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Helston

In Brief

Name: HELSTON
Classification: Town
Twinned with: Plougasnou, France, and Sasso Marconi, Italy. Port Augusta, Australia, also has strong historical ties with Helston
Population: 11,178 in 2011
Notable former residents: 17th century Cornish dramatist William Jordan and boxing champion Bob Fitzsimmons, plus legendary guitarist for The Who, Pete Townshend, owned a home in nearby Mawnan Smith until 2007
Films shot in town: ‘Ladies in Lavender’ (2003) and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed in a Helston hotel during filming of ‘World War Z’ (2013)
Interesting factoid: Bob Fitzsimmons was the first man to be world middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight boxing champion. He was the only British World Heavyweight Boxing Champion until 1899. He died in 1917 and there’s a plaque in his honour attached to a cottage in Wendron Street

MORE LIKE HEAVENSTON!

Helston isn’t hell. It’s heavenly. As a town, it doesn’t boast the views of, say, St Ives so it’s not heavenly in that way. It’s heavenly because if you’re visiting the lower reaches of Cornwall, it’s perfectly positioned as a base to explore this gorgeous region, with fine beaches just three miles away and fine countryside all around. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay in Helston and then get out each day. This historic market town has plenty to see, eat, do and enjoy all by itself. A theme park on its doorstep, a farmers’ market on the first Saturday of every month, historic gardens, great restaurants, animals to meet, bijou shops and a warm community await. And then, once you’re done with the local amenities, head out to the nearby towns, beaches, attractions and countryside. Now that’s heavenly.