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Helston, Cornwall, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coinagehall_Street,_Helston_-_geograph.org.uk_-_124236.jpgAuthor: Tony Atkin
Helston is the most southerly town in the United Kingdom. It is located in Cornwall, about 19 km (12 mi) to the east of Penzance and 14.5 km (9 mi) to the southwest of Falmouth. The town has a population of around 10,000 people (2012 estimate).
Helston is the second oldest town in Cornwall after Marazion. It was granted its town charter by King John in 1201, an occasion celebrated in 2001 as the 800th anniversary of its founding.
Helston had a tradition in tin mining. Tin ingots were weighed here to determine the amount of duty due to the Duke of Cornwall. The town also had a cattle market, and is famous for a local festival called the Furry Dance, also called The Flora. Dancers typically wear the lily of the valley during the dance, the men wear it on the left while the ladies on the right. Flora Day continues to be celebrated annually on 8 May, except if the date falls on a Sunday or Monday.
The Grylls Monument, Helston: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Grylls_Monument,_Helston_-_geograph.org.uk_-_125704.jpgAuthor: Tony Atkin
Visiting Helston
Coming from Manchester, take the M5 motorway until Exeter, then continue west on the A30 road until the Carland Cross roundabout, and follow the A39 road heading south. This takes you to Falmouth, where you continue on the A394 road to Helston.Places of Interest in Helston
- Helston Folk Museum: Museum occupying the town's Market House built in 1837. It provides a glimpse into the rustic life in Helston.
- Poldark Mine: Theme park at nearby Wendron where visitors get to experience the old tin mine of Cornwall.
- St Michael's Church, Helston: Small church with stained-glass windows.
- The Grylls Monument: Monument erected in honor of Humphry Millet Grylls, who in 1830 used his position to stop the banks from closing down the Wheal Vor mines during a recession. The monument was paid for by local miners shortly after Grylls passed away.
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