Introducing Falmouth

The maritime port of Falmouth sits on the county’s south coast at the end of the Carrick Roads, a huge river estuary that empties out into the third deepest natural harbour in the world. Falmouth’s fortunes were made during the 18th and 19th centuries, when clippers, trading vessels and mail packets from across the world stopped off to unload their cargoes in the town, and Falmouth remains an important centre for shipbuilding and repairs. These days, however, it’s better known for its lively nightlife and the newly-built campus of the CUC (Combined Universities of Cornwall), a few miles up the road in Penryn; although salty seadogs can still get a taste of the town’s nautical heritage at the stunning National Maritime Museum beside the harbour.

The tourist office (312300; falmouthtic@yahoo.co.uk; 28 Killigrew St; 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sat Apr-Sep, Mon-Fri Oct-Mar, plus 10am-2pm Sun Jul & Aug) is opposite the bus terminal.