Durgan is a small, unspoilt fishing hamlet on the north bank of the Helford River principally owned and managed by the National Trust. The Helford is a yachtsman's paradise, completely unspoilt with sheltered waters and there is an extensive network of footpaths connecting many of the villages along its shore.

Durgan beach (a stone's throw from Rose Cottages) is safe for swimming and ideal for boating, windsurfing and sand castle building, and has a slipway.

Glendurgan Gardens (National Trust), just behind the cottages, are open to the public most days and have water gardens, a renowned maze, many interesting trees and shrubs and are highly recommended in the early spring for their stunning azaleas and rhodedendrons. Next to Glendurgan lie Trebah Gardens, a riot of colour and exotic scents in spring and early summer.

There is a foot ferry linking Durgan beach with Trebah beach, Helford Passage and Helford village, which runs from Easter to September. Additionally there is a foot ferry from the Ferry Boat Inn at Helford Passage, three quarters of a mile along the coastal path, to Helford village.