This picturesque Cornish riverside village boasts beautiful surroundings, subtropical gardens, and celeb residents
The Shipwrights Arms in Helford (Picture: Charles Darrow)
This charming Cornish village has undoubtedly earned its repute, that includes on Condé Nast Traveler’s ’20 most lovely villages within the UK and Eire’ checklist in 2020 and The Occasions’ ’18 of essentially the most lovely locations in England’ checklist in 2025.
5 miles southwest of Falmouth, this charming waterside location sits inside the Cornwall Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, providing vistas so breathtaking they might rival any abroad vacation spot.
Endowed with lush subtropical gardens teeming with fauna, immaculate seashores that seem lifted from a journey journal, and a surprising river immortalised by acclaimed novelist Daphne du Maurier in her celebrated work Frenchman’s Creek, this compact village offers an abundance of sights and actions.
Small marvel, due to this fact, that celeb residents together with Kylie Minogue, The Who’s Pete Townshend, and Caroline Quentin have all succumbed to the charms of this tranquil waterside retreat.
Certainly, Queen’s drummer and rock icon Roger Taylor, along with triple Oscar-winning lyricist Tim Rice, proudly name this picturesque settlement dwelling, studies Cornwall Reside.
For generations, the small village of Helford in West Cornwall operated as a bustling port, attracting smugglers, retailers and fishermen to its shoreline.
All through the Second World Conflict, the Helford River even functioned as an important strategic base for French Resistance operations.
Trebah Backyard ought to be on the must-visit checklist of anybody spending time in Cornwall (Picture: undefined)
Actions on this tranquil waterside sanctuary
The VILLAGE itself presents an interesting mixture of historic cottages and putting fashionable properties dotted all through its winding lanes.
A go to to Helford affords glimpses of darting kingfishers, quite a few yachts anchored peacefully on the tranquil Helford river, and the prospect to discover up to date artwork at Kestle Barton, a neighborhood farm.
Amongst the waterfront group’s most notable sights are Helford Village Shops, the yacht membership, and the pleasant Holy Mackerel Café within the restored Helford Chapel, although the first attraction is undoubtedly The Shipwrights Arms.
This charming riverside venue sits on the southern shore of the Helford River, boasting its personal jetty and spectacular river vistas.
The thatched pub enjoys a coveted waterfront location, with an expansive terrace lined by palm timber that creates an unique, distinctly Mediterranean environment – superb for savouring a scorching espresso or chilled pint. Inside, the pub’s wood-panelled partitions and stone flooring create an inviting, relaxed atmosphere.
Notably, in July 2025, the village’s main pub was acquired by Rufus Taylor – son of Roger Taylor and a bona fide rockstar himself.
A stunning view via spring gardens at Glendurgan Gardens, CornwallWestern Morning View (Picture: Western Morning Information)
Providing recent seafood, ribeye steak, burgers, and home-made pizzas amongst different dishes, The Shipwrights Arms continues to be a cherished centrepiece of Helford’s serene group.
The Helford River, the lifeblood of this charming village, is scattered with quite a few hidden coves, good for a bracing swim.
It additionally affords different interesting spots akin to Helford Passage Seaside and the shingle-covered Grebe Seaside — each equally suited to a refreshing dip.
Water sports activities lovers can take pleasure in kayaking and paddleboarding on the river’s calm waters, whereas crusing followers can rent every part from rowing boats to dinghies alongside the river’s size.
Bosahan Cove, nestled on the river’s southern financial institution, will be reached through a mile-long stroll alongside the coastal path. The tranquillity of this woodland-bordered seaside makes the trek completely worthwhile, nonetheless.
Nature lovers will undoubtedly contemplate Helford a wild haven, given its designation as a Web site of Particular Scientific Curiosity (SSSI) and its position as a sanctuary for a various array of chicken species together with shelducks, herons, egrets, kingfishers and fulmars.
Widespread dolphins, harbour porpoises and gray seals are repeatedly noticed alongside the river’s banks too. The world’s mudflats and sandy stretches are equally famend for sustaining a substantial inhabitants of peacock worms and razor shells.
For these guests preferring to maintain their ft firmly on dry land and admire the water from a distance, there is no such thing as a scarcity of spectacular riverside walks to take pleasure in across the Helford.
A collection of round walks will information you previous pleasant coves, welcoming riverside pubs and beautiful woodlands. Gardens to not be missed
A brief stroll from Helford reveals two excellent gardens – Trebah Backyard (1.6 miles distant) and Glendurgan Backyard (2 miles distant), each receiving excessive reward from residents and guests alike.
Glendurgan Backyard is a Nationwide Belief web site that includes magnificent subtropical gardens, a beloved maze, and spectacular views throughout the Helford River, whereas Trebah Backyard is a subtropical paradise on the river’s northern shore that is considered unmissable.
Each places showcase valleys brimming with flowers tumbling in the direction of the water’s edge.
The village of Helford, nestled on the Helford river (Picture: Greg Martin/CornwallLive)
Protecting 26 acres, Trebah Backyard is adorned with towering palms and bamboo all through its 4 miles of meandering paths, with tumbling waterfalls and ferns enhancing its extraordinary magnificence.
Throughout spring, the backyard’s celebrated rhododendrons come alive, producing a powerful exhibition of dazzling color. Summer season witnesses monumental gunnera vegetation flourishing throughout Trebah.
As if that weren’t sufficient, Trebah additionally boasts a stunning personal seaside the place guests can stroll down and savour a number of hours of peaceable rest.
Glendurgan Backyard, in distinction, comes alive with snowdrops, camellias, and dramatic magnolias in spring, heralding the season’s verdant splendour. Because the spring season unfolds, daffodils, primroses and crocuses ship vivid splashes of color to this already-breathtaking outside haven.
Come April, bluebells sweep throughout the valleys in a surprising sea of blue, whereas a spectacular number of rhododendron species burst into superb shows of pink and purple hues.
Apple and cherry blossoms adorn the backyard’s orchards in spectacular abundance. The wildflower meadows at Glendurgan Backyard flourish with aquilegias, gladioli and a wealthy variety of untamed orchid varieties. A go to to Glendurgan in spring ensures a really charming spectacle that’s merely to not be missed.
Leave a Reply