Rock Cottage is situated at the head of the Mawgan Creek of the Helford River which runs from Gweek down to Mawnan Shear where it widens out into Falmouth Bay. The river, which is really a tidal creek with oak wooded hills and pasturelands, is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt stretches of water in the country. The narrow lane to the cottage takes you over an ancient stone bridge where swans and ducks feed and the kingfishers dart across the creek.

Early spring at Rock Cottage is magical, and as the short winter passes, the Helford area comes alive once again and displays a glorious landscape full of colour. The garden at Rock Cottage and the Mawgan Creek become every bird watchers dream.

The village of Mawgan is only a 5 minute stroll away and has a 12C Church, The Ship Inn and a well-stocked Spar Shop selling local produce. In the opposite direction towards St Martin is the Gear Farm organic shop which sells delicious pizzas from the wood-fired oven, pasties, vegetables and lots more. The 1000 acre Trelowarren Estate is closeby and hosts the New Yard Restaurant, Crafts Centre, Gardens, small Nursery and woodland walks. When it comes to beaches, we are spoilt for choice and Kynance Cove is a hit everytime!

Here are just a few of the places close to Rock Cottage. All are very easily accessible and within 20 minutes drive.

Church Cove, Gunwalloe - Famous small church on the beach. Sandy beach, good bathing, grassy areas behind beach excellent for picnics.

Poldhu Cove - Sandy bay sheltered by high cliffs. Good surfing when wind and tide are right, rocky pools, magnificent cliff walks (National Trust), wild flowers.

Kynance Cove - Very famous beauty spot. Spectacular cliff descent on foot from car park at top (National Trust). Variety of coves, serpentine rocks rising high out of the sea. Excellent cafe. White-sand, turquoise water and multi-coloured islands.

The Lizard Lighthouse - Most southerly point. Magnificent view of rock-strewn sea from lighthouse or cliffs.

Cadgwith - Beautiful little fishing cove, shingle beach with some sand below high cliffs. Rocky prominence above deep pools; excellent for diving and swimming. Many flat shelves on rocks popular for picnics and sunbathing.

There is a continuous cliffside walk right round the Lizard Peninsula, affording magnificent views of some of Cornwall's most spectacular and rugged scenery, much of it is owned by the National Trust.

Visitors can play golf either at Mullion, which has a wonderful view of the sea, or Helston (short course). Horse riding is available at either Mullion or Constantine.

Many artists and craftsmen work in this area. There is a small exhibition centre/gallery at Trelowarren, and Mullion. The Tate and the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St Ives, are worthy of a visit too as well as the Penlee Gallery in Penzance.

There are a number of fine restaurants within the locality, the nearest is New Yard Bistro at Trelowarren in Mawgan, Halzephron at Gunwalloe, South Cafe at Manaccan and the newly opened Nansloe Manor Restaurant serving fine Italian cuisine on the outskirts of Helston. The nearest pub, The Ship Inn, is 10 minutes walk from Rock Cottage, this serves good pub food has local ales, and is welcoming. There are many pubs on the Lizard to choose from.

This part of Cornwall has a diverse range of both National and privately owned Gardens: Trevarno in Helston, Bonython, Trebah, Glendurgan, Trewithen, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden Project and many more.

Other attractions closeby include Flambards in Helston, The National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek, Poldark Mine, Roskillys Farm, Future World at Goonhilly. For the water sports enthusiast, boat hire, windsurfing, sailing and diving facilities are all available on the Lizard.

The ancient market town of Helston is famous for its Flora Day which is held in early May when about one thousand dancers take to the streets and all the shops are decorated with bluebells and gorse. It was once a port before it was cut off from the sea by Loe Bar in the 13th century. According to some sources, Helston, with a population then of about 200, was a small port which exported tin and copper.

The Town has a mixture of Georgian and Victorian architecture and there are a fine array of public houses, one of which dates back to the 15th century and still brews its own ale. Helston offers all the necessary shops as well as a very interesting Museum to visit on a rainy day and only a 10 minute drive from Rock Cottage.