Skylark Beach House

Completed in spring 2019, Skylark Beach House in Gwithian is a modern twist on a classic Cornish ‘beach chalet’ and has been beautifully designed and built. A delightful décor greets you with soft and calming seaside greys, blues and greens combined with natural textures. Walls are simply panelled in painted wood, kitchen and bathroom are stylish with high quality fixtures and fittings. The layout of the property is cleverly arranged around a generous open plan living area with high ceilings, open beams, and views over farmland and sand-dune to the bay and St Ives beyond. The kitchen dining and living spaces inter-connect creating an easy-going and relaxed atmosphere, and you have a mezzanine to escape to as well. See what Luxury Lifestyle Magazine had to say after their stay in Skylark.

Inside Skylark

In the living space you have a comfy corner sofa and additional soft seating for six with generous cushions and throws, a 32 inch smart TV with DVD player, and a handy coffee table which opens to give you ample rainy-day games and media. The shaker-style kitchen will bring out your inner chef, with its Corian worktops, modern convection hob and electric oven, tall fridge-freezer, dishwasher, built in microwave, lots of utensils and plenty of storage space. The table and benches can also be used outdoors for al fresco dining — the decked patio outside the kitchen captures the sun most of the day but is also sheltered when west winds blow.

You have two lovely double bedrooms, and a third bedroom with built in bunk-beds, all of which have high quality deep-sprung mattresses. Accessed from the living space, and above the bedrooms, is the mezzanine hide out – this is a snug-cum-chill-out area tucked into the roof space, with views to the beach and lighthouse and comfy chairs. Here you can check the tide and surf from the comfort of your home, or escape with a well-deserved pinot noir and some holiday reading. (Note that the mezzanine is accessed via a stepladder, which has handles. The entrance can be closed off with a retractable safety gate, however guests use this area at their own risk — please take care). A stylish family bathroom with quality fittings and a shower over the bath complete the accommodation.

Outside and around the property

There is all weather decking on two sides of Skylark with a hot and cold après surf shower. On the third side is a grassy space providing additional parking, and a lockable storage shed where you’ll find the Weber Spirit Classic gas barbeque. This entire space around the property is securely fenced and gated. Beyond the gravel drive you also have the benefit of a large and versatile lawned area complete with picnic bench which you can use for recreation or as additional parking space. Note that the driveway here is a cul-de-sac leading to just six further privately owned chalets and whilst it is used for vehicles it is very quiet. Beside the property a footpath leads directly onto the sand dunes and you’ll be on the beach in a matter of minutes (the sea is around 200 metres away).

Things we love

Skylark’s setting is exceptionally tranquil. Gwithian Towans is one part of around three miles of beach, sand dune, and nature reserve stretching along the eastern side of St Ives bay all the way from the Hayle estuary to Godrevy Island. Here there is a unique cluster of traditional beach chalets arranged informally, as well as a couple of cafés, looking out westward across the bay towards St Ives and the setting sun. Skylark is in the quietest corner of the chalets with farmland on one side and just a few buildings on the other. The architect and owners have created an inspired space that will appeal to lovers of beach and water, walkers, or anyone who wants Escape with a capital E. Their approach has been thoughtful and thorough, with delightful attention to detail throughout the property. Our favourite things are being able to check the surf from the mezzanine and then being in the water five minutes later… and afterwards peeling wetsuits off under the outdoor shower — and the impressive Weber Spirit barbeque also takes some beating.