The Guildhall sits majestically on Street-An-Pol in the heart of St Ives. It hosts a variety of events, from weekly markets to concerts. It is also where people gather for the start of the St Ives Feast Day and May Day.
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GUILDHALL IS CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT***
Markets At The Guildhall
There are 3 weekly markets which are held
Tuesdays - The weekly collectables market is held from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Stalls include books, jewellery, handmade, coins and all sort of, well, collectables!
Wednesdays - The weekly St Ives Artisan Market is held from 10am to 4pm. They have over 30 stalls of makers, artists, bakers and crafts people.
Thursdays - 9:30am - The amazing weekly St Ives Farmers' Market is held from 9:30am to 2pm. Stalls bursting full of local fresh produce, bread, fish, meat, cheeses, honey, eggs, flowers and also some crafts.
The Guildhall is also used for several other big markets throughout the year, including art markets and Christmas markets.
Weddings At The Guildhall
Lots of people want to get married in St Ives - and who can blame them? It makes a stunning backdrop to a wedding, think of those amazing pictures!
The Guildhall hosts weddings in various forms. You can properly get married here, in one of the rooms upstairs as they have a licence to hold civil ceremonies. Or you can get married in one of the churches, and have your celebrations in the main hall. I've seen the hall all dressed up for a wedding and it looks stunning - nothing like the traditional hall set up for the markets!
You can call the wedding team for more information on 01736 322 605.
Traditional Events Held At The Guildhall
The Guildhall is the centre of some of the lovely traditional events held in St Ives.
St Ives Feast Day - held on the 1st Monday after the 3rd February every year. This is a procession through town with music and dancing to the Well of St Eia. Following this is the Hurling of the Silver Ball. The Mayor distributes coins to the local children under 7 outside The Guildhall
St Ives May Day - held on the 1st Monday in May. The celebrations and procession starts from The Guildhall. The May Queen is chosen outside The Guildhall. The parade moves through town, stopping at various points to dance around the Maypole.
Concerts Held At The Guildhall
There are lots of concerts held at The Guildhall throughout the year, so it is always worth checking the calendar on their website. They also sometimes have theatre and comedy shows on.
St Ives Tourist Information
The tourist information centre used to be in The Guildhall. It has now moved to St Ives Library on Gabriel St (about a 2min walk away from The Guildhall).
The Guildhall Barbara Hepworth Sculpture
Outside of The Guildhall is the lovely Barbara Hepworth sculpture called "Dual Form". This is a bronze and was made in 1965. Barbara Hepworth gave this sculpture to St Ives when when she was made a Freeman of the Borough.
