Helston and surrounding villages (Cornwall)

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

We (myself, husband and 2 young children) are considering a move to Cornwall if a suitable job comes up. We are looking at Helston area and are hoping for some local insight into what life is like there for a family. We'd like to know about living in Helston, local villages we may not have considered, playgroups, primary schools, information about nearby secondary schools and any areas to avoid and for what reasons.

[VitaSackvileVest]

finding a decent job is going to be the most challenging part of your move.

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Are you local to the area Vita?

[VitaSackvileVest]

No, but my DH's family is local.

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Can I ask what your impression is of Helston when you visit?

[stubbornstains]

Parts of Helston, like Cross St and Church St, are absolutely gorgeous, and pretty underrated for Cornwall, so I think that property is pretty reasonable (for Cornwall). There are loads of little old hidden bits and back streets- best discovered on Flora Day . The town centre is ringed by pretty charmless estates, though. Nightlife is supposed to be a bit dire, as it's a military town. The Blue Anchor pub's really nice though.

Down at the bottom of town is a park with a skate park- carry on out of town and it turns into a huge NT estate called Penrose that goes all the way to the sea at Loe Bar, with tarmaced tracks for buggies and bikes. It's totally unknown to tourists, but a real hidden gem.

Park Eglos School is v. good, but oversubscribed. There are lots of teeny tiny schools in the surrounding area, managing to survive because they have joined up in various partnerships and federations.

I could tell you about the lovely nearby village I live in, but then I'd have to shoot you .

[KnowYourEnemy1]

Agree with Vita, jobs are hard to come by in Helston. If you want to move to that area of Cornwall, I would consider Falmouth - better links to the rest of the county. Agree, Parc Eglos is a wonderful school but I dont think its vastly oversubscribed.

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Thanks Stubborn and Enemy, very helpful.
I had already clocked Penrose as nearby and gorgeous. Right on the doorstep too. Depending on where my doorstep ends up being!
Stubborn - do you know if there are many of the smaller villages nearby which have a good community feel to them - and are large enough to have a toddler group and local school? If you could name a few for me to look into I'd be so grateful!

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Anyone got any information about Constantine or Mawgan Smith?

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Or Porthlevan?

[TheVeryHungryMummy]

Auto correct didn't like that... Porthleven!

[TheTeaFairy]

Mullion secondary school has a very good reputation at least, it did a few years ago when I was researching schools in the area

Good luck with your move.