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Falmouth
image by Matt Jessop - supplied by Visit Cornwall
Falmouth is Cornwall’s leading South West Coast Resort and home to the County’s Maritime Heritage. Here you will find sandy golden beaches, spectacular scenery, specialist shops from local art to antiques and exceptional sailing in Carrick Roads and the Fal Estuary.
Henry VIII built Pendennis Castle to defend the Carrick Roads in 1540, which, together with St Mawes Castle on the east side meant that the estuary entrance was well guarded. Sir John Killigrew created the town of Falmouth shortly after 1613, which received a charter from Charles II in 1661. A new church was consecrated in 1665 and there was soon a cluster of a few hundred homes around the Church of “King Charles the Martyr”.
In 1688, Falmouth was made the Royal Mail packet station. In 1805, the news of Britain's victory (and Admiral Nelson's death) at Trafalgar was landed here at the steps of Fishstrand Quay from the schooner, H.M.S. Pickle and taken to London by stagecoach.
The development of Falmouth Docks began in 1858 with the first ship entering in 1861. The railway reached the town soon after, in 1863. This brought prosperity and also tourism to the town. Perhaps surprisingly, Falmouth boasts three railway stations; Falmouth Docks, Falmouth Town and Penmere.
Upcoming Events
Cornwall Pride 2024 - Saturday 27 April 2024
Celebrate Pride in Cornwall
Free to attend - Live entertainment - Family friendly - Foof and drink vendors - Quiet space provided
Falmouth Pride - April 27
Falmouth Event Square 10am - 7pm
Camborne Pride - May 11
John Holman Fountain 11am - 4pm
Redruth Pride - May 12
11am - 4pm
St Austell Pride - May 18
White River Place 10am - 5pm
Penzance Pride - June 01
Penzance Promenade 11am - 6pm
Bodmin Pride - June 15
Priory Park 11am - 5pm
Newquay Pride - July 20
Killacourt 10am - 7pm
Bude Pride - July 27
The Castle Green 11am - 6pm
Cornwall Pride (Truro) - August 31
Lemon Quay 10am - 7pm
Saltash Pride - September 14
Jubilee Green 11am - 5pm
St Ives Pride - October 05
Island Centre 11am - 4pm
Sea Shanty Festival - Friday 14 June 2024 to Sunday 16 June 2024
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Welcome to the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe!
About
Falmouth has a proud and long history as a first safe port of call for deepwater sailing ships. It was here that sailors filled our waterside alehouses with their songs and it is here that those shanties and stories are kept alive to this day. If you listen very carefully as you walk along our seventeenth-century quays, you can still hear them singing!
Falmouth Classics 2024 - Friday 14 June 2024 to Sunday 16 June 2024
Falmouth Classics 2024
Falmouth Classics features three days of enjoyable racing and a spectacular Parade of Classic Boats and the Small Classic Boat Parade. Since it began, in 1987, Falmouth Classics has steadily grown to be one of the largest Classic sailing events in the UK.
Falmouth is recognised as having some of the best sailing waters in the world in the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay. There are also many vantage points for spectators to view the events.
The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival takes place at the same time and over 65,000 visitors flock to Falmouth.
Racing
Two days of enjoyable racing. Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay will be full of sails, of all types, shapes and colours. Vessels range in size from 9ft to 150ft or more and include the famous Falmouth Working Boats.
Parades
The spectacular Parade of Classic Boats showcases a wide range of traditional vessels, sail and power. The Small Boat Parade is for boats under 20ft propelled by sail, oars or engine and built in the spirit of tradition.
Receptions and Events
Our lively social programme includes the Haven and Welcome Receptions, the Classics Supper, the Classics Maritime Village, rowing and sculling races and a public viewing of boats.
Falmouth Week 2024 - Friday 09 August 2024 to Sunday 18 August 2024
Falmouth Week 2024
Falmouth Week is a major attraction for locals and visitors alike. With its origins as a local sailing regatta dating back at least as far as 1837, the week is an opportunity for sailors and landlubbers to enjoy the many daytime and evening events in the picturesque seaside town of Falmouth in Cornwall.
There is so much to see and do at Falmouth Week…
You can expect family friendly activities in the heart of Falmouth town on The Moor, with everything from a 40 foot Victorian carousel, alongside an eclectic market and buzzing atmosphere! Combined with evening entertainment, ranging from the famous 80s and 00s night to the RNLI Fun Day, there is a night-time schedule put together by Southwest Bars and Events. Not to mention the marching carnival,the week offers something for everyone!
Various locations around Falmouth
