop in St Ives.

The St. Ives Co.

Travellers’ tip: leave a little extra room in your bag for handcrafted finds and coastal inspired keepsakes. The St. Ives Co. was created by three sisters from St Ives, with a focus on celebrating the very best of Cornwall through locally made homewares, jewellery, beauty products and artisan gifts. Expect everything from signature skyline collections and handmade ceramics to Cornish candles, textiles and foodie treats, all with a relaxed seaside aesthetic. You can browse in store on the harbour front. 

Wharf Road, TR26 1LG 

Explore The St. Ives Co.  

Interior of The St. Ives Co. shop, showcasing shelves filled with a variety of unique products and local goods, an independent shop in St Ives.

The Painted Bird.

If you love the calm, understated aesthetic, come to The Painted Bird on Fore Street, an oasis of serenity in the bustling town centre. Expect organic and natural homewares, accessories and beauty, all with that modern, elevated feel. Looking for a considered gift or simply want to treat your home to something special? This gently scented shop is the place to come.

3 Fore St TR26 1AB

Find out more at The Painted Bird.

Charming shop front of The Painted Bird in St Ives, showcasing a colourful window display of unique items for sale, a great independent shop in St Ives.

St Ives Bookseller.

Everyone loves St Ives’ small but perfectly stocked bookshop. The friendly shop is tiny, but that’s definitely part of its charm, and they certainly make good use of every inch of space! The kids’ section is especially good (it’s a rainy-day must), while you’ll have a great choice of beachy novels and local guides. Regular St Ives visitors may recognise it from years gone by – there’s been a bookshop on this cobbled spot for over sixty years.

2 Fore Street, TR26 1AB

For more information, visit the St Ives Bookseller.

St Ives Bookseller in St Ives, Cornwall, featuring a cosy exterior with books displayed in the window, an independent shop in St Ives.

Mary and Teds St Ives.

This new St Ives shop sells dog-themed clothes and lifestyle products – who knew pooches had such great taste? If you’re shopping for a quirky gift for a pet parent, you’ll be spoilt for choice here (take a look at their printed tops and hoodies). You can also pick up more practical pet accessories such as clip-on treat pouches, leads and toys. If you’re on holiday in St Ives with your dog, you must pop into this friendly shop.

1 High Street, TR26 1RS

Discover doggie gifts and treats at maryandteds.co.uk.

A charming assortment of plush toys showcased at Mary and Ted's in St Ives, a great independent shop in St Ives.

Hudson St Ives.

You can easily lose track of time among the fascinating shelves and tables in Hudson St Ives. Their window draws you in with its cute and quirky displays, usually involving quality cuddly toys. Inside, you’ll meet even more fluffy creatures alongside other toys, accessories like bags, home decorations and all sorts of original gifts. It’s another top spot In St Ives for greetings cards and wrapping paper. This is another great addition to independent shops in St Ives.

33 Fore Street, TR26 1HE

Read about Hudson St Ives on their website.

Front view of Hudson in St Ives, an independent shop, featuring a welcoming sign and charming storefront.

The Cornish Deli.

Before you go there’s still time for a bit of food shopping, and if you have a picnic planned, this is the place to come. Shop here for delectable local cheese, meats, seafood and snacks alongside jellies, jams, preserves, chutneys, sauces (we could easily go on). You can eat in the cosy little cafe, order a deli-to-go (their deli takeaway sandwiches are unforgettable) or create your own picky-bits platter from their Cornish produce.

3 Chapel Street, TR26 2LR

Take a look at the Cornish Deli website for more information.

Yallah Coffee.

After all this shopping, you deserve a coffee. Follow your nose to the Yallah kiosk near the harbour in St Ives. This Cornish company roasts its single-origin, responsibly sourced coffee in its Cornish barn, and sells it in its little St Ives and new Penryn cafes as well as in carefully chosen shops and eateries across the county. Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate Yallah’s quality: stock up here, then subscribe via their website when you get home!

Court Arcade, TR26 1LF

Visit Yallah’s website to find out more. 

People enjoying coffee outside Yallah Cafe in St Ives, an independent shop in St Ives.

The Paper Sailor.

The Paper Sailor in St Ives is a charming shop offering a lovely selection of homeware and giftware. Discover beautiful candles, stationery, plant pots and greeting cards, with plenty of thoughtful and unique pieces to brighten your home or make the perfect gift. 

13, Fore Street, TR26 1HE

Charming storefront of The Paper Sailor in St Ives, showcasing unique paper goods and local crafts, a great independent shop in St Ives.

Meet The Author.

As Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes, Emma plays a strategic role in driving the growth of the business through the marketing and recruitment whilst also overseeing the performance of our sister company Handpicked Cottages.  Emma brings a wealth of industry insight to the business.  

With over 20 years of experience in the holiday rental market, Emma focuses on understanding evolving market trends and her goal is simple: to increase bookings for our owners through marketing while also strengthening the visibility and reputation of our brands. 

Outside of work, Emma makes the most of Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Her favourite walk is the St Ives to Zennor route – a challenging trek, but one she says is always worth it for the views and a well-earned pint at The Tinner’s Arms. Passionate about the lifestyle Cornwall offers, Emma loves exploring the county with her two daughters, from discovering family-friendly days out to attending local events such as the St Ives Food Festival, where she enjoys sampling some of the very best Cornish food and drink. When it is time to relax, she can often be found at Newlyn Film House catching the latest film or sharing recommendations on the best theatre productions and live performances across Cornwall. 

Meet Emma, the Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes.

Stay near the shops in St Ives.

At Cornish Escapes, we have a selection of holiday cottages and apartments in the centre of St Ives, making it so easy to pop to the shops. Explore our St Ives holiday accommodation to find out more.