The Stay Guide Blog

Helston is a market town situated in South West Cornwall. Anyone who wishes to visit the Lizard or South Helford river area passes through or circulate the town. RNAS Culdrose (the largest naval air base in Europe) is situated on the outskirts and the various helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft frequently pass over the town. Helston was certainly in existence in the sixth century when it was inhabited by Saxons. The name derives from hen lis – the Cornish word for “old court”, to which –ton was added which denotes that it was a Saxon manor.
In the Domesday Book, the town is referred to as Henliston and King John granted its charter in 1201. Helston thus became a free borough town having certain privileges such as the right to its own court. There even used to be a castle which Edmund, Earl of Cornwall inhabited at the bottom of Coinagehall Street.
The town stands on the east bank of the River Cober which was once tidal, before it was cut off from the sea by Loe Bar in the 13th century. Helston at the time had a small population of about 200 residents and reputedly was a small port which exported tin and copper.
Helston is closely associated with mining: the river was once a rich tin stream. As such, Helston became a coinage town during the reign of Edward I and since then, more than 100 tin and copper mines have been worked in the district. The word coinage originates from the French coin, meaning corner; the quality and value of tin was assessed by cutting off a corner from a block for testing. The corner or coin was subsequently stamped, taxed and sold.
Local miners would assemble at the coinage hall in order to have their tin tested and weighed and this is where the name of the main street “Coinagehall Street” originates.
There is plenty to notice as you explore the town: a mixture of Georgian and Victorian architecture as well as one outstanding feature, The Monument at the end of Coinagehall Street. The Monument was built in 1834 to commemorate Humphry Millet Grylls; a banker and solicitor whose actions kept the local tin mine, Wheal Vor open which saved 1200 jobs.
Further up Coinagehall Street is arguably the oldest private brewery in the country, the Blue Anchor. It is a thatched building (originally a monks’ rest house that became a tavern in the 15th century) where miners used to receive their wages. If you’re brave enough, try the local brew of Spingo!
The Angel Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Helston and was the town house of the celebrated Godolphins who represented Helston in Parliament for many years.
Bob Fitzsimmons, born in 1863 was the first man to be world middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight boxing champion. There is a plaque on a cottage on Wendron Street in his memory. He retired in 1914 and died in Chicago three years later.
The Guildhall has been used as a market house and Magistrates’ Court in the past but today it is the Town Hall with the Council Chamber on the first floor. The ground floor is still called the Corn Exchange where coffee mornings, craft markets and jumble sales are held.
Behind the Guildhall,a splendid cannon taken from HMS Anson, wrecked at Lee Bar in 1807 is mounted for show. The wreck inspired Henry Trengrouse to invent the Breeches Buoy. The cannon stands on guard outside the Helston Folk Museum, housed in the old butter market.

The Flora or “Furry” Dance takes place each year and has done since pre-Christian times. Its roots lie in other spring festivals all over Europe. The joyous music and high spirits along with the colourful decorations of bunting, bluebells, gorse, laurel, lily-of-the-valley and other wild flowers reflect the ancient celebrations of the coming of spring and the end of winter. The traditional day to hold the event is May 8th, except on the years which that day is a Sunday or Monday, in which case it is held on the previous Saturday as is the case this year.

Each dance is led by Helston Town Band which plays the infamous Flora Dance tune. “Dancing here, prancing there, jigging, jogging everywhere”. Elegant gentlemen and their ladies dance in and out of Churches, shops and houses following a traditional route.
The day starts with the 7.00 am Morning Dance (originally for the servants of the gentry) with the Gentlemen wearing shirt and tie and the ladies wearing light summer dresses.
The boisterous dance-cum-play called the Hal-an-Tow is next at 8.30am. Verses of this have reference to Robin Hood, the Spanish Armada and St George and the Dragon.

The children dance at 10am, dressed smartly and decorated with lily-of-the-valley and other wildflowers. Only children born in Helston are allowed to dance.

The Principal Dance at midday – the Furry Dance takes the form of a dignified procession, with the gentlemen wearing back morning dress, grey top hats and tails, and the ladies their finest full length ball gowns.

The last dance takes place at 5pm and is appropriately called The Evening Dance.