Get the Most Out of Your Seaside Holiday In Falmouth.
Why book a holiday cottage in Falmouth?
Falmouth has long been a popular seaside town for self-catering holidays in Cornwall in all seasons. The town, which is actually a port, is best known for its beautiful beaches, stunning coastline, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some things that can make for a perfect seaside holiday in Falmouth:
Hit the Beaches
Falmouth has several gorgeous beaches on the South Cornwall coast that will appeal to all ages.
- Gyllyngvase Beach: This is one of Falmouth’s most popular beaches, with a long sandy stretch and clear blue waters. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking. It also has beach huts and deckchairs available to hire. Bring a picnic or grab lunch or snacks at the Gylly Bach Café, which overlooks the sands.
- Castle Beach: This small, sheltered beach is located near Pendennis Castle and is perfect for families with young children. It has calm waters, rock pools to explore, and a small cafe. If you plan to swim, the best time is at high tide, as low tide exposes the jagged edges of a wartime wreck.
- Swanpool Beach: This small, secluded beach is surrounded by trees and cliffs. It’s popular with families and has a small cafe, a kayak hire, and a crazy golf course. The Swanpool Beach Café sits on the beach and is open all year round, rustling up hot and cold seaside snacks and scrumptious Callestick Farm ice cream (a local delicacy)
- Maenporth Beach: This beautiful, sheltered beach is surrounded by cliffs and woodland, giving it an air of secrecy. It’s great for swimming, kayaking, and rock pooling, and has a small beach cafe.
- Pendennis Beach: This small, rocky beach is located near the historic Pendennis Castle (well worth visiting on non-beach days) and offers stunning views of Falmouth Bay. It’s perfect for a quiet picnic or a barefoot sunset stroll along the wave’s edge.
- Durgan Beach: Another small, picturesque beach on the Helford River. Like Swanpool, it is surrounded by wooded cliffs and sub-tropical gardens. It’s perfect for a peaceful picnic, a swim, or a spot of rock pooling with the children. There’s a slipway for those holidaying with a boat.
‘Go and Do’ Days Out in Falmouth
Explore The Fal Estuary By Boat: Falmouth is a great place for boat trips, whether you want to explore the local coastline, go fishing, or visit nearby islands like St. Mawes and the Helford River. Join guided tours with fleets such as Falmouth Boat Trips or grab a self-hire motor boat to chunter around the Helford River for a memorable hour or two. Falmouth Boat Hire has Cabin Boats that accommodate six people and any dogs.
Coastal walks: The South West Coast Path runs through Falmouth, offering stunning views of the coastline and the Atlantic. Several walking trails around Falmouth, such as the Pendennis Point Walk and the Gyllyngvase Beach to Swanpool Beach Walk, are perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Watersports: Falmouth is a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts, with activities such as surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing all available.
Historical attractions: Falmouth has a rich maritime history, and there are several historical attractions in the town, including the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (perfect for a rainy day, with lots of interactive activities, including the Skull Island Play Zone to enjoy. Do visit Pendennis Castle to learn more about Falmouth's maritime past.
Eat Local - Drink Local
You may be staying in self-catering accommodation, but you'll miss something if you eat every meal in your holiday home. Treat yourselves to nights out or a few lunches to appreciate Falmouth's culinary offerings. Like all seaside towns, Falmouth is home to several excellent restaurants, cafes, and bars serving delicious local food and drink. Be sure to try some Cornish pasties, fresh seafood, and locally brewed beer or cider. Top choices include Restaurant Mine (simple, playful dishes of local-sourced food), Amanzi (traditional and fusion South African food) and Pennycomequick, a popular Gastro Bar with fabulous menus featuring locally grown ingredients
Cultural Events
Falmouth has a vibrant cultural scene, with several events taking place throughout the year, such as the Falmouth Oyster Festival in October, Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in mid-June, and, for boating enthusiasts, Falmouth Week in August is Cornwall’s best regatta.
The town has more than the average number of high-quality art galleries to explore. The most notable include:
Falmouth Art Gallery: This gallery showcases a variety of contemporary and historical artwork, with a particular focus on Cornish artists. It also has a small gift shop selling art-related items.
Beside the Wave Gallery: This contemporary art gallery features work from established and emerging artists, focusing on the coastal environment. It also has a gift shop selling ceramics, glassware, and jewellery.
The Poly: This cultural centre has a variety of art exhibitions, film screenings, and performances throughout the year. It also has a small gift shop selling locally made crafts and artwork.
The Falmouth Bookshop: An eclectic independent bookshop selling a wide range of books, including a selection of local interest books, art books, and poetry collections. Browsers welcome.
The Craft Collective: This cooperative shop sells handmade crafts and artwork from local artists and makers, including ceramics, textiles, and jewellery.
Falmouth Art Centre: This art centre has a variety of art classes and workshops for all ages and abilities. It also has a small gallery space showcasing the work of local artists.
Where to Stay in and around Falmouth
You’ll find a wide range of Falmouth holiday lettings to suit all requirements, from cosy boltholes for couples to luxury waterside apartments for families or groups of friends advertised on My Favourite Holiday Cottages.