St Ives and Port Isaac Accomodation.. Cornwall
Sep 3rd, 2008, 08:53 PM
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St Ives and Port Isaac Accomodation.. Cornwall
We will be visiting Cornwall for a week next June as part of a longer European itinerary.
We had planned to split the time by staying in St Ives and Port Isaac.
We would like to awake in the mornings to the best views and where the beds are large and firm.
Do you have any recommendations for us ? If there are better towns or places to stay along the north coast we would also be grateful for advice. Thank you.
We had planned to split the time by staying in St Ives and Port Isaac.
We would like to awake in the mornings to the best views and where the beds are large and firm.
Do you have any recommendations for us ? If there are better towns or places to stay along the north coast we would also be grateful for advice. Thank you.
Sep 4th, 2008, 12:10 AM
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Sep 4th, 2008, 06:47 PM
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Thanks Julia, I recognize it from the Doc Martin series, where I think it featured as the School. Do you have any suggestions for St Ives, or is it a little too touristy ? Thanks again for any advice you can provide to us.
Sep 6th, 2008, 09:57 AM
#5
Hi good will,
are you going to have a car?
this would effect my choice of hotels, especaily in the port Isaac area where life could be difficutl without one.
that said, being local I've never stayed at any hotels in either location, but I can help you with position and convenience when you find one you like.
for example, I looked on Trip advisor - no 1 for st. Ives in actually in Carbis Bay so not particularly convenent if you want to be in St. Ives. but there are loads of others, many with views I'm sure.
St. Ives IS vey touristy, but it should be ok in June which is before the main UK school holidays, and it's popular with tourists precisely because there's lots to do there - lovely walks, great beaches, terrific restaurants, the Tate Museum, and Barbara Hepworth Gallery - come to think of it, why aren't I living there?
good luck,
regards, ann
ps the house used for Doc Martin's house in port isaac is now for sale. any takers?
are you going to have a car?
this would effect my choice of hotels, especaily in the port Isaac area where life could be difficutl without one.
that said, being local I've never stayed at any hotels in either location, but I can help you with position and convenience when you find one you like.
for example, I looked on Trip advisor - no 1 for st. Ives in actually in Carbis Bay so not particularly convenent if you want to be in St. Ives. but there are loads of others, many with views I'm sure.
St. Ives IS vey touristy, but it should be ok in June which is before the main UK school holidays, and it's popular with tourists precisely because there's lots to do there - lovely walks, great beaches, terrific restaurants, the Tate Museum, and Barbara Hepworth Gallery - come to think of it, why aren't I living there?
good luck,
regards, ann
ps the house used for Doc Martin's house in port isaac is now for sale. any takers?
Sep 6th, 2008, 10:46 AM
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We spent 2 nights in St. Ives at a little out of the way (but walkable from town up a rather steep hill) B&B called the Counting House. The views from some rooms were magnificent. The place itself was quirky, not sure that I am recommending it, but it was a fun adventure to stay there.
We loved St. Ives!!
We loved St. Ives!!
Sep 6th, 2008, 10:51 AM
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I misremembered the name of the place...here it is if you want to take a look...
http://www.connexions.co.uk/counthouse/index.html
http://www.connexions.co.uk/counthouse/index.html
Sep 6th, 2008, 05:23 PM
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Thank you all. We will take a train from London to Truro and pick up a hire car (recommendations greatly appreciated). I guess we could stay anywhere in Cornwall because the focus of our trip is ancestry around Camborne/Redruth and Listhwithiel and an attraction to visit Port Isaac. The Port Isaac visit is inspired by our enjoyment of the Doc Martin series and movie. Thanks again.
Sep 7th, 2008, 01:14 AM
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Try the Pedn-Olva Hotel, on the rocks in St Ives Bay. This is a lovely relaxing hotel with good food and great views.
http://www.pednolva.co.uk/
http://www.pednolva.co.uk/
Sep 8th, 2008, 01:38 AM
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The old Count House and Pedn Olva are rather colourful places - indeed quirky ! Do they have large beds - Queen or King ? It is difficult to tell from the web sites. Carbis Bay looks good. I will follow up on that. Maybe we should take out a short term lease on Doc Martin's place. The Old School Hotel in Port Wenn (Isaac) is looking good for part of the time there. Thanks again.
Sep 8th, 2008, 05:50 AM
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I am quite sure that we had at least a queen-sized bed when we stayed at the Old Count House. It is not a luxury place, as the other recommended place appears to be, but it was so quirky! It reminded me of Fawlty Towers in that the wife seemed really into the whole B&B hostess role and the husband, well, not so much. 
The breakfast was great, and the tables were set up so that one could eat with one's own party and not communally (which is the part of a B&B that I personally do not like, so that was good, IMO.)
However, one could not help but overhear the other guests and they were such an interesting bunch. No Americans besides us. There were some elderly ladies, a young couple, and there was even an old retired British WW II officer who spoke a tad disdainfully about the French and the Germans. I am telling you, I so felt that we had been transported to a Fawlty Towers episode. I kept expecting to see John Cleese emerge!
If you are curious about details of bed size, I suggest you contact them, as their email is on the website. As I said, there is no luxury there but it was really inexpensive and perfectly comfortable for our 2 night stay.
The breakfast was great, and the tables were set up so that one could eat with one's own party and not communally (which is the part of a B&B that I personally do not like, so that was good, IMO.)
However, one could not help but overhear the other guests and they were such an interesting bunch. No Americans besides us. There were some elderly ladies, a young couple, and there was even an old retired British WW II officer who spoke a tad disdainfully about the French and the Germans. I am telling you, I so felt that we had been transported to a Fawlty Towers episode. I kept expecting to see John Cleese emerge!
If you are curious about details of bed size, I suggest you contact them, as their email is on the website. As I said, there is no luxury there but it was really inexpensive and perfectly comfortable for our 2 night stay.
Sep 8th, 2008, 07:17 AM
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We stayed in the Garrack Hotel in St. Ives. It's really sort of on the outskirts of town but within walking distance. (I'd say easy walking distance, but it is uphill.) Great view of the sea and good food. And it's convenient for getting out of town to drive to other parts of Cornwall.
Apr 18th, 2009, 11:07 PM
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Does anyone know of Drym Farm ? It looks like a good central place to stay while traveling around the south west end of Cornwall. The photos on their web site look particularly good.
Apr 22nd, 2009, 02:22 PM
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hi Will,
I just found this and had a look at the website. it looks very nice and is in a good location, apart from the fact that you will have to drive everywhere to find a meal or a drink. that said, the clowance estate is just up the road by the looks of it [restaurant etc. serving up-market time-share], and Godolphin house [new NT trust property] is nearby. a little further away is Porthleven with several very nice restaurants, and don't forget Helston with the renouned Blue anchor pub and it's own brew, "Spingo". [you might even meet DH in there - it's where he went today!].
hope that helps,
regards, ann
I just found this and had a look at the website. it looks very nice and is in a good location, apart from the fact that you will have to drive everywhere to find a meal or a drink. that said, the clowance estate is just up the road by the looks of it [restaurant etc. serving up-market time-share], and Godolphin house [new NT trust property] is nearby. a little further away is Porthleven with several very nice restaurants, and don't forget Helston with the renouned Blue anchor pub and it's own brew, "Spingo". [you might even meet DH in there - it's where he went today!].
hope that helps,
regards, ann
Apr 22nd, 2009, 03:18 PM
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Thank you Ann.
I was planning to go to the Old Schoolhouse and was ready to provide my credit card details to confirm the reservation. I then received a most unusual note saying, "we do not refund deposits as this secures the room for you. However should you have to cancel providing we receive 7 days notice we hold the deposit for one year from the date of your booking during which time we would hope that you would be able to join us." I know the hotel is up for sale so I concluded that I might try somewhere else! Also someone mentioned it can be quite noisy on the weekend which is when we will be there.
Do you know of Drym Farm which is near to you and all my ancestors in Camborne ? We were planning to stay there for a few nights to discover the area before moving on to Port Isaac area.
I was planning to go to the Old Schoolhouse and was ready to provide my credit card details to confirm the reservation. I then received a most unusual note saying, "we do not refund deposits as this secures the room for you. However should you have to cancel providing we receive 7 days notice we hold the deposit for one year from the date of your booking during which time we would hope that you would be able to join us." I know the hotel is up for sale so I concluded that I might try somewhere else! Also someone mentioned it can be quite noisy on the weekend which is when we will be there.
Do you know of Drym Farm which is near to you and all my ancestors in Camborne ? We were planning to stay there for a few nights to discover the area before moving on to Port Isaac area.
Apr 23rd, 2009, 03:19 AM
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Hi Ann and All. Well we are off to the Drym Farm for a few days and will report back in due course. I have not read any comments on Fodors, but there were a few solid compliments on Tripadvisor.
As for Port Isaac on the following two nights this is turning out to be a challenge. Slipway is possibly a better option than the Schoolhouse as we dont mind parking up on the hill and long healthy walks. I like the look of the Long Cross Hotel a few miles away which I think I have seen on only a few segments of Doc Martin, but I am not sure about the Port Gaverne hotel. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
As for Port Isaac on the following two nights this is turning out to be a challenge. Slipway is possibly a better option than the Schoolhouse as we dont mind parking up on the hill and long healthy walks. I like the look of the Long Cross Hotel a few miles away which I think I have seen on only a few segments of Doc Martin, but I am not sure about the Port Gaverne hotel. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Apr 23rd, 2009, 05:12 AM
#19
hi again, Good Will,
I haven't stayed at any of them so in a way can't help much. but here goes anyway!
I agree that the schoolhouse may not be a good option if it's up for sale.
don't know the slipway at all.
the long cross has been done up recently - I've not been though.
if you want to be by the sea, the Port Gaverne may be your best bet if you want to book ahead.
there is no doubt that this time of year, you will get somewhere to stay, which may be better than the above. but only you know whether you want to risk winging it or not. have you got a list of B&Bs from the tourist board?
regards, ann
I haven't stayed at any of them so in a way can't help much. but here goes anyway!
I agree that the schoolhouse may not be a good option if it's up for sale.
don't know the slipway at all.
the long cross has been done up recently - I've not been though.
if you want to be by the sea, the Port Gaverne may be your best bet if you want to book ahead.
there is no doubt that this time of year, you will get somewhere to stay, which may be better than the above. but only you know whether you want to risk winging it or not. have you got a list of B&Bs from the tourist board?
regards, ann
Apr 23rd, 2009, 05:21 AM
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No I havent focused on B&Bs for Port Isaac area. That is largely because I didnt think we would find one close to the sea and we have already picked a B&B in the form of Drym Farm for the first few days. The Slipway Hotel web site looks good. I hope the Doc isnt in town otherwise it will be rather noisy. I hear that BBC is committed a fourth series commencing May.
