Visit West Cornwall

Situated amidst St Ives Bay's three miles of golden sands, Hayle was a major, internationally renowned, engineering centre and an important port during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Iron worked in the foundries went to make London's Tower Bridge. The town's worldwide reputation for engineering innovation and technical excellence acted as a magnet for Steam-Age pioneers, including Richard Trevithick, inventor of the World's first practical steam road car, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the great railway engineer.

Hayle is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, it is a fascinating repository of industrial archaeology, much of which has been restored. The town is also famous for some of the best pasties in Cornwall. Its Godrevy Lighthouse was the inspiration for Virginia Woolf's novel 'To The Lighthouse'. Rosamund Pilcher, author of The Shell Seekers, hails from these parts, as does Elizabeth Arden. It is here and the surrounding areas which served as such an inspiration for the artist John Miller.

Hayle is blessed with the dual attraction of a 3 mile long glorious golden beach and a remarkable industrial heritage. The town's many shops and facilities make it a good base for holiday makers.

The Towans - the second largest dune system in Cornwall - have a dynamic history. One of the oldest parish churches in the county, St Gothian's Chapel, has been buried 3 times under the shifting sands. As with much of Cornwall, the dunes are dotted with deep depressions where mine shafts were dug in search of metal ores. All that remains of the once thriving National Explosives Company on Upton Towans is fascinating mosaic of bunkers and tramways; one looming red brick chimney; and the local name of Dynamite Towans.

At the beach's northern end is the island lighthouse of Godrevy, a dramatic final flourish to the bay's glittering expanse of water and its hem of silken sand. Meanwhile nearby are deep, dark Hell's Mouth and sinister Deadman's Cove.

Lifeguards patrol the beaches during the summer months and, as well as swimming, surfing and sunbathing Hayle's sands are ideal for the fast-growing sport of land speed sailing. An open-air swimming pool operates in the town during the summer months.

It is also a resort and haven for many birds, especially waders. Hayle Estuary is one of the most important feeding grounds in the South West for migratory and over-wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The main bird areas of the estuary are:

LELANT SALTINGS – a large area to the west of Hayle and visible from Hayle Causeway.

CARNSEW POOL – a man-made tidal pool in the eastern corner of Lelant Saltings.

COPPERHOUSE POOL – easily viewed from Commercial Road Car Park and from the King George V Memorial Walk.

Click here for more information about bird watching and wildlife in West Cornwall

The Hayle area is popular as a self-catering and camping holiday venue. The town's busy shopping centre has ample parking, banks, post offices, supermarkets and all types of traditional and speciality shops. There are several good Cornish pubs, restaurants and cafes.