Helston

Located at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula, Helston is tucked away just 12 miles away from the vibrant town of Penzance, and nine miles from beautiful Falmouth.

As a former stannary and cattle market town, Helston is perhaps best known for its annual Furry Dance, or the Flora Dance as it’s known to locals. Believed to have originated from the medieval period, the Furry Dance is said to be one of Britain’s oldest customs. The annual Flora Day event takes place each May and celebrates this ancient tradition through a variety of dance performances which take place throughout the day, from the first morning dance through to the early evening dance.

In addition to its Furry Dance heritage, Helston is also home to a variety of venues which regularly stage a wide range of performances, from intimate, acoustic concerts to lively and compelling theatre. Nancegollan Village Hall has welcomed many artists to its stage, including ‘Spectacular’ by Cana, a classical trio of performers who tell stories of love, betrayal and passion through their high-energy cabaret show.
Helston is also home to the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose which runs its annual Air Day show each July. Visitors can witness some of the most awe-inspiring flying displays and get up close to state-of-the-art aircraft and meet the aircrew who fly these iconic helicopters around the world.

For an authentic Cornish experience, a trip to Helston has all the ingredients for a culture-packed fun day out for the family.