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.
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Things to do
Food & drink
Beaches
