There are lots of lovely villages and towns near Helsbury, all offering a mix of attractions. Cornwall has long been neglected by the major retail chains: resulting in an eclectic mixture of small independent shops and boutiques. Although shopping may not be high on your list of things to do on holiday it always feels good to find something different.
Our favourites are Boscastle, Padstow, Tintagel and Port Isaac (the location for the ITV series Doc Martin), they all offer lots to see as well as some quirky and interesting shops, and lots of great places to eat and drink. Bude also has lots to offer, with a lovely dog friendly walk along the canal, lots of places to eat and the unique Sea Pool. On the way to Bude off the A39 there is a lovely small cinema, called The Rebel, which is worth knowing about for a rainy day.
Art in Cornwall
The thriving artistic community in Cornwall extends to clothing, jewellery and accessories, and many galleries include sumptuous silks; chunky knitwear; funky bags and fabulous hats. For surf and beachwear try Polzeath or Padstow. Wadebridge is a really handy market town which boasts a wide range of shops. You can find art galleries and fresh food as well as clothes and gifts at pretty much every turn.
Cornwall’s climate is not only suitable for flowers there are fabulous fresh vegetables to be had too: visit one of the many farmers’ markets, or check out what is on offer from the little roadside stalls. Cornwall is also a haven for rare wildlife and you can even find that fabulous endangered species the fishmonger based in Port Isaac, Rock and Wadebridge, so make the most of them during your stay.
For larger shopping expeditions Truro, Newquay and Falmouth fit the bill with lots to do on a rainy day including the Maritime Museum, the Sea Life Centre and the Zoo.