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.
-
A vineyard for sale on the slopes above 'the best beach in Britain' is for sale at just £650,000In the beautifully unspoilt Devon village of Bantham, an award-winning vineyard is for sale. Toby Keel takes a look.
-
The sun will come out for the Country Life Quiz of the Day, November 14, 2025Try your luck at today's quiz.
-
Retro rubbish: Waste from the 90s unearthed in 97-mile-long beach cleanThe 6,482 volunteers unearthed waste discarded decades ago among the 232,229 pieces of litter recorded during the initiative.
-
Dangerous beasts (and where to find them): Britain's animals that are best left aloneJohn Lewis-Stempel provides a miscellany of our otherwise benign land’s more fearsome critters.
-
Mystery, muse and metaphor: There's more to fog than meets the eyeSmothering, transformative and beautiful, fog’s close-set shroud has inspired titans of literature, cinema and art — and forces the rest of us to look at the world a little closer.
-
Take a bough: How — and why — you should plant a mature treeFor instant impact in a newly landscaped garden, there’s nothing quite like planting mature trees or native hedgerow plants for transformative and long-lasting results.
-
'The view changes with the seasons, so there’s always something new to see': David Beckham on one of his favourite sights in the CotswoldsSir David Beckham discovered this Cotswolds view while looking for a house to buy.
-
'It makes me feel as if I’ve done a good job as a father and that I did the right thing in wanting us to have a house here': David Beckham on why the countryside matters so much to him and his familySir David Beckham talks to Paula Minchin about discovering the joys of beekeeping and gardening.
-
‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now'Now is the time to firstly, hug a tree, and secondly, plant some more — in increasingly imaginative ways.
-
The secret life of seeds: The little wonders that sustain all life on EarthThey might not be especially striking to look at — if you can see them at all — but seeds are among the natural world’s most awe-inspiring marvels.
