An unashamed eulogy to an exquisite body of water, Five Million Tides tells the story of Cornwall’s Helford River from the Mesolithic to the dawning of the twenty-first century. Beginning with prehistoric pioneers and their megalithic successors, this account goes on to expose a remarkable truth: the Helford became one of the most significant waterways in Europe during the Iron Age and Roman periods. Despite being mainland Britain’s most southerly haven, it has not always been a place of good fortune. Once a thriving seat of Celtic Christianity, it would end up more associated with villainous seafarers. Nor could it be always relied upon for sanctuary from storms, as the numerous graves of mariners in its village churchyards attest. Although now overshadowed by its more famous siblings, the Helford truly is the enigmatic beauty of the family whose rich past deserves wider knowledge.