The popular UK seaside town that 'hasn't changed in 100 years' but 1 thing ruins it

It is often said one coastal town hasn't changed in 100 years, preserving its charm and traditional look. Nestled on the rugged Cornish coast, St Ives is a picturesque town renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene and rich maritime heritage. Last year, The Telegraph ranked its High Street among the UK's finest, touting its cobbled alleys and quaint indie boutiques. Beyond the High Street, St Ives boasts a thriving cultural sector, with the Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum attracting art enthusiasts from around the world.

St Ives transforms into a bustling hub during summer but retains its allure through the off-season. Views over the Atlantic Ocean from its heather-clad cliffs are nothing short of spectacular, while golden sands meet crystal blue waves below. But it is exactly during summer that residents can't stand St Ives - particularly its lack of affordability.

Commenting under CornwallLive article, readers have agreed the town suffers from overtourism, pricing locals out. One reader said: "It has changed because no local people live in the town anymore. It's all holiday lets, Airbnbs, and beige cushion shops."

A Reddit user wrote: "It's a theme park now. A bunch of the restaurants communally pay for a campsite outside of town so they can house serving staff from out of town just for the summer. Without inherited wealth it's impossible for people to move in to these beautiful places, and my partner and her family are looking to leave St Ives because the tourists make life pretty hideous."

Another user wrote that St Ives, once a fishing village with a strong Cornish community, now struggles under the pressure of second-home owners and Airbnb rentals. Locals are often priced out and businesses struggle to hire local staff. On Rightmove, a house in St Ives usually costs £300,000 or more.

Local Ben Hodgkinson told the BBC: "Making housing affordable would be the number one challenge here. Local jobs are in short supply and wages are terrible. We wouldn't be anywhere without tourism, but it pushes the prices up. It is a lovely place to be but lots of people can't afford to stay here to live."

A 2016 referendum in St Ives saw a decisive move against second home ownership, with over 80% of voters supporting a "principal residence" policy for new housing sales. But despite Cornwall's ongoing attempts to curb the impact of second-home ownership on housing affordability, the issue remains deeply entrenched.