On our most recent trip to St Ives, I was finally able to find some time to myself to head off to a spot I’ve wanted to visit for ages: The Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture garden. It was Barbara’s studio for many years and she described it as “a sort of magic”, and it really does have that feel to it. It’s a tiny museum, tucked away in the back streets of St Ives, and the garden feels like an oasis, filled with her distinctive sculptures.

As soon as you step up the museum’s stairway and into the garden, you are met with a sense of calm. It was definitely one to make alone, without the kids in tow! Just me on my on really, and a few other art lovers wandering about. It was such a peaceful way to spend an hour.

Little pathways lead you through the garden, always with something of interest to draw you in.

You work your way through the garden, and discover the studio, which looks exactly as if Barbara had just popped out for a cup of tea.

Call me predictable (I do love a glasshouse!), but one of my favourite spots was the greenhouse, filled with sculptures alongside many different varieties of succulents and cacti.

It’s not a museum that you’ll spend hours and hours at, but at £7 for an adult, it’s a wonderful place to spend some time, away from the busy crowds of St Ives.

http://www.artiststudiomuseum.org/studio-museums/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden/

Barnoon Hill
St Ives
Cornwall
United Kingdom 
TR26 1AD