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"There's a prayer that I share with the sand and the sea"

Upton Towans Beach

Cornwall, England


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Upton Towans Beach, located near Hayle in Cornwall, is a beautiful open aspect beach with a rich history and diverse natural environment. .

Upton Towans Beach is part of a larger coastal stretch of sand dunes that make up Hayle's "3 miles of golden sand". The beach is situated near Hayle and is an open aspect beach that attracts moderate size surf. Historically, Upton Towans was the site of an explosives factory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning it the alternative name of Dynamite Towans. Today, the site has been transformed into a nature reserve.

The Towans, including Upton Towans, make up part of a series of golden beaches in St Ives Bay, bordered by the picturesque fishing town of St Ives to the west and fringed by the dunes of Hayle to the east. The beach is somewhat exposed to the surf, making it a popular destination for those who enjoy watersports and surfing.

The old buildings from the explosives factory can still be seen in the dunes, serving as a reminder of the beach's industrial past. The site has undergone significant transformation and is now a nature reserve, providing a unique and diverse environment for visitors to explore.

Upton Towans Beach is adjacent to the South West Coast Path.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 100%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 14°C
Wind 26mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 52%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 25mph

The tide at Upton Towans Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 8:07 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 2:28 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Upton Towans Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Godrevy (0.8 miles)
South West Coast Path - Godrevy Head (2 miles)
Godrevy Head (2 miles)
Cornwall Coast Path (3.1 miles)
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (3.3 miles)
Kidz R Us (3.3 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Upton Towans

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SW570403

Coordinates: 50°12'47"N 5°24'25"W

Mapcode: GBR FX13.S08

What 3 Words: moons.firewall.twice

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: Cornwall

Parish: Gwinear-Gwithian

Nearest postcode: TR27 5BH

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Upton Towans Beach, Cornwall, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:26:37 +0100