In and Around Helston

Just a few miles from St Michael’s Mount is Godolphin: an ancient house, garden and estate tucked away from the world. In the seventeenth century, Godolphin was the foremost and most fashionable house in Cornwall, but centuries of benign neglect since then have given it an extraordinary haunting air of antiquity and peace. This precious, fragile place was protected by sensitive private ownership in the 20th century and is now in the care of the National Trust. Essential but low-key conservation work will be taking place in the next few years.

The garden is a very rare survival of a medieval pattern, by-passed by changing fashions, whilst the larger estate includes more than 400 recorded archaeological features from Bronze Age enclosures to 19th-century mines. Godolphin forms one of the distinct areas within the ‘Cornish Mining’ World Heritage Site, and there are wonderful walks and views to be enjoyed on the estate.

The estate is open all year round daily, and the garden daily from 17th March to 2nd November, 10am to 5pm. The house will open from 11am to 5pm every Wednesday from 14th May to 29th October, plus daily during the following periods on either side of key annual events (for details, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk): 28th April to 9th May; 23rd June to 4th July; 18th to 29th August, and the weekend 13th-14th September.

The Lion & Lamb in Ashton is an outstanding family-run pub with a wide and rapidly growing reputation for food and real ales. Standing by the A394 between Helston and Penzance it has a warm and welcoming feel with friendly staff. A minimum of three real ales are always available along with a selection of lagers and ciders. Superb food is served from a varied menu of home-made meals and desserts, using locally sourced produce. Children can have smaller portions from the main menu and vegetarians are also catered for. Booking is recommended for traditional Sunday lunch in the peak season.

The pub was awarded the ‘CHEFS’ Silver Medal from Kerrier District Council in October 2007 and is in the good food guide and good beer guide 2007-2008. Live music is hosted on Friday evenings once or twice a month and local choirs and singers entertain regularly.

Head north out of Helston towards the picturesque Wendron Valley and you will find the Wheal Dream Restaurant located on the outskirts of the town. Well known to locals and tourists alike, the Wheal Dream provides an intimate and friendly atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy a meal or just a drink.

Specialising in traditional English dishes the restaurant boasts an extensive menu with something for everyone. Two outside eating areas overlooking a picturesque par 3 golf course allows you to experience Al fresco dining and take in the stunning views of the Godolphin and Tregonning Hill and a distant glimpse of the sea. Visit www.whealdream.biz or www.accommodationinhelston.co.uk for further information or telephone 01326 565103 to make a booking.

As you travel further along the valley it is almost impossible to image that from prehistoric times to the 20th Century that this tranquil area was bustling with intense industrial activity. The Wendron Mining District has one of the longest histories of tin working of any district within Cornwall and was the most important source of tin in west Cornwall.

Close to the village of Wendron is one of Cornwall’s most visited mining heritage sites, Poldark Mine. A free entry site, it offers a ‘Mine Tour’ described as one of the two most atmospheric mine tours in Europe. The mix of heritage, crafts and entertainments makes Poldark an interesting site for all ages.