We love Hayle! Beautifully placed on the St Ives Bay coast with miles of sandy shore to explore and lots to do, it’s a scenic and special place for a weekend break.

We couldn’t cram all that it has to offer into our favourite 48-hour itinerary but we’ve given it our best shot!

Day 1

Morning 

Start your day with a gorgeous coffee in Betty the tiny dining caravan that is Be Kind The Vegan Coffee, on South Quay. If you feel like a bite to eat, you can choose from an assortment of fresh cakes as well as lots of other delicious things. The view over Hayle Estuary and across to St Ives is fabulous!

Next, explore Hayle and its beautiful scenery with a fat-tyre e-bike experience from XpressBikes which operate on South Quay near the Be Kind Coffee caravan. You’ll be given a helmet, drinks bottle and hi-vis back pack on arrival, before getting a full run-down on how to use your bike, as well as tips about the best routes to take. So much fun AND dog-owners can hire a pull along buggy for their pooches.

Photo credit: XpressBikes

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Afternoon

After your bike ride nip over to Philps Bakery on nearby Penpol Terrace. If you’re a local you’ll know that the best place to grab a pasty (especially during the busier seasons) – delicious, perfectly crimped flaky pastry packed with fresh, seasoned fresh meat and root veg – yum!

Work your lunch off with a wander along the South West Coast Path through the sand dunes of Hayle Towans and along its miles of sandy beach. With several shortcuts to choose from, you can make this walk as long or short as you fancy.

Evening

Grab dinner at The Old Forge in neighbouring Lelant (about 3 minutes’ drive). It’s THE place for authentic Italian pizza and has been chosen by diners as one of the top ten restaurants in Cornwall through Open Table. Inside is cosy on wintry evenings, while the outside terrace is lovely when the weather’s warm.

Photo credit: The Olde Forge Bistro

Day 2

Morning

If you like your breakfasts hearty, fresh and tasty, the family-friendly Duckies Cafe on Penpol Terrace is the place to grab your full Cornish or Eggs Royale-Florentine. The café is super dog-friendly too.

Hop in the car and take a short 15-minute drive to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens – lovely subtropical gardens where lush vegetation, flowering plants, and sculptures flank the many winding paths. Here, the spectacular views are over Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount.

Photo credit: Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

Afternoon

Some stop at Gilbert’s Beach Bar on a whim and end up lingering far longer than planned. It sits right on the edge of the estuary, so you’re eating with the water just a few steps away and uninterrupted views across the sand and tidal flats. It’s very relaxed — no bookings, just turn up

Heading out onto the estuary by kayak is one of the most calming things to do. Global Boarders offer sit-on-top kayaks which are easy to handle, whether solo or as a pair, and everything you need is provided. Once on the water, you’ll have wide open views, and the chance to see Hayle from a completely different angle.

Photo credit: Gilbert’s Beach Bar

Evening

Finish the day the way you should at the seaside — enjoying fish and chips wherever you fancy – still warm from the shop. Our two favourite places to go in Hayle are Lewy’s Fish & Chips (Penpol Terrace) and Sanders Fish & Chips (Chapel Terrace). Both are well-loved locally so you really can’t go wrong with either.

Photo credit: Sanders Fish & Chips

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