Helston

Helston is probably most widely known for its ‘Furry Dance’. The legend is that Helston’s name derives from a large stone that was in the courtyard of the Angel Hotel in the town. This stone is reputed to have formally been one of Hell’s doorstops. In a confrontation with St Michael, the Devil, who was carrying the stone at the time, dropped it on Helston.

To commemorate this dramatic event, the Furry Day was inaugurated; although in certain places it is more romantically called ‘Flora Day’ the origin of the name probably comes from an early word meaning ‘fair’.

The event takes place on the 8th May and is celebrated with dancing in the streets and processions with people dressing up in traditional costumes. If you can fight your way through the television crews it is still worth going to Helston on Furry Day.

An old print of Helston on the day of the Furry Dance

Anyone staying in the area should really make their first visit to the Helston Tourist Information Centre - here you will be able to gather leaflets and information on local places and attractions which interest you. There is an excellent series of detailed leaflets on all the main towns and villages in the area produced by Kerrier District Council in conjunction with town and local councils. All have useful maps and give valuable information about the history of each place as well as suggestions on what to do and see.

If you are looking for a change from pounding surf and rugged headlands why not head out of Helston, towards Porthleven and visit the National Trust’s Penrose Estate which offers some beautiful woodland walks as well as being the site of the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, Loe Pool, separated from the sea by a long sand bar.

You will probably have noticed that from time to time there are a number of helicopters in the sky around Helston. These come from the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose - a name which will be familiar to you if you have seen reports of sea rescues on the television news. For those of the family who would like to see the action close to, we thoroughly recommend a visit to the Viewing Enclosure.

There is a good cafeteria here, so you can enjoy a snack or a meal while watching the helicopters manoeuvre, take off and land. Obviously the degree of activity depends on the weather, planned exercises and emergencies but there is normally enough to see to make a visit well worthwhile. Because of the current security situation, all customers for the tours will be asked to provide proof of identity and will be subject to search.

Between Culdrose Viewing Enclosure and the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek you will find the Grange Fruit Farm, a Cornish owned fruit farm and licensed restaurant serving traditional home cooked food, including a fabulous Carvery on Sundays.

Light lunches, tempting homemade cakes and delicious sweets are enjoyed by all who visit. The Grange’s cream teas made with homemade strawberry jam, scones, clotted cream and its own freshly picked strawberries, are considered to be second to none. All can be served in the relaxing setting of the farm’s delightful garden.

In the appropriate season you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries. Alternatively you can buy them fresh picked in the farm shop, along with other homemade produce such as preserves, local cheese, fruit juices, chutneys and much more.