Falmouth lies on the south coast of Cornwall, at the mouth of the Fal estuary and Carrick Roads. Its deep natural harbour is one of the largest in the world and remains one of the busiest in Cornwall.

What is Falmouth known for?

Falmouth is known for its great natural harbour and seafaring heritage, home to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the Tudor Pendennis Castle. It's also a lively university town with independent shops, galleries and year-round festivals.

What are the best beaches in Falmouth?

Gyllyngvase is the town's largest and most popular beach, a gently sloping crescent of sand on the south side. Nearby are the sandy cove of Swanpool, with its freshwater lake behind, and family-friendly Maenporth a little further round the coast.

What is there to do in Falmouth?

You can visit the National Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle, relax on Gyllyngvase beach, browse the town's shops and galleries, and take a ferry across the estuary to St Mawes or upriver towards Truro.

Is Falmouth worth visiting?

Yes. With its world-class harbour, maritime museum, historic castle, sandy beaches and lively town centre, Falmouth is one of the most rewarding all-round destinations on the south Cornwall coast.

Falmouth: Harbour, Museum & Beaches

Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour and Carrick Roads are a large natural harbour which was formed in the ice age. It has a busy ship repair yard and is probably the busiest harbour in Cornwall. It is a very popular boating area and is popular amongst tourists. Falmouth is the home of the National Maritime Museum and the adjacent events square hosts many festivals during the year.

Swanpool

Maenporth is a cove situated between the Helford River and Falmouth. It has a lovely sandy beach which provides shallow waters for swimming making it ideal for families.

There are launching facilities at the beach making it equally ideal for watersports.

Gyllyingvase

Gyllyngvase Beach is a large curved beach on the south side of Falmouth. The road running along the back of the beach is the location of several larger hotels, many of them built in the early 1900s.

The beach slopes gently and is mainly sand but with some rock pools too making it a great family destination.

Penryn

Penryn is a tidal river off the River Fal. It is mainly used by small pleasure boats and the occasional fishing boat.

Sea Fishing in Falmouth area

The piers at Falmouth produce a variety of different fish, especially during the evening, including bass, pollack, whiting, mullet and flatfish. These piers are also a great place to catch prawns using a baited drop net.

Falmouth RNLI

The Lifeboats

Richard Cox Scott - Severn Class Lifeboat

Robina Nixon Chard - B Class Lifeboat

The Lifeboat Station

The current boathouse was opened in 1994 and houses the B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Robina Nixon Chard. The station is the busiest in Cornwall and also operates a Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott.

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With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information

Falmouth RNLI

The Lifeboats

Richard Cox Scott - Severn Class Lifeboat

Robina Nixon Chard - B Class Lifeboat

The Lifeboat Station

Support Falmouth Lifeboat...

With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information

Falmouth

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Plan your visit

From the Cove shop

The full guide

Useful for your next visit

Common questions