Located at the bottom of Coinagehall Street
behind the Humphry Millett Grylls Monument
The bowling green is reputed to have been the site of
Helleston Castle which was erected by Edmund, earl of Cornwall between
the years 1271-1300. It is likely that at that time the head of Loe Pool extended
much further north than today.
The late Mr. Francis Cunnack once told W.F.Ivey that he
could point out distinct traces of the sea washing the cliffside in the Lowertown
Valley. It is recorded that in 1478 William of Worcester visited the town
and found the Castle in an even more advanced state of decay, but that at
the time traces were still to be found.
Leland had been commissioned by Henry VIII to complete
a survey of the major towns and cities in the country, but so ancient was
the Helston Castle and lacking any information, it was not possible to establish
the exact style of the structure.
Helston Bowling Green began its history in 1760.
It has been asserted that the Helston club could well
be the oldest in the country.
The
following old photographs of the Bowling Green were very kindly donated
to the Helston History website by
Mr
DENIS WILLIAMS shortly before his death in November 2008.