Everybody can enjoy the Helford River.
The Helford River has over 30 miles of Cornish coastline providing endless scope for quiet exploration of its secluded coves, creeks and beaches. Picnic on a lovely old granite quay, or tie-up at one of the superb waterside pubs for lunch. This stunningly beautiful seawater river estuary offers protection and intrigue for novices, sailors and fishermen alike.
Hotel River Trips aboard the "Hannah Molly"
2 hour skippered river trips according to the tides and weather to explore the Helford, sometimes with wildlife experts - fishing trips - let us take you to a secluded cove on the Helford with picnic- Oysters at the Oyster farm. Please contact hotel reception to book your river trip.
Boating
For those not wishing to be too adventurous, the ferry will take you from the hotel jetty, on the foreshore, for a ten-minute 'hop' across the river to Helford. There you will find the Shipwright's Arms and a pretty walk along Frenchman's Creek. The ferry can also drop you off at Helford River Boats - outside the Ferryboat Inn at Helford Passage. Here, Nick Bailey at Helford River Boats has a fleet of self-drive motor, sailing and rowing boats available for hourly- to weekly-hire. And on the other side of the river, Sailaway at St. Anthony has a similar operation. Both welcome novices and offer tuition.
In addtion you can also connect at The Ferry Boat Inn to the new Helford Garden Ferry Service, which can take you to Glendurgan and Trebah Gardens. The hotel reception can provide more information about timetable and prices.
Fishing
Life on the river flows with the rhythm of the tides and many fish swim up to feed on the flood. Fishermen can cast a line from the hotel's foreshore - ask Steve, our head porter, for advice on tides and tackle and what you are allowed to keep.
Power Boating
Cornwall Power Cruises is a unique privately owned cruise company which operates from one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, Falmouth. Cornwall Power Cruises offer you the opportunity to experience one of the finer things in life - a skippered cruise. Share with other couples or enjoy a private charter with a knowledgeable and fully qualified captain whose love and knowledge of Cornwall is unsurpassed. All you have to do is sit back, relax and listen to the gentle lapping of water against the bows. Guests staying at Budock Vean receive 10% discount if they book through the hotel.
Trips are subject to weather and tides.
For families with children aged seven and over, the school can put together a complete family package centred around sailing, but leaving you with plenty of leisure time to enjoy the local beaches and other attractions. They realise that each family will have different requirements, so just contact their office with details of numbers, age and experience, and we can prepare a programme to suit all. Also on offer are long courses for adults and young sailors during holiday periods. These run Monday through to Friday.
Sailaday Richard Lannowe Hall
Physis', (Greek meaning, life force,) is a 33 ft central cockpit, Westerly ketch. Part day skipper charters leave Falmouth Visitors Pontoon at 10am and return at 4pm.(longer days are negotiable) For Safety and Comfort numbers are restricted to a maximum of four.
Most of the facilities described above are not available from 1st November to 31st March.