England holds no shortage when it comes to magical spots waiting to be discovered and despite its diminutive size, the UK’s lands are far more diverse than many other smaller countries. From meandering rivers through rolling country sides, dramatic cliffs sitting high above unspoilt coastlines, to ancient cathedral cities home to a treasure trove of historical gems; the options are endless. Taking the guesswork out of picking which stunningly-natural UK habitat should be your next port of call, The Times’ latest list of the 15 most beautiful places to visit in England could hold the clue.
According to the publication, this Cornish paradise boasts of having “beaches to be proud of” and is described as being a haven for lovers of the quieter side of Cornwall. The village of Helford has quickly become the ideal spot to leave behind the hustle and bustle proving the perfect setting to escape from it all with a host of A-list celebs sharing the love too.
Found only five miles southwest of Falmouth lies this charming village that sits within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with diverse wildlife and subtropical gardens to boot.
Dubbed an A-list celebrity’s playground, this Cornish village has seen the likes of Kylie Minogue, Caroline Quentin and the Who’s, Pete Towshend all grace this quiet spot with their appearances.
This picturesque village is also the chosen spot where Queen’s Roger Taylor has chosen to reside including worldwide musical impresario Tim Rice.
But it’s not all A-list celebs and mega rich residents here as Helford is also famed for its natural beauty and historical significance too with The Times advising history lovers to “head to the town’s Helford River that is the setting for Daphne du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek”.
Frenchman’s Creek is an iconic 1941 novel by famed author Daphne du Maurier which was set during right in Helford during Charles II’s reign and tells the sordid tale of an intense love affair between an English lady and a French pirate.
But it was Du Maurier’s descriptions of the stunning landscape of Helford that the book got the most praise from, putting this quiet Cornish village on the map.
In fact, du Maurier’s historical novel and her description of the intense beauty found in Helford’s surrounding landscape, became a key part of its appeal, bringing the setting to life.
For those who want to explore Helford in reality rather than hearing about it in a book will be undoubtedly rewarded with unspoilt natural beauty that can be enjoyed all-year around for their efforts.
That’s because Helford river boasts of having a unique microclimate that benefits from a mild climate which allows for subtropical plants and flowers to thrive here with the gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan coming in highly recommended for green-fingered Brits.
Wildlife lovers are not amiss here either with the area of Helford being a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a host of bird species available to marvel at including egrets, kingfishers, herons, shelduck and fulmars.
Helford is a wildlife haven too with marine life including common dolphins, harbor porpoises and grey seals calling Helford’s shores their home and also includes peacock worms and razor shells which thrive in the region’s mudflats and sand shores.
Describing the unique beauty found in Helford, one review on TripAdvisor wrote: “I hired a boat from Helford River Boats and visited this creek. It was very calming and so different to the rest of the UK.
Another further praised the tranquil village and added: “With the trees coming right down to the river it is the most peaceful spot I know. The wildlife and birds on the river were such a joy to spot too.”