Island Blockhouse & Island Chapel

Part of the Weddings at St Ives Guildhall Collection, the Island Blockhouse offers a truly unique setting for intimate ceremonies and relaxed daytime receptions. Now licensed for legal weddings, this historic coastal wedding venue on The Island hosts up to 25 guests, making it an unforgettable spot for romantic, small-scale celebrations with sweeping sea views and undeniable Cornish charm.

Perched high above St Ives on the iconic headland known as The Island, the Island Blockhouse and Island Chapel offer two extraordinary settings for an intimate wedding by the sea. Rich in history and surrounded by sweeping coastal views, these tiny character-filled venues are made for couples seeking something simple, personal and unmistakably Cornish – whether it’s a legal ceremony in the Blockhouse or a romantic blessing in the centuries-old chapel.

Island Blockhouse & Island Chapel at a glance

Capacity: Up to 25 people including the couple at the Island Blockhouse; up to 15 including the couple at the Island Chapel
Civil ceremonies: Yes – the Island Blockhouse is licensed for legal wedding ceremonies
Small & intimate weddings: Yes – both venues are designed for intimate celebrations
Blessings & vow renewals: Yes – the Island Chapel is available for non-legal blessings, vow renewals and naming ceremonies
Receptions: The Island Blockhouse can host relaxed daytime receptions for up to 25
Catering: Outside catering can be arranged for Blockhouse ceremony and daytime reception bookings
Wedding coordinator: Yes – planning support is available from the Weddings at St Ives Guildhall team
Accommodation: No on-site accommodation
Special features: Landmark location on The Island, spectacular views across St Ives and the surrounding coastline, historic buildings and an intimate atmosphere

Why couples choose The Island

There are few places that capture the spirit of St Ives quite like The Island. Rising above Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, the grassy headland is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks, with breathtaking views across the rooftops, beaches and Atlantic Ocean.

Tucked into this extraordinary setting are two wonderfully intimate venues. The Island Blockhouse offers couples the chance to legally marry on The Island, while the tiny St Nicholas Chapel provides an atmospheric setting for blessings and vow renewals.

Both are perfect for couples who want to strip things back and focus on what really matters: exchanging vows, gathering a handful of favourite people and celebrating against one of Cornwall’s most beautiful coastal backdrops.

Say ‘I do’ in the Blockhouse

The historic Island Blockhouse offers an intimate and wonderfully unusual setting for a legal wedding ceremony, accommodating up to 25 people including the couple.

Simple interiors allow the building’s character and location to shine, while the surrounding headland provides an incredible natural backdrop before and after the ceremony. Step outside to salty sea air and panoramic views, with some of St Ives’ most iconic scenery just moments away.

For couples who want to linger a little longer, the Blockhouse can also host a relaxed daytime reception with outside catering, allowing the celebrations to continue in this unique clifftop setting.

A blessing above the sea

Follow the path further up The Island and you’ll reach St Nicholas Chapel, a tiny whitewashed landmark that has stood on this dramatic spot in one form or another for more than 500 years.

Also known as the Island Chapel, it isn't licensed for legal marriages, but provides an unforgettable setting for a non-legal wedding blessing, vow renewal or handfasting ceremony for up to 15 people including the couple.

Its simple interior and extraordinary position create an atmosphere that feels worlds away from a conventional wedding venue. Couples can choose their own celebrant, making the ceremony deeply personal before stepping outside to views stretching across St Ives Bay, Carbis Bay and towards Hayle.

Celebrate St Ives style

The beauty of a wedding here lies partly in what surrounds it. The cobbled streets, harbour, golden beaches and restaurants of St Ives are all within walking distance, opening up endless possibilities for shaping the rest of the day.

After the ceremony, wander down from The Island for photographs on the beach, gather for drinks overlooking the harbour or book a favourite restaurant for an intimate wedding feast.

It’s a wonderfully relaxed approach to getting married: a remarkable ceremony setting followed by a celebration built entirely around the couple and the people they love.

Perfect for…

Small and intimate weddings • Micro weddings • Elopements • Legal civil ceremonies • Wedding blessings • Vow renewals • Coastal weddings • Relaxed celebrations • St Ives weddings • West Cornwall weddings.

Love the look of The Island Blockhouse & Island Chapel?

Discover the latest pricing and availability for your wedding.

CHECK PRICING & AVAILABILITY

Your enquiry will be sent directly to the team at The Island Blockhouse & Island Chapel.

Or

Download Brochure