Contact Us

Call: 01736 797180
Email: [email protected]
Visit: Porthmeor Studios, Back Road West, TR26 1NG.

How to Find Us

Based in the historic Porthmeor Studios on Back Road West, we look out over Porthmeor Beach – conveniently located near Tate St Ives, the harbour and the main shopping high street.

Please note that our Life Drawing Classes are held just a short walk away at the Island Centre: Postcode TR26 1NT

St Ives is very compact, no more than a 20 minute walk from end to end, so wherever you are staying you should be able to walk to the studio easily.

For those coming from further afield, we’ve rounded up tips for parking in St Ives or getting the bus or train to St Ives.

Parking in St Ives

We recommend planning parking in St Ives in advance, as there is a one-way system in place once you enter the town.

It would be best to decide if you would like to park in town, which can be more difficult during busy times of the year, or alternatively you can park at the top of town and walk in.

Visit St Ives is a helpful website listing all of the relevant St Ives car parks, just visit this link.

Alternatively, there are taxis available:
A1 Cars Tel: 01736 797700
Chard Cars: 07777 100864

Train or Bus to St Ives

Travelling by train to St Ives can be the most relaxing option, especially in the Summer months when parking is limited. The mainline train arrives at St Erth, just a 15 minute taxi ride away from our studios.

There is also a park and ride car park at St Erth railway station, with 500+ spaces – you will need to buy a ticket in advance. The trains run approximately every half an hour (hourly in the evening). Find out more about trains to St Ives via this link.

There are a number of buses that regularly come into St Ives, visit Transport for Cornwall for all the details.

FAQs

Before getting in touch it’s worth checking whether the information you’re looking for can be found on our FAQs page. Our most common FAQs include: 

What facilities do you have?

The School studios can be accessed by a lift from the ground floor. There is a disabled toilet on the lower floor accessed by the lift. If the front door is locked there is a bell on the bottom of the steps to let us know in the studio that you need access.

Can you help me choose the right course?

No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.

I would like to come on a course but I can’t walk far.

If you give us a ring in the office we can talk you through the different kinds of courses we have. Some of our landscape ones stay nearby the studio so might be suitable. Students in the past have hired a mobility scooter that helps them get around the town more easily. HSC Mobility (01736 755927) can drop a mobility scooter off for you in St Ives and collect at the end of your stay.

We also run many studio based courses covering still life and figure.

What do I need to bring?

All art materials are provided but you might like to bring a favourite set of brushes if you have them. Remember to wear old clothes and think about comfortable shoes and warm outerwear if your course involves working outside.

Where can I stay in St Ives?

St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.

I’m sensitive to solvents, what do you use at the School.

Many of our courses are water based so these are ideal if you are sensitive to solvents. However if you would like to use oils we do use low odour spirit and we keep its use to a minimum. If you let us know about your sensitivity ahead of time we have an alterative non solvent product called Zest It that can be used.

I’m hard of hearing or deaf, will this be a problem?

We have had many students who are hard of hearing or deaf enjoying our courses. Some of the smaller courses with only eight students are ideal as there is lots of time for one to ones. We also have volunteers who can come in and scribe for students. This can be useful to follow group discussions and demonstrations more easily. Let us know beforehand if you think this would be useful for you.

St Ives Car Parks

Here are a number of car parks nearby to the school. Please note that you can pay by cash, card or via an App at most of them but it’s always worth double checking.

Island Car Park
– Long Stay
– 5 mins walk from School
– 129 Spaces
– TR26 1SY

Barnoon Car Park
– Long Stay
– 10 mins walk
– 124 Spaces
– TR26 1JF

Park Avenue Car Park
– Long Stay
– 15 mins walk
– 77 Spaces
– TR26 1QE

Trenwith Car Park
– Long Stay
– 20 mins walk
– 759 Spaces
– TR26 1DD

Station Car Park
– Long Stay
– 15 mins walk
– 106 Spaces
– TR26 2BH

Smeaton’s Pier
– Long Stay
– 5 mins walk
– 31 Spaces
– TR26 1PS

The Rugby Club
– Long Stay
– 30 mins walk
– 250 Spaces
– TR26 2ET

Sloop Car Park
– SHORT STAY ONLY
– 2 mins walk
– 42 Spaces
– TR26 1LT

Tourist Guides

To make the most out of your stay, we’ve rounded up our top tips and St Ives recommendations: Things to Do in St Ives or if you’re looking to explore a little further: Things to do in West Cornwall.

Discover more…

St Ives School of Painting
 Porthmeor Studios, St Ives,
Cornwall, UK , TR26 1NG