The historic town of Helston has something for everyone to enjoy. The sense of heritage in the town is strong with many old buildings to view including the Old Prison, the Guildhall, Angel Hotel, Grylls Monument and the Blue Anchor Inn. These and many more can be seen by following the Town Trail. Helston Museum contains a wealth of exhibits which reflect the social and industrial history of the area and is well worth a visit. Many ancient traditions have also been preserved within the town, the most notable being Flora Day which attracts visitors from far and wide.
For those more interested in shopping, the town centre provides a large number of independent shops and coffee shops with some national chains mixed in, ideal for enjoying a relaxing cup of tea before buying a gift or two. In addition there are weekly markets in the Guildhall, a weekly street market in the summer months in Coinagehall Street and a monthly Farmers Market in the Old Cattle Market building at the bottom of town. There are also a number of supermarkets within the town should you require them.
Whether you want a leisurely stroll or to explore the countryside, Helston can accommodate you. Coronation Park located at the bottom of town provides a large boating lake, café, skate park and children’s play area and is a pleasant area to saunter around or to just sit and relax and enjoy the view. Just across the road is the Penrose Amenity Area which provides a variety of walks and cycle trails of differing levels including a six mile route around Loe Pool for the more adventurous. Helston Sports Centre is located in Church Hill providing a swimming pool, gym and fitness classes for those preferring athletic pursuits, whilst Helston Athletic Football Club, Helston Cricket Club, Helston Rugby Club and Helston Bowling Club provide other sporting opportunities.
RNAS Culdrose is a Royal Naval Airbase situated just outside of the town which is one of Europe’s largest helicopter bases. It is an integral part of Helston and the local Community and was granted the Freedom of the Borough in 1958 which it marks every year by marching through the town. It also holds Culdrose Air Day including flying displays, static displays of aircraft, various demonstrations and an opportunity to meet the aircrew.
Helston is the gateway to the Lizard and makes an ideal base for visiting the surrounding area with the Lizard Peninsula, Porthleven, Falmouth, Truro, Penzance and St. Ives only a short drive or bus ride away. Further information on places to stay, things to do and places to eat can be found on the Discover Helston website https://discoverhelston.co.uk/