The Ivy House, located beside the historic St Merryn Church in North Cornwall, is a family-run restaurant with deep roots and rich heritage. Once known as The Old Mill House and later Treveglos Farm, the property has stood at the heart of village life for over 700 years. Thought to have originally been occupied by Christian nuns as part of the church, the house has long played a central role in the fabric of the community. It later became affectionately known as The Pig’s Trough, when Giovanna “Jan” Bennett, an Italian migrant who moved to Cornwall during WWII, began serving cream teas in the garden before establishing a licensed restaurant in 1985. Jan had settled in the house with her husband, local farmer Richard Bennett, from one of two longstanding St Merryn families—the Bennetts and the Olds.

Their son, Peter Bennett, was born in the house and went on to pursue a successful culinary career in London’s top hotels and restaurants, where he met his wife Annabel. After a brief move to Antwerp following the birth of their son Oliver, they returned to Cornwall to take over the restaurant, transforming it into what is now The Ivy House. For over 25 years, Peter and Annabel—now joined by their daughter Lauren—have continued to build a warm, elegant dining experience inspired by Peter’s Cornish and Italian heritage.

Today, The Ivy House is a cherished destination offering a refined French bistro atmosphere with a small but thoughtfully curated menu, fresh seafood, and an inviting ambience. Tucked away from the crowds, it remains a hidden gem where guests are welcomed like family and leave with a true taste of Cornwall’s charm and history.