Lat 50.1172° N, lon 5.1065° W●Cornish village

Mawnan SmithMawnan

Mawnan Smith is a village in the parish of Mawnan, about three miles south of Falmouth.

Where to stay

Mawnan Smith at a glance

Mawnan Smith: a village south of Falmouth near Glendurgan and Trebah gardens on the Helford River

Mawnan Smith is a village in the parish of Mawnan, about three miles south of Falmouth. The parish is rural and bounded by the Helford River to the south and the sea to the east. It lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the coast from Toll Point to Rosemullion Head is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The name may come from the four smithies that once served the parish farms. The last one closed in 1994, and the Mawnan Anvil Trust has since restored it as a working forge. St Michael's church in the village was built in 1876, while the 13th century parish church of St Mawnan and St Stephen stands at Mawnan Church, the old church town of the parish.

Two of Cornwall's best known gardens are just outside the village. Glendurgan, a National Trust valley garden about half a mile south west, runs down to Durgan on the Helford River and has a cherry laurel maze planted in 1833. Next door, Trebah is a 26 acre garden running down to Polgwidden Beach, from where the assault on Omaha Beach was launched in the Second World War.

The Red Lion on The Square is a Grade II listed building, partly thatched, dating from the 18th century. CAMRA describes it as a community local that is popular with walkers. Carwinion and Penjerrick are other gardens in the parish open to the public.

Buses stop in the village, including outside the Red Lion and at Glendurgan Gardens. Services run between Falmouth and Helston via Helford Passage and RNAS Culdrose, and between Falmouth and Helford Passage. Maenporth beach is on the coast towards Falmouth.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions about Mawnan Smith

Where is Mawnan Smith?

Mawnan Smith is in south Cornwall, about three miles south of Falmouth, in the parish of Mawnan. The parish runs down to the Helford River in the south and the sea in the east. Its postcode district is TR11.

How far is Glendurgan Garden from Mawnan Smith?

Glendurgan is about half a mile south west of the village, at TR11 5JZ. It is a National Trust valley garden that leads down to Durgan on the Helford River, with a cherry laurel maze planted in 1833. Dogs on short fixed leads are welcome in the garden but not in the maze.

What is Trebah Garden?

Trebah is a 26 acre sub tropical garden next to Glendurgan, running down to Polgwidden Beach on the Helford River. In the Second World War, the assault on Omaha Beach was launched from the beach below the garden. It opened to the public in 1987 and has been run by the Trebah Garden Trust since 1990.

Is the Red Lion in Mawnan Smith still open?

The Red Lion is on The Square, TR11 5EP, phone 01326 250026. CAMRA lists it as open, and its own website describes a family run, dog friendly pub with food, a small car park and a log fire. Check opening times before you visit. The building is Grade II listed and partly thatched.

What beaches are near Mawnan Smith?

Durgan Beach, below Glendurgan, is a small, sheltered pebble beach on the Helford River, on the South West Coast Path. Maenporth, about 2 miles south south west of Falmouth, is a sandy cove that shelves gently, with parking, a cafe and toilets. Polgwidden Beach lies at the foot of Trebah Garden.

Where can I park near Mawnan Smith?

Glendurgan has a pay and display car park using the JustPark app, free for National Trust members who register their card, and it locks at 5pm. The Red Lion has a small car park for customers. Buses from Falmouth also stop at Glendurgan Gardens and in the village.

⌖

Interactive map

Looking for somewhere to stay in Mawnan Smith?

See the stays on the map, add your dates and guests, then check availability on Booking.com.

Plan your stay in Mawnan Smith on the map