Hurling the Silver Ball, St Ives

What to expect

The day starts with a civic procession, and the ball is thrown at 10.30am from beside the parish church down to children waiting on the sands. From there it is passed hand to hand along the beach and up through the narrow streets of the old town, with grown-ups following along and cheering. At noon whoever has the ball returns it to the Mayor. In 2026 the Monday events moved to St Ia Church, with the ball handed back on the steps of the War Memorial, because of works at the Guildhall. Expect coins to be scrambled for and a cheerful, slightly chaotic morning.

The story behind it

Hurling is Cornwall's ancient ball game, once played between whole parishes with a silver-cased ball. St Ives keeps it as part of its Feast, celebrating St Ia, the Irish saint said to have landed here and given the town its name. In earlier days the town's men played; today it is a children's game, gentler but no less keenly fought. The rhythm of the morning, from the Mayor's throw to the noon handback, has stayed remarkably constant, and the winner traditionally receives a small reward in coin.

Getting there and home

St Ives station is on the branch line from St Erth, where connections run from the main line to Penzance and London Paddington; the short ride along the bay is worth the trip on its own. The station is a short walk from the church and harbour. Roads in the centre are closed for safety from around 9am to 11am, and parking in the town is tight even in February, so the train or the park-and-ride routes are the better bet.

Watching, taking part and tips

Only children compete, but anyone can watch. Gather near the church before 10.30am to see the throw, then drift with the crowd along the beach and up into the lanes. The streets are narrow and steep, so wear sensible shoes and keep an eye on little ones. A coat is essential; the wind off the bay in February has teeth. Stay on for the noon return and, if you can, the Feast evening festivities.

Where to watch

The silver ball isn’t a solid lump of precious metal but a carefully crafted object: St Ives Town Council describes two sterling-silver hemispheres around an applewood core, held together by a silver band. Seeing it during the civic part of the morning gives you a far better look than trying to spot it later in a knot of players. Keep a clear view for children, and let the officials decide when it’s shown or passed on.

The council also links the ivy carried in the procession to the story of St Ia crossing from Ireland in a boat made of the plant — the saint’s local legend, rather than a historical voyage. The ivy, the visit to the well and the blessing of the ball are what make this a town feast rather than just a scramble on the beach. Look out for them if you want to understand the ceremony as well as the chase.

A brief timeline of the day

The council’s civic-events page carries a notice headed for the 2027 celebrations, with a programme for Monday 8 February. The procession sets off from St Ia Parish Church, and the ball comes back at noon to the War Memorial steps. Check these details again as the Feast draws near, particularly if you remember watching an earlier year at the Guildhall.

One wrinkle before you make firm plans: parts of that same page still refer to 2026. Ask the council to confirm the final venue and the road-closure notice rather than taking every line as up to date — that matters for choosing a meeting point or an accessible approach as much as for drivers. Decide where you’ll watch the start and where you’ll regroup afterwards, keeping both spots clear of the players. The noon handback is a ceremonial moment in its own right, and a good thing to focus on if following a fast-moving game would be tricky.

Accessibility and families

The council describes today’s game as one played by children and teenagers, so adults can enjoy the action without competing for the ball or turning narrow lanes into a wall of cameras. Watch a stretch from the side, give the ball room to move and don’t try to intercept it for a better photo. Explain that to young visitors too: being a child at the Feast isn’t the same as knowing how the local game works.

If your child is hoping to join in, ask the council about taking part — we haven’t been able to confirm a registration process, age limit or rule on visitors playing. For watching, agree a meeting point before the ball is thrown, and keep younger children with an adult when the crowd moves. A route that’s fine for a walking procession can get harder with a buggy once people gather. If you need step-free access or a quieter spot, ask ahead rather than trying to keep up with the fastest-moving group.

Make a day of it nearby

Penwith Gallery on Back Road West offers an independent look at the town’s artistic life. Its website describes three public galleries, a sculpture courtyard and a programme of contemporary and historical exhibitions, all in a former pilchard-packing factory. Its founding artists included Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Bernard Leach. See what’s on for your date, as an exhibition in an autumn listing may not still be running in Feast week.

Leach Pottery needs different planning. Its official visiting page says the museum and cube gallery are closed for restoration expected to finish late in 2027, while the shop is still trading — so think of it as a shopping stop, not a museum afternoon after the game, and check for updates before making the uphill trip. Between them, these two show different sides of St Ives’s ongoing art and craft story, but neither is part of the Feast programme. Choose whichever fits your time, and check its opening separately from the town celebration.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• St Ives Town Council Feast 2026 update ↗
• Calendar Customs: St Ives Hurling ↗
• St Ives Town Council: Feast programme and ball ↗
• Penwith Gallery ↗
• Leach Pottery: current visiting and restoration notice ↗