Falmouth is a colourful and creative town bursting with character. Primarily, it’s a seafaring town with an enormous maritime history. It has the deepest harbour in Europe and, as such, was the first place in the country to receive news from overseas via the packet ships and precious cargos of tea, silks and spices from far shores on clipper ships.
While commerce boomed in the town so, too, did art. The Falmouth Art College has a fantastic reputation, and its black and white art deco buildings are beautiful, set in grounds packed with exotic plants vibrant with colour and sculptural forms.
Some of the art inspired by this part of Cornwall is on view at the Falmouth Art Gallery in a collection that spans pre-Raphaelites art to the primary colours of John Dyer’s paintings.
The narrow, cobbled lanes of the harbour town twist and turn to reveal unexpected views of the sea and are lined with small, independent boutiques, many displaying local arts and crafts.
Likewise, there are numerous bars, bistros and restaurants excelling in their use of locally reared meat, freshly landed fish, locally grown and foraged ingredients.
There are five beautiful golden sandy beaches nearby – offering an escape from the hustle and bustle. Gyllynvase beach is a ten-minute walk from the heart of the town and not only wows with its surf but hosts a great gastro cafe to boot.
Much of Falmouth's energy comes from hosting numerous festivals that celebrate oysters, sea shanties, tall ships and more. Visitors and locals alike come together in Events Square for long weekends of good ale, fine food and great company.
The Square is also home to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. This superb collection has its focus firmly fixed on the the town’s maritime history, but it offers plenty of interactive activities. This year’s exhibition on pirates is an invitation to explore the way we think of them as heroes or cut-throats.
Falmouth is a heady mix of seafaring, creativity, and energy. This town is simply one of a kind.
READ MORE: Hotel review: Royal Duchy Hotel, Falmouth
TALL SHIPS
This year Falmouth is hosting the start of the Tall Ships Race, Magellan - Elcano. Seeing the magnificent vessels from the International Tall Ships fleet sail into the historic port is simply breathtaking.
It is also possible to board several of the largest ‘A class’ ships when berthed at the docks to get a closer look.
The world-famous ships will arrive in Falmouth on August 15 and there follows three days of shoreside events before the race begins on Friday, August 18.
Prior to the start of the race, there is a Parade of Sail, in which the ships cruise together around Falmouth Bay. Seeing these beautiful ships under sail is one of the most extraordinary sights, whether watching from land or water.
The ships chart a course to A Coruna in Spain, then onward to Portugal’s capital, Lisbon before finishing in Cadiz, Spain
OUT AND ABOUT
With its maritime history and spectacular location, Falmouth brings out the seafarer in you - and you don’t need a boat of your own to take to the water.
A fun outing is to catch the passenger ferry to St Mawes for a little something to eat or drink. It’s a pretty seaside village on the Roseland peninsula that sits opposite Falmouth, just a 20 minute or so passage across the bay.
Keen fishing folk can book a boat trip in the search for mackerel, dog fish, pollock, rass and cod.
There are also a number of wildlife boats which often find dolphins, porpoises and seals, as well as the chance to see a stunning variety of seabirds.
Hiring a kayak or paddleboard from one of the town beaches, and teaming it with a picnic, offers the perfect chance to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a secluded beach that’s only accessible by boat.
