As ancient woodlands bordering the Helford River turn red, so oyster lovers can take the perfect seasonal river trip to discover a two thousand year history of their favourite bi-valve mollusc.

The Romans famously shucked their oysters at Port Navas on the site where the Duchy Oyster Farm still harvests and supplies demand in Cornwall and London's exclusive oyster bars.

Tours begin around a bend of the river on the private foreshore of the Budock Vean Hotel – where the expert guides from Koru Kayaking share their wealth of knowledge either from kayaks or aboard the river boat Hannah Molly.

The trips take visitors along the northern bank of the Helford to the mouth of the river – past the world-famous gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan from where thousands of US troops embarked for Normandy and the D-Day landings in May 1944.

The story of the humble oyster and its production continues along the south bank, dipping into Frenchman's Creek (of Daphne du Maurier fame), while always on the lookout for kingfishers, egrets, even seals and dolphins.

“Autumn is a wonderfully quiet time on the Helford and our colleagues at Koru provide the most atmospheric and vibrant tours – especially by kayak where there is no noise apart from the voice of your guide and the dipping of paddles in the water,” says the Budock Vean's Martin Barlow. “But we cover a great deal of the river aboard the Hannah Molly – where we also have a lot of fun and you don't need a wetsuit!”

Koru's Hetty Wildblood adds, “The oyster farming is fascinating to see as you can literally follow the life cycle of the oyster farming on a Helford River Cruise and paddle up to the oyster cages and station on a Koru Kayak Adventure. This in addition the abundance of birdlife seen including, of course, oyster catchers!”

Following their river tour guests can wander back through the Budock Vean's organically managed ravine gardens to shuck their own plate of pristine oysters (among the many delicious lunch options) looking out over the hotel's 65 acres of grounds and fairways in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Budock Vean is a family-owned, luxury country house hotel near Falmouth with golf course, tennis courts, indoor pool and outdoor hot tub as well as its Natural Health Spa and award-winning restaurant.

Details of the hotel's special Autumn Breaks can be found at www.budockvean.co.uk/offers/autumn-special-breaks . Guests booking a minimum 3-night dinner bed and breakfast deal can quote Kayak15 to receive a complimentary 2-hour guided kayaking tour. More at http://www.budockvean.co.uk/offers-and-breaks/kayaking-offer  or call 01326 250288.  

Notes to editors:-

• The multi award winning Budock Vean Hotel is a family run, luxury four star hotel with outstanding leisure facilities including its James Braid golf course, a spectacular indoor swimming pool with log fire, sauna, outdoor hot tub, natural health spa, tennis courts, private foreshore and award winning restaurant specialising in best Cornish produce. The hotel's 65 acres of sub-tropical gardens running down to the Helford River are set amid some of the most beautiful natural coastal and river scenery in the country.
  For more please see www.budockvean.co.uk  or call 01326 250288
• Koru Kayaking's Hetty and Tom Wildblood and their expert team run Frenchman's Creek Kayak Adventures along the Helford River and creeks from the Budock Vean's private foreshore as well as North Cornwall Coast Kayak Adventures along the Poldark coastline from Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes. For more information visit www.korukayaking.co.uk/ or call 0779 4321 827 

Contacts:-

• Louise Midgley Communications – 01326 316678 / 07831 696093 - louise@midgleycomms.co.uk
• Budock Vean Hotel – Nicky Miller - 01326 252112 - management@budockvean.co.uk
• Koru Kayaking – Hetty Wildblood – hetty@korukayaking.co.uk   - 0779 4321 827