HELSTON, a market town and municipal borough of Corn wall, England, 1 1 m. W.S.W. of Falmouth. Pop. (1931) Helston (Henliston, Haliston, Helleston), the capital of the Meneage district of Cornwall, was held by Earl Harold in the time of the Confessor and by King William at the Domesday Survey. In 1585 Elizabeth granted a charter of incorporation, which was confirmed in 1641. From 1294 to 1832 Helston re turned two members to parliament. In 1774 the number of electors (which by usage had been restricted to the mayor, alder men and freemen elected by them) had dwindled to six, and in 1790 to one person only.
The town is situated on the river Cober, which expands into Looe Pool, the water being banked up by Looe Bar at the mouth. The mining industry on which the town formerly depended is extinct, but the district is agricultural and dairy farming is car ried on. Helston is the nearest railway station to the Lizard, and there is a considerable tourist traffic in summer. Some trade passes through the small port of Porthleven, 3 m. south-west. A holiday held on May 8 (Flora day) was marked by floral decorations and the chanting of folk songs. Attempts have been made to revive it in recent years.