St Ives, Cornwall, October 2026, HF Holidays

Created: 01/09/2026, updated: 01/09/2026 - 01/09/2026

HF Holidays, 24-31st October 2026, Self-guided 

The guided walks would have been 2 or 3 and I struggle with level 1 just now.

I've also stayed in the HF house in about 1989, I started to travel with an oil leak and had to drive back home, then I took a wonderful, though it got dark train journey and have used the train to get to many holidays since then. The house was particularly good with fish and vegetarian food.

I have fragments of memories of holidays in Devon and Cornwall in about 1961 from a very young age until i was five, dad drove us there a few time in an Austin 7 and a Morris 8, and we all learnt mum would not admit that she could not read a map. These cars were both about 1935 vintage.  The wonderful place names Polperro, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe and mum told me I put all my toys in the lowest level draws in the caravan we stayed in. Subsequently we got maps created by the AA but after that dad read the map and memorised the place names and did not bother mum with road directions. 

I've also stayed in the HF house in about 1989, I started to travel with an oil leak and had to drive back home, then I took a wonderful, though it got dark train journey and have used the train to get to many holidays since then. 

Saturday - 

7 Night Cornwall Self-Guided Walking Holiday

Trip style: Self-guided walking

Destination:Cornwall

Trip code: STV07-POA06

Trip Walking Grade:1, 2, 3 & 4

Carbon Footprint:142kg CO2

Holiday Overview

Cherished for its mix of pristine beaches, rugged headlands, hidden coves, and postcard-perfect villages and towns,

Cornwall never fails to impress. Our self-guided walking holiday rewards with incredible trails, big-name attractions,

and the flexibility and freedom to do as much or as little as you please.

www.hfholidays.co.uk

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

WHAT YOU’LL LOVE

• Admiring a landscape of rugged granite headlands and sandy beaches

• Exploring peaceful corners, hidden coves, and sleepy fishing villages

• Making use of our detailed route notes and recommendations

• Working your way through St Ives’ modern art galleries and museums

• Visiting St Michael's Mount off the shore at Marazion

• Relaxing at Chy Morvah, our charming country house in St Ives

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• En-suite accommodation in our country house

• Cream tea on arrival day

• Cooked or continental breakfast every morning

• Daily packed lunches

• Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee

• Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore

independently

WALKING GRADES AND OPTIONS

Explore at your own pace and choose the best walk for your pace and ability.

ITINERARY - SELF-GUIDED

Day 1 Arrival Day

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a

complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Day 2–7 Leg-stretcher walks (Walking Grades 3–4)

These are a selection of longer walks on well-graded paths that allow you to discover local highlights and

viewpoints. These routes are often further from the house but still offer walks that start and end on the doorstep of

the property, plus options for guests travelling by public transport or car. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at

St Ives range from 5 to 6.5 miles and visit popular areas such as Knills Monument, Clodgy Point, and Lizard Point.

Sections on the coast path can be rough and rocky, so be prepared to encounter this terrain.

Day 2–7 Laid-back walks (Walking Grades 1–2)

Our easiest selection means walking at a relaxed pace, often stopping and spending time at places of interest along

the way. Some are circular walks that start and end on the doorstep of our country house; others make use of local

transport whilst remaining close to the property. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at St Ives range from 1 to 3

miles and visit popular areas such as Carbis Bay, St Ives, and Godrevy Point. Please be aware that even the shortest

sections on the coastal paths can be rough and rocky.

2

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Day 2–7 Full-on walks (Walking Grades 5–6)

These walks are ideal for those with more stamina who can push themselves to go that extra mile. Some routes will

start from the house, but some may require the use of a car. Public transport may not be possible for every route in

this category due to remote locations. The walks you’ll find in our Discovery Point at St Ives range from 7 to 11 miles and

visit popular areas such as Morvah and Zennor, as well as following sections of St Michael’s Way.

Day 8 Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Daily Walk Options

Easier Walks

Walk at a relaxed pace, often spending time at places of interest en-route. Walking experience isn’t necessary as

distances are quite short and gradients generally easy.

Medium Walks

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may

be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

Accommodation

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.

Check-In & Check-Out

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.

3

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

About

• 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

Food & drink

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.

4

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Rooms

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

Accessibility

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

accessibility information online for Chy Morvah

5

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

About your stay

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.

Accessibility

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

accessibility information online for Chy Morvah

6

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Travel Details

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

theleisure 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.

7

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

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.

8

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Local Area

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.

9

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

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.

Safety on your holiday

Walking safety

• Please complete and hand in your registration card to the House Manager on the first evening of your holiday

• Please complete our Independent Walker Card each day before heading out on your self-guided walks.

• Please note the phone number of the accommodation where you are staying (see Travel details section of your

trip notes)

• Check the weather forecast - this is updated regularly and displayed on the Discovery Point. Be prepared for the

weather to change during the day and wear appropriate footwear such as walking boots. We would

recommend that you wear or carry a waterproof jacket and trousers, a spare warm jumper or fleece, hat and

gloves. In addition, we recommend a water bottle, spare food, map, compass, torch, whistle, small first aid kit and

survival bag

• Take a copy of a map and a route card

• Be aware of ticks – more information can be found at the Discovery Point

10

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Essential information

Packing list

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and

raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.

Essentials

• Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip

• Waterproof and windproof jacket

• Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)

• Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice

• Waterproof overtrousers

• Gloves and a warm hat

• Rucksackwith waterproof liner

• Flask for hot drinks

• Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)

• Sunscreen

• UV sunglasses

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

• spare warm clothing

• spare high energy food

• head torch and spare batteries

• please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of

waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a

minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended

• Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)

• Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters

• First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool

• Sit mat

• Waterproof pouch for valuables

• Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)

• Wallet/purse

• Camera

• Walking poles

Tripnote validity

TRIP NOTE VALIDITY These Trip Notes are valid based on the date printed at the bottom of the page. They will

occasionally be updated post booking and pre-departure. We will send you the latest trip notes prior to departure

through a link in your pre departure documents or we can send you a copy in the post if preferred. In booking this trip

you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any

doubt about your suitability you should call HF Holidays and ask to speak to one of the team about this itinerary. The

information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current

brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; so please be

prepared to be flexible where necessary. At times, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned due to

weather conditions, political, physical or other factors. In these circumstances we will make the best possible

alternative arrangements to maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

11

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865

Document produced: 1 September 2026

12

www.hfholidays.co.uk HF Holidays Limited 020 3974 8865