Enjoy a day of walking and discovery in South Cornwall on our private full-day guided walking tour on and around the River Helford
Along the way, we’ll encounter hidden creeks, lush sub-tropical gardens, and picturesque villages from a time gone by. We will cross the river on Britain’s oldest ferry crossing and visit waterside pubs, local galleries, and the iconic Frenchman’s Creek, made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel.
The tiny fishing village of Durgan on the Helford river is owned by the National Trust and home to lush sub-tropical gardens
Here we cross the river at Britain's oldest ferry crossing and stop for tea at the 300 year old Ferryboat Inn
We'll hike along the secluded woodland paths that inspired Daphne du Maurier's famous novel.
Experience the timeless charm of this picturesque village on the Helford River with thatched cottages and a riverside pub.
Moderate ability guided walk with local guide.
Licenced Minibus with pick-up & drop-off included
Free digital photo album download
Cornish pasty lunch, ice cream & cream tea*
Adaptable route to suit all abilities
Areas of outstanding natural beauty
Per group of 2-8 people.
The price includes your personal tour guide and driver for the day with pick up and drop off from your holiday accommodation in Cornwall.
*We'll supply water and hot drinks. Additional costs apply for other food & drink. Pay as you go or BYO.
Nick is a local guide with a passion for the paddlesports, photography and all things outdoors. He never gets tired of exploring Cornwall and showing visitors some of the hidden gems that other locals want to keep a secret!
Our walk starts in the picturesque village of Mawnan Smith. We'll pick up some traditional Cornish Pasties for luch at a local farm shop on the way.
We make our way to the South West Coast Path following a footpath through the enchanting woods of the sub-tropical Carwinion Valley.
We come to the bank of the Helford River at Porth Saxon (Also know as Porth Sawsen) a secluded beach favoured by locals with a backdrop of green rolling hills and woodlands.
We pass by Grebe, a sheltered shingle beach beneath the National Trust Bosveal Nature Reserve.
We pause at Durgan to explore this historic fishing hamlet of just 15 residences managed by the National Trust.
Trebah Beach, now a peaceful spot with calm waters and kayaks, was a key site for D-Day preparations. On June 1, 1944, this secluded Cornish cove transformed into a vital staging ground for D-Day, as 7,000 U.S. 29th Infantry Division troops boarded ships bound for Omaha Beach, where many would make the ultimate sacrifice.
This shingle and sand beach beside the popular 300-year-old Ferry Boat Inn is where we meet the passenger ferry and cross the river to the village of Helford on the south side.
We stop for a drink at The Shipwrights Arms with its idyllic riverside setting and 16th Century interior creating wonderful classic surroundings.
From Helford we follow the ancient pathway to the hidden Frenchman's Creek, a tranquil spot immortalised by Daphne du Maurier's swashbuckling novel.
Heading inland we come to Kestle Barton, an ancient Cornish farmstead situated above the Helford River with art gallery, garden and wild flower meadow.
We head back to explore the village, once a thriving port, home to smugglers, fishermen and tin traders now (second) home to the rich and famous including the Who drummer Roger Taylor and worldwide musical impresario Tim Rice.
After the retuen ferry trip with Helford River Boats this is our final stop to enjoy a classic Cornish Cream Tea (Jam first!) before heading back to our start point.
Your tour includes:
Your tour does not include:
Our Luxury VW Transporter is licenced to carry 8 passengers.
Our one-day tours typically run for 8 hours but may be longer depending on pick-up location and seasonal traffic.
Our walking tours are suitable for children aged 12+ who are happy walking approximately 5-10km in a day.
We can adapt walks to make them shorter (and allocate more time for visiting areas in the minibus) but whatever the length, you should expect to encounter rough and rocky terrain with some steep hills when walking the Southwest Coast Path and Cornish moors.
We recommend bringing a raincoat, suitable clothing and footwear for the coast path and a little spending money.
Bring a small rucksack and flask if you have one, othewise you can borrow one of ours.
Don’t worry, Cornwall is still beautiful in the rain!
Come prepared for all weather.
We can adapt the tour to ensure it doesn’t affect your enjoyment of the day.
Our walking tours are not suited to guests with limited mobility but our sightseeing tours are. Please take a look or contact us to discuss your options before booking.
Not all tours would be suitable for dogs. Please contact us to discuss your options before booking.
Tours can be amended (subject to availability) or cancelled any time up to 14 days before your tour date.
Cancellations after this date are charged at 80% of the full price. We recommend that guests have suitable travel insurance to cover unexpected late cancellations.
In the unlikely event that your tour is cancelled by us, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
Use Code “2026″ to get a 10% discount on any sightseeing or walking tour in 2026
