Falmouth

Falmouth is a vibrant town in Cornwall situated on a harbour with excellent beaches and many things to see and do around the area. The impressive harbour is home to a vast amount of ships and activities. The town is surrounded by some fine beaches all with their own individual charm and beauty. The town itself is a lively mix of bars, restaurants and independent shops. There are some fantastic accommodation options in Falmouth and it is certainly a must-see place if you are visiting Cornwall.

History

Falmouth dates back to the 17th century where the port was built, outgrowing the town of Penryn next to it. 2 forts were built in Falmouth by Henry VIII during the civil war IN 1642. After the war Falmouth continued to grow and when it was made the Royal packing station in 1688 it grew at pace. When the railways reached Falmouth in the 19th century it became a popular holiday destination as well as a thriving port. Falmouth played its part in WW2 and even sadly lost 31 residents due to the German bombing. With a population of 22,000 locals, today the main industry is tourism and the town certainly delivers to the many guests that visit each year.

Beaches

Things to Do

The beaches in and around Falmouth make for a great day out and of course the beaches are free so a great way to spend some quality family time. In addition to the beaches though Falmouth has many other attractions linking to its history and beauty. The Maritime Museum is a fun way to learn about the influence the sea has had on the region and throughout the year they have exciting exhibitions that you can join, please check their website for details on when these exhibitions are. Pendennis and St Mawes Castles are open to the public to explore. Get transported back to Henry VIII’s time when he was building a sea fort and commissioned these castles to be built. Both castles have some great exhibitions for you to attend too. One of the most popular things to do in Falmouth is the river tour, set off from the harbour and explore the beauty of the River Fal. In addition to this kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boards, surfing and fishing - basically every water sport activity you could ask for. In addition to water-related activities, the area is packed full of cycling and hiking routes, perfect for a cycling or dog walking holiday.

Eating & Drinking

One of the best night’s out in Cornwall, Falmouth has a wide selection of bars, restaurants and festivals. There are some excellent fine dining restaurants serving the freshest local produce you can imagine, as well as some more informal dining choices with sea views and a fantastic variety of food.Boo Koos serves one of the best burgers around and their menu is amazing. Michael Caine’s new restaurant in Maen Cove serves a seasonal, produce-led menu with a view to match. Takeaway cuisine from all over the world - perfect if you have one of our self-catering accommodation options in and around Falmouth.Head to The Brigg Pirate bar for a cocktail and some eats and immerse yourself in a pirate-themed underground snug. Beerwolf Books, a bar with a difference gives you a trendy hangout and features its own library.There are plenty of quirky places to explore in Falmouth but actually, some of the best bars and restaurants are just the ones with no frills that look out onto that amazing view across the harbour or the beach. During peak times live music is a common feature of the town.During the summer months, you will also find festivals throughout the town, The Sea Shanty Festival, Falmouth week, The Spring Festival and even a gin festival to name a few. The town really does have a great atmosphere. The Princess Pavilions has live acts too such as Ibiza classics, so always check what is going on in Falmouth before you book so you don’t miss out.

Getting Here

Falmouth has a train station which you can use to come from all over the country but also from Truro or surrounding towns that have a station such as Penzance so if you are staying near then check out the train timetables for easy access into the town. Falmouth also has a bus station and again there are regular buses from surrounding areas accessing the town every day, particularly in the peak seasons. There are car parks in the town but it’s best to use the park and ride so that you don’t have the hassle of finding a space within the town. There is some street parking but as you can imagine some are reserved for locals and it is hard to find a space especially when it is busy.