Situated in Saint Ives Bay in West Cornwall, Hayle is a port town of gleaming sands, and wetland birds, with a history of engineering, copper smelting and tin trading. In Cornwall sand dunes are known as Towans; Hayle Towans are a stretch of sands a swirl with the glint of fairy grins. Here, sea trickles over snake backs of gold, footprints of all sizes lie as a haunting of the beach day.
Hayle has three miles of sands stretching from the estuary of the River Hayle, embracing the surfer’s favourite Gwithian, Godrevy and the Towans. The Hayle Estuary is protected by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, a wonderful wetland habitat homing egrets, herons, teals, widgeon, stone turners, waterfowl and in summer, ospreys.
Trencrom Hill is a stunning climb through ferns and purple bell heather dancing with butterflies to the granite tor, with splendid views overlooking Hayle Estuary on the one side and all the way to the opposite coast and Saint Michael’s Mount on the other. This is a hill of mythical beings, a lair of both giants and spriggans. It even has a Giant’s well.
Saint Ives is a vibrant town a cram with activity, flanked with beaches and a harbour. Looking out over the bay at night the Godrevy Lighthouse glints in the bay. A hum with artists the town is home to the Tate St Ives and the much loved Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Gardens.
