Vast beach overlooked by tourists sits beside popular holiday hotspot | UK | Travel

A less-visited seaside spot has much to offer, but it’s often overlooked by tourists due to its well-known neighbouring town where visitors flock to instead.

But this tranquil stunning area in Cornwall has a beach that stretches for about three miles – and this is one of the reasons you can always find a space on the sand for yourself and your family.

Hayle also boasts a charming town centre and several independent shops with its farm shops especially getting great reviews.

Traditional bakery goods, locally-produced meat and vegetables as well as tasty Cornish pasties are all in abundance.

And because this town is situated overlooking Saint Ives Bay, which joins the Atlantic Ocean, you can also savour freshly-caught fish in Hayle’s restaurants.

The nearby town of St Ives is just the other side of the bay – and this is a spot that holiday makers love to visit, but Hayle tends to stay much quieter offering a more low-key vibe.

It’s an undersung part of Cornwall with miles of golden sand, lots of wildlife, epic surf and Hayle is steeped in mining and fishing history, however recent changes to the Hayle’s North Quay in the form of a major development reportedly affected local fishermen in a big way.

Sea water surrounding Hayle is described as crystal clear, however, swimmers and watersports enthusiasts need to take care as riptide currents can catch you out – and you’ll see lifeguards on the beach in summer season.

Lifeguards stipulate safer swimmer areas and will put red and yellow flags just out to sea – and you should only swim, surf or bodyboard between them.

That said, it’s the wildness of the sea here that gives the area its beauty, if you don’t fancy risking a dip there are many stunning walks to be enjoyed along the South West Coast Path.

You can walk from Hayle to St Ives on the coastal path (or vice versa) and the hike is just over six miles with breathtaking scenes, think turquoise water, sand dunes and stunning sunsets at the end of the day.

Visit Cornwall’s website describes the Hayle area: “Hayle Beach is an excellent 3 mile sandy beach that stretches from the Hayle Estuary to Gwithian Towans and Godrevy Point.

“The lower part of the beach is close to the town of Hayle and comprises different sections of beach known as Harveys Towans, Hayle Towans, The Towans, Black Cliff and Mexico Towans.”

One visitor described Hayle Towans Beach ‘a beautiful clean beach in most parts with lovely views’ but added that ‘there are no facilities and no bins for rubbish’ so people need to take their litter away with them.

Another visitor reviewed the same beach: “Best beach ever (for me anyway), so clean and you can walk for miles bare foot all the way.

“Lifeguards from one end to the other, if you visit you won’t be disappointed.”

As well as the beach, visitors have also praised the nearby ‘interactive’ wildlife centre, Paradise Park which features rare red squirrels, birds or prey and ‘cute otters’ plus lots more.