Falmouth Reviews

Living in Falmouth

Falmouth is best known for one thing in particular; the incredible location it has on the Celtic Sea coast.  Oh and Falmouth University, obviously.

Falmouth is the ideal starting point from which to explore everything that Cornwall has to offer. The county is one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations, and for decades people have been coming here to surf, fish, boat, and generally soak up the rays. And now that includes you - Nice choice!

The university here has a split campus, with the larger part just 15mins up the road at Tremough and a regular bus service between the two. The smaller part is in Falmouth itself, and this is also the area where you’re going to find most of your entertainment and shopping. It’s a good-sized town with a busy High Street that has a lot of local and independent shops and galleries, as well as the usual big chain shops you’d expect to see. There’s also a weekly Farmers Market where you can grab some yummy local grub. Put some time aside to have a good look round.

In the Discovery Quay area you’ll find a few more eclectic shops, as well as Cornwall’s National Maritime Museum, charting a history of life on the sea from the Bronze Age onwards. Their displays of boats don’t sit on the floor, they hang from the ceiling. This is both extremely cool, as you can see them from different levels, and pretty unnerving if you happen to be underneath a big one. There’s also quite a few galleries and literature groups. Falmouth has always been popular as a getaway for writers, and artists favour the particular quality of the light in this relatively unspoiled part of the country. If you’ve always felt that you have an untapped creative side, this could be just the inspiration you need.

Nightlife here tends to be on the gentler side, although if you like pubs you’ll be in your element! The Phoenix is the local cinema, although there’s also a smaller alternative cinema, the Poly. This isn’t a cinema exactly, but rather a centre for arts and sciences which just happens to show international and indie films as well as everything else it gets up to. That could mean anything from plays and talks to music concerts and comedy nights, so keep an eye on their website.

What to do today?

• Beaches: Swanpool beach is close to town and popular with locals. There’s an Outdoor Activity centre based here that can introduce you to all the watersports you’d ever heard of - and some you never have! Maenporth beach is a little further away from town, so the crowds should be a little lighter, but it’s just as pretty.
• Pendennis castle: It’s in very good shape, considering it was built during the reign of King Henry VIII (you know, the fat one with all the wives). The view’s not to be sniffed at either. Definitely worth a visit.
• Festival: There’s usually a festival on somewhere in the area. The Cornwall Film Festival, Falmouth Oyster Festival, Real Ale Festival and the Sea Shanty Festival (which just sounds hilarious and fantastic) all take place in Falmouth

Good to know

• Train: There’s a direct line to Truro that takes just 30mins. If there’s anything the shops and nightclubs in Falmouth can’t do for you, the ones in Cornwall’s only city probably can.
• Car?: Nah.
• Bike: Absolutely! As well as simply being your everyday mode of transport, there are several major cycle route that come through Falmouth. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can even take on the 40miles ride to Land’s End.

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