Cornwall is well known for its strong tin mining heritage, and the local skyline is still dotted with the remains from these industrial days. Hayle itself, steeped in history, is a settlement that dates back to the Bronze Age and was at the forefront of the industrial revolution. The town became one of the busiest ports in England, supplying tin, copper, coal and timber, as well as being renowned for its boat-building. In fact the name Hayle itself drives from the Cornish for estuary, Heyl.
The town is divided in two- Copperhouse and Foundry, which reflects the two rival companies that flourished here in the 19th century. One of the first ever railways to be built ran from Hayle to Redruth, and the famous Richard Trevithick built a steam-powered road carriage here in 1801.
GWITHIAN is our nearest village, and tin was still being extracted from here 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 Sheep’s 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 (Cornish for 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 and surrounds Sandbank Holidays. 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 is situated a mile away from Sandbank. Dating back to the Doomsday Book, it is a quaint little village of a few cottages, a church and The Red River Inn. Gwithian Green Nature Reserve (entrance within the village opposite Glencoe Nursing Home in the village) 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, reed beds and open common land. There is a large variety of butterflies to be found here, as well as damsel flies, lizards and moths.