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| Exploring
Helston | Early Days | Flora
Day | Information | Street
Plan | Helston
2001
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Exploring Helston
Walking up Coinagehall Street, you'll pass the Blue Anchor, a thatched building, originally a monks' rest house, which became a tavern in the 15th century. Miners received their wages in the pub, which is possibly the oldest private brewery in the country (beware the local brew, Spingo!). Further up, you'll find one of the oldest buildings in Helston, the Angel Hotel, the former town house of the celebrated Godolphins who represented Helston in Parliament for many years. Continuing along Church Street, you'll arrive at the parish church of St Michael, dedicated to the patron saint of Helston. It contains an impressive 24-branch chandelier - a gift from the Earl of Godolphin in 1763 - and some fine Elizabethan brasses. As you head out of Helston, past the Coronation Park & Boating Lake, towards the fishing village of Porthleven, you'll come to the parkland of the Penrose Estate, which offers some beautiful woodland walks. Here you can relax on the banks of the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, Loe Pool, separated from the sea by a long sand bar. |
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The
bustling market town of Helston lies midway between Falmouth and Penzance
at the junction of the A394 and A3083, which serves the Lizard Peninsula
to the south. Ideally located for exploring South West Cornwall, Helston
has plenty for visitors of all ages. As you explore the town you'll
see a mixture of Georgian and Victorian architecture, one outstanding
feature being The Monument at the end of Coinagehall Street,
built in 1834 to the memory of Humphry Millet Grylls. A Helston banker
and solicitor, his actions kept open the local tin mine, Wheal Vor,
and saved 1200 jobs. 
A
plaque on the wall of one Wendron Street cottage marks the birthplace
of Bob Fitzsimmons. Born 1863, he was the first man to be world
middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight boxing champion. He
retired in 1914 and died in Chicago three years later. 
By
the traffic lights is the imposing Guildhall. Over the years
this has been a market house and Magistrates' Court; today it is the
Town Hall with the Council Chamber on the first floor. The ground floor
is still called the Corn Exchange and here you might be tempted inside
by coffee mornings, craft markets andjumble sales. Behind the Guildhall
you'll see a splendid cannon taken from HMS Anson, wrecked at Lee Bar
in 1807. This event, with its loss of life, inspired Henry Trengrouse
to invent the Breeches Buoy. The cannon stands on guard outside the
Helston Folk Museum, housed in the old butter market, where you'll
be fascinated by the exhibitions of Helston's heritage - and admission
is free! 