A Tour of the Old Vicarage, St. Ives, Cornwall
Join us for a tour around the grounds and then inside this beautiful old building to find out why the Old Vicarage is one of the best places to stay in St. Ives for anyone with a car, a family or a well behaved dog, or someone who wants to be able to relax in pleasant, peaceful surroundings.
Large gardens in a quiet part of St. Ives.
The Old Vicarage is set in its own secluded and peaceful wooded grounds on the edge of the lovely moorlands to the West of St. Ives. The surrounding quiet residential area is in marked contrast to the hustle and bustle of the centre of St. Ives with its busy shops, bars and restaurants.
The garden contains a mix of traditional and tropical trees, shrubs and flowers and in summer there are hanging baskets and pots festooned with flowers. There is a seating area next to a lawn which can be used for putting practice and guests can relax here, perhaps with a drink from the bar. There is another lawned area for children to play, which also has a seating area.
Parking in St Ives is notoriously problematic but fortunately the grounds are also large enough to contain a car park with space for up to 14 cars, plenty of room to accommodate all of our guests' vehicles.
A welcoming entrance porch.
The entrance to the property is through a conservatory-style porch bedecked with flowers which also has a seating area from which guests may enjoy the grounds if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
The large wooden entrance door opens into the main hallway, which has the original Victorian tiled floor and a broad staircase (with a sturdy handrail) leading to the guest rooms which are all on the upper floor.
There are often artworks lining the stairway, either by Dianne Sykes herself or another local artist, Elizabeth Parr.
Relax in the comfortable guests' lounge.
The Lounge is tastefully furnished using wallpaper and fabrics designed by Dianne during her time at Anna French Ltd and looks out onto the grounds, facing South and West. You can relax here in comfort and if you wish enjoy the colour television, select a book or perhaps surf the internet.
Licensed residential bar.
The Victorian bar lounge, so reminiscent of the era with its red velvet, gilt and mahogany has a cosy and intimate atmosphere. The well stocked bar caters for all tastes and this is the favourite meeting place for most of our guests. Please note guests who wish to smoke may now do so in the grounds only.
Breakfast in style.
The Breakfast Room is elegantly decorated in blue and
gold, with separate tables. Food is of paramount importance and the quality and choice of
the breakfast menu have earned the Old Vicarage a splendid reputation and awards. Vegetarian and
special diets can also be catered for and quality local produce is used wherever possible.
Please note we no longer serve evening meals due to the many excellent restaurants in St. Ives which offer something to suit all tastes and budgets.
The Kitchen is equipped with an Aga.
The Kitchen has an Aga for the very finest of cooked breakfasts. An Aga cooks without direct heat which means that moisture (and flavour) is retained. All ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible and freshly prepared and cooked in or on the Aga.
En suite bedrooms - clean and comfortable accommodation.
The five bedrooms are all on the upper floor and following refurbishment in 2001 all rooms now have en suite facilities. Some of the rooms are larger and can accommodate families with a double and one or two single beds.
Each room is individually and tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished and has tea and coffee making facilities and a colour television.