🚗 Trencrom Hill Car Park – The Complete Gwinear-Gwithian Parking Guide
Scenic pay-and-display on Trencrom Hill – National Trust parking with trail access, picnic spots & panoramic coastal views.
🚗 Type: National Trust Pay & Display (surface car park)
🕒 Open: 08:00–18:00 (Mar–Oct), 09:00–17:00 (Nov–Feb)
🌟 Rating: 4.6 / 5 (visitor reviews)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Up to 2 hours: £2.00
All-day: £4.50
National Trust Members: Free (display membership card)
Payment: Cash, card on-site machines or PayByPhone (location code displayed)
Enforcement: ANPR; penalty charge £70 reducing to £35 if paid within 14 days
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~30 marked bays |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Lighting | None (daylight site only) |
| Security | No CCTV; occasional ranger patrols |
| Height Limit | None (van-friendly) |
♿ Accessibility
Accessible Bays: 1 marked bay near entrance
General Access: Firm gravel paths to main trailhead; some slopes may be uneven
Drop-Off Point: Turning circle at gate allows short-term unloading
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options (Hayle):
North Quay Car Park (6×7 kW BP Pulse) – 6-min drive
Copperhouse Road (2×7 kW InstaVolt) – 5-min drive
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00–11:00 | 50 % | Morning walkers & dog-walkers |
| Weekdays 14:00–16:00 | 40 % | Hikers & families |
| Saturdays 10:00–14:00 | 80 % | Weekend visitors |
| Sundays 11:00–15:00 | 90 % | Photographers & picnickers |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10:00 on weekends for the best bays with summit views.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Trencrom Hill Summit | 2 min | 360° coastal vistas & wartime cairn |
| National Trust Picnic Area | On-site | Benches, information panels & sea views |
| Gwinear-Gwithian Village Centre | 8 min | Café, farm shop & public toilets |
| Hayle Towans Beach | 12 min | Sandy dunes & sea-swimming |
| Hayle Railway Station | 10 min | Links to Penzance, St Erth & St Ives lines |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public toilets: Village Hall (7-min walk)
ATM: Cooperative Foodstore (village centre)
Pharmacy: Hayle Surgery (5-min drive)
Food & Drink
The Cornish Arms (village pub – 8-min walk)
Gwithian Café (4-min walk) – light bites & coffee
The Old Lifeboat Inn (9-min walk) – seaside dining
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayle North Quay Car Park | 6 min drive | £1.20/hr; £6.00/day | 24 h | EV charging, level tarmac |
| King George V Playing Field Lot | 8 min walk | Free (no limit) | Unlimited | Quiet, open grassy overflow |
| Lelant Saltings Car Park | 10 min drive | £2.50/day | 24 h | Rail interchange & P-n-R facility |
⚠️ Important Notices
Gates close promptly at stated times—vehicles left overnight will be locked in.
Pay on arrival—no refunds for early departures.
Stay on marked bays to protect heathland conservation areas.
📌 Expert Tips
Golden Hour: Sunset views are best from summit—plan parking around closing times in summer.
Conservation Note: Dogs must be kept on a short lead from March–July for nesting birds.
Season Pass: Hayle North Quay season ticket covers Trencrom Hill pay-and-display as it’s managed by the same Trust partnership.
Weather Watch: Exposed summit gets windy—park near trees on east side for shelter.
🔮 Future Developments
2025 Consultation: National Trust exploring installation of 2× 7 kW EV bays in overflow area.
2026 Plans: Upgrading information panels and resurfacing entrance track under Trust Capital Works.
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