Pictures of Hayle

About Hayle

Three miles of golden sands backed by impressive sand dunes have made Hayle a perfect summer place for families to enjoy a holiday. It is an old town, made prosperous in the 18th-century when John Harvey opened his tin, copper and foundry business here which caused the port of Hayle to become the busiest port in Western Cornwall, with a regular packet steamer service to the port of Bristol. The closure of the foundry early in the 20th-century brought about the decline of the port. This caused fluctuations in Hayle's fortunes, but fortunately tourists brought in by the railways were quick to notice the charms of this lovely place and Hayle began to develop as a tourist destination.

Lying in the magnificent sweep of St.Ives Bay, Hayle has a lot to offer. The beautiful dunes backing the long sandy beach are a haven for wildlife and for the walker they reveal many rare and beautiful species. The sands, which in summer are packed with sun-worshippers, in spring and autumn become the venue for the increasingly popular sport of landspeed sailing, thus attracting competitors from Europe and beyond. The beaches spread to Godrevy Lighthouse. Standing slightly off-shore, this is said to be the lighthouse which inspired Virginia Woolf to write the novel - To the Lighthouse.

The town also attracts bird watchers and nature lovers. During spring and autumn the mild climate of this part of the Cornish coast acts as a magnate for migratory birds who flock here in surprising numbers to shelter from the storms and gales of colder, northerly regions. Paradise Park is a must for all the family, here you can see a range of endangered parrots, owls, birds of prey and small and large farm animals in a natural setting. The park has a miniature railway which takes you through tunnels and past Glanmor House which was the home of the Harvey family.

Pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes throng the waters of St. Ives Bay and jostle for position around Hayle's picturesque harbour. Beyond the harbour the town is split into two parts, both fittingly have names acknowledging Cornwall's rich industrial heritage - Copperhouse and Foundry. In the town the visitor is delighted with the tempting shops, cafe's, pubs, restaurants and range of accommodation to suit all tastes, including excellent self-catering accommodation for families.

Anyone visiting Hayle is in for a treat, there are spectacular panoramic views of St.Ives, Carbis Bay and Godrevy Lighthouse, seasports, cliff top and country walks, golf and a host of attractive Cornish towns and villages to explore. In Hayle there is always something going on, including a week long Heritage Festival, held annually each August.