Short on ideas when the Cornish weather turns? St Ives has plenty to do indoors. The pick for groups, families and couples is a live escape room at Escape Time St Ives, alongside world-class art galleries, museums, a cinema and hands-on workshops. Here is a quick comparison of the best indoor and rainy-day things to do in St Ives.
Indoor things to do in St Ives at a glance
| Attraction | Type | Best for | Indoors | Rough time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape Time St Ives | Live escape rooms | Groups, families, teens, couples | Yes | 60–75 min |
| Tate St Ives | Modern art gallery | Art & culture | Yes | 1–2 hrs |
| Barbara Hepworth Museum | Sculpture museum & garden | Art lovers | Mostly | ~1 hr |
| St Ives Museum | Local heritage | Families, history | Yes | ~1 hr |
| Merlin Cinema St Ives | Cinema | Everyone | Yes | ~2 hrs |
| Leach Pottery | Pottery & workshops | Craft lovers, families | Yes | 1–2 hrs |
| St Ives School of Painting | Art workshops | Creative adults | Yes | 2–3 hrs |
What are the best indoor things to do in St Ives when it rains?
The most reliable rainy-day plans in St Ives are a live escape room at Escape Time St Ives (fully indoors, 60 minutes, 2–8 players), Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum for art, the St Ives Museum for local heritage, and Merlin Cinema for a film. All are a short walk from the town centre and harbour.
What can you do in St Ives on a rainy day with kids?
Families do well with an escape room (The Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow is our family-friendly pirate adventure, suitable for younger players with an adult), the St Ives Museum, a pottery taster at Leach Pottery, or the cinema. An escape room is a good shout for older children and teenagers who want something active rather than passive.
What is the best indoor group activity in St Ives?
For a group — friends, a work team, a hen or stag party, or a family get-together — a live escape room is the standout indoor activity in St Ives. Escape Time St Ives runs games for 2–8 players, and larger groups can split across both rooms and compete. Book a game, or see our guide to escape rooms across Cornwall if you are travelling further afield.
Are St Ives attractions open in winter and off-season?
Many are, though hours vary. Escape Time St Ives is open year round, seven days a week, and takes bookings in advance — handy in winter or on a wet day when you want to lock in a plan. Always check individual opening times before you travel, especially in the off-season.
Which Escape Time room should you choose?
| Room | Theme | Scare level | Best for | Players | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The St Ives Slayer | serial-killer abduction horror | Medium–high (you choose) | Thrill-seekers, ages 13+, stag & hen groups | 2–8 | 60 min |
| The Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow | Pirate treasure hunt | None – family-friendly | Families, all ages, mixed groups | 2–8 | 60 min |
Choose The St Ives Slayer if you want a scare and a bit of tension (you pick medium or high intensity on arrival), and The Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow if you are bringing younger players or prefer adventure over frights. Both run for 60 minutes for 2–8 players. Book your room.
Last updated: September 2026.