South Cornwall is a tapestry of natural beauty, with golden coasts, leaf-tipped valleys, and rolling fields weaving together to craft a truly captivating picture. One of the jewels in this emerald crown is the Helford, with its ancient oaks guarding winding waterways and sub-tropical gardens lined with the royal plumes of rhododendrons and the heaven-scented blooms of magnolias.
Nestled on the fringes of this verdant haven, Constantine is one of the county’s hidden gems. Home to an idyllic village and some of the area’s finest cafés and restaurants, soulful sojourns were made for Constantine’s flourishing fringes. Uncover an idyll surrounded by bluebell woods in spring, sparkling riverways in summer, and copper-kissed canopies in autumn, all culminating in an oasis of calm you won’t want to leave.
Ready to explore one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets? Discover the dappled delights of Constantine for a riverside retreat framed by wizened oaks and jewel-toned waterways.
History
A charming village in the leaf-gilded swathes of South Cornwall, Constantine promises a peaceful setting in which to unwind. Named after a 6th-century Cornish saint and boasting a quaint collection of granite cottages and a 15th-century church, Constantine’s timeless charm feels a world away from everyday life. Set within the emerald heart of the Helford River, which feels as though you’ve wandered into the pages of a Daphne du Maurier novel, a visit here evokes a truly unhurried feel. The Helford’s days of smuggling may be in the past, but the links to life gone by remain, with time-worn quays, hidden coves, and ancient pubs inviting you to immerse in a story of your own.
Places to eat
Slice of Cornwall
Nestled beneath a mottled canopy near Constantine sits one of Cornwall’s most beloved café restaurants. Cocooned in a verdant embrace with a sprawling terrace for sun-soaked repasts, Slice of Cornwall beckons to epicureans from near and far. With a menu made for indulging, Slice is a feast for all the senses. The menu travels the globe with its dishes, whether you adore a plate of huevos rancheros, hummus paired with crispy vegetables and sugar nuts, or a full Cornish breakfast. For those with a taste somewhere between sweet and savoury, the waffles paint a truly decadent picture, from charred brulee banana with clotted cream to scorched prosecco Scottish smoked salmon with thyme-infused cream cheese. A dreamy drinks menu sits alongside the freshly prepared food, offering ceremonial grade matchas, Cornish beers and ciders, and a selection of still and sparkling wines.
Potager Garden Café
A place where leisured moments turn into lasting memories, Potager Garden is an idyllic location for all who wish to slow down and appreciate the little things. Set within a former plant nursery, this café-turned-event space promises a myriad of things to do near Constantine, from soul-soothing workshops that encourage you to reconnect with the natural world to ambrosial evenings framed with live music and foodie feasts. Open Thursdays to Sundays, the Potager Garden Café tempts with garden-fresh fare crafted into simple yet satisfying dishes, from veg-fuelled breakfasts to light lunches that feed the soul. Not to mention the homemade cakes, including delicious vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Pause for a moment or linger for an afternoon in the flourishing garden setting.
Sula Brunch House, Gweek
A waterside haven within the tranquil climes of Gweek Boatyard, Sula has taken root deep in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Cultivated interiors blend with the riverside setting to create a space that’s quick to soothe, while a carefully curated menu crafts divine dishes to feed your adventures around the Helford. Matcha lattes, halloumi hashes, French toast dripping with syrup; this creative café is a culinary showstopper, whether you visit for breakfast, brunch, or a piece of flavourful cake with a coffee as you watch the world drift by. Sit inside by the flickering fire in the cooler months, or take your heavenly selection to the spacious, waterside garden for an alfresco affair while the dog basks in the sun’s warming rays.
Flora, Mawgan
Set on the Lizard Peninsula, Trelowarren is home to one of the area’s most beloved establishments. A bakery, café, and restaurant combined, Flora holds family in its heart, forming deep connections with the local suppliers that grow, fish, and forage the ingredients you see before you. Flora Café runs between Thursdays and Sundays for breakfasts, lunches, and sweet treats, as well as Friday and Saturday evenings for sumptuous suppers. Keeping old traditions alive, New Yard Restaurant opens its doors on Sundays for flavoursome roasts with all the trimmings. Whether you stop by for a coffee and a deliciously flaky pastry or a Sunday lunch that ends the week on the very best note, Flora invites you to come and dine like family.
Culture, Falmouth
With a Michelin Green Star to its name, Culture beckons to those who seek to enrich their connections with nature, while dining on the very best ingredients from Cornwall’s natural larder. The menu is a window to the experiences and travels of the people who so lovingly created Culture, inviting you to join the journey through the open kitchen as the chefs artfully craft each dish. No ingredient travels more than an hour and a half to reach your plate, with sustainability a driving force behind everything, from the set menus that minimise food waste to the local potters who made each beautiful plate. Throughout the menu, Culture introduces you to the places and people behind each dish, encouraging you to delve deeper into your meal as you celebrate Cornwall’s rich culture and spellbinding landscapes with every flavoursome bite.
Walks
Helford River
A sanctuary of ancient oaks, winding waterways, and hidden coves, the Helford River beckons to all who seek a moment of silence amidst the most serene of spaces. Whether you prefer waterside reveries or woodland wanders, this dappled playground is home to enchanting walking trails for you to explore. Lending inspiration (and its name) to Daphne du Maurier’s beloved romance novel, Frenchman’s Creek is a beloved walking destination, unveiling a mesmerising mix of woodland, farmland, and river banks to uncover. Settled on the fringes of the Helford, a storybook stroll through the Bosahen Woods towards Scott’s Quay invites you to soak up the ever-shifting beauty of nature, with the woodland floor welcoming a carpet of bluebells and celandines in spring.
Argal Reservoir
A short drive north of Constantine, Argal Reservoir offers a spellbinding circular trail to follow, through a collage of moss-shrouded woodland and open fields dusted with wildflowers. Spanning 2 miles of gentle paths, this loop is perfect for slow paces and dreamy adventures. The woods offer a delightful canopy of cover in the warmer months, with streams setting a picturesque setting for dogs to enjoy a refreshing pause. The walk begins and ends in a car park with comfort facilities and a sun-soaked picnic area, making it wonderfully easy to begin your leaf-cloaked explorations. Extend your walk further with a turn around nearby College Reservoir as well, or head into Falmouth to satiate appetites in one of its many charming cafés.
South West Coast Path
A stone’s throw from the southern reaches of the South West Coast Path, Constantine is perfectly placed for salt-kissed adventures. There’s a bewitching coastal path from Mawnan to Maenporth Beach, or you can head further along the coast to explore the many beautiful trails surrounding Falmouth’s gold-flecked coast, dipping onto sandy beaches for swims in azure waters as you go. If you drift to the south, the stretch of coastline between Porthleven and Poldhu reveals a mosaic of dramatic cliffs and tucked-away coves, inviting you to bask in Cornwall’s wild beauty with every step. And for those seeking a day trip to reawaken the soul, a visit to the Lizard Peninsula is a salt-jewelled must, with Kynance Cove promising one of the most arresting walking destinations in Cornwall.
Penrose Estate
With two sides to choose from, Penrose Estate sets an idyllic backdrop for wanderlust reveries. Leaving from Helston, the right side of the estate is a wheel-friendly delight, with sun-flecked paths lined with time-tousled woodland and the mirror-topped charms of Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest natural lake. On the left, further woods await, with leaf-strewn paths and moss-clad trees. One serene, one kissed by the wild, both are truly diverting ways to embrace nature. Pick one side for a 3-mile there and back again, or traverse the whole 6-mile loop for a patchwork of paradisical scenes managed by the National Trust, with Loe Bar offering a sandy stretch at the halfway point, and The Stables Café inviting you to pause with a coffee in hand before exploring the pretty walled garden.
Places to visit
Trebah Garden
Basking in South Cornwall’s sun-drenched microclimate, Trebah Garden is a 26-acre haven of sub-tropical plants and idyllic moments. Trace 4 miles of paths as they wend their way through floral displays and alongside prehistoric gunnera, before relaxing in the little thatched seat at the top of the garden. From ponds reflecting fairytale bridges to koi pools shimmering with iridescent movement beneath the surface, this oasis of beauty is best experienced at a deliciously slow pace that allows for each moment to be truly cherished. Finish your visit with a winsome repast at the café, or stop by the shop to purchase something special for your own oasis back home.
Glendurgan Garden
Neighbouring Trebah, Glendurgan Garden beckons for scenic strolls through an ancient valley. Gradually make your way through wildflower meadows and flourishing displays to the pebbled beach, which sits at the foot of the sprawling gardens and encourages waterside quietude. A cherry laurel maze invites you to step into a leaf-lined puzzle, while children adore playing with the Giant’s Stride, a large rotating rope swing that invites you to ascend gravity for a magical moment. A tearoom and bookshop encourage you to linger a while longer, immersed in historic reads or savouring decadent cream teas. Dogs are welcome throughout the National Trust-maintained gardens, making this utopia perfect for storybook explorations with your canine companion by your side.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Tucked away in the dappled depths of Gweek sits the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, a local charity that combines rescue and rehabilitation with education, inviting guests to learn all about one of Cornwall’s most beloved aquatic residents. Every year, the centre rehabilitates around 70 grey seal pups, alongside housing a selection of full-time resident seals who cannot survive in the wild. Visit the centre and meet the residents, including a burrow of enigmatic puffins, who captivate hearts with their bright beaks and curious eyes.
Trelowarren House and Estate
A historic estate nestled on the Lizard, Trelowarren calls to those who seek to glimpse into history through the swaying branches of an ancient woodland. Open to the public between April and October, this grand estate boasts a number of marvels hidden within its grounds, including a Victorian turret, an oak-fringed avenue, and one of Cornwall’s greatest Iron Age mysteries: a fogou. A selection of trails awaits, ranging from a 1-mile circular to a 4-mile walk that takes in many of the area’s spellbinding sights. Finish your Arcadian adventure with a visit to Flora Café or New Yard Restaurant for a delicious array of epicurean eats.
Things to do
On the water
With the Helford River on your doorstep, exploring the verdant waterways is blissfully easy when staying in Constantine, whether you prefer to paddle along the jade-hued waters or glide along by sail. The Helford River Sailing Club offers annual as well as holiday memberships, with moorings available for you to bring your own beloved watercraft. Alternatively, Helford River Boats offers a varied selection, including motor boats, kayaks, and paddleboards for hire, so you can tour the rippling river at your leisure, pausing to picnic on the banks as you go. For an utterly enchanting experience, join Helford River Cruises for one of their many journeys along the emerald banks of the Helford, where you can sit back and watch the world drift by.
Explore Falmouth
With vibrant streets lined with independent shops, boutiques, and art galleries, and a breathtaking selection of beaches to choose from, Falmouth beckons to all. The bustling harbourside town has a magnetic art scene, with many local artists exhibiting their work across the numerous art spaces, including The Poly, Falmouth Art Gallery, and Beside the Wave, while boutiques and independent shops boast captivating collections of homeware, jewellery, and clothing. Whether you seek sea views or cosy corners, the town’s foodie scene is as eclectic as it is tempting, promising everything from Michelin star restaurants to historic pubs and vegan cafés. Falmouth holds a rich history woven through its maritime tapestry, and there’s no better place to discover the ocean-dipped past than the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where a blend of fixed and rolling exhibitions leads you through the centuries.
Spend a day by the sea
From Falmouth’s sand-strewn beaches to the peaceful coves and inlets of the Helford River, Constantine is perfectly placed for the healing qualities of the sea. In Falmouth, Gyllyngvase Beach offers an irresistible mix of soft sands, shining seas, and a welcoming ocean-front restaurant for light lunches and flavoursome suppers overlooking the water. Meanwhile, Swanpool and Maenporth promise watersports and wild swims set against tree-hugged cliffs. On the Helford, Grebe Beach is a beloved spot, famous for its serene setting and magical appearances of bioluminescent plankton at certain times in the year. And for those who wish to take to the waters, Helford Passage Beach proposes unforgettable riverside sojourns, where kayaks and paddleboards can be hired with ease.
Visit Constantine Stores
One of the most iconic things to do in Constantine is to visit the village’s most famous shop, Constantine Stores. Family-run and a community staple for the last 65 years, this winsome wine and spirit merchant is a true Aladdin’s cave. It’s home to the largest selection of gins in the South West, over 1,000 whiskies, 400 rums, and over 1,500 wines to peruse. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to guide you in your browsing, helping you to find your perfect tipple. Constantine Store’s online presence, Drink Finder, is the ideal follow-up to your visit, allowing you to enjoy the extensive selection from anywhere in the UK.
Feeling inspired? Uncover our collection of luxury cottages in South Cornwall.
