England Beaches

Architect's Converted Sail Loft on Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives St. Ives Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 56859

St. Ives, 4 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Apartment rental by owner, St. Ives rental Apartment, guestbook, England St. Ives, 4 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Apartment rental by owner, St. Ives rental Apartment, guestbook, England

Location: St. Ives, England, Europe (22 miles from Newquay airport, nearest train station is 1 km) View Map

Accommodations:  Apartment, 4 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8)

Keywords:  Apartment, condominium, flat

Upper Saltings is part of a 19th Century granite building right on famous Porthmeor Beach. Over the years it has been used for drying nets, fish, sails, and as artists' studios. We have now converted the space to make an extraordinary holiday retreat. The living room is huge (40 feet by 25 feet) with a nine foot wide window seat directly above the sand and sea.

You may spend most time there mesmerized by the sky and the light which drew so many 20th Century artists to this place: Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Bernard Leach, Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, W. Barnes-Graham, all of whose work may be seen in the Tate St Ives Museum further along the beach.

We have used slate, maple, and stainless steel to make a 21st century kitchen with every appliance. What you may remember most is the view from the kitchen sink: surfers riding the waves and spray shooting over the rocks. Under two big skylights (excellent for watching gulls, clouds, and stars), you will find a long dining table, for long convivial meals.

A fireplace, sofas, a yew table with broadband access, low children's tables, wide screen TV, DVD player, board games, and lots of books and art materials provide equipment - even for a rainy day. The four bedrooms have bedside reading lights, cupboards, and good mattresses.There are two doubles, one twin, and one boat-like bunk room. This sleeps 4/6 in nautical built-in beds and is a very popular feature. Two bathrooms and a utility room complete the space.

Should this be your first visit to St Ives, you are bound to fall in love with the cobbles, the fishing boats, the many small galleries, the green hills, harbour, and ever changing sea. The cliff path above small coves and basking seals will take you through National Trust land in Penrith to Land's End, past standing stone menhirs, stone circles, and a bronze age village. In this land of the Celts, Cornish is still spoken and sung. For us, it is a magic place; the folk tales are almost believable.

We use Upper Saltings for three main purposes. The first is for a family holiday. Youngsters can have an independent run of the town in safety and build sand castle just below the balcony. The second is as a place for "time-out" to reflect, to read, to paint, and to revel in the elements. The third is for reunions. It is a great place to gather. Additional sleeping quarters can be found in other apartments but it is hard to beat Upper Saltings for a memorable evening - watching the setting of the sun and the rising of the moon, wine glass in hand.

As you can probably tell, we adore being in Upper Saltings and suspect you may too. If you would like a smaller place on Porthmeor Beach, go to our other property, Listing #56858.

Vacation Rental Features

  • Amenities
    • Washer
    • Dryer
    • Linens Provided : We use a professional laundry service and charge you according to use, but you may bring your own linen if you prefer.
    • Off Street Parking : Nearby Car Parks available at around £36 per week.
    • Gas Fireplace
  • Beds
    • Double Bed (2) : Bedside lights, cupboards and good mattresses.
    • Twin/Single Bed (2)
    • Bunk Bed (4) : Sleeps 4/6 in nautical built-ins. Some people think this is the best part of the apartment!
    • Crib : One travel cot.
  • Entertainment
    • Cable/Satellite TV : Digital Freeview channels available.
    • DVD
    • VCR
    • Video Library : Family movies and some classics stocked. Please feel free to add!
    • CD Player
    • Stereo System
    • Music Library : Classical and opera.
  • Kitchen
    • Full Kitchen : Miele fridge freezer; John Lewis multi-function oven; Miele hob; Miele dishwasher. What you may remember most is the view from the kitchen sink of surfers riding the waves and spray shooting over the rocks!
    • Cooking Utensils Provided : Extremely well-equipped with all utensils for the keen cook, slate worktop, Dualit toaster, Magimix electric kettle, Sabatier knife set . . .
    • Refrigerator
    • Dishwasher
    • Microwave
  • View/Location
    • Beachfront : Nine foot wide window seat directly overlooks Porthmeor beach.
  • Communications
    • Telephone : UK landlines (not 08 or 09 numbers), most of Europe and US calls included at no additional cost. For mobiles, please purchase a phone card.
    • WiFi (Wireless Internet) : At no extra cost - simply bring your own laptop and plug in.
  • Suitability
    • No Pets Allowed : One of our children has asthma so we never allow pets.
    • Kid Friendly : Right on Porthmeor Beach with direct access for residents.
    • Smoking Not Allowed
  • Activities
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Shopping
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Surfing
    • Windsurfing
    • Fishing
    • Live Theatre
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hiking
    • Restaurants
    • Fitness Center/Gym
    • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
    • Museums
  • Other Activities
    • The unique Eden Centre, ecological tourist site is nearby at St Austell. Celt standing stones and Merry Maidens stone circle on Penwith. Penzance, 8 miles away, has large fishing fleet,museums and Mont St Michael.

 

Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)

Personal Currency Assistant

Spring Bank Hol Jun 02/ Summer holidays Jul 21-Sep 01....£2600/week
Dec 22-Jan 05..£2600/week;June 30, Jul 7, 14; Sept 01...£2400/week
Jun 9, 16, 23 ....£2100/week; Easter Hol Mar 31, Apr 7, 14.... £1850/wk
Sept 8, 15, 22, 29 .... £ 1850/wk; April 21, 28; May 5,12,19,26 ...£1650/week
Oct 20, 27 (half term)...£1650/wk; Feb 11, 18 (half term); Oct 6, 13 ..£1400
Nov through Mar 30 (excluding holiday weeks)... £950/week or £750/wk 2 guests only
Nov through Mar 30 weekend rate (3nts) £850 - up to 8 or £650 up to 4 guests

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Dates available:Year Round, normally Saturday to Saturday
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Map & Owner's Profile

 
 

Architect's Converted Sail Loft on Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives

A
Tate St Ives

Art Gallery, Museum, Cafe

B
Barbara Hepworth Museum

Once her home and studio, now a Museum and Sculpture garden.

Owner's Map of St. Ives

 

Property Photos

Traveler Reviews (19)

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Seal lover (-)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

We really enjoyed staying at Upper Saltings, it is a great apartment in a perfect location, the living area spacious and the window seat perfect for beach watching – we saw seals and even had a paraglider sail past the window one evening which my grandson was very excited about. We were all thrilled with Upper Saltings and the accommodation suited our party perfectly. The window seat was just terrific and wonderful for watching the sunsets with a glass of wine in hand. The artwork was impressive and colourful. The bathrooms were great with constant hot water and good showers. The location is just perfect between two amazing beaches and so near the harbour and town. We didn’t use our cars at all and the Island car park so close to the apartment was very convenient.

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Architect's Converted Sail Loft on Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives
5/5

Out of season short break

Guest: Bliss (UK)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

Seeing this great apartment as an out of season short break years ago, we are now regulars, reluctant to let others know about it! A good place for families, couples, young or old, St Ives offers a relaxing break, without the need for a car. Lying on the window seat (more of a bed really) looking out over Porthmeor beach, watching the sea and the sky in all weathers, is a memorable experience to savour for the rest of the year.

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Architect's Converted Sail Loft on Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives
5/5

Best location in St Ives !!

Guest: Anne (Bristol)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

Stepped into Upper Saltings and completely overwhelmed by the amazing space and view from the large window looking out onto white sand, turquoise sea and blue sky ( lucky , we had sunny weather !) Fresh flowers on tables was a nice touch. The whole property has been beautifully designed and decorated and one of those places which you wish belonged to you !! Loved the artwork and ornaments. .Beautiful yet practical, the fully equipped kitchen was joy and made you think you were taking part in 'Master Chef'' thoughtful storage for boots, shoes, wetsuits, coats etc. Short walk to excellent restaurants, , coffee shops , galleries and main town shops. Truthfully say we enjoyed every minute of our stay , surfed every day , painted and sketched, the everchanging seascape, We go back home refreshed, relaxed and happy. Thank you we'll be back ! ..

Owner response:Thank you for sharing your experience with us. You do seem to have made the most of the location and of your week. We ,too, are drawn to the magnet of the window seat. One often sees dolphins swimming along with the surfers. The skill of the surfers is sometimes breathtaking. In early morning the little St Ives fishing boats are both comforting and exciting. What will be on offer at the harbour mid -morning? Delighted you took time out to sketch and paint. We do too and enjoy the workshop sessions at the Tate and the Wednesday evening life classes at the School of Painting along the beach. Once one is spoiled by a week in St Ives, there is no other!

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Black (-)
Date of Stay: 09/26/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

An excellent flat in a wonderful position, overlooking Porthmeor Beach, The Island and Clodgy Point. Well chosen furnishings, very well equipped and more someone's home than a commercial rental. You'll never tire of the views of the sea, the beach, the sunsets, etc. Great art inside and out. Definitely recommended.

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Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Herons (-)
Date of Stay: 02/14/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

We have been renting Upper Saltings for about fifteen years. The children were very small when we first visited and took to it immediately; the apartment has many delightful features put there with children in mind. It is magical. As the children have grown into young adults they still love it. It has fantastic views over Porthmeor beach and one can spend hours just looking out from this amazing front window, whatever the weather. The beach is good for surfing, there are good restaurants, fish and chip shops, fudge shops, Cornish pasty shops and wonderful walks along the coastal path. But St. Ives is unique in its history as a focus for visual arts, reflected in the Tate and other galleries but also clearly evident in the pieces collected at Upper Saltings itself. And the brilliant architectural design of the apartment shows extraordinary flair and imagination. Overall, a real joy.

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Clutterbuck (-)
Date of Stay: 10/03/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

A stunning, comfortable and extremely well equiped holiday apartment overhanging Porthmeor Beach. Very convenient location with the beach a few steps from the front door and the town a minute or two's walk away. The views from the window seat are truly magnificent. St. Ives has an abundance of excellent restaurants, some marvellous galleries and of course Tate St Ives. For those interested in walking, there are some excellent walks along the coast. The area around Zenor is particularly beautiful. The Screech Owl Sanctuary at Indian Queens and the Telegraphic Museum at Porthcurno are well worth a visit not to mention the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives itself. We have spent a number of holidays at Upper Saltings and have always found the property clean and well maintained. We will certainly be returning. Highly recommended.

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Alan (-)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 04/08/10

An excellent flat in a wonderful position, overlooking Porthmeor Beach, The Island and Clodgy Point. Well chosen furnishings, very well equipped and more someone's home than a commercial rental. You'll never tire of the views of the sea, the beach, the sunsets, etc. Great art inside and out. Definitely recommended.

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Syz (-)
Date of Stay: 03/11/10 Review Submitted: 03/11/10

I fell in love with Upper Saltings the first moment I walked into its vast sea-facing living room, several years ago. These days I get serious withdrawal pangs if I leave it too long between visits. The flat combines a real sense of style with great comfort and reflects the genuine warmth and 'joie de vivre' of its owners. It also works brilliantly for multi-generational family groups, with a big, long dining table, several sofas and then additional clusters of seating dotted around the place. Its 'ship's quarters'-like kid's bunk room, generally produces squeals of excitement for first time visiting children. There are few nicer spots for 'hanging out' than the window seat, which over looks the beach (immediately below) and the ocean, and is long enough and wide enough to sprawl out on in great state. It is heaven for people-watching, storm watching, book reading, cross word puzzling, snoozing, star-gazing and pre-dinner wine drinking. While there is much, much to do in St Ives (highlights for me are the Barbara Hepworth museum, life drawing classes at the St Ives School of Painting, just a two minute walk away, and the coastal hike from St Ives to the tiny village of Zennor, once home to DH Lawrence, which starts just up the beach), it is always tempting to stay put, pottering over one's latest seafood experiment on the stove in the well-equipped kitchen (an excellent fish mongers is moments away), playing board games with nieces and nephews or just sitting, listening to the seagulls squawking above and the waves crashing below, without a care in the world.

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Johns (-)
Date of Stay: 02/22/10 Review Submitted: 02/22/10

I've been going here for at least 10 years now - and I never get bored with it. I relax from the moment I arrive and enjoy 'people watching' from the balcony. To wake up to the sound and sight of Porthmeor Beach every morning is a delight - even if the weather isn't good, the skies are magnificant and to sit on the window seat reading a good book and watching the Atlantic rollers is stunning. Also, to be able to walk to fantastic restaurants in the evening - especially across the harbour beach in lowtide to Porthminster Cafe - and have delicious fresh seafood, a glass of wine and then wobble back to Upper Saltings - definitely one of my favourite things. This property is both modern and cosy at the same time and you will see some of the most stunning sunsets ever from the comfort of the sitting room.

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Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Guest: Halton (-)
Date of Stay: 10/29/09 Review Submitted: 10/29/09

We arrived at Upper Saltings to see the sun setting through the enormous bow window, which juts out over Porthmeor Beach. It was a wonderful start to a brilliant holiday, due in large part to this unique holiday apartment. The main room is huge which allows people to do their own thing or in separate groups without feeling crowded together. There are small tables and chairs for children's activities and drawers of paint and paper type stuff for rainy days. Adults will be so mesmorised by the view they won't want to go anywhere, lounging on the windowseat in the rain or on the (little) balcony if hot. The design of the apartment and the very good original artworks were like the icing on the cake! The owners have been to immense pains to create a stylish and yet still practical home. A previous visitor had thanked them for adding hooks outside the front door to dry wetsuits on and this says everything about their caring, helpful attitude. All appliances and rooms are top notch and worked, the children's room was fun with a knitted reindeer waiting to greet my three-year old granddaughter. The only negative was having to queue for a long time to get into the adjacent carpark (rather than traipsing kids etc 10 minutes to another one) but this became a real positive because we left the car there and had a much more relaxing week for not haring about Cornwall as we normally would. We so much enjoyed everything about Upper Saltings that we have booked again for next year.

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Dates available:Year Round, normally Saturday to Saturday
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #56859

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This listing was first published here in 2005.

Date last modified - Friday, February 10, 2012