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The Helford River is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful parts of the UK - a drowned river valley of secluded coves and enchanting creeks.
Away from the hustle and bustle of more popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, the Helford is both a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a marine conservation area.
While several of its coves and beaches are popular amongst those who know them, they rarely become crowded. Amongst these are Grebe Beach (near to the mouth of the river and facing the open sea), Durgan beach, and Helford Passage (close to the Ferryboat Inn and other facilities) a little further up river.
It’s also a place with a long and remarkable history - there are numerous iron age settlements around its shores (many in Mawnan Parish itself) and both Romans and Phoenicians came here to trade.
Anyone venturing up river will no doubt be struck by the two large Sessile Oak woodlands on the north bank: Calamansac and Merthen - these ancient trees once believed to have been used in the construction of ships for Henry VIII’s navy.
It is also recorded that Captain William Bligh (“Mutiny on the Bounty”) undertook an Admiralty study of the Helford during the late 1700‘s and was wrongfully arrested under suspicion of being a spy. Other famous connections include that to Daphne du Maurier - “Frenchman’s Creek” is on the south bank of the river - and Sir David Niven who is said to have written part of Bring on the Empty Horses while staying at the Ferryboat Inn.
It is, however, the river’s role in the D-Day landings for which it is most historically noted. It was from Trebah Beach that over 7000 members of the 29th US Infantry departed for Omaha Beach, Normandy, in June 1944. A memorial to the many who lost their lives is to be found in Trebah garden itself.
The estuary is also home to the Duchy of Cornwall Oyster Farm in nearby Port Navas, and the National Seal Sanctuary at the head of the river in Gweek (approximately eight miles away).
Please check back soon as we’ll be uploading a more detailed gallery in the near future.
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