Short answer: Gwithian and Godrevy are the quiet end of Hayle's three miles of sand. Gwithian Towans car park was listed at £3 to £12 in summer and free in winter, and Godrevy is National Trust. Dogs are banned on the beach between Harveys Towans and Godrevy Point 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August. The Trust says grey seals are often seen, so keep well back.
Gwithian and Godrevy sit at the quiet end of the three miles of sand that runs from Hayle to Godrevy Point. Gwithian is the lively surf and café stretch, and Godrevy is the National Trust headland with the lighthouse view and, often, grey seals. They are close together, so you can easily do both in one day.
Our Hayle beach parking guide has the detail. In short, Gwithian Towans car park (TR27 5BT) was listed at £3 to £12 in summer and free from 1 November to 31 March. Godrevy is a National Trust car park, free for members, and payable by JustPark with location code 80582. The Trust's page does not list charges, so check the app or machine. It says the main car park is open all year with limited spaces, and overflow field parking is available in warmer months depending on weather and ground conditions.
The Trust lists the toilets and field car park as open 10:00 to 21:00 on its page for 19 October 2026, and says the countryside is open dawn to dusk. There is an accessible path from the field parking to the headland, and an accessible toilet. Hayle station is about 5 miles away, and the Gwithian bus stop is a quarter to one mile from Godrevy.
Often, but never guaranteed. The National Trust says grey seals are frequently seen in the sea or resting on the beach, and that as the tide drops they come onto land to rest, digest food, moult and look after pups. Its advice is to walk slowly and quietly to the cliff top, keep dogs under close control, stay still and quiet, use binoculars or a telescope rather than getting close, and move away if you see signs of disturbance. The Trust page gives no pupping dates or minimum distance, so keep well back and let the seals decide.
A good seal-watching approach is to go at a falling or low tide, view from the headland and give any seal on the sand a very wide berth. Our off-lead dog beaches in Hayle guide has more on keeping dogs away from the seal beaches. If you want a guaranteed seal encounter, the sanctuary at Gweek is a different kind of visit: see the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
Cornwall Council lists the beach between Harveys Towans and Godrevy Point with a dog ban from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. The National Trust says the same, and adds that dogs are welcome on the headland walking routes all year. The council page lists no entry for Gwithian itself, but I would not assume it is unrestricted in high summer, because the stretches run together. Look for signs, and see Hayle off-lead beaches for alternatives.
A 2025 list showed lifeguards at Gwithian and Godrevy from 17 May to 28 September. Check the RNLI page for this year's dates. The National Trust says the surf is good for learners, but a swell above 4ft or an unfavourable wind makes paddling out difficult. It also warns that some areas can be cut off at high tide, so check tide times before you walk along the beach.
Two schools are based at Gwithian. Gwithian Academy of Surfing is rated 5.0 from 236 Google reviews, and reviewers praise the small groups, the changing room, outdoor shower and the café next door. Makai is rated 5.0 from 329 Google reviews, and reviewers praise instructors who time sessions to the conditions. See also minimum ages by surf school.
4.6 from 798 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the coffee, cakes, breakfasts and the sea view from the balcony. It is next to the car park and beach, and the National Trust notes it is not run by the Trust. It gets very busy in summer, and one reviewer waited 40 minutes for salads at a busy time, so it suits drinks and cake best. Google lists 9:30am to 4pm daily.
4.9 from 343 Google reviews. A beach café at Gwithian that reviewers praise for its bean nachos, ciabattas, brookies and bread and butter pudding. Google lists it closed on Mondays and open from 9:30am to 4pm on other days. It suits walkers and families wanting a simple lunch.
4.6 from 383 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the breakfasts, sausage rolls and sea views, and say it is dog-friendly. Google lists it closed Monday and Tuesday and open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday, so check in winter.
The headland has clifftop walks across heathland, and the Trust lists a Godrevy to Hell's Mouth coastal walk of about 5 miles. Godrevy lighthouse is the main view, but the Trust's page gives no visiting details. In spring and autumn the headland is good for bird migration, and silver-studded blue butterflies appear on the heath between June and late July. Our best beaches in Hayle guide shows how it fits with the rest of the bay, our Hayle guide has the town, and where to watch the sunset in Hayle suits the end of the day.
Often. The National Trust says grey seals are frequently seen and rest on the beach as the tide drops. Watch from the cliff top with binoculars and keep dogs under close control.
Not on the beach between Harveys Towans and Godrevy Point from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. Dogs are welcome on the headland routes all year.
The National Trust page lists no charges. Members park free, and payment is by JustPark (code 80582) or the machines.
The National Trust says the surf is good for learners, but a swell over 4ft or poor wind makes it difficult. Two schools are based there.
A 2025 list showed 17 May to 28 September. Check the RNLI page for this year's dates.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full Hayle guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Hayle →