Gwithian
OS Grid ref:- SW585412
Gwithian Churchtown is a small village between Hayle and Portreath with a low towered fifteenth century church and an inn. A highly popular spot among artists it boasts a number of picture postcard style thatched cottages.
The village, which backs onto the sand dunes, was named after the obscure Irish saint, Gwthian, who was patron saint of good fortune on the sea, who founded the first church here in 480 A.D..
Gwithian was home to the last monoglot Cornish speaker, Chesten Marchant, who died in 1676. (Dorothy Pentreath, reputed to be the last Cornish speaker, who died at Mousehole in 1777 spoke English as well as Cornish).
The beach and sand dunes form part of a large expanse which stretches from Hayle. The beach is a favoured spot of surfers and sand yachters and there is a lifeguard present throughout the summer. The area is a popular spot for camping and caravan holidays and has a number of sites. the Red River flows into the sea at Gwithian, it acquired its name due the fact that it used to carry residues from the tin mines and was quite red in colour up until around 1990.
A fifth century church and the relics of St. Gwithian were uncovered on the beach itself in the last century but reclaimed by the shifting sands. The beach also covers the remains of a Bronze Age farm.