A TINY riverside village in Cornwall where A-listers regularly holiday and cars are banned.
The picturesque fishing village of Helford is home a thatched pub and rock royalty Roger Taylor.
Helford has been described as ‘haven for sailors, gardeners and lovers of the quieter side of Cornwall’[/caption]
The Shipwrights Arm is the village pub and is one of Helford’s top attractions[/caption]
A-listers like Queen’s Roger Taylor and songwriter Tim Rice (known for his work on the Lion King) both live in the village[/caption]
The quiet waterside village of Helford used to bustling port thanks to smugglers and fishermen alike, with trading ships docking in its harbour.
A customs house was even set up at the harbour until Cornwall‘s tin mining industry collapsed, with many miners heading for Australia.
Nowadays, the Cornish village is a lot quieter, with Visit Cornwall describing the area as ‘a haven for sailors, gardeners and lovers of the quieter side of Cornwall’ on its website.
It’s quiet charm isn’t just appealing to holidaymakers looking to escape Cornwall’s crowds.
A-listers like Queen’s Roger Taylor and songwriter Tim Rice (known for his work on the Lion King) both live in the village.
The Who’s Pete Townshend used to have a house in Helford, with Kylie Minogue and Caroline Quentin also among its fans.
One resident told Cornwall Live: “You do see a lot of well-known faces but you just get used to it.
“They have come down here to get away from everything so we don’t bother them. Though I did do a double take when I saw Hugh Grant!”
Cars are banned in the village, with visitors asked to park vehicles in a free parking area at the top of the hill.
From the car park, it’s a short walk to Helford.
One of the main attractions in Helford is the Shipwrights Arms, the village pub.
The thatched pub was originally built on a farm before being transformed into an inn with rooms and then a boozer.
Other interesting buildings in Helford include Rosemullion, a thatched cottage that dates back to the 17th century.
There’s also Penkestle, a cottage that dates back to the 18th century and is the only house in the village from that period with its stone chimneys.
Holidaymakers can also explore the Helford River on the Helford Ferry.
Alternatively, visitors can also kayak and paddleboard along the river.
Nearby there’s also Frenchman’s Creek, which was made famous by Daphne du Maurier‘s novel, it’s an ideal place for a scenic walk.
Other activities in the vicinity include Trebah Garden and Glendurgan Garden.
Glendurgan Garden is a National Trust site featuring beautiful subtropical gardens, a maze, and stunning views of the Helford River.
Helford is a 45-minute drive from Falmouth.
Sun Travel’s favourite UK seaside towns
AS part of our Best Of British travel series, The Sun’s travel team have picked our favourite UK seaside towns, featuring everything from dolphin-spotting beaches to celeb-favourite fish and chip shops.
Tynemouth, North Tyneside – Ryan Gray
The North East is a much-overlooked part of the country for seaside towns, with Tynemouth standing out among the best of the ones on offer.
Longsands Beach is, in my opinion, the finest family beach in the UK with its mile-long expanse of shoreline blessed with perfect golden sands, a deep inky-blue sea home to both seals and dolphins, and fantastic child-friendly food and entertainment a stone’s throw away.
While some locals will be scattered across the sand, or out surfing in the fresh North Sea water, plenty will also be found in Crusoe’s, a wonderful little cafe right on the beach, serving everything from breakfast to booze, making it the perfect stop for seaside refreshments.
The beach is overlooked by the spectacular Tynemouth Priory and Castle, a 2,000-year-old Anglo-Saxon monastery, looked after by English Heritage.
Every summer, the atmospheric ruins of the priory host the Mouth of the Tyne music festival, with previous headliners including Sam Fender, Elbow, Billy Ocean and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.
Just a stone’s throw from the priory is the town centre, where quaint bars and restaurants are found alongside classic fish and chip shops, like Marshalls, rumoured to have been named after Jimi Hendrix, when the musician is said to have visited the chippy for a fish supper after performing in Newcastle back in the 1967. An unofficial blue plaque in the window of the fast food spot commemorates his visit.
Mousehole, Cornwall – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Cornwall is saturated with unspoilt coastlines, but, unlike many of the overcrowded spots, the village of Mousehole, on the far southern tip (just below Penzance), has somehow retained its chocolate box charm.
The small sandy bay is crammed with weathered fishing boats and backed by pokey cafes and airy art galleries where seaside-inspired works hang from the walls.
For impeccable views of a wild sea and homemade grub, head to Rock Pool Cafe which sits atop a craggy cliff.
Order a hot chocolate which is somewhat of a DIY experience, delivered to you on a board with a mug of piping hot milk and a tub of shaved chocolate shards in white, milk or dark to melt into the milk.
There are some impressive coastal walks – but be warned it can be hilly.
Another Victorian seaside town is Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, which was loved by royals and even visited by Winston Churchill.
Or there is Matlock Bath, a ‘seaside’ town that isn’t on the beach – and we sent a reporter down to explore.
Cars are banned in Helford[/caption]
The village is a 45-minute drive from Falmouth[/caption]
