Welcome To The Skidden House Hotel

Skidden House is very close to all the amenities, such as the Rail and Bus Station, Beaches, Harbour, Cafes, Restaurants, Shops and Art Galleries. Skidden House is a typically English family run hotel with a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The hotel is situated in an ideal location, at the bottom of Skidden Hill, in a quiet street just off the sea front. However, you only need to walk round the corner to join the bustling streets. Also, there are no steep hills or steps to climb when returning to the hotel from the beach.

Skidden House is a very popular destination for travellers and holidaymakers and it continues to welcome guests from all corners of the world, as it has done through-out its colourful 500-year history.

Skidden House Hotel's History

Skidden House, was built, it is believed, in 1540, only 50 years after Christopher Columbus discovered America and during Henry V111's reign. It is reputed to have been used by Cromwell's men to house Royalist prisoners from the Isles of Scilly.

Most certainly it was the home of Captain Samson who in circa.1760 brought to St Ives a wonderful Irish Stout that was destined to become world famous, making Skidden House the first Inn in Great Britain to sell Guinness.

It is reputed that after the restoration of King Charles 11, the hotel became a licensed brothel and it is believed to have remained so until the advent of William & Mary bringing the Puritans back to rule this 'merrie land'.

One thing that is certain is that the Skidden House Hotel was the home of Bettsie Richards, who was much better known to her regular customers as Bettsie Chilloff. In 1895 she lost the ale-house licence, not only for running the Inn as a Brothel, but also for putting and selling smuggled rum and brandy in the beer and Guinness whenever she was asked to take the "chill off".

Hotel Facilities

Unlike many hotels in the centre of St Ives, Skidden House Hotel is able to offer free parking subject to numbers. Please remember to check parking availability and reserve a parking space when making your booking.

Bedrooms:

There are four types of room available: Family, Twin, Double and Single. All of which are en-suite with TV, telephone, hair-dryer, tea/coffee making facilities and complimentary toiletries. Cots are available. Although all of our bedrooms are non-smoking, we do permit smoking in the Bar area.

Ground floor rooms are available but if required please do check on availability when making your booking. Many of our guests have praised the crisp white 100% pure cotton bedding.

The largest Family room comprises of: 1 Double bed and 2 Single beds. This is the only room in which the en-suite is fitted with a bath rather than a shower cubical. However, a mixing hose is fitted to the bath to assist with hair washing. All the standard room facilities as described above are also included. This is a large room therefore a 3rd single bed or cot could be added if required.

Our Twin rooms comprise of: 1 Double bed and 1 Single bed. A cot can be added if required. The en-suite rooms are fitted with a shower cubical, no bath. All rooms benefit from the standard room facilities as described above.

The Double rooms comprise of 1 Double bed. A cot may be added if required. The en-suite rooms are fitted with a shower cubical, no bath. All rooms benefit from the standard room facilities as described above.

For that special occasion, why not book a Double room with a four-poster bed.

Our Single room comprises of 1 Single bed. The en-suite is fitted with a shower cubical, no bath, and benefits from all the room facilities as described above.

Things To Do Around St.Ives

St Ives is said to be the Jewel in the Crown of West Cornwall.

A picturesque seaside town, with a quaint harbour, narrow streets; some cobbled to form the area know as 'Downalong'. All of the beaches benefit from fine golden sand. The Porthmeor Beach achieved an EU Blue Flag award.

The ever-changing sea surrounds the whole town and Seals are a common site in and around the harbour. You will be delighted by the floral displays that have earned the town several distinctive awards.

Enjoy the sea and go surfing, sea fishing, take a boat trip to Seal Island, sunbathe, swim, snorkel, watch the children build sand-castles in the soft golden sands, watch the boats coming and going in the Harbour. St Ives has 5 Beaches, so should it be a little windy on one beach simply walk to another beach on the other side of St Ives Point.

Visit the boathouse built by the RNLI to house the modern lifeboat named after, and by, the Princess Royal.

The shopper could spend hours browsing the art and craft shops, clothes shops and traditional bakeries, fishmongers, butchers & grocery shops. Most of which are open until 10pm during the summer months.

In addition, amongst numerous galleries there is the modern "Tate of the West" which attracts a flow of visitors all year round. The old Museum on Smeaton's Pier is definitely worth a visit. For the diners, the town boasts many excellent restaurants to suit all pallets. Golfers could book a round of golf at St Ives Tregenna Castle.

Explore attractions beyond St. Ives

Walk along the 7-mile coastal path from St Ives to the old picturesque Cornish village of Zennor. Enjoy the spectacular views, the aqua blue sea and the inaccessible bays. You may even spot the odd seal close to the shoreline.

On reaching Zennor, refresh yourself with a pint of Tinners in the Tinners Pub or browse the museum.

Visit the Eden Project near St Austell, the new Maritime Museum at Falmouth or, closer still, visit St Michael's Mount on the South Coast. Even if not to see a play, the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno is definitely worth a visit. Explore one of the Tin Mines or Gold Sites. Take the children to Paradise Park, the Seal Sanctuary or many other places of enjoyment and interest.

Whatever you choose to do Rachel will be only too pleased to provide advice and assistance. Tourist information for St Ives Cornwall attractions is readily available from the hotel.

Please visit our main web site for full details. Thank you.

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