Helford Village


If you were to sit down and design the perfect riverside village from scratch, chances are you'd come up with something pretty close to Helford. It's a winning combination of old cottages, quiet lanes, river views, old woodland and bobbing boats. There's nothing much to see – it's just a place to sit and soak up the vibe.

It’s also infamous as one of the county’s priciest places to buy a house – there’s a liberal smattering of rock-star mansions and palatial houses sprinkled along the riverbanks.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Frenchman's Creek

0.64 MILES

This famous creek is an easy walk from Helford village, but it's much more evocative to explore by kayak or rowboat. Fringed by overhanging trees and…

2. Trebah Garden

1.16 MILES

Trebah Garden was planted in 1840 by Charles Fox, younger brother of Alfred, who established nearby Glendurgan Garden. It's less formal, with gigantic…

3. Gillan Creek

1.3 MILES

This narrow river inlet is near the village of St-Anthony-in-Meneage. Locals can sometimes be spotted trigging (cockle-picking) in the nearby mudflats –…

4. Glendurgan

1.42 MILES

Glendurgan was established by Alfred Fox in the 1820s to show off the many weird and wonderful plants being brought back from the far corners of the…

5. Potager Garden

2.01 MILES

It's a bit of a drive from Falmouth but this gorgeous kitchen garden near Constantine is well worth the detour. Rescued from dilapidation by its current…

6. Trelowarren

2.75 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…

7. Maenporth Beach

2.99 MILES

Maenporth is the quietest of Falmouth's beaches, with facilities including a cafe, kayak centre and restaurant, the Cove. The 1978 wreck of the Scottish…

8. Cornish Seal Sanctuary

3.09 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…