FALMOUTH in Britain's Western Approaches is South West Cornwall's premier resort and home to Cornwall's Maritime Heritage.

Washed by the ocean and warmed by the Gulf stream, Falmouth basks on the shoreline of the world's third largest natural harbour - the gateway to a beautiful network of rivers and creeks.

Falmouth Beaches

Falmouth is famous for its beaches and castle and infamous for its smugglers and pirates -the town has protected the deep water anchorage of the Carrick Roads since Tudor times.

Playing and relaxing on Falmouths four main beaches of Gyllyngvase, Castle, Swanpool and Maenporth is a true delight. Feel the sand between your toes as you stroll along these wide expanses, cleansed daily by the ebb and flow of the Atlantic.

This is surely the perfect arena for sunbathing, swimming, sandcastle building or simply forgetting the rest of the world exists . . .

For a wilder time, try tackling the rapid river run and wave machine at Ships & Castles Leisure Pool on Pendennis Headland or run the gauntlet at Laserforce, Falmouth's live action laser game.

You can discover more about Falmouth's nautical and notorious past at the Cornwall Maritime Museum or take a guided maritime walk with our qualified Blue Badge Guides.

Getting about could not be easier. Leave your car behind and climb aboard one of the many pleasure boats and ferries which ply the local waters to St Mawes, Flushing, Smuggler's Cottage at Tolverne, Truro and the Helford Passage. Yachts with skippers can be chartered by the day.

Falmouth was once home to the Packet Ship service which sailed to the Mediterranean and the Americas from 1688 to 1852 carrying mail and goods.

These world wide links across the seas led to the development of large private gardens, where exotic plants from as far afield as China and Australasia thrived in the regions subtropical climate.

These award winning gardens are now open to the public and are packed with magnolias, rhododendrons, tree ferns and palms. In addition to Falmouth's four central gardens of Fox Rosehill and Queen Mary - both Green Flag Park Award winners, Kimberley Park and Gyllyngdune, the vast gardens of Trelissick, Glendurgan and Trebah are all within easy reach.

Explore Falmouth's bustling town centre with its craft shops, fresh seafood sellers, harbourside pubs and restaurants plus chandlers and vendors of all things nautical.

The Arts Centre (The Poly) in the heart of town has a lively programme of events from theatre to film and exhibitions from local artists while the Art Gallery with its Tuke and Waterhouse paintings hosts touring displays from all over Britain.

The Princess Pavilion theatre and tea-rooms are set among the subtropical Gyllyngdune Gardens by the beach and is a great place to pick up bargains at the antique fairs and flea markets held throughout the year.

The resort also has the only full size all weather bowling green in Cornwall.

Falmouth is a dazzling waterworld - with sailing and diving schools, local fishing trips and watersports activity centres offering expert advice, tuition and equipment for hire - making it oh so easy for you to spend hours and even days enjoying your favourite water-based activity or even learning a new one.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Open 7 days a week

'An experience as alive as the sea'
A unique and interactive displays of boats and their place in people's lives.

This unique maritime heritage is exhibited over three floors (in 12 state-of-the-art galleries), each focusing on different aspects of industry, work and communications.

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall has been designed to create a wide appeal, offering a diverse range of 'hands-on' displays and an unrivalled collection of boats - including many in active use on the water.

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Cornish Seal Sanctuary

The National Seal Sanctuary is set in the picturesque Helford Estuary, by the beautiful village of Gweek, in Cornwall.

The Sanctuary is a busy rescue centre, and also has resident Grey Seals, Californian and Patagonian Sea Lions, Goats, Ponies and Otters

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FALMOUTH'S HISTORY

Falmouth has come along way since 1600 when it only consisted of two houses, a smithy and an alehouse, but when Sir Walter Raleigh stayed with Sir John Killegrew at Arwenack House, he was so impressed with its geographical features that he recommended that the site should be developed as a port.

Sir John gained Parliamentary approval to develop the site and within a few years the village started to grow.

Originally known as Smithwick or Smithick it later became known as Pen-y-come-quick ("the head of the narrow vale").

In 1660 a Royal proclamation changed the name to Falmouth. For nearly 300 years Falmouth remained one of the principle ports of the world, where during the mid eighteen hundreds it was not an uncommon site to see 350 ocean-going sailing ships at anchor in the "Carrick Roads" at any one time.

As Falmouth developed during the seventeenth century, the oldest building that it can boast is the Elizabethan manor of the Killegrew's at Arwenack House. However, much of this was destroyed during the Civil War, and what remained was incorporated into the replacement building built in 1786.

The parish church of King Charles the Martyr was built between 1662-64, while off the main streets some of the original 17th and 18th century cottages may still be seen.

Pendennis Castle
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50.14722°N 5.04777°W

On the nearby headland of Pendennis Point stands the imposing Pendennis Castle, built between 1539-64 by King Henry VIII as a defence against the French - one of a chain of forts running along the coast of the southern half of Britain from Hull to Milford Haven.

During the Civil War the castle was held for the Crown by the 80 year old Colonel John Arundel of Trerice, who defended it during a six month siege in 1646.

The Parliamentarian besiegers were so impressed with the courage of the Royalist forces, that when they finally surrendered in August 1646, they allowed the 24 officers and 900 men to march out of the castle with full military honours - bearing their weapons and banners flying.

Nowadays, Pendennis Castle, with its incredible views across the ocean to the headlands of St Mawes and the Lizard Peninsula, resounds to the clamour of battle re-enactments, jousting tournaments and concerts and remains one of Falmouth's principal attractions.

Today Falmouth offers the tourist a variety of facilities and makes an ideal location for exploring the south western coast of the county. Nearby attractions include; St Just in Roseland, Helford Estuary, St Mawes, Lizard Peninsula.