The Towans are a broad belt of coastal sand dunes on the north side of St Ives Bay in west Cornwall, England, running roughly between Hayle and Gwithian. The name comes from the Cornish word for dunes and the shifting sands form a mosaic of ridges, marram grass and blowouts, with views towards Godrevy and its lighthouse on clear days.
The area is ecologically important - supporting specialised plants, nesting shorebirds and invertebrates - and many sections are managed or protected by conservation groups and the National Trust. Socially and economically the Towans are valued for surfing, walking and birdwatching, so tourism and local services in Hayle and nearby villages benefit, while remnants of the region’s fishing and coastal-industrial past remain visible in the landscape.
Postcode districts covering The Towans
Most populated places nearby
- Redruth 9.2 miles14.8 km
- Falmouth 15.9 miles25.6 km
- Truro 16.7 miles26.9 km
- Camborne 5.9 miles9.5 km
- Newquay 21.9 miles35.3 km
- Penzance 7.3 miles11.8 km
- Helston 9.4 miles15.1 km
Neighbouring places
- Hayle Built-up area 0.8 miles1.3 km
- Hayle West Ward 0.9 miles1.5 km
- Lelant Built-up area 1 mile1.6 km
- Rose-an-Grouse Built-up area 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Carbis Bay Built-up area 1.8 miles2.8 km
- St. Erth Built-up area 2 miles3.3 km
- St. Ives East, Lelant & Carbis Bay Ward 2.3 miles3.6 km
- Gwinear-Gwithian & Hayle East Ward 2.3 miles3.6 km
- Canon's Town Built-up area 2.3 miles3.8 km
- Connor Downs Built-up area 2.6 miles4.3 km
- St. Ives Built-up area 2.9 miles4.6 km
- Gwinear-Gwithian Parish 3.1 miles5 km
Example postcodes in The Towans
TR27 5AX, TR27 5AT, TR27 4DD, TR27 5AF, TR27 5AS, TR27 5FJ, TR27 5DD
Transport links
- Newquay Cornwall Airport 25.5 miles41.1 km
- Exeter International Airport 96.1 miles154.7 km
- Hayle Railway Station 0.7 miles1.2 km
- Lelant Railway Station 0.8 miles1.3 km
- Penzance Bus Station 6.8 miles11 km
Hotels near The Towans Ad
- Pedn Olva 2.5 miles4 km
- Boskerris Hotel 4 1.6 miles2.6 km
- The Gannet Inn 1.7 miles2.7 km
- The Old Quay House 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Atlantic Heights Guest House 2.9 miles4.7 km
- Tregenna Castle Resort 3 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Carbis Bay and Spa Hotel 4 1.7 miles2.8 km
- Harbour Hotel St Ives 4 2.4 miles3.9 km
- Portreath Arms 7.7 miles12.4 km
- Penventon Park Hotel 4 8.9 miles14.3 km
Local points of interest
- Wharfside Shopping Centre Shopping centre 6.9 miles11.2 km
- Penzance Harbour Harbour 7 miles11.2 km
- Penwith College College 7.1 miles11.4 km
- Mên-an-Tol Archaeological site 8.2 miles13.2 km
- Boscawen-un Stone Circle Archaeological site 11.1 miles17.9 km
- Chapel Porth Beach Beach 11.2 miles18.1 km
- Merry Maidens Archaeological site 11.4 miles18.3 km
- Porth Nanven Harbour 13.2 miles21.2 km
- Pedn Vounder Beach Beach 14.1 miles22.7 km
- Sennen Cove Beach 14.2 miles22.8 km
- Porth Senan Harbour 14.3 miles23 km
- Porthcurno Beach Beach 14.4 miles23.2 km