St Ives first thing in the morning is a completely different place, calm, quiet, and bathed in soft early light. The harbour is peaceful, with gentle waves brushing the quay, and the pastel-coloured houses along the narrow streets glowing as the sun rises.

It’s the kind of time when the town feels almost suspended between night and day. Fishing boats shift slightly with the tide, gulls call overhead, and the first cafés begin to open their doors. The air is cool and still, carrying only the faint sound of the sea and the distant hum of morning life beginning again.

You can wander the harbour at your own pace, watching the light change across the water and the first few people heading out for a walk along the beach. It’s one of those rare moments in St Ives when you can really appreciate the town’s quiet side before the crowds arrive.

Moments like this remind you why St Ives is so loved, not just for its beaches and lively atmosphere, but for the calm that lingers in the early morning, when everything feels simple and beautifully still.