One of the things I love most about St Ives is its collection of quirky, independent shops that you won’t find anywhere else.
Tucked away in cobbled streets and colourful corners, these little gems are full of character. From artists’ studios and vintage finds to handmade jewellery and curious gifts.
Each shop has its own story to tell, often run by passionate locals who put their heart into what they do.
Exploring them feels less like shopping and more like uncovering treasures, and it’s these unusual spots that make St Ives so special.
Here are just some of my favourite shops...
Rose Lane Antiques
One of my absolute favourite places to browse in St Ives is Rose Lane. The moment you step inside, it feels like stepping into a carefully curated treasure trove. It is full of vintage finds, unique homeware, and one-of-a-kind pieces with real character.
I love how everything is displayed with such thought and creativity, from the antique furniture to the beautifully chosen artwork.
It’s the kind of shop where you could lose track of time, and every visit feels like discovering something new and special.
LOCATION MAP: Rose Ln, St Ives TR26 1LW
EmJems
Okay, this is one for my kids who ADORE EmJems. They must have spent at least half of their pocket money there, judging on how many crystals now live in my house!
EmJems is a lovely shop, tucked away down St Andrew's St in St Ives. It often has incense wafting out from it and it feels like stepping into a shop of mystery!
It is a tiny shop filled with crystals, gemstone jewellery, fossils, singing bowls, incense, and all sorts of mystical curiosities.
LOCATION MAP: St Andrew's St, St Ives, TR26 1AH
The Wharf Post Office Toy Shop
This is another one of my kids favourites as The Wharf Post Office is not only a post office, it is a brilliant toy shop.
The toy shop part is packed to the brim with lego, Sylvanian Families, games, puzzles, soft toys and basically everything your little ones want to buy!
We also love it as they stock our board game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash!
LOCATION MAP: 4 Chy An Chy, St Ives TR26 1LH
website >>
The St Ives Co
The St Ives Co is an utterly GORGEOUS shop. The fact that it is run by a friend of mine honestly doesn't make me biased - I'm blown away by how lovely it is!
The smell when you walk into the shop is divine, and it is very hard not to walk away with some bath salts, candles or other very stylish things for your home.
If you are looking for a grown up gift for someone special, this is a great place to shop.
LOCATION MAP: 1A Wharf Rd, St Ives TR26 1LG
St Ives Fisherman's Co-operative
There is something about the practicality of the St Ives Fisherman's Co-operative shop that pleases me immensely. I'm not a fisherman, I'm not even that outdoorsy, but there is something just perfect about this shop. It almost sticks out of place against the other shops in St Ives by its lack of pretension. Even their non-flouncy website makes me smile.
LOCATION MAP: The Wharf, St Ives TR26 1PU
St Ives Fisherman's Co-operative website >>
Atlantic Shore Knitwear
One of my absolute favourite shops in St Ives is Atlantic Shore Knitwear on Fore St.
This family-run shop has been a staple of the town since 1984, and it is another non-pretentious very well run shop.
The sell wonderful items like soft lambswool throws and sheepskin slippers to the classic Cornish Guernseys and maritime knitwear. It is all fabulous quality and I think the slippers (which I own) are made to last forever!
LOCATION MAP: 34 Fore St, St Ives TR26 1HE
Atlantic Shore Knitwear website >>
Van Life
Van Life is a newcomer to Fore Street in St Ives. It is a shop that really makes me smile - in massive part to the fact that we have a dream to own a campervan and travel the world in it!
LOCATION MAP: 65 Fore St, St Ives TR26 1HE
Hudson Art
Hudson Art is a gorgeous shop, packed full of things I want to buy! The main part of the shop is more "grown up" with lots of cards, decorations and homewares. The back room is crammed full of things for kids. Mine are getting slightly too old for lots of these now, but in previous years I've been able to fill Christmas stockings with things from here.
It is also worth a big mention that at Christmas time they sell the most gorgeous tree decorations. It has become a bit of a tradition of ours to choose a decoration here each year for our tree. They are really different and unusual - I love them!
LOCATION MAP: 33 Fore St, St Ives TR26 1HE
RubyDoobies
Rubydoobies is a bit of a downfall of mine. I have such a sweet tooth and their pick and mix is AMAZING. They also sell lots of childrens toys which are great for birthday presents.
LOCATION MAP: 2, Court Arcade, Wharf Rd, St Ives TR26 1LG
The Paper Sailor
As anyone who knows me soon realises, I have a MASSIVE obsession with maps and stationery. Combine the two together and I need all the things that The Paper Sailor sells.
LOCATION MAP: 13 Fore St, St Ives TR26 1AB
St Ives Bookseller
Another of my great loves is books. I love collecting them, I love reading them, and so bookshops are a place I absolutely love. St Ives Bookseller does not disappoint. It is a fabulous bookshop with wonderful displays and enticing windows.
Their window displays at Christmas are gorgeous!
LOCATION MAP: 2 Fore St, St Ives TR26 1AB
Not to distract you from all things St Ives, but Penzance also has an AMAZING bookshop. It is called The Edge Of The World and is on Market Jew Street. If you love books it is a special shop to visit.
Jo Downs Glass
Jo Downs glass is simply beautiful. It is expensive, but so lovely. I have several pieces in my home and so does my Mum. The way the glass catches the light and sparkles really makes me happy to see - and I am not really one for too many trinkets.
One day I am going to own one of the shoals of glass fish - the really big version all shimmering up my living room wall.
LOCATION MAP: 3/4, Market House, Market Pl, St Ives TR26 1RZ
I Should Coco
Ooh chocolate is a real downfall of mine. I have such as sweet tooth -but also I love really really good chocolate. And I Should Coco makes really really good chocolate.
We often give the decorated bars as gifts and they go down a treat. The lego blocks are also brilliant as stocking fillers for my Lego mad son.
LOCATION MAP: 13 Tregenna Pl, St Ives TR26 1SD
Paraphernalia
One of my absolute favourite shops in St Ives is Paraphernalia, tucked away in The Drill Hall on Chapel Street.
This is a completely quirky, eclectic shop and is like a treasure trove of delights. Kay the owner sell everything from vintage brooches, handmade glass tiles, rag dolls, and local art. Nothing feels standard or boring, and the shop really lives up to its fabulous name!
LOCATION MAP: The Drill Hall, Chapel St, St Ives TR26 2LR
Colensos
Colensos motto is If We Don't Have It You Don't Need It. My husband comes here a lot and always comes out with exactly what he needs. It is like an Aladdins cave of DIY things that you possibly didn't know even existed. Colenso himself is always on hand to give advice and actually find the thing you need!
LOCATION MAP: 2 Gabriel St, St Ives TR26 2LU
