In The Area.
The Helford River in West Cornwall is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled estuaries in the country. The waters are clean, the banks undeveloped and peace and quiet abounds.
Helford in the Spring and Summer is about family holidays as they used to be; kids rock-pooling, splashing in the shallows, sailing dinghies, whilst the adults watch on from the terrace of the Shipwrights Arms or the Ferryboat Inn. There is plenty of really good accommodation on both sides of the river, mostly self-catering cottages and you can stay within 20 metres of the water’s edge. The pace really slows when you get down to the River, the urgency goes from life and you could easily spend a week on the Helford without ever getting in the car. There is amazing walking, 2 pubs, fishing, sailing, swimming and birdwatching right on your door-step. The pedestrian ferry will take you across tothe other side giving you a whole new area to explore. Or you can just sit on the pub terrace, have a pint and read the newspaper. For those that prefer an effortless holiday, try the Budock Vean Hotel, 4* accommodation, first class service, full spa facilities and a golf course for those who enjoy chasing small white balls around the countryside!
The Budock Vean Hotel; you couldn’t find a better spot to escape to.
Why not hire a small boat from Nick at Helford River Boats for the day, time it so you have high tide and get to explore the whole river, up Frenchman’s Creek, Port Navas, Polwheveral, Mawgan Creek. Have a picnic on Tremayne Quay, allegedly built for a visit from Queen Victoria which never happened. Go right up to the top of the river at Gweek. Or head towards the sea and explore the sandy beaches between the moorings and the river mouth, have a BBQ on Bosahan (pronounced Bozane) or Grebe Beach, take the boat round to Gillan Creek and St Anthony. You could easily spend a couple of days just exploring the river, picnicking and doing a bit of fishing.
Unbeatable Views and the finest of food at the Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage.
Alternatively, send the girls off to the nationally acclaimed Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens whilst the boys go for a days wrecking on the Blue Pointer (or vice-versa!).
The Helford after the Summer is a different place altogether. As the evenings draw in, the Pub’s fires gets lit and the chatter from the beach is gradually replaced by by the shrieks and pips of the Curlews, Turnstones and Oyster Catchers. The boats leave their moorings (not our boat!) for their Winter home on Gweek Quay and the River returns to what is would have looked like a thousand years ago. Wrap up warm and take a wander along the Coast Path, go for a day’s Codding on the Blue Pointer.
Enjoy a blast of the freshest of airs before taking refuge in the pub for the evening for a warm fire, a good pint and a steak and oyster pie.
A spot of fishing and messing around on the river…
… followed by an evening in the pub