Ancient market town - Helston, Cornwall gimbal walk

Описание: POV Walk Around Helston, Cornwall.

Take a leisurely stroll through the charming Cornish market town of Helston, one of Cornwall’s oldest towns, believed to have been granted its charter in 1201—though its roots stretch back even further to the Saxon and early medieval periods. Nestled on the edge of the Lizard Peninsula, Helston’s winding streets, granite buildings, and bustling high street reveal layers of history shaped by mining, trade, and tradition.

As you wander down Coinagehall Street to the Grylls Monument, imagine the days when tin from nearby mines was weighed and taxed here in the Coinagehall, making Helston a key hub in Cornwall’s mining heritage. But what truly brings this town to life is its most famous celebration: Flora Day, held every 8th of May.

On this day, the streets burst into colour and music as townsfolk dance through homes, shops, and gardens in the centuries-old Furry Dance—a vibrant ritual welcoming the arrival of spring. Garlands of greenery and bluebells adorn the buildings, and the joyous “Helston Furry Tune” echoes through the town, a melody passed down for generations.

Walking through Helston feels like stepping into living history—a place where ancient customs, community pride, and Cornish spirit flourish side by side.