Labour in Vain is a characterful cottage in St. Ives, Cornwall, praised for its superb location and cosy atmosphere. Guests enjoyed the proximity to beaches and local amenities, with some finding the property a comfortable base for a memorable holiday. The unique features and friendly neighbours added to the charm of the stay.
Several reviews mention issues with cleanliness, including dust, rubbish under beds, and a need for deep cleaning in areas like the shower. The property seems to require more thorough attention to cleanliness.
The cottage's location is highly praised for being central and within walking distance to beaches and shops. Parking is challenging, but the convenience of the location compensates for this minor inconvenience.
Guests found the cottage cosy and the furniture comfortable. However, there were complaints about lumpy mattresses and dampness in some rooms, suggesting that while the property has potential for comfort, some aspects need improvement.
The property offers a games room and is well-furnished, but guests reported maintenance issues such as broken appliances, dampness, and a lack of instructions for heating and appliances. These issues indicate that the facilities require better upkeep.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the property owner towards the guests. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
Labour in Vain is a traditional, semi-detached cottage in the centre of St Ives, a short walk from a host of attractions, amenities and selection of pristine sandy beaches. This three-storey property is ideal accommodation for a family or group of six wanting to enjoy the attractions, beaches and art scene that St Ives boasts, as well as being within easy reach of the South West Coast Path and picturesque Penwith Heritage Coast. The property is 100 metres from a car park, where guests can leave their vehicles, and access to the property is via the front gate, past the pretty, enclosed courtyard garden, where you can enjoy sitting out in the sunshine with a morning coffee or alfresco lunch. Enter the property into the quarry tiled, contemporary kitchen, with neutral tones, wooden worktops and well-equipped with all the necessary appliances to cook up a fantastic meal, to be enjoyed at the dining table in the dining room, beside the charming decorative woodburning stove, adding to the homely feel of the space. At the end of the day, relax in the sitting room, four steps up from the kitchen, where you can cosy up on the large corner sofa and enjoy your favourite shows on the TV. Alternatively, head down the staircase from the sitting room into the lower-ground-floor games room, with a TV, sofa, table football and dartboard, guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment. Heading back upstairs, the staircase to the first floor is accessed from the dining room, where you will encounter three spacious and stylish bedrooms, decorated with a coastal theme and offering ample storage space, with a double bedroom featuring a decorative woodburning stove, a second double bedroom with distant beach and sea views and a bunk room, all served by the partly tiled family bathroom. Right in the heart of the thriving harbour town of St Ives, you are a stone's throw from a host of shops, restaurants, pubs, cafés and beaches. Known for its thriving art scene, a visit to Tate St Ives and the Barabara Hepworth Museum are a must, with a host of other galleries within walking distance as well as narrow streets packed with picturesque cottages nestled around the quayside. St Ives offers wonderful swimming and surfing opportunities, on North Cornwall's Atlantic coastline, known for its rolling waves, with a choice of four stunning sandy beaches within walking distance of the cottage. Walkers can join the magnificent South West Coast Path and explore the coastline in both directions; head west towards the Penwith Heritage Coast, where you will discover excellent hiking at Hellesveor Cliff and Zennor Beach, the scenic view point at Gurnard's Head, Pendeen Watch Lighthouse and the Bronze Age site of Mên-an-Tol, while a journey east will encompass the beaches of Porthminster, Carbis Bay and Porthkidney, the town of Hayle and its wildlife-orientated attractions of RSPB Hayle Estuary and Paradise Park and JungleBarn. Cornwall's most westerly town, Penzance, is around eight miles away, with a pretty promenade, gallery & museum, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and 16th century country house of Trengwainton Garden. The Lizard heritage Coast and its selection of beautiful beaches at Praa Sands, Porthleven and Mullion are also close by, along with attractions like Flambards Theme Park, Trebah Garden botanical garden and Poldark Mine & The Cornish Heritage Collection. This is the perfect base from which to explore the picturesque North Cornwall coastline.
One of Cornwall's prettiest harbour towns, St Ives offers fabulous beaches, shops, a thriving arts scene, great pubs and restaurants and much more. The surrounding area has much to see and do, with abundant wildlife, fabulous coastal walks, quality surfing and attractions such as the Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum.
Recently redecorated in 2022.
Over three floors: 2 x double, 1 x bunk room.
Bathroom with shower over bath, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Kitchen.
Lower-ground-floor games room with table football
Gas central heating.
Electric oven and ceramic hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV, WiFi.
Partial sea views from one of the double bedrooms and living room.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair available.
Front courtyard garden with seating.
Two well-behaved pets welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop, pub and beach within 0.1 miles.
Note: Wood burning stove is for decorative purposes only.
Note: There is no parking for this property, however there is a public carpark 100 metres away
Jules
Can't fault it, great place and great location. Lovely neighbours. We we will be coming back some. x
Roger
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Malcolm
The owners have obviously fallen out of love with it.
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