Lotte Brundle
One of seven creeks feeding into Cornwall's Helford River, the tree-shrouded, slow-running Mawgan Creek — not to be confused with the glamorous Mawgan Porth on the north coast — serves as an unspoilt antidote to some of the county’s more overvisited corners.
An air of serenity hangs over its banks, broken only by the lapping of the tide, fluting birdsong and perhaps the occasional whoop of a jubilant kayaker. To that end, taking to the water — or walking alongside it, picking your way through the trees — is highly recommended. Rowing boats, standup paddle-boards and kayaks are all richly enjoyable means of immersing yourself in the creek’s dappled beauty. Stay alert and you might even encounter a kingfisher or two.
Helford River at Helford Passage.
A short distance to the east flows the similarly charming, but better known Frenchman’s Creek, immortalised in Daphne du Maurier’s 1941 novel of the same name. Its Gallic appellation harks back to the smuggling era, when it’s said that shipments of brandy and lace were stashed among these very creeks.
Photographer Lucy Laucht, who lives between New York and Cornwall, regularly captures the area on her Instagram and, by the looks of it, it's well worth a visit.
Visiting Mawgan Creek:
The creek is best reached by car. There is parking available near the village of Mawgan, but it is limited, so early arrival would be wise if visiting during a popular time. Walking from the village provides a chance to enjoy the countryside views. For nearby stays try The Boathouse or Rock Cottage.
Frenchman's Creek is an easy visit from Mawgan Creek.
-
Athena: In the eyes of Government, will the Arts always be last?After a year of Labour rule, life doesn't seem to be getting any better for Britain's cultural institutions.
-
A castle that's 'a masterpiece of the baronial revival' with 17 bedrooms, breathtaking gardens and its own miniature railwayMajestic, imposing, graceful, romantic... Ayton Castle is the very picture of
-
Sir Francis Beaufort: The man who measured the wind and set the foundations for the Shipping ForecastNeptune’s realm may never be tamed by Man, but Sir Francis Beaufort ensured seafarers have a way to measure the winds
-
Galls: Nature's most beautiful, horrifying and intriguing parasitesA playground for aphids, wasp eggs, and funghi — galls come in all shapes and sizes
-
Five years of drought means there's only one conclusion for Britain's farmers: 'Climate change is real and affecting us now'The cumulative effects of the past five years of hot weather are causing chaos for farmers — and there's no signs that it will improve. Jane Wheatley reports.
-
The ring ouzel: The mystery behind the common blackbird's feral twinA master of disguise, inexplicably shy and unpredictably wild, the increasingly rare ring ouzel warrants giving any blackbird a second glance.
-
The winners and losers of summer 2025, from foragers to fishermen, and turtles to troutBlue skies and rising mercury have been a theme of this summer, but there are always those who thrive and those who struggle in unusual times.
-
'Two months to the Moon, three for rest and refreshment and two more for the return': The English stork success storyLong unseen on British shores, white stork chicks are hatching once again in the UK and a colony is now flourishing in West Sussex thanks to a pioneering restoration project.
-
Storm overflow plan 'needs flushing down the lavatory once and for all' say angling groups as perilous state of English rivers revealedThe recently published Cunliffe Report shows that 'waterways are suffering from chronic neglect, corporate greed and useless regulation'.
-
From Queen bees to Queen Camilla, how one woman built a multi-million pound beauty empire out of bee venomDeborah Mitchell's skincare range has generated quite a buzz among celebrities including HRH and Victoria Beckham.
