Frenchman's Creek

The Lizard


This famous creek is an easy walk from Helford village, but it's much more evocative to explore by kayak or rowboat. Fringed by overhanging trees and small muddy beaches, the creek gets its name from smuggling days – the secluded creeks round the Helford were perfect for stashing goods smuggled in from France (especially brandy, tobacco and lace) to avoid customs duties.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Lizard attractions

1. Helford Village

0.64 MILES

If you were to sit down and design the perfect riverside village from scratch, chances are you'd come up with something pretty close to Helford. It's a…

2. Trebah Garden

1.64 MILES

Trebah Garden was planted in 1840 by Charles Fox, younger brother of Alfred, who established nearby Glendurgan Garden. It's less formal, with gigantic…

3. Gillan Creek

1.89 MILES

This narrow river inlet is near the village of St-Anthony-in-Meneage. Locals can sometimes be spotted trigging (cockle-picking) in the nearby mudflats –…

4. Potager Garden

1.9 MILES

It's a bit of a drive from Falmouth but this gorgeous kitchen garden near Constantine is well worth the detour. Rescued from dilapidation by its current…

5. Glendurgan

1.91 MILES

Glendurgan was established by Alfred Fox in the 1820s to show off the many weird and wonderful plants being brought back from the far corners of the…

6. Trelowarren

2.17 MILES

Another of Cornwall's great aristocratic estates, Trelowarren has been in the hands of the Vyvyan family for six centuries and sprawls over 1000 acres of…

7. Cornish Seal Sanctuary

2.47 MILES

The ‘ah’ factor goes into overdrive at this sea-life centre in Gweek, about 12 miles drive from Falmouth along the Helford River. It cares for sick and…

8. Goonhilly Downs

3.24 MILES

Across the centre of the Lizard sprawls the barren Goonhilly Downs, a flat, grassy heathland which – rather improbably – also happens to be home to one of…