About Cornish Holidays in Hayle

Cornwall is well-known for it’s strong tin mining heritage, and the local skyline is still dotted with the remains from these industrial days. Tin was still being extracted from Gwithian as recently as between the two World Wars. If you go onto Gwithian beach via the stone steps and turn left, you will see a narrow opening between the rocks at Sheeps Pool. This was blasted open by the mining company to allow the horse and carts that carried the tin to pass from Peters Point to the Red River end of the beach and give them extra time to beat the tides.

The Towans (grassy sand dunes) above the length of the beach has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Once used as a National Explosives site from 1888 until the end of World War II, it is now home to a large variety of flora and fauna, including skylarks, humming bird moths, orchids, newts and adders. Although a bite from these snakes is very rare, it is advisable (as always when in the countryside) to respect the fact that you are in their environment. The area is vast, covering 239 acres in all, and now has an officially opened disabled access to allow everybody to enjoy it.

Gwithian Green Nature Reserve (entrance within the village opposite Glencoe Nursing Home) is a fine example of what can be achieved by a hard-working band of people for the benefit of the local wildlife. Although small, there is an interesting variance of ponds, reedbeds and open common land. There is a large variety of butterflies to be found here, as well as damsel flies, lizards and moths.