Royal Cinema

The Royal Cinema sits right in the heart of St Ives, a proper working picture house that actually gets used rather than one of those sad conversions gathering dust. It's a small venue with character - the sort of place where you'll catch mainstream releases and the occasional independent film, with proper seats that don't feel like they're held together with gaffer tape.

You'll spend roughly two to three hours here depending on what's on, which makes it ideal for an afternoon when the Cornish weather turns sketchy. Families with kids will find family-friendly screenings alongside adult fare, and there's something quite nice about sitting in a local cinema rather than a multiplex. The staff are genuinely helpful if you're not sure what to book.

Check their website for current films and showtimes before you go - opening hours vary with screenings. Ticket prices are reasonable by UK standards, though you'll pay a bit extra for the popcorn experience. If you're staying at Polmanter Touring Park just up the road, it's barely a ten-minute walk into town, which means you can actually leave the car behind.

As a cinema it works best as a rainy-day option rather than a headline attraction, but it's the sort of genuine, independent bit of St Ives that makes the town worth a visit. Mix it with a walk around the galleries and the harbour and you've got a solid afternoon sorted. Worth checking what's on before you book your park - if there's something decent showing, slot it in.