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All you need to know
Stunning sandy beaches, a fascinating history and the cultural hotspot St Ives within touching distance - holidays in Hayle are packed full of things to do.
On the edge of St Ives Bay, where the River Hayle meets the sea, lies the old port town of Hayle. Right in front of the town lies three long miles of light golden sand, making a holiday in Hayle an obvious choice for beach lovers. The huge beach starts at the mouth of the estuary, a top spot for bird watching where you can watch ospreys, egret and migrating wading birds. Families flock to Towans beach, flanked by windswept sand dunes. There’s plenty of soft sand for everyone to spread out, so it never feels crowded, and there’s seasonal lifeguard cover. For surfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing and the opportunity to see seals sunbathing, head to Gwithian beach. The beach ends at Godrevy Point, marked by the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse.
Away from the beach, take time to discover Hayle’s fascinating history. From Iron Age settlements and Neolithic tin mining, to Breton exiles, the industrial revolution and World War I explosive factories, there’s certainly lots to learn. Once an important mining port, the town’s two districts, Copperhouse and Foundry, reflect its industrial heritage and you can learn more at the Hayle Heritage Centre.
If you’re planning a family holiday in Hayle, make sure to visit Paradise Park, a theme park and petting zoo, while nothing beats the simple pleasure of feeding the ducks at the Mill Pond with an ice cream in hand. The town is filled with ice cream parlours, pasty shops and waterfront cafes, so you’ll never go hungry. Plan a visit to the spookily named Bucket of Blood pub, which, despite its name, is a friendly traditional inn which welcomes dogs and serves great home cooked food.
One of our favourite things to do while staying in Hayle is to hop on board a train to St Ives. This stretch of railway is widely considered to be the most scenic stretch in Britain, hugging the cliffs of beautiful Carbis Bay. When you arrive, you can explore pretty cobbled streets, art galleries, independent shops and fresh seafood restaurants.
The scenery surrounding Hayle is stunning, and the best way to experience it is on foot. Follow the South West Coast Path to St Ives in the west or Portreath and Hell’s Mouth in the east. Head to nearby St Erth for pretty riverside walks, or climb to the top of Trencrom Hill and soak up the spectacular views that stretch to Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount in the south, across Hayle’s beaches and on towards St Agnes Head in the distance.
Hayle Golf is a popular driving range and practice centre with 20 range bays overlooking an extensive, fully floodlit outfield plus a 12 hole short course. A team of dedicated golf coaches are on hand to help player of all levels sharpen up their game.
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Enjoy a family day out at the award winning wildlife sanctuary with the Jungle Barn indoor play centre. There is so much to see and do here, you can meet stunningly colourful birds including rare and beautiful parrots, Humboldt’s penguins, Caribbean flamingos, Cornish Choughs, cranes and so much more. With over 1,000 birds, beautiful red pandas, rare red squirrels and playful Asian otters there is a wonderful selection to see. There is also a Fun Farm which features mini donkeys, pigmy goats, sheep, rabbits and much more.
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Penwith Pitch and Putt - St Erth, Nr Hayle TR27 6HJ - T:01736 759710
No matter the weather, it’s impossible not to enjoy a Sea life safari boat trip. Head out from St Ives harbour and zoom around the rugged Cornish cliffs and coves to get to Seal Island. Keep a look out for local wildlife along the way, you’re bound to spot some bottlenose dolphins pass by and sometimes even sharks and whales can be spotted! Seal Island allows a close viewing of the seal colony in their most natural of habitats. This trip is suitable for all ages, it is £15 for an adult and £10 for under 14’s, it’s also dog friendly and your fury friends can tag along for free.
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Set back from the dunes with views across the bay to St Ives, Godevy Beach Cafe is owned by the National Trust. This breakfast and brunch café transforms into a coffee shop in the afternoon, really handy if visiting Godrevy lighthouse or going for a surf on the epic Atlantic breakers.
Godrevy Cafe, Godrevy Towans, Gwithian, Hayle TR27 5ED
One of the most popular places to eat and drink in Hayle with regular music nights and super friendly service. Pop in for lunch, dinner or a late night drink or enjoy one of their tasty food platters to share and watch the world go by with friends and family.
Salt Bar Hayle, 25 Foundry Square, Hayle (T:01736 755862)
Expect a warm Canadian welcome from the owners of The Cornish Arms along with great food and fantastic cocktails as well as traditional ales, lagers and other drinks.
Cornish Arms Hayle, 86 Commerical Road, Hayle (T:01736 753237)
Waterfront pizzeria and brasserie in Hayle with excellent daily specials including plenty of fresh fish. A great place to hang out with friends or family on a sunny day.
The Terrace Hayle, 35 Commerical Road, Hayle (T:01736 753745)
Award winning restaurant serving both Lunch and Dinner. All food served within the restaurant is locally sourced and will not have travelled any further than 15 miles, arriving fresh daily ready to be prepared, cooked and served for your enjoyment. Booking ahead greatly advised.
The Badger Inn - Fore Street, Lelant, Cornwall - T: 01736 752181
Found at the mouth of the Hayle estuary, just two miles from the town of St Ives is a vast expansion of sands which can stretch up to a mile out to sea at low tide. The beach is backed by sand dunes and the West Cornwall Golf Club. There is life guard cover in the summer and the beach is dog friendly all year.
Carbis Bay is a northeast facing beach that rarely has any surf, making it an ideal spot for families and toddlers to paddle and swim in the calmer waters. At around a mile long, the golden sands of Carbis Bay are surrounded by sub-tropical plants and turquoise waters which might just have you thinking you’re somewhere much further south! Dogs are banned on the beach between Easter and 30 September.
Located just a short walk from the centre of St Ives, this award winning beach is a family favourite for swimming. Relax on the golden sandy shores and enjoy the glorious views across the bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. There is a car park overlooking the beach but it can get very busy. Dogs are welcome apart from the first Sunday before Easter and 30 September where a seasonal dog ban is in place.
Situated in the shadow of the Tate St Ives, Porthmeor beach is a safe, sandy beach popular for surfing. In the summer months the beach is busy as it’s easy access from the town centre, in the winter surfers enjoy the waves that they have right on their doorstep. Parking is difficult in the summer as many car parks get full early, try your luck or you can park at St Erth station car park and enjoy the scenic train ride into St Ives. Dogs are welcome except between Easter and 30 September when a seasonal dog ban is in place.