The story of how we met…
We first came to Gwithian Sands in 1976, while we were staying with our relatives who lived in Hayle, and we loved the place so much that we’ve been back every year since. Our chalet – Driftwood – is a great place to relax with a book and a cup of tea or glass of wine in the sunshine, and it gets plenty of it!
Our children love roaming free range over the Towans, the sand dunes that stretch for miles above the beach. They are recognised as an SSSI for the variety of flora and fauna they contain. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust has more details about the wildlife on the dunes. They offer plenty for history lovers too – as well as defences from the second world war (look out for the pill boxes), there are also the remains of a Victorian gunpowder factory – you can read more about its fascinating history courtesy of English Heritage.
The golden sandy beach at Gwithian stretches three miles from Godrevy Point to Copperhouse in Hayle, broken only by the Red River and Hayle River. There are plenty of rock pools for intrepid explorers, miles of sand for sandcastles, plenty of breaks for surfers, and lifeguard patrolled areas for swimming and paddling. Access to the beach is easy – an unbroken 20-minute walk across the dunes straight from the chalet, or a short drive to either Gwithian Towans or Godrevy beaches.
We have spent many days wandering over to the beach, diverting the stream, exploring the rock pools and building elaborate sand fortifications against the incoming tide.
Things to do around Gwithian Sands
If you’re a surfer you’ll already know what to do (and there are plenty of places around the outside of the chalet to hang your wetsuit). If you want to learn, there are plenty of local surf schools where you can book a single lesson or a whole week’s worth if you’re serious about it!
Our favourite running route is along the dunes past Godrevy lighthouse and the seals at Mutton Cove, but you can just make up your own route through the dunes to the beach and back.
If walking is your thing the chalet is about half a mile from the South West Coast Path, and the local area is packed full of walks.
Our holiday is never complete without a trip to explore St Ives, wander round the art galleries before eating pasties and chips on the harbour wall. It's fun to ride on the little branch line right along the coast from St Erth or the park-and-ride at Lelant Saltings.
“I have been coming to Gwithian since I was a kid, running up and rolling down the sand dunes above the most beautiful beach that goes on for miles.”
- IAN L.
