Walks near Manaccan and Helford

Explore the Helford River, Gillan Creek and the coastal paths of Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, with The New Inn as your starting point—and somewhere to return for food and a drink.

Featured in The Telegraph’s “The 10 greatest pub walks in Cornwall”

Richard Madden’s guide features a six-mile walk around the Helford River and Gillan Creek, starting and finishing at The New Inn.

“The New Inn, with its thatched roof and idyllic back garden, is a perfect base for exploring both Gillan Creek and the Helford River away from the crowds. From the pub, head up the hill out of the village and take the footpath across the fields and down into the wooded Helford valley. Once in Helford (often busy, but still beautiful), follow the coast path all the way to Dennis Head, with its superb views over Falmouth Bay, before following the lane through romantic Gillan Creek and back to the pub.”

— Richard Madden, The Telegraph, 5 June 2026

Distance: 6 miles · Suggested time: 3 hours

Read the full Telegraph article on Yahoo

Gillan Creek & Dennis Head circular walk

5 miles (8 km) · Moderate · Allow approximately 2½–3 hours, plus stops

Gillan Creek & Dennis Head is a circular walk published by the South West Coast Path Association, starting and finishing at Helford car park.

Explore woodland and waterside paths around Dennis Head, the Helford River and Gillan Creek. Expect some uphill and downhill walking, potentially muddy paths and a short stretch of narrow road.

Our suggested alternative: start and finish at The New Inn

Join the published route approximately 200 yards from the pub. Walking this connecting section each way brings the total to approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 km), finishing back at The New Inn for food or a drink.

View official walk and directions

Manaccan Heritage & Carne Creek Walk Map

1½ miles (2.4 km) · Starts and finishes at The New Inn · Allow approximately 45–60 minutes, plus stops

Enjoy a longer version of our village heritage stroll, combining Manaccan’s historic landmarks with picturesque Carne Creek.

The route takes in Tregonwell Mill and its connection to William Gregor’s discovery of titanium in 1791, before extending to the creek. Follow the plotted route back towards Vicarage Lane and the old vicarage, where local history recounts that Captain William Bligh was briefly detained after being mistaken for a spy.

Visit the church of St Manaccus and St Dunstan to see its remarkable fig tree growing from the south wall, then return downhill past the village well to The New Inn for food or a drink.

Expect hills, stretches of quiet road and footpaths that may be muddy after rain.

View Manaccan & Carne Creek walk map.

Walk 3 – Manaccan, Helford, Dennis Head & St Anthony

A beautiful circular walk starting and finishing in Manaccan, taking in some of the best scenery around the Helford River.

From Manaccan the route heads through the countryside to Helford village, before joining the coast path along the southern shore of the Helford River. It continues through woodland and secluded coves towards Dennis Head, with wonderful views across the river and out towards Falmouth Bay.

The walk then turns towards St Anthony-in-Meneage, passing its tiny waterside church before following Gillan Creek and the surrounding countryside back towards Manaccan.

With the route beginning and ending in the village, The New Inn makes an ideal place for lunch, a drink or something to eat after the walk.

Distance: 5.74 miles / 9.2 km
Time: Allow around 2½–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Start/finish: Manaccan

View Manaccan, Helford, Dennis Head & St Anthony

Walks near Manaccan and Helford

Featured in The Telegraph’s “The 10 greatest pub walks in Cornwall”

Gillan Creek & Dennis Head circular walk

Manaccan Heritage & Carne Creek Walk Map

Walk 3 – Manaccan, Helford, Dennis Head & St Anthony

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