SPRING AROUND HELSTON

Helston lies to the north of Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula. It’s a stunning area for wildlife blessed with fine beaches, beautiful villages, such as the harbour community of Cadgwith, and the Mediterranean-like turquoise waters of Kynance Cove. May is a perfect time to visit Cornwall. At this time of year, make sure you seek out the sub-tropical paradises on the north shore of the Helford River in adjacent valleys, Trebah and Glendurgan. Here, tender and exotic plants collected from around the world thrive in the sheltered micro-climate.

South of the wooded ria of the Helford River, Goonhilly Downs is home to some of the largest areas of lowland heath in the UK and includes the exceptionally rare Cornish heath. At Britain’s most southerly point at Lizard Point, you will find the fascinating Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre, and a charmingly undeveloped alternative to touristy Land’s End, where Cornish choughs, peregrines, fulmars and the occasional gannet wheel around the sky and the cliffs are alive with wildflowers.