A visit to Helston

Following a recent south coast surf expedition I found myself in Helston. Not in the spiritual sense, but quite literally. I’d only ever been here once before when I was running a stand at the ‘Green Fair’, a national trust event at Trellisick Gardens. I popped over to Helston for some milk, but now realise I’d only been on the edge of the town at the Co-op store.

Maybe I took a wrong turn this time? I found myself driving around an enormous housing estate, which wound itself, this way and that like a giant snake. I began to wonder if the street signs had not been put back in the right place since they were moved to outwit Nazi invaders in World War 2. Finally I reached what appeared to be a dead end, and what luck, there was car park there too.

Making my way on foot through a narrow side street I came out onto the wide-open street that is Helston, looking down the road to what looked like an ancient stone gateway with lovely rolling hills beyond.

Helston is so much bigger than I had imagined, impressive granite buildings flank the wide main street. The granite curbstones on both pavements guide two fast running streams down the hill toward the stone gateway.

The next time I’m in Helston I’ll be sure to take my children to the Olde Sweet Shop near the top of town.