What you need to know

Entry

The Barbara Hepworth Museum is on Barnoon Hill in St Ives, Cornwall. You can find directions for how to get here on our website.

Buying a ticket

You must have a ticket to enter. We recommend booking a ticket before you visit. If you have not booked a ticket, you can buy one at the ticket desk when you arrive.

Members

Members do not need to book. If you're a member you will need to bring your membership card. Local Pass Holders also do not need to book.

Access

There are steps and uneven surfaces that make access difficult. Manual wheelchair access is by prior appointment only. There is no wheelchair access to the ground floor of the museum.

Visiting the Museum

In the summer, the Barbara Hepworth Museum is open every day, from 10.00–17.20.

In the winter, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00–16.20 apart from 24–26 December when it is closed.

It is usually quietest at the start and end of the day.

The galleries are busy during the school holidays.

Accessible parking

There is one accessible parking space at Tate St Ives for blue badge holders. Please book the space at least 24 hours in advance. Email visitingstives@tate.org.uk or call +44 (0)1736 792226 (daily 10.00–17.00) to book.

When you arrive

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

There is one step up to the museum building from the street , and three more steps into the museum ground floor. There is no ramp or wheelchair access at this entrance.

This is a Visitor Assistant. They wear orange lanyards with 'Tate' written on them. They are very friendly.

If you already have a ticket, Membership or Locals Pass it will be scanned by a Visitor Assistant.

If you need to buy a ticket you can do this at the ticket desk on the left, at the top of the steps.

A Visitor Assistant wearing an orange Tate lanyard standing on a stone step inside the entrance of the museum.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

Accessible entrance

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

The step-free entrance is located on Ayr Lane, around the corner from the main entrance. This entrance has ramps and it will take you directly to the Sculpture Garden.

Call +44 (0)1736 796 226 in advance to arrange your visit.

If using the main entrance, you will start on the ground floor.

The display starts here with archive material and photographs about Barbara Hepworth and her life.

When you are ready to move on you will take the stairs up to the first floor Studio.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

On the first floor, you will see different types of art.

There are sculptures, paintings, photographs and archive material.

There will be lots of people visiting the museum.

There may be families visiting.

There may be visitors talking.

You might see people drawing.

You might see people taking photos.

Some areas can be crowded and noisy but other parts of the museum are quiet.

There will be a Visitor Assistant upstairs who will be happy to answer questions or give directions.

A smiling Visitor Assistant sits on a stool by a large bright window.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

Finding the toilet

The toilet is located on the first floor next to the Studio.

Visiting the Garden

There are lots of sculptures, plants and a pond outside in the garden.

There is a conservatory which you can enter to see the plants and sculptures inside.

You can look into Barbara Hepworth’s workshop from the outside . You can see some of her tools and projects.

Some paths and surfaces are uneven, and some have gravel. Surfaces can be slippery on a rainy day.

There are steps with handrails around the garden. There are also ramps outside.

The garden on a cloudy day. It is filled with lush green plants, tall trees and metal sculptures. The ground is paved with stone and there are uneven stone steps with a handrail on the right.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

Rules around the museum

You cannot touch the artworks

You cannot eat or drink in the museum or garden

You can take photos, but make sure the flash is turned off

Tours and talks

There are guided tours and talks in the museum where staff share stories about the artist, artworks and garden. These are included in your ticket price.

You can find the times for tours and talks on the ground floor by the ticket desk. You can also ask a member of staff.

The shop

There is a small shop on the ground floor, next to the till.

You can buy postcards, books, magnets and more.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

If the fire alarm goes off

In the event of an evacuation, a loud alarm will sound. Staff will ask you to exit the museum via the nearest door and wait outside.

They will let you know when it is safe to go back inside the building.

Leaving the Museum

You can exit the building via the outside steps which will take you back down to the lower museum and shop, and then out the same way you entered.

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

Photo © Tate (Lucy Dawkins)

We hope you enjoy your visit.

Please call 01736 796226 or email visitingstives@tate.org.uk if you have any questions in advance of your visit.

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