Here Since 1900

Riviere Towans… the home of the holiday.

For generations Riviere Towans has been the focus for families wanting to spend time together, relaxing by the sea. Certainly our own family has been enjoying holidays here for at least five generations since the early 1920s.

Originally in the early 1900s families were allowed to camp or bring horse drawn caravans onto the towans to provide lodging for their holiday during the season. There were no permanent dwellings.

However in 1924 permission was given for the caravans to be left on site where they stood. In this early 1926 photo the bell tents and caravans can clearly be seen.

Gradually alterations and extensions were added to create more living space and a recognisable shape of” the Huts at Riviere Towans” evolved.     

This shape can still be seen in many of the older properties on site today.

Iron wheels from the original caravans have recently been found under properties when rebuilding.

In the 30s and 40s families could escape the stress of war in the cities and Riviere Towans provided a refuge where worries could be forgotten for a while.

British regiments were based in Hayle and later American forces training on the Towans and manning defences along the beach with gun emplacements above. The remains of some still visible. On one occasion there was an attack, possibly on the electric works near the estuary with four bombs falling on the Towans near the entrance of the site. Fortunately no one was hurt. As always the community rallied around and dances and concerts were organised regularly.     

The sense of fun was never lost and everyone was welcome to the “Sports Days” and “Carnivals” in late August on Riviere Towans, with fancy dress competitions and games, all rounded off with saffron tea treats.(still available in the town)

The 60s and 70s brought flower power, surfing, Beach Boys, and the beginning of Toms Holidays as we know it today. .

During the following decades the park became much more established with properties being rebuilt and the variety of holiday rentals available.

Toms Holidays as we know it today, was established in the 1960 to manage holiday rentals on Riviere Towans. Toms is the surname of the founding family and the company has been serving guests throughout the decades since, offering family holidays in this wonderful, natural location. Below are the Toms Holidays brochures over the years.

Many families who visit us today have their own family connections going back decades. They enjoyed holidays here when they were children and now bring their own children to recapture those times at the seaside.

Although through the years the site has evolved, it has never lost that relaxed, uncomplicated feeling established in those early days: a special place with plenty of space for children to explore and play and a peaceful place with fabulous views for adults to sit back, unwind, relax and enjoy the sunsets over St. Ives bay.

Because of the age of these images, it is difficult to trace the owners of copyright. If anyone believes (s)he owns the copyright of any of the above please contact us.

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