Three Mile Beach, St Ives Bay Relaxed coastal luxury with Millboard decking in Cornwall
Three mile beach, Luxury Beach Houses
| Location | St Ives Bay, Cornwall |
|---|---|
| Developer | Adam Smith Warvena Construction |
Tucked into the dunes at Gwithian Towans, looking out across the sweep of St Ives Bay, Three Mile Beach feels like the sort of place people daydream about from their desks. Sea air on the breeze, Atlantic rollers in the distance and sand on the doorstep.
This collection of 19 luxury beach houses has been created as a laid-back retreat where families, couples and friends can slow down without sacrificing comfort. Every detail has been carefully considered, from log burners and hot tubs to outdoor showers and generous decking that draws guests outside to enjoy the view.
To deliver that sense of luxury in a demanding coastal setting, the team behind Three Mile Beach chose Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak. The result is a series of outdoor spaces that feel relaxed and natural, yet stand up beautifully to the realities of life by the sea.
A new kind of Cornish beach escape
Three Mile Beach is more than a row of holiday homes. It is a cluster of self-catering beach houses and shacks designed around freedom and ease. Days are shaped by the tide, not the clock. Children run between the dunes, dogs doze in sandy patches of sun and surfboards lean against garden fences, ready for the next session.
The interiors embrace a playful, premium feel, mixing bold color, generous soft furnishings and thoughtful little touches that make a stay feel special. Outside, each property opens out onto a private decked area, creating an effortless flow between indoor comfort and outdoor living. It is here that Millboard decking plays a quiet but vital role.
The decking has to look the part in a high-end development, but it also has to cope with everything the Cornish coast can throw at it. At Three Mile Beach, appearance and performance are equally important.
Building for the elements
On this stretch of coastline, the sea is never just a backdrop. Salt-laden winds, shifting sand and sudden showers are part of daily life. Add in a constant stream of guests, surfboards, excited children, wet dogs and year-round high occupancy, and the demands on the external finishes quickly become clear.
Adam Smith of Warvena Construction, who led the build, understood this from the outset.
“The owners of Three Mile Beach chose Millboard for its unmatched robustness,” explains Adam. “It is a product that not only withstands the elements but also enhances the overall aesthetic of the beach houses. It was the perfect fit for a high-end development like Three Mile Beach.”
Traditional timber would have required regular upkeep and would be vulnerable to the harsh mix of salt, sand and moisture. Millboard decking, made from a resin mineral composite, offers the look of real wood with the long-term durability needed in such a busy, exposed environment.
Why Millboard decking was chosen
Across the resort, Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak runs around hot tubs, across generous terraces and along walkways that link indoor spaces with the dunes beyond. The warm grey tone sits comfortably alongside the coastal palette of weathered timber, soft planting and pale sand.
For Three Mile Beach, the choice of Millboard products came down to three key requirements:
- Durability in a harsh coastal environment
Millboard decking is designed to stand up to demanding conditions, making it well suited to a seaside setting where surfaces are constantly exposed to salt, sand and footfall. Even with high guest turnover, the boards retain their appearance without the need for frequent painting, staining or sealing.
- Exceptional slip resistance
With wet feet coming straight off the beach or out of hot tubs, surface performance is critical. Millboard decking offers exceptional slip resistance, helping to provide a reassuringly secure underfoot experience across the site, even in the rain.
- A premium, cohesive finish
The richly textured surface of the Enhanced Grain decking range captures the character of real timber, complementing the luxurious interiors and other high-end finishes throughout the development. The decking ties together hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, seating areas and walkways with a consistent, considered look.
“The robustness of products like Millboard decking is really important to us here at Three Mile Beach,” says Nick. “We have had customers come and ask what material we have used on the decking. They love it and want to know what color it is. The guest feedback is really good, and people genuinely appreciate the quality of the finishes.”General Manager, Nick McIvor
Installation that focuses on the finer details
The installation of the decking was carried out by award-winning Warvena Construction’s experienced team, who took part in installer training at Millboard’s headquarters before work began. That training made a tangible difference on site.
Decking installer, Alex Brotherton, recalls how the fixing system helped deliver the refined look the project demanded:
“I enjoyed learning about the hidden screw at the installer training at Millboard headquarters and then using it at Three Mile Beach. It gives a really nice, clean finish where you can’t see any of the screws.”
The hidden fixing system allows the focus to remain on the long, clean lines of the boards and the natural grain detail of the Smoked Oak finish, rather than on rows of visible screw heads. For a development where every detail is under the spotlight, those small touches matter.
A guest experience that starts outside the front door
From the moment guests arrive, the decking at Three Mile Beach sets the tone. Children drop their bags and race across the boards towards the hot tub. Couples pause on the terrace to watch the last light catch the waves. Dogs shake off seawater.
Because Millboard decking is low maintenance and highly resistant to the usual signs of weathering and wear, the team can focus on hosting rather than constant upkeep. There is no need to close off areas for sanding, re-staining, or replacements, which helps keep the guest experience smooth and uninterrupted throughout the year.
The result is a seamless blend of durability and design. Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Smoked Oak not only withstands the rigors of a thriving coastal resort, it enhances the atmosphere that Three Mile Beach has worked so hard to create: relaxed, luxurious and rooted in the landscape just beyond the deck.
As Nick sums up:
“We have had customers come and ask us what material we have used on the decking. They love it so much and ask what color it is. The guest feedback is excellent, and people genuinely appreciate the quality of the finishes.”
Bring the Three Mile Beach feel to your next project
Whether you are designing a collection of coastal retreats, a boutique hotel, a restaurant terrace or a private garden, Millboard decking can help you create outdoor spaces that feel special and perform beautifully.
Ready to explore the possibilities?
- Order a sample of Millboard decking to see and feel the difference for yourself.
- Visit a Millboard Experience Centre to walk on full-size installations and get hands-on inspiration for your next scheme.
- View more case studies to discover how Millboard products are being used in projects across the US and beyond.
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