There's plenty of background on the Furry Dance at the town's quirky museum, where the displays include replica shopfronts, a 5-tonne cider press and a display on local hero Bob Fitzsimmons, the first man to simultaneously hold the world titles for middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight boxing.
Helston Folk Museum
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.57 MILES
Looking like a cross between a lunar landing station and a James Bond villain's lair, the gigantic hemispherical greenhouses of the Eden Project have…
9.1 MILES
Looming up in the middle of Mount's Bay and connected to the mainland at Marazion via a cobbled causeway, this abbey-crowned island is an unforgettable…
12.11 MILES
After an 18-month, multimillion-pound refit, St Ives' most illustrious gallery reopened its doors, complete with a monumental exhibition space that's been…
9.21 MILES
A mile north of Lizard Point, this National Trust–owned inlet is an absolute showstopper, studded with craggy offshore islands rising out of searingly…
4.51 MILES
This wonderful medieval house and garden was the family seat of the Godolphin family who, during the 17th and 18th centuries, were one of Cornwall's great…
24.2 MILES
This is Cornwall's real-life secret garden. Formerly the family estate of the Tremaynes, Heligan's magnificent 19th-century gardens fell into disrepair…
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13.43 MILES
Grandly located at the head of the Fal estuary, 4 miles south of Truro, Trelissick is one of Cornwall's most beautiful aristocratic estates, with a formal…
13.87 MILES
Two miles from St Agnes is one of Cornwall's most beautiful coves, Chapel Porth, a wild, rocky beach framed by steep, gorse-covered cliffs, owned by the…
Nearby attractions
1.08 MILES
Just outside town is Flambards, Cornwall's oldest theme park. Attractions include the wartime-themed Britain in the Blitz, an aviation gallery and a…
2.21 MILES
Porthleven's sturdy, double-walled harbour is crowned by two cannons recovered from the wreck of HMS Anson, which foundered on Loe Bar in 1807. This…
2.27 MILES
A mile south of Helston is Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest freshwater lake, said by some to be the resting place of King Arthur’s magical blade, Excalibur…
3.11 MILES
The ‘ah’ factor goes into overdrive at this sea-life centre in Gweek, about 12 miles drive from Falmouth along the Helford River. It cares for sick and…
4.14 MILES
This rocky cove is a little off the beaten track, which means it's often fairly quiet, even in the heat of summer. Various mine-workings line the cliffs,…
4.28 MILES
Another of Cornwall's great aristocratic estates, Trelowarren has been in the hands of the Vyvyan family for six centuries and sprawls over 1000 acres of…
4.34 MILES
A little-known but luxuriant private garden, created over the last 20 years by Sue and Richard Nathan. It covers 20 acres in all, divided into various…
4.37 MILES
This small cove, known in Cornish as Jangye-ryn (the name used on Ordnance Survey maps), is associated with some intriguing local legends. In 1785 the…