On May eighth each year Helston (8mi/13km; pop. 10,800) is the scene of the traditional Furry (or Floral) Dance, centerpiece of a folk festival with participants in period costume.
At other times this medieval 'Stannary' town, where smelted tin was once weighed and taxed, is a quiet market town, with many 18th and 19th century buildings and a folk museum in the Old Butter Market.
The Flambards Experience is an amusement park in Helston featuring live entertainment and rides.
Set on an island in the bay, St Michael's Mount is a fortress capped hill of granite rock. It was once a monastery and later a fort, although today it is simply a tourist attraction.
Of particular note at Flambards Village Theme Park is a street modeled after the Blitz period of World War II. Also worthy of a visit are the gardens and the amusement park.
Some of the more notable aircraft on display here are the Skyraider and the Scimitar.
Address: Flambards Village Theme Park, Culdrose Manor, Helston TR13 0GA, England
Hours:
June 1 to July 20: 10:30am-5pm
July 21 to August 29: 10am-5:30pm
August 30 to October 23: 10:30am-4:30pm
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Godolphin Tudor country house (8mi/13km northwest of Helston) belonged to the powerful Godolphin family. Francis Godolphin (1534-1608) in particular wielded considerable influence, investing heavily in the tin mines. Staunch supporters of the Stuart cause, the family later gave shelter to the fugitive Charles II.
Address: Godolphin House, Godolphin Cross, Helston TR13 9RE, England
Take an underground mine tour at The Poldark Mine in Wendron. The site also has an extensive heritage collection and the 18th C Poldark Village replica.
Address: Poldark Mine Heritage Complex, Wendron, Helston TR13 0ER, England
Hours:
March 20 to July 18: 10am-5:30pm; Closed: Sat
July 19 to August 31: 10am-5:30pm; Closed: Sat
September 2 to November 2: 10am-5:30pm; Closed: Sat, Sat
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.