Things to do in Falmouth
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Café Cinnamon Girl
Look no further for lunch than this cute little organic café, locally famous for its bumper-sized sandwiches, homemade soups and trademark roasted veg. The free wi-fi's a bonus.
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Pendennis Castle
Perched on the promontory of Pendennis Point, Pendennis Castle was constructed from 1540 to 1545 by Henry VIII as one of a chain of fortresses designed to defend the British mainland from Spanish and French invasion. Falmouth's deepwater harbour made the town a key strategic asset, and Pendennis was built, along with its sister fortress of St Mawes, to defend the harbour and the entrance to the Carrick Roads.
During the Civil War, the castle was engaged in a five-month siege under the command of Captain John Arundell of Trerice, and later became a defensive gun battery during WWII. These days the guns have fallen silent, but you can still experience a taste of Tudor warfa…
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Pandora Inn
Prepare to fall in love with the Pandora, one of Cornwall's oldest and best-loved waterside pubs, ensconced in a heart-melting spot by Restronguet Creek. Foot-thick walls, scuffed-wood tables, ship's lanterns and a huge abandoned anchor outside conjure up the smugglers'-den vibe, and you can sink your drinks on the pontoon to the sound of clanking yacht masts.
Hardy souls can even sample some of the Pandora's fabled smuggler's rum: at 80% proof, though, you might need to arrange for a taxi home. Or an ambulance. The Pandora sits on the edge of Restronguet Creek, about 1km northeast of the village of Mylor Bridge. Heading south on the main A39 road from Truro to Falmouth, …
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Enterprise Boats
Offers boat trips around Falmouth Bay and the Fal Estuary. It operates three wooden-hulled boats along the picturesque River Fal, calling at Trelissick Gardens and Smuggler's Cottage at Tolverne en route to Truro. Depending on the tides, the boats sometimes stop at Malpas, 3 miles downriver from Truro; free double-deckers connect with the harbourmaster's office near the city centre.
There are also trips from Truro to St Mawes. Boat trips run every two hours or so in both directions depending on the time of year. Cruises include an onboard commentary detailing local wildlife and points of interest such as Pill Creek (setting of the film Treasure Island), Tregothnan (the Se…
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National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Falmouth's illustrious seafaring takes centre stage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, situated on the town's heavily redeveloped dockside. The museum houses one of the largest maritime collections in the UK, second only to its sister museum in Greenwich in London. At the heart of the complex is the huge Flotilla Gallery, where boats dangle from the ceiling by slender steel wires, while suspended walkways wind their way around the collection of yachts, schooners, punts and canoes.
Other highlights include the Set Sail exhibit, which tells the story of nine groundbreaking boats, and the Lookout, with a 360-degree panorama of Falmouth Bay. The museum even has its own…
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Twinstar Cruises
Offers boat trips around Falmouth Bay and the Fal Estuary. It is the only company with its own catamaran, and also offers cruises along the River Helford and Frenchman's Creek.
Cruises include an onboard commentary detailing local wildlife and points of interest such as Pill Creek (setting of the film Treasure Island), Tregothnan (the Seat of Lord Falmouth and the site of Cornwall's only tea plantation), and embarkation points for US troops during the D-Day invasions.
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Newman's Cruises
Offers boat trips around Falmouth Bay and the Fal Estuary as far as Trelissick and Tolverne.
Cruises include an onboard commentary detailing local wildlife and points of interest such as Pill Creek (setting of the film Treasure Island), Tregothnan (the Seat of Lord Falmouth and the site of Cornwall's only tea plantation), and embarkation points for US troops during the D-Day invasions.
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K&S Cruises
Offers boat trips around Falmouth Bay and the Fal Estuary as far as Trelissick and Tolverne.
Cruises include an onboard commentary detailing local wildlife and points of interest such as Pill Creek (setting of the film Treasure Island), Tregothnan (the Seat of Lord Falmouth and the site of Cornwall's only tea plantation), and embarkation points for US troops during the D-Day invasions.
reviewed
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Maenporth Beach
A couple of miles further along from Swanpool Beach is Maenporth Beach, trammelled by cliffs and a fine spot for some sheltered swimming. There's also a small beach café selling drinks, snacks and ice-creams. All of Falmouth's beaches are accessible from the coast path, or you can catch the X89 bus from town. There are car parks at Swanpool and Maenporth, but they fill up quickly in summer.
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Swanpool Beach
A pleasant half-hour stroll along the headland is Swanpool Beach, backed by a small inland lagoon and nature reserve, populated by grebes, coots, kingfishers and mute swans. All of Falmouth's beaches are accessible from the coast path, or you can catch the X89 bus from town. There are car parks at Swanpool and Maenporth, but they fill up quickly in summer.
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Hunky Dory
Local seafood takes top billing at this laid-back restaurant, split over two floors of a listed building near the old Customs House. The menu is bang up-to-date, blending European and Asian flavours with top-notch Cornish produce, and the setting is nicely minimal, mixing Mediterranean tones with pale wood and rough whitewashed walls.
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Gyllyngvase Beach
Falmouth is blessed with a trio of town beaches. Most popular is Gyllyngvase Beach, a flat sandy beach backed by the funky Gylly Beach Café. All of Falmouth's beaches are accessible from the coast path, or you can catch the X89 bus from town. There are car parks at Swanpool and Maenporth, but they fill up quickly in summer.
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Gylly Beach Café
The decked patio over Gyllyngvase is the main draw at this lively beach restaurant. It covers all bases: fry-ups and pancakes for brekkie, platters of antipasti for lunch, quality steak, seafood and pasta after dark. It's open late for drinks, too, but gets very busy.
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Bistro de la Mer
An old fave with Falmouth foodies, this snug little bistro brings a soupçon of Gallic flair to Arwenack St. The tables are packed in tight and you'll be elbow-to-elbow with your neighbours, but the menu's authentically French and makes good use of fresh Cornish fish and seafood.
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Three Mackerel
Not exactly handy for town, but a fine choice for beachside dining if you're down Swanpool way. Sophisticated Med-style dishes and barbecue-grilled tapas are served on the beach-view sundeck in summer, or in the sparkly dining room on inclement days.
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Boathouse
Groovy gastropub with a ship's galley feel, and a deck overlooking the river to Flushing.
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Harbour Lights
Sometimes you can't do better than a good old-fashioned fish supper, and this place does the best cod 'n' chips in town (sustainably sourced, of course). There's even a nice little dining room overlooking the quay.
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Fal River Links
The website at Fal River Links has contact details and timetables for all the cruise companies, plus suggestions for local walks including the Oyster Way, a 3-hour ramble from Tolverne to St Mawes.
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Quayside
Just along the quay from the Chain Locker, this busy boozer is the place for a sunset pint, with picnic tables beside the harbour and a twin-floored pub selling German lager and local beers.
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Poly
The old Falmouth Arts Centre has had a recent revamp as an arthouse cinema, and shows all the brilliant European films and low-budget Brit flicks you never get to see down the Odeon.
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Princess Pavilion
The town's main venue for live events, with gigs, theatre and tribute bands aplenty, and the annual Cornwall Film Festival (www.cornwallfilmfestival.com) every November.
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Jam
Impossibly funky music emporium-cum-cappuccino bar, with a just-so selection of vinyl and CDs, great coffee and leather sofas to lounge around on. Nice…
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Blue South
Sister venue to the Blue Bar on Porthtowan, this beachy bar offers a similarly chilled vibe, with deep sofas, draft beers and a menu of munchie mains.
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Chain Locker
Shiver-me-timbers - a classic old sea-dog of a pub, with the all-important low ceilings, heart-stopping ales and hugger-mugger atmosphere.
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MI Bar
For something slicker, try this stripped-back bar with pool tables, live bands, big-screen sports and casino nights.
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