This is the blog for the dog friendly, luxury, self catering, cottage holidays at Helsbury Park in Cornwall. For more information go to www.helsburypark.co.uk or call 01326 573808.
Sep 2, 2014
Stunning walk at Golitha...
May 3, 2013
Dog Days at Eden - 18 & 19 May
Take your dog to Eden
May 8, 2012
Helsbury Dog Photo Competition 2013 Entry 4
Jun 1, 2011
Helsbury Dog Photo Competition 2012 Entry 6
Apr 13, 2011
I Love Cornwall...
Cornwall devotees can now share all that they love about Cornwall on a new micro-site which has launched just in time for Easter.
www.ilovecornwall.com is the creation of VisitCornwall, and has been designed to be an official online space and community which will be driven by the passion felt for the county with user generated content, polls, competitions and incentives. Uniquely, it promises to skip the hard sell typical of tourist websites, which is guaranteed to turn off the majority of social media users, relying instead on increasing awareness of Cornwall through credible word-of-mouth recommendations.
The micro-site offers a base for VisitCornwall's social media campaigns that is separate from, and with a different offer to, the main tourist board website, www.visitcornwall.com. It forms part of VisitCornwall's social media strategy for 2011 which has already seen the successful launch of the 'I love Cornwall' Facebook page and Twitter account.
Lauren Hogan, VisitCornwall Digital Marketing Manager, comments: "Social media is increasingly becoming the 21st century version of word-of-mouth travel recommendations and research shows that it now accounts for 11.5% of all UK internet visits, with Facebook accounting for 1 in 6 page views in the UK*. www.ilovecornwall.com will provide destination inspiration in an entertaining way and our aim is to make it a website that people will want to visit for five minutes everyday - while you're on your coffee break, at lunch or on the train on the way to work. We have some fantastic prizes on the site including VIP and luxury holidays in Cornwall."
VisitCornwall will facilitate and encourage social media advocacy and positive online discussions about Cornwall by inviting users to share their own content. As well featuring photos submitted by the community via Facebook, Twitter and Flickr VisitCornwall will engage with site visitors by initiating communication about favourite things to do, upcoming events, the best beaches, the best places to eat and even the best place to watch a sunset.
Sep 8, 2010
Sep 2, 2010
Trout Fishing Guide
Aug 4, 2010
Amazing Dolphin Experience...
The trip took us amongst the granite crags and turquoise waters of West Penwith, the jagged claw of the far south west of England jutting out into the Atlantic. Not only astonishingly beautiful, this area is home to an amazing array of sealife. The overall experience had been very enjoyable but as we headed home it took an amazing turn as we sailed into a huge pod of dolphins who came up to the boat and played with us for around half an hour, a truly exhilarating moment and one which will stick in the memory for some time to come, here's a video we made during the show:
Apr 19, 2010
Rick Stein's Seafood School Demo Evening
This is a review submitted by one of our guests, Sally Lane:
I was thrilled to get an email from Rick Stein’s Seafood School announcing a demonstration by the expert himself, which just happened to coincide with my last visit to Helsbury in April 2010. As a devotee of the Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, I was excited and fortunate to secure two places for this rare opportunity, and about 80 people turned out at the Seafood School for a sell-out evening of delights from his most recent TV tour – Far Eastern Odyssey.
Three dishes were featured - a salad and two curries - accompanied by complimentary wines (and very generous with it too!) where Rick reflected on his travels and shared his stories and experiences. He was very relaxed and affable and was happy to answer questions throughout the 2.5 hour demo (and it was only supposed to be just 2 hours) and was so enjoyable that it went really quickly. The food was good too – as he cooked the dishes, his team also made the same recipes and then handed them out to each guest – so you could sample both Rick’s and his team’s examples if you wished.
Happy to sign his books after the event, I will now have to try one or two of these recipes as my husband seemed first in line for the latest edition! A quite inspiring and entertaining evening, and a glimpse into Rick’s culinary world. Sign up to Rick’s e-news to get updates on events and demonstrations at the seafood scool: http://www.rickstein.com/Seafood-School.html.
Oct 18, 2009
Indian Summer?
Sep 21, 2009
Helsbury Attractions #4
The sanctuary is a charity that rescues monkeys of different kinds from the pet trade and other inadequate and abusive circumstances. Many of their inhabitants have been severely traumatised by their experiences this means for the monkey’s sake this is not a good day out for loud, excitable children and dogs are not welcome. It does however, provide a wonderful opportunity to see these fascinating creatures up close and to hear informative talks about their lives, their plight and the valuable work of the trust.
The sanctuary is set in a stunning location on a wooded slope overlooking the sea with grounds managed to promote wildlife. Excellent signposting makes the sanctuary easy to find but it is accessed via some very narrow lanes so be prepared. The car park is small but shady. The café serves a delicious selection of homemade, locally sourced vegetarian food. GTBS Gold.
http://www.monkeysanctuary.org/
Sep 11, 2009
Helsbury Attractions #3
Lottie’s favourite day out, we have been twice this year (2009) and still not found everything. Not cheap and at least an hour’s drive but for us it is worth it. Animals to feed and pet in the barn, train and tractor rides and an array of slides to satisfy a large age range. Humorous and informative demonstrations and events such as the Sheep Grand National in the various indoor and outdoor arenas help provide constant entertainment. The Jumping Pillows are great fun for all ages (parents too) as are the pedal go-carts. There is a battlefield combat zone, high wire course, chair-o-planes ride and mountain boarding for the more adventurous. Pony rides, trampolines and various mechanical rides. Some things cost extra but you could still have a great day out if you confined yourselves to the inclusive stuff.
The Big Sheep is very easy to find, with plenty of parking, some kennels (locks available from reception) and a wide choice of food from burgers and cakes to fruit and homemade soup depending on which café you choose.
http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/
Sep 6, 2009
Helsbury Attractions #2
Tamar Otter Sanctuary
We had an enjoyable day out at the Tamar Otter Sanctuary (Summer 09). It is advisable to time your visit to take in at least one Feeding Time 12:00 or 15:00; this guarantees you see some Otters in action as they are timid even in this environment. It really is amazing to see so many Otters up close though. The woodland walk allows you to get a good look at the Deer and Wallabies, which you can feed (provided you buy the appropriate bag of food).
We had a hard time finding the sanctuary but this might be more about our SatNav. We just kept following signs to North Petherwin and got there eventually. There is a steep slope between the entrance and the animal enclosures and a lot of fencing to protect little fingers from sharp teeth, which is quite hard to see through. The café is excellent providing well-cooked locally sourced food. Not dog friendly but there is some shady parking and water available.
http://www.tamarotters.co.uk/
Aug 26, 2009
Helsbury Attractions #1
Porfell Animal Sanctuary
This is a good day out for smaller children as the sanctuary is on a fairly compact site. Porfell provides a home for elderly and difficult exotic animals. Those ‘retired’ from zoo and wildlife park breeding programmes or confiscated by customs and the RSPCA. When we visited (summer 09) the animals ranged from a Lynx and an Ocelot, Capybara, Wallabies and Racoons through to Pygmy Goats, Llama and Zebra. An interesting talk gave us the opportunity to stroke a Hedgehog, a Ferret and a Monitor Lizard and with Deer that eat from your hand you get a great up-close with the animals feel.
On a practical note, Porfell is well signposted and relatively easy to find and has an ample car park. The café has a limited menu of the sandwiches and pasties kind. Not really a dog friendly day out with lots of poultry wandering around and free-range Wallabies. GTBS Bronze.
http://www.porfellanimalland.co.uk/








