Chy Morvah, St Ives

This beautiful property is just steps from the centre of St Ives – the seaside town that has inspired generations of artists with its working harbour, proud fishing community, white-sand beaches, and stunning Cornish landscape. Enjoying an elevated position with sweeping views over St Ives Bay, Chy Morvah means ‘house by the sea’ in Cornish and you'll find four great beaches nearby - Porthmeor, Porthminster, Harbour, and Porthgwidden - plus plenty of walking routes along the Penwith peninsula. It’s also a short drive to St Michael’s Mount – the tidal island crowned by a medieval church and castle. Expect tough-but-rewarding walks, over undulating coastal terrain. With tricky stone stiles and rocky paths underfoot, fitness and agility will be challenged.

Then & now at Chy Morvah, St Ives

Meaning ‘house by the sea,’ records show that Chy Morvah had already opened as a private hotel by 1949. The St Ives Town Guide of that year describes it as ‘delightfully situated in its own grounds overlooking St Ives Bay’ and having ‘hot and cold running water to all bedrooms’. The adjoining building, Lanyons, was once the home and studio of Peter Lanyon – the acclaimed St Ives-born painter renowned for landscapes that leaned heavily towards the abstract (part of the St Ives School, he was one of the most important artists to emerge in post-war Britain). This building later became a school known as St Christopher’s and there are still signs of the classrooms in the car park (you may notice the distinct ridge in the tarmac). It has been part of our HF Holidays line-up since 1986.

Nowadays, there’s 39 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior) spread across the Chy Morvah building and Lanyons House – many with bay windows and sea views. It also has a main lounge overlooking St Ives Bay, a ballroom for evening activities, a licensed bar, and a sea-facing dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, a small terrace, manicured gardens, books and games to borrow during your stay, and a Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks. The heated outdoor pool (open May to September*) is perfect for cooling off after days spent exploring what is arguably one of the UK’s most stunning coastlines.

Property details

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.

More information

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

• 39 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 54 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free Wi-Fi • Free limited on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • High chair • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Lounge • Garden • Heated outdoor pool (open May to September*) • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point • Local launderette available in town

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Chy Morvah has 39 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: The guest rooms that make the most of the sea views are easily the best.

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.

Room supplements

Superior	Premium single	Premium double/twin	Choose your room
£25 pppn	£20 pppn	£20 pppn	£30 per room

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location

*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am and 16:00pm – 18:30pm

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Chy Morvah

Whether you’re enjoying a guided or self-guided walking holiday, there’s always the opportunity to linger for longer. Here’s our pick of the very best things to see and do within easy travelling distance of Chy Morvah.

St. Ives Harbour

While it may no longer crammed full of fishing boats and traders, the working harbour is still the beating heart of the town. Harbour Beach is right on the doorstep, but the sandy gems of Porthminster, Porthmeor, and Porthgwidden are just an easy walk away.

Barbara Hepworth Gallery & Sculpture Garden

Just a short walk away, this Tate-run museum and garden sets the scene for a fascinating insight into one of Britain’s most important 20th century artists. Highlights include impressive sculptures in bronze, stone, and wood, along with paintings, drawings, and archive material.

St Michael's Mount

A 20-minute drive or a 45-minute bus ride away, this tidal island crowned by a medieval church and castle lies off the coast of Marazion. Mostly owned by the National Trust since 1954, it has been the cherished home of the St. Aubyn family since the 17th century. If you wish to visit, please check the website for full information on access, opening times and ticket booking. Please note that National Trust members must book a free ticket.

Minack Theatre

Carved into the granite cliff overlooking the Porthcurno Bay, this famous open-air theatre first premiered Shakespeare’s The Tempest in 1932. It’s a very popular destination, so if you plan on going, whether for a theatre and garden visit, guided tour or show, advanced bookings are essential. Visiting hours vary depending on the performance schedule so always check the website beforehand for full details. Bookings can be made online or by calling the box office, open 10am – 4pm on 01736 810181. The theatre is a 45-minute drive or 2-hour bus ride away on the Land's End Coaster service. The nearest stop is Porthcurno, a ten-minute walk from the theatre.

Geevor Tin Mine

As the last mine to work the UNESCO-listed St. Just Mining District, this award-winning heritage attraction is home to the largest number of undersea tin and copper mines in the world. The museum and visitor centre opens year-round from Sunday to Thursday.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Located on Falmouth Harbour, this award-winning museum celebrates Cornwall’s maritime heritage through interactive exhibits, talks, lectures, boatbuilding workshops, and more. The National Small Boat Collection is one of the star attractions.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Set on the Helford Estuary in the village of Gweek, this incredible charity rescues and grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline – and then returns them to the wild. You’ll get to enjoy the underwater viewing areas and even stay for feeding time.

Eden Project

An epic domed structure just an hour’s drive away, this dramatic global garden is home to cutting-edge architecture, outdoor gardens, plant-based exhibits, art installations, and play areas – all housed in tropical biomes set in a crater the size of 30 football pitches.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Just an hour’s drive away, this 200-acre wonderland offers plenty of thrills for plant lovers. Rediscovered by the Eden Project’s co-founder Tim Smit, this Victorian country house garden is filled with traditional and rare breeds and plenty of peaceful spaces.

Getting here

Address

Chy Morvah
Bishops Road
St. Ives
Cornwall TR26 2DB

Tel: +44 (0)1736 796314

By train

The nearest rail station is St Ives. Chy Morvah is a short 10-minute walk uphill from the station. Exit the station, turn left and walk through St Ives Station car park, take the walkway on your left to Terrace Road A3074. Turn left, cross the road and continue uphill on a No Entry road to reach Pendolver Terrace. Turn left on Pendolver Terrace and follow the road around uphill to the right. Chy Morvah is signposted ahead.

An alternative to St Ives rail station is St Erth, which is connected to many mainline services. Please check National Rail for train times and route planning.

By taxi

St. Ives station is only half a mile away, but it’s a steep uphill walk.

St. Erth is four miles away and the journey takes just over 10 minutes.

Harbour Cars or A1 Taxis
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Harbour or A1 Taxis Cars. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:

Harbour Cars: 01736797688

A1 Taxis: 07736797700

A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Chy Morvah.

By car

Head to Cornwall via the A30 then take the A3074 signposted to St. Ives. At the next two small roundabouts, go straight across the first and take a right at the second towards Lelant. Pass through Lelant and Carbis Bay on the same road.

As you approach St. Ives keep left at the fork, which heads slightly uphill, following signs to visitor parking and the leisure centre. Follow the road and turn left up the steep hill. Almost immediately the road turns left again, but instead of following the road, turn off and head directly up the hill on Porthminster Terrace.

Chy Morvah is at the top of the hill. To reach the car park you’ll need to drive left past the front of Chy Morvah and turn immediately right behind the back of the building. The car park is on the right 15 yards along Bishop's Road. Space is limited. If the car park is full, we recommend parking at St Ives Trenwith Car Park, TR26 1DD. This is a charged local long stay car park, approximately 5 minutes walk from Chy Morvah.

By air

The nearest airport is London Heathrow Airport.

First take the train to London Paddington station from where you’ll find direct trains to St. Erth, and a short train journey to St. Ives.

A morning arrival into Heathrow would be best as you’ll need around 6.5 hours to complete the journey.

The airports at Bristol and Newquay are also nearby, but there aren’t as many flight options.

Check National Rail for routes and train times.

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Chy Morvah, St Ives

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Chy Morvah, St Ives

Then & now at Chy Morvah, St Ives

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St. Ives Harbour

Barbara Hepworth Gallery & Sculpture Garden

St Michael's Mount

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Geevor Tin Mine

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Eden Project

Lost Gardens of Heligan

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