The main family camp this year is Helford, where we camp on a farmer’s field which has access to the Helford River two hours either side of low tide.
This is one of Cody’s regular and most popular camp site, for those who’ve not been before, the field is reasonably flat at the bottom end and a steep slipway has been cut down to the foreshore in the SW corner.
Opening Times
The site is available to us from Saturday 27 July to the Sunday 11th August inclusive. Throughout our stay we will need to remember that the unspoilt character of the Helford River area is carefully monitored by the local conservationists, and that there are oyster beds below the low water mark near our camp site. On previous visits we have found that we can avoid conflict with the oyster bailiffs by refraining from launching and recovering our boats during the two hour periods around low water (low water at the river entrance is 10 to 15 min before LW Falmouth). As with all our camps, we will need to leave the site as we would wish to find it. In the event of prolonged wet weather, we should take care not to create muddy tracks when driving out of the field, perhaps leaving cars at the top of the field.
Site Facilities
- tap water at the top of the field.
- grey and waste disposal on the field for Elsan waste disposal.
- access to the foreshore via a steep cutting.
- a gentle slope.
Site Restrictions
No dogs or pets of any description are permitted at camp.
The camping field is tent only. It may be possible to accommodate other sorts of camping vehicle, and usually only in extenuating circumstances, with the permission of the land owner, via the camp organisers.
Dinghies should be stored in a line near the top of the slip but leaving enough space for operation of the pulley system.
The slip way to the beach is steep and can be very slippery when wet – please use the ladder and handrail.
Vehicles should be parked across the slope of the field so that in the event of handbrake failure the vehicle will remain stationary.
For some mobile phone providers, users will not pick up a signal on the campsite and a walk 200m up the hill may be necessary to get reception.
Sailing
The sailing area is spectacular, including potential destinations of
- Gweek
- Ferry Boat Inn
- Tremaine Quay
- Coverack
- St Mawes
- Falmouth
- Maenporth
- Carrick Roads
- (Overnight destination Truro)
As well as excellent local sailing in Helford Passage itself.

Typical Camp Activities
This is the sort of things that we get up to on camp – none of these things can be done at a single location, but these are the sorts of things our family camping programme tends to offer.
Day | Activity |
1 | Set up camp. Local sailing PM |
2 | Shakedown Sail – local fleet sail to nearby destination |
3 | Long fleet sail – 20 to 26 miles, experienced adventurers only. Local sailing for families |
4 | Long fleet sail – meet families who have travelled there by car |
5 | Pirates Breakfast – early morning adventure for kids under 8, followed by a waterfight for all. Afternoon paddle to local venue |
6 | Family walk, local sailing |
7 | Day out at the beach, sand castle competition, body boarding |
8 | Fleet sail to a local beach with kids and picnic. |
9 | Long fleet sail – over 20 miles |
10 | Fleet sail with families for brunch at a local town. Fun games on the field for all ages, including egg and spoon and egg sandwich, welly throwing, tug of war, ridiculous games where everyone gets wet. |
11 | Late evening fleet sail and paddle to a pub, night sail and paddle back in absolute pitch black looking for phosphorescence in the water, navigation lights are a good idea |
12 | Regatta – series of sailing races culminating in an all-in swimming / canoeing / sailing relay race. Camp fire in the evening. |
13 | Sail to a pub for ice-cream |
14 | Chicken Run – a sailing game where the aim is to arrive at the finish line at a particular given time. Pub lunch. |
15 | Treasure Hunt, Walk, Local sailing |
16 | Camp closes |
Joining instructions will be sent to members about two weeks before.