The Helford to Falmouth walk follows the South West Coast Path for approximately 16km. It is a one way route rather than a circular walk, maintained as part of the National Trails network.
The route begins with a crossing of the Helford River, a stretch of water once favoured by pirates and smugglers, and rich with fish, birds, and plant life. Ferries have run between Helford Village and Helford Passage since medieval times, and the Ferry Boat Inn on the far side is at least 300 years old, filled with maritime artefacts collected over centuries. From here the path settles into gentle walking through fields and wooded clifftop, passing small coves with views across the Fal towards St Anthony’s Lighthouse.
Trebah Beach, at Polgwidden Cove, has a striking piece of history attached to it. In June 1944, American troops departed from this very beach bound for Omaha Beach as part of the D-Day landings. Further along, the coast keeps a quieter, sadder marker of the sea’s power: the visible wreck of the Ben Asdale, an Aberdeen trawler driven ashore in violent storms during the winter of 1978, still standing as a reminder of the conditions this coastline can produce.
Past Maenporth’s sheltered beach and Pennance Point, where a monument commemorates Falmouth’s Home Guard, the path reaches Pendennis Point and its castle. Built in the early 1540s, Pendennis Castle was constructed as one of a string of new coastal defences guarding against a possible invasion by the combined forces of Spain, France, and the Pope, a response to the fallout from Henry VIII’s break with Rome. From here you also get the full view of Falmouth harbour itself, reputed to be the third largest natural harbour in the world, and once the second busiest port in the British Empire.
In the town, several landmarks are worth seeking out: the Killigrew Monument, the King’s Pipe, a red brick chimney once used to burn confiscated contraband tobacco, and Arwenack House, the restored fourteenth century manor of the Killigrew family, who were the original town planners of Falmouth itself.
Accommodation is thin along much of this route, though Mawnan Smith offers more options a short distance inland. Those continuing beyond Falmouth will find limited options in St Mawes, reachable by ferry, or further on in Portscatho.
Parking is available at Helford, Bosveal, Mawnan, Maenporth, Swanpool Beach, and various points around Falmouth.
Plan The Walk
Places along this walk
Places to stay
- The Red House
- Poltair
- Royal Duchy Hotel
- Chelsea House
- Membly Hall
- Headlands
- Falmouth Backpackers Lodge
- The Rosemary
- Falmouth Bay Holiday Apartments
- Forever Cornwall
- The Old Fire Station
- Braemar
- St Michael's Hotel & Spa
- Cotswold House
- Gyllyngvase House
- Dolvean House
- 1605 by the sea
- Lugo Rock
- The RV
- Falmouth Hotel
- Tudor Court
- Melvill House
Beaches
- Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth Passes nearby
Where to park
- Maritime Car Park
- Church Street Car Park
- Well Lane Short Stay Car Park
- Grove Place
- The Moor Car Park
- Maenporth Beach
- Passage Cove
- Ferry Boat Inn residents only
- Bar Road Car Park
- The Dell
- Swanpool Beach Car Park
- St Maunanus Church
- Falmouth Golf Club Overflow Car Park
Pubs
- Prince of Wales
- Finn M'Coul's
- Ferry Boat Inn
- The Grapes Inn
- Jacob's Ladder
- The Packet Station
- The Moth and the Moon
- Seven Stars
- Pennycomequick
- The Front
- Hand
- The Touc Inn
- Five's Cyderhouse
- Beerwolf Books
- Oddfellows Arms
- The Seaview Inn
- The Chainlocker
Cafes
- Life's A Beach
- The Cove
- PizzaExpress
- Hooked on the Rocks
- Windjammer
- Hubbox
- Java
- Ming's Garden
- Boo Koos
- Gurkha
- Trebah Kitchen
- Harbour Lights Restaurant
- Balti Curries
- Amanzi Restaurant
- Bodega Tapas
- Pomodoro
- Gylly Beach Cafe
- The Chintz
- 33 Old High Street
- Casa Tapa
- The Seafood Bar
- The Stable
- The Pier Cafe
- Crows Nest Coffe Bar
- Castle Beach Cafe
- Star and Garter
- Cribbs
- Ukrainian Soul
- Caffè Nero
- The Natural Store
- Beacon Coffee
- Star Glazers Pottery Painting Cafe
- Good Vibes Café
- Pendennis Castle Cafe
- Fuel
- Above the Bookshop
- The Meat Counter
- Costa
- Olfactory Coffee Roasters
- Nude Canteen
- Sandy's Deli
- Curry Baba
- Harry's Taqueria
- Dark Pony Coffee
- Pizza Jockeys
- Palacio Lounge Cafe Bar
- Marina Turkish Kitchen
- Jam
- Curry Corner
- Indiedog
- Rising Dragon
- Asha Indian Restaurant
- Ro+Bo
- The Chic Pea
- Forty Five
- Leroy's
- Namaste
- Ploy Thai
- The Orgia
- Zest
- The Mulberry
- Koffiji
- The Shed
- Kona
- Wilder
- Ragamuffins Café
- Princess Pavilion
- Dill
- Mine
- Catch&Cut
- Culture
- The Fish Cabin
- Trebah Garden
- Swanpool Beach Cafe
- Gylly Beach Takeaway
Attractions
- Pendennis Castle Museum
- Shell Grotto
- Maze View
- Gwithti an Pyrst A Cabinet of Folklore and Magic
- Kernow Escape
- Court Garden
- Fitness & Performance Gym
- Glendurgan Garden
- Trebah Garden
- Trelawne Hotel
- Port Pendennis Marina
- National Maritime Museum Cornwall
- Falmouth Visiting Yacht Haven
- Queen Mary Garden
- Falmouth Golf Club
- Ships and Castles
- Gyllyngdune Gardens
- 18 hole Crazy Golf
- Cafe benches
- Quarry Garden
Shops
- Tesco Express
- Martins Bakery
- Spar
- Rowe's Cornish Bakers
- Warrens Bakery
- Oggies Cornish Kitchen
- Warrens Bakery
- Sailors Jail
- Spar
- Greenbank Books
- 49
- Card Factory
- Trespass
- Stones
- Co-op Food
- Salt Art Supply Shop
- Select Convenience
- Falmouth Bookseller
- Cornish Bakery
- Whistlefish
- Rol'ys Fudge Pantry
- Inspire Makers
- Out West
- Will Pearson Boomerangs
- Jezebel
- The Cherry Tree
- Marine Gallery
- Cornish Cream
- Mountain Warehouse
- SoSweet
- A Gift from Cornwall
- Mr. Ragamuffins
- Sophie Tilston
- Bookmark
- Sabzi
- Just Books
- The Cornish Store
- Pocketful of Stones
- The Little Bear Den
- Tall Ships Trading
- Just Lily
- Rubicund
- Tarquin's
- Flapjackery
- Pip's Pasty Shop
- Whirligig Studio Cards
- Bakery on the Beach
- Tesco Express
Toilets
- Gyllyngvase Beach
- Showers
- Laundry Room
- Grove Place
- Swanpool Beach Toilets Falmouth
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