A Journey to Carbis Bay

Driving west from the St. Eval factory we curb the coastline to soak in the Cornish cliff side views of surf, sand and sea. Keen to absorb the coastal scents of Cornwall, 40 miles later we arrive at Carbis Bay. Recommended by Diana Massey, of the Massey Partnership, for its immersion into the natural coastal beauty of Cornwall, it seemed like the ideal spot to indulge and capture The Odyssey candle in a home environment.

Arriving at the lower end of the estate we walked through its diverse curation of flora and fauna that clung to the rocky landscape architecture leading us to our home of the next 18 hours. I was honestly not prepared for its beautiful simplicity!

First and foremost, Carbis Bay (Cornish: Karrbons, meaning "causeway") is a seaside resort and village in Cornwall, England. 1 mile southeast of St Ives, it sits, glowing turquoise and golden, on the Atlantic coast. The Carbis Bay Estate wraps along the seafront. Pushing back into the rising landscape it has been developed by passionate owners who champion the surrounding environment, with carefully considered architectural details that only the knowing could create.

First built in 1894 by Cornish architect Silvanus Trevail, the blueprint of Carbis Bay estate is to celebrate its local geography and community.  This continues today and is a reminder to us all that staying true to our foundations is a recipe for success. The original and main hotel has a rich history of welcoming creatives to enjoy its position and respite. Silvanius Trevail was a pioneer of his time, rising to become Mayor of Truro and President of the architects’ professional body, the Society of Architects. He certainly enjoyed gathering and celebrating with  fellow Architects here.

Literary connections adorning the walls of the hotel also sing from the archive imagery. Virginia Woolf’s novel ‘To The Lighthouse’ was inspired during a stay by the lonely Godrevy Lighthouse, located in St Ives Bay and visible from across the estate. The Carbis Bay Hotel has also been immortalised by the author Rosamunde Pilcher appearing as ‘The Sands Hotel’ in her novel ‘The Shell Seekers’. In the small window of time that we were there I can genuinely see why it inspired these creatives and stuck with them as a creative outlet.

From 1894 the Carbis Bay Hotel quickly gained popularity as a result of the boom in seaside holidays, which had been made possible by the expansion of the railways along with the industrial revolution in tin and copper. This holiday destination successfully gave people access to a slice of something unique, fulfilling all five of the human senses.

Today it rings true to this glorious past. Still family run, The Baker family have elevated it into a 125-acre estate with heavenly food, an enviable spa, flora and fauna that looks so expertly effortless, and an award winning beach that doesn’t look out of place in a quiet corner of the Mediterranean… any creative would jump a mile high at the opportunity of a residency here.  

In addition to the physical attributes, there is a culture beneath it all, that has built the Carbis Bay Estate into what it truly is today. An undeniable passion for Cornwall, its produce, makers, artists and creators, and a respect for the natural environment that runs deep in the veins of everyone who is part of its evolution. It openly illustrates how nature is truly good for our souls. The staff at the hotel told us stories of ocean migration and natures phenomena… whales, dolphins, seals, storms, sunsets, sunrises and more, all seen from the vistas across the estate designed to give you the full natural experience - the best seat in the house, from every angle.

Chosen as the destination of choice for the G7 summit Carbis Bay was, some could say, given the responsibility of pitching the UK to the rest of the world as a nucleus of great global change and advancement. An intelligent choice by the country’s leadership team, Carbis Bay are award winners in the sustainable hospitality sector and the location glows with authenticity. The quiet luxury of exceptional service, together with a fine line of beautiful design details and a comfortable feeling of home, is an extremely effective combination. Paired with its restorative environment, there is a wave of a calm clarity that clings to you like a warm hug from the moment you arrive.

A true testament to this was the fact that even though we had a whirlwind visit, we nevertheless came away feeling restored! In and out within 18 hours, we photographed The Odyssey candle in one of the beautiful beach lodges (the Japan Lodge and the G7 destination for the Japanese Prime Minister). The 3-storey, house sized lodge, skirts the golden sand of the bay. Feeling the sea air and hearing the tidal pull gave us the opportunity to live and breathe the coastal herb scent of the Samphire and Sage Candle. It is an experience I will never forget and now etched into my memory as a beautiful moment. Camera in hand, sunset and sunrise both enjoyed from the bedroom balconies, followed by a quiet morning sea swim in crystal waters shared with a few fellow bathers. I hope to return one day, with my family in tow, to indulge in living in the moment. To truly relax, and to soak in and celebrate the gift that is Mother Nature, in all its glory.