Falmouth is a lovely location for you to spend a weekend or a couple of days in, and you may be surprised by the number of things to do in Falmouth!
Falmouth is a University town in Cornwall and also has the largest port in the area. It is an important seaside town thanks to its natural harbour on the Fal estuary but there are also some incredible beaches and lots of things to do. So if you are planning on spending some time in the town, then here are some of the activities in Falmouth to consider.
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Where to stay in Falmouth
You may perhaps only be spending one night in Falmouth as part of a longer Cornwall trip, so you are either going to be wanting it to be extra special or you are treating it as just a bed as you plan to make the most of every hour you have. Here are a couple of options to consider.
Budget-friendly Falmouth accommodation
One of the most budget-friendly ways to see a new place is to go camping, and Falmouth has an array of exciting campsites that you can experience. With prices for camping staying as low as £10 per night, you are going to be able to experience the location and have fun while you are doing it. Perfect for couples or families. One campsite, in particular, is Tregedna Farm Holidays.
The site is just a 10 minute drive from Falmouth Harbour, so a perfect location if you’re visiting Falmouth on a budget.
Check out the website for more information and booking.
Somewhere a little different to stay in Falmouth
If you are wanting something a little different then look no further than The Falmouth Hotel. It is a stunning hotel and a beachfront property, with incredible ocean view rooms with balconies. It is a lovely location perfect for you to explore Falmouth. Prices start from £144 per night.
Top of the range accommodation in Falmouth
Last of all, you may want something a little more luxurious for your trip, so why not consider staying at The Royal Duchy Hotel. It oozes luxury at every turn and with incredible facilities, you may want to stay more than one night. Prices start from £350 per night.
The best Falmouth things to do
Falmouth is a great stop on your way to exploring the south of Cornwall, so if you’re spending a day and a night in Falmouth, or longer, here are some of the best things to see in Falmouth on your trip.
Visit Pendennis Castle
A great castle for everyone to visit, it was built in the Tudor era by Henry VIII to protect England from invasion thanks to its advantageous position on the coast.
It is a lovely location and one of the things that Falmouth is famous for. It is an English Heritage site and is a great way to learn a little more of the history of England and what the castle will have been used for.
Members can visit the castle for free, otherwise adult tickets cost £12.20and children cost £7.30. Check out the website for more information and opening times.
National Maritime Museum
Falmouth is rich in maritime history. After all, it has one of the deepest harbours in the world. So a visit to the museum to learn all about that should be on your list of places to visit in Falmouth.
Located right on the harbour, you can’t miss this museum! With heritage boat tours and interactive events and exhibitions, you really can make a day out for the whole family at the NMM.
Adult tickets cost £14.95 and children cost £7.50, correct at the time of writing.
Go to the Beach
With some of the best beaches in England, you can’t plan a trip to Cornwall without visiting a beach or two! Falmouth’s resident beach is Gyllyngvase Beach – a beautiful white sandy beach that’s popular with locals and tourists alike. The water is shallow enough to paddle and you’ll find rock pools at either end, perfect for paddling and crabbing.
There’s also Swanpool beach a little further along the coast from Gyllyngvase Beach. Here the beach is shingle but protected by the inlet rocks. It’s a great place for a swim and some sea kayaking or canoeing.
Go on a cliff walk
Falmouth is of course surrounded by picturesque coastline and being located on the Southwest Coast Path, it’s the perfect location for coastal walking in either direction along the stunning clifftops.
Enjoy a boat trip
You can’t be at the deepest harbour and not jump on a boat and experience the sea! Check out Falmouth Boat Trips for harbour cruises, river cruises and private charters.
Star Glazers pottery painting
If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Falmouth, look no further than Star Glazers on the high street. Here you can buy pottery painting kits, paint your own ceramics in store and get crafting with the whole family. They do accept walk-ins or you can contact them via their website.
The best things to do near Falmouth
Of course being in Falmouth is the perfect opportunity to explore and discover things to do in Cornwall, so check out these places to visit near Falmouth.
Truro
Located inland, Truro is Cornwall’s only city and its size makes it perfect for a spot of retail therapy or as a good base to explore north Cornwall further.
Truro is just 30 minutes from Falmouth.
Trebah Garden
Something of a hidden gem, Trebah Garden is a botanical garden with stunning plants, subtropical trees and trails for plant and garden lovers to explore, perfect for something a little different if you’re looking for things to do around Falmouth. There’s also a private beach and play areas for children and families to enjoy too!
Trebah Garden is just 20 minutes from Falmouth.
Lizard Point
The southernmost point of mainland UK, Lizard Point is a fairly quiet spot along the coast which is perfect to park at and go walking along the coast.
Kynance Cove
And if you’re visiting Lizard Point, just along the coast here is Kynance Cove. This is a popular spot for visitors, with a beach area and enclosed bay as well as a beachfront cafe, making it a favourite spot for families to spend an afternoon relaxing.
The car park here is a National Trust car park so you’ll need to pay unless you’re a member. The car park does fill out fast so arrive early during the peak season.
Kynance Cove and Lizard Point are an hour from Falmouth.
Kennall Vale Nature Reserve
If you’re more of a fan of inland hiking trails, walking along flowing streams and through lush countryside, don’t miss the Kennall Vale Nature Reserve.
It’s a 20 minute drive inland from Falmouth.
St Michael’s Mount
The famous castle is perched on an island that’s accessed by a causeway at low tide. It presents a stunning resemblance with Mont-Saint-Michel in France.
You can park at the beachfront and walk to the island at low tide. Or take the boat out at high tide. There’s a variety of tickets depending on if you want to visit the Castle, the Gardens or both but entry is free if you’re a National Trust member. However if you take the boat, there is an additional charge for this.
St Michael’s Mount is around 50 minutes drive from Falmouth.
Mousehole
A quaint fishing village which despite its popularity retains so much charm. It’s known from the children’s story, The Mousehole Cat, who eats Stargazy PIe. The village is also famous for its annual Christmas lights switch on.
This is a great option for day trips from Falmouth if you want to include it with a visit to St Michael’s Mount and Penzance being around 1 hours drive from Falmouth.
St Ives
The famous town in Cornwall is popular for a reason! Being under an hours drive from Falmouth, it’s a great option for a day trip.
St Ives boasts a beautiful harbour, British seaside charm, beaches for the family to enjoy, restaurants and nightlife as well as art galleries and a creative scene.
Where to eat and drink in Falmouth
Another thing you might be thinking about is where to eat and drink while you are exploring Falmouth. There are some incredible restaurants and bars to experience during your trip. I wanted to share with you a selection that you might want to consider.
The Wheel House
The Wheel House will give you an excellent selection of seafood. Everything from mussels and lobster, and the special catch of the day, can be found on the menu. A must-stop for anyone who wants to experience incredible seafood.
Daaku
If you want to enjoy some Asian cuisine while you are in Falmouth then look no further than Daaku. A great experience offering incredible flavours and a lovely meal.
Pennycomequick
Being in Falmouth, Cornwall, you are not going to be surprised that another recommendation would be a seafood restaurant. After all, you know that the catch of the day really is the catch of the day. Mussels and cockles are the specialities here.
Getting to Falmouth and travelling around
Falmouth is a wonderful location to visit in Cornwall, but you will want to ensure that you can make the most of your time here. Getting to Falmouth can easily be done by car or even by train thanks to the Great Western Services that link some of the major cities in the south to Cornwall. But getting about will be essential to ensure you make the most of your trip. Here are some of the best ways that you can do it.
Falmouth ferry
Of course, with Falmouth being a harbour, you may not be surprised that one of the best ways to get about when it comes to seeing the location is on the water.
Buses in Falmouth
There is also a great bus service in Falmouth. Linking up all of the areas and even being able to take you outside of the town centre so you can explore some of the countryside and other beaches on offer if you don’t have a car to explore Cornwall with.
Taxi
You will also be able to get a taxi in and around the town if you want a fast and reliable service to get you from one place to the next.
Summary: top things to do in Falmouth
Falmouth retains the coastal charm of a Cornish seaside town but with enough attractions and things to do to keep you occupied. Then you have the added bonus that there is so much more to see beyond Falmouth, to do in Cornwall and even Devon, so you can really maximise your trip to this beautiful part of the UK.
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