Hayle
HaylA World Heritage harbour
Hayle sits on the edge of a beautiful estuary leading into St Ives Bay. To the north lie three miles of golden sand, whilst the town itself has changed greatly since its days as an industrial heartland during Cornwall’s mining boom years.
Welcome to Hayle
An undersung part of Cornwall, Hayle has it all. Miles of golden sandy beaches, stunning wildlife, epic surf and a fascinating history are all on offer here. The harbour and foundry areas form part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, reflecting the town’s pivotal role as an industrial heartland during the nineteenth century tin and copper boom. The harbour, located at the mouth of the Hayle River, is one of only two protected harbours on Cornwall’s treacherous north coast, with a trading history that dates back to ancient times.
To the north of the town, a three-mile stretch of sandy coastline extends from Hayle Estuary to Godrevy Point. Known collectively as "The Towans," this area encompasses Hayle Towans, Mexico Towans, Upton Towans, Gwithian Towans, and Godrevy Beach. Godrevy is famed for its lighthouse and is a sanctuary for native seal colonies.
Hayle estuary is also a wildlife haven, and is designated as an RSPB Nature Reserve. Birdwatchers can spot thousands of migratory birds and waders, including curlews, little egrets, oystercatchers, teals, and wigeons, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
Did you know?
Hayle was originally three separate settlements that have merged over time. To the south is Foundry, once the hub of the town’s thriving mining industry. Heading north, you’ll come to Copperhouse, home to a rival foundry during the height of the industrial era. Further along lie the Towans, a sweeping stretch of some of Cornwall’s finest beaches.
Things to do in Hayle
With its perfect blend of nature and history, Hayle offers a variety of activities for all ages.
A visit to Hayle isn’t complete without exploring its stunning beaches. Take a stroll along the vast expanses of soft sand, which are so large you can always find a spot for yourself, or ride the waves with a local surf school.
Behind the beaches lies an extensive network of dunes, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These dunes are home to rare orchids and wildlife including adders, the UK’s only venomous snake. You’ll also find the remains of the National Explosives Works here, which once supplied local mines and the Royal Navy during World War I.
Heading back towards the harbour from the beaches, the King George V Memorial Walk runs along a serene tidal pool in the Copperhouse area, perfect for a scenic, level stroll. Nearby, you’ll find Commercial Road, Hayle Terrace and Penpol Terrace where there are a selection of shops and eateries.
South of the harbour is Foundry, where you can learn more about the town’s history at Hayle Heritage Centre. St Ives Pottery School is just across the road, where you can enjoy family-friendly introduction to pottery sessions.
For a fun family day out, head to Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary, home to over 1,200 birds, including penguins, vultures, flamingoes, and more. Children will love the miniature train, friendly goats and donkeys, and the massive Jungle Barn soft play area.
Nature lovers can visit the RSPB Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, a sanctuary for migratory birds, making Hayle a must-visit for birdwatchers too.
Did you know?
In the early 19th century, Hayle was the most important mining port and steam engine manufacturing centre in the world. Harvey's Foundry (1779 - 1903) played a pivotal role in producing the largest steam pumping engines the world had ever seen. It became a centre for innovation, attracting some of the most renowned engineers of the era, including Richard Trevithick and Arthur Woolf.
Further afield
Taking the train from Hayle to St Ives is one of the most scenic journeys in the country. The railway tracks curve around St Ives Bay giving elevated views of the white sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters.
Once you arrive in St Ives, visit the famous Tate St Ives, Penwith Gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Alternatively, Marazion and Penzance are a fifteen minute drive away, where you can enjoy more galleries or take a trip to St Michael’s Mount.
Heading east, trips to Godrevy lighthouse are a fun family activity. Or, you can pick-your-own fruit at Trevaskis Farm.
There are also plenty of stunning walks around this part of the coastline, including up Trencrom Hill, ancient Iron Age Hill Fort from which you have elevated views and can see both the north and south Cornish coasts.
Getting around
Hayle is conveniently located just off the A30, making it an ideal base for exploring Cornwall’s north coast by car. If you prefer to travel by rail, you can take the mainline from London Paddington to St Erth, then hop on the branch line to Hayle station. This scenic branch line also offers an easy connection between Hayle and St Ives. For up-to-date timetables, visit Great Western Railway and Transport for Cornwall.
Accommodation
Beachside Holiday Park
Beachside Holiday Park is situated in the fabulous St Ives Bay. Famous for its golden sands, temperate climate and artistic reputation. Beachside is family-run especially for families and many people ...
See accommodationThings to do in Hayle
Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary & JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre
An Award-winning wildlife sanctuary set in beautiful exotic gardens with views to the sea, home to over 1,200 birds plus rare red pandas, red squirrels, otters, tiny harvest mice and farm animals.
St Ives, HayleRead morePlan your trip
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Hayle
From the M5 at Exeter take the A30 down through Cornwall until you see signs to Hayle. Once off the A30 you are straight into the town.
National Express coaches serve Hayle stopping at both ends of the town.
There are regular bus services to all the major towns in West Cornwall.
Hayle has a mainline railway station in the Foundry area. However to travel to St Ives you will need to change at St Erth.
FAQ's
View allSpoilt for choice!
St Ives alone has five wonderful beaches, with both Porthminster and Porthmeor being awarded Blue Flags in 2022. Across the bay you will find three miles of golden sand stretching north from the Hayle Estuary. Then there's Porthtowan and Portreath just up the coast...
Sennen Cove right down near Land's End is another popular stretch both with surfers and families, whilst Mount's Bay provides endless walking and is often home to kite surfers.
There's also countless small secret coves, ideal for hiding away in, we would tell you where they are, but they wouldn't be secret then!
Hayle is famous for being at the forefront of the Cornish mining industry in the 1800s. It was here that most of the machinery built to power and pump out mines all over the world at that time was built.
These days it's probably better known for being close to some of the finest beaches in Cornwall, and home to Phillps, makers of Cornish pasties.
Yes you can, the best way is along the South West Coast Path which leaves Hayle and follows the estuary inland past the RSPB nature reserve. It then heads for Lelant before rounding the mouth of the estuary on the west side and heading through Carbis Bay to St Ives.
Approximately seven miles of easy walking, should take about three hours to complete.
You can catch a bus back.
There's a good selection of shops, from galleries and antique shops to large supermarkets such as ASDA and Lidl. On the A30 where you turn off to Hayle is a small out of town shopping area with a M&S and Next amongst other shops.
At Godrevy you can spot the largest seal colony in Cornwall. You need to walk out to the east side of the headland and look down into Mutton Cove.
The cove is home to a large colony of North Atlantic Grey Seals. The best time to see them is in the winter but even in the summer you will probably see a few seals hauled up on the beach.
Please take notice of the signage around the top of the cove, keep quiet, keep dogs on leads and make no attempt to climb down the cliff.
Your weekly dose of Cornish cheer!
When you can’t be in your favourite place all the time, catch up on the latest stories, upcoming events, holiday ideas, and offers with a newsletter straight to your inbox. Terms and Conditions / GDPR compliance: by providing personally identifiable information Visit Cornwall will use it to provide you with ongoing information about their products and services. No one from Visit Cornwall will rent, sell or lease this personally identifiable information to other companies or individuals.
Stay connected
Find us on socials and stay connected with the Cornwall you love.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads and to analyse our traffic. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. (Privacy Policy)