Helston was an important centre in Cornwall's mining days when it was one of the Stannary towns. It has a commercial centre with branches of all the main banks and a Post Office. The bustling market town of Helston lies midway between Penzance and Falmouth. It is situated along the banks of the river Cober in Cornwall. Helston is an ancient market town. Coinagehall Street is the main thoroughfare, Meneage Street and Church Street run off it, and contain various shops, pubs and Helstons Museum. The town was the birth-place of Bob Fitzsimmons, Britain's first heavyweight boxing champion. The town has a wealth of traditional inns and taverns with interesting interiors, lots of history and good food. The Blue Anchor, a historic thatched pub believed to be the oldest brew house in the country. It brews Spingo ales, all of which are incredibly strong. The River Cober flows through Helston and empties into The Loe, a large lake just west of the town. This is separated from the sea by a wide bank of soft, white sand which is called Loe Bar. Praa Sand is a popular surfing beach and is well known for it's powerful waves. The main feature is the extensive sandy beach which stretches for about a mile between Rinsey Head in the east and Hoe Point in the west. The Furry, or Flora Dance is held every year on May 8th unless that day falls on a Sunday or Monday, when it is held on the preceding Saturday. The town is decked out with bluebells, gorse, laurel leaves and colour. The children of the town dance. The dancers weave in and out of the shops, houses and gardens behind the Helston Band playing the famous Flora Dance tune. Helston Museum is one of the largest folk museums in the South West. The building was originally designed as the town's Market House in 1837, with two separate buildings one for Butter and Eggs, the other the Meat Market. The Museum's collection reflects both the social and industrial history of The Lizard Peninsula, from mining, fishing and farming through to home life in the 18th-20th centuries. The Flambards opened in 1976 and has some of the best fairground rides in Cornwall. Flambards was a period television drama in the 1970s, which inspired this full size reconstruction of the Victorian Village. The Chemists Shop offers a unique glimpse of medicines of the day.
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