Just a short walk from St Ives town is where you will find the Island. It is not actually an island at all – but a grassy peninsula that is connected to the town by “the Down a Long” – a historic alleyway lined with whitewashed cottages.
Originally called “Pendinas” – meaning “fortified headland” – the Island once housed a promontory fort with a protective ditch and rampart. The views out over St Ives and the Bay are spectacular from the top of the Island.
As it juts out into the sea it makes it a perfect stopping-off point for many migratory birds. So if you are visiting St Ives in the Autumn bring a pair of binoculars and enjoy a bit of bird-watching.
The tiny Chapel of St Nicholas sits on top of the Island and has stunning views across the bay. It is one of may Cornish chapels are dedicated to seafarers and dates back to the fifteenth century. The present building was restored in 1911 and features floor tiles depicting fishing scenes created by Bernard Leach, the St Ives famous potter.
The Island can be easily accessed on foot by an obvious footpath either from the Porthmeor / Tate gallery side or the Porthgwidden side where there is an all-day car park.
