Information about Helston

Helston is a bustling market town catering for visitors of all ages and it stands on the east bank of the River Cober. The River Cober was once very rich in tin so therefore Helston has always been closely associated with mining.

Helston is situated midway between Falmouth and Penzance and is the second eldest town behind Marazion having celebrated the 800th anniversary in 2001.

The main road through Helston is called Coinagehall street the name given as this is where many years ago, local miners met to have there tin tested and weighed in Coinage hall. At the bottom of Coinagehall Stree once stood Helston Castle and along Coinage hall street you will see the Blue Anchor; this is a thatched house and the oldest private brewery in the country.

There are many other places to see where you can see more of Helstons Heritage including Helstons Folk Museum and the Parish Church of St Michael.

Helston also offers some beautiful woodland walks on the Penrose estate where you can also find the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, Loe Pool.

Helston Community College, now the secondary school with the most pupils in Cornwall, has a long and distinguished history. Helston has three primary schools. These are St. Michael's, Parc Eglos and Nansloe. The catchment area of Helston School includes these and many other schools from the surrounding villages.

Once a year on the 8th of May Helston hosts the Furry Dance, also known as Flora Day. This attracts hundreds of people. The Furry Dance is when Helston hosts a carnival with the Helston Band playing the 'Flora Dance' and people of all ages take to the streets and dance to the music in and out of the shops and up and down the streets!!

Photographs of Helston