The pretty port town of Hayle has much to offer from golden sandy beaches to an outdoor swimming pool, wildlife sanctuary, go kart track, a huge play park, picturesque garden walks and an eclectic array of shops, pubs and eateries. What’s more, it’s right on our doorstep! So read on to find out our top things to do in Hayle;
Hit the beach
It goes without saying really doesn’t it, no holiday in Cornwall could ever be complete without some time spent at the beach! Hayle benefits from good access to several beautiful beaches with the peaceful Hayle estuary flowing nearby. In fact, if you ask some locals they will claim there are 16 beaches to explore all within easy reach. But we have our favourites and they can generally be found along Hayle’s renowned ‘three miles of golden sand’ which stretches from the river mouth across to Mexico Towans. There are huge sand dunes here, great fun for running down or dune boarding, small cliffs to shelter from any breezes and powder soft golden sands. At low tide expect kite buggies and sand yachts flying along with
the wind with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. There are some facilities as well as couple of cafes to be found to offer a well-earned treat after a long day at the beach!
Swim Alfresco
Run by Hayle Town Council, the outdoor swimming pool is a wonderful facility to have right on our doorstep. The water is warmed by a solar cover with temperatures hovering between 20 and 24 degrees making it perfect for those with little ones or who find the sea too cold. Well-managed and maintained, the pool is fully life-guarded with changing rooms and hot showers, however advance booking is generally required due to it’s popularity. Situated near the town’s impressive play park the outdoor pool is one of our top things to do in Hayle.
https://www.hayletowncouncil.net/your-council/outdoor-swimming-pool/
Go Wild
Paradise Park has been a Hayle fixture since 1973 and has flourished to become one of Cornwall’s top attractions. There are over 130 bird species to visit from the comical Humboldt’s penguin to colourful Toucans and majestic Eagles. The sanctuary is also home to endangered Red Squirrels, otters, Harvest mice and miniature donkeys with a variety of other farm animals to discover too. There are shows, displays, feeding sessions, a large indoor play barn and a pub, a former Victorian Coach house which today serves freshly prepared lunches and dinners alongside a host of refreshing drinks.
Roarrr-some Fun
Hayle is also where you can find one of Cornwall’s Go Karting tracks, Coast 2 Coast Karting. A completely outdoor course, they welcome drivers over 1.27m tall and over the age of 8 years old to take on the 12 corners, hairpin bends and two straights – considered by many to be a technical rollercoaster! With free parking, indoor and outdoor seating plus a café a visit here makes for some seriously good, if a little competitive, fun! With only two courses in the county it can get quite busy so we do recommend booking in advance where possible.
Explore on Foot
Much of Hayle is completely flat offering gentle meanders from one end to the other. One of our favourite places to stroll is the King George V Memorial Walk, a gentle level walk running alongside a tidal pool. Bird life here is plentiful with walks here providing an excellent vantage point for the array of colourful wildlife and beautiful flowers. A mile in length, the walk is closed to vehicles, except on Sundays, and makes for an idyllic wander. Discover fishponds and a sensory garden along the way, you could even head into town for some delicious fish and chips to treat yourself after.
As you have learned, there are many things to do in Hayle. We also recommend a visit into
the town where you’ll find a welcoming local vibe, antique shops, charming boutiques and
excellent eateries all a little less-crowded than the busy streets of St Ives, which is only a
ten-minute drive away. However you spend your time with us, we love seeing all your
treasured memories so please do share with us on social media using #mycalloose.