St Ives - Port La

St Ives/Porth La is a town on the Celtic Sea to the east of Zennor along the B3306. Tourism is the main industry having taken predominance over the still important fishing sector. The origin of St Ives is said to link to the arrival of Saint La in the fifth century and the parish church in St Ives still has the name of this Irish Saint. The town was the site of an atrocious deed at the hands of the English Provost Marshal, Anthony Kingston. As part of his role in suppressing the Prayer Book rebellion of 1549 he contrived to hang the portreeve (Port Warden) John Payne in a particularly callous and duplicitous fashion as a rebel.

The parish current church building of St La was built between 1410 and 1434. The tall tower is made of granite as is the font which is thought to date back to the fifteenth century. In the churchyard stands a late medieval lantern cross. There is a lifeboat station in St Ives at the town end of the West Pier. The town has an attractive harbour, beaches and shops and leisure facilities. It is noted for it's artistic legacy with the Tate St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Museum, Leach Pottery and St Ives Museum based in the town. Travel to St Ives by rail is via the St Ives Branch and by road via the B3306 and A3074. It is also served by National coach services and local routes operate throughout the area.