Looking for a new piece of art as a keepsake from your Cornwall holiday? Or perhaps you’re just looking to browse the local artscape? Known for its leading arts university and creative culture inspired by the town’s maritime heritage and beautiful surroundings, Falmouth and its colourful art galleries provide ample opportunity to while away the hours.
In between browsing, why not visit one of the town’s beaches, go on a boat trip to St Mawes, or explore the best restaurants in the area for toothsome treats? There are also plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafés with sea views to rest in with a glass of your favourite tipple.
If you prefer something more immersive, Falmouth has a fantastic range of artistic workshops on offer where you can tap into your own creativity and develop your inner Picasso.
For now, let us introduce you to some of the best art galleries in Falmouth…
Falmouth Art Gallery
Best for: Family friendly
Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth, TR11 2RT
Featuring three exhibitions each year and rotating collections on display, Falmouth Art Gallery houses a range of traditional and contemporary pieces. Head over to discover works by famous artists like Henry Scott Tuke, Thomas Gainsborough, and even John William Waterhouse’s The Lady of Shalott, alongside contemporary artists like Naomi Frears and Trevor Bell. There’s also an eye-catching photography collection and a children’s illustration archive.
Falmouth Art Gallery is free to enter and hosts a range of workshops throughout the year. Tempting budding artists of all ages are toddler painting sessions, summer holiday art classes, and adhoc themed events complementing its captivating exhibitions.
Morgans Falmouth
Best for: Perfectly curated
49 Arwenack Street, Falmouth, TR11 3JH
A multigenerational family of artists, it’s fair to say that the team behind Morgans Falmouth know a thing or two about art. With views over Customs House Quay and the harbour towards Flushing, the gallery’s light-filled spaces and original features blend with natural materials to create an exceptionally aesthetic, lovingly curated exhibition space.
Artworks are contemporary and span an array of creative mediums (including painting, ceramics, and crafts), and exhibitions focus on Cornish-based creatives, with established artists and emerging talent alike. There are furniture displays by local makers, too.
The gallery is also home to several artists' studios upstairs, making it a buzzing hive of creativity and one of Falmouth’s most creative arts spaces.
The Watermens Gallery
Best for: Landscape paintings
Custom House Quay, Falmouth, TR11 3JT
Once the studio of renowned artist Henry Scott Tuke, The Watermens Gallery overlooks the beautiful Falmouth Harbour. Today, the talented Sophi Beharrell occupies the space, putting paint to canvas to create stunning depictions of Cornish landscapes.
Largely inspired by the Newlyn School of artists and their “en plein air” style, Sophi's art captures how light hits the water, the movement of ocean currents, and the essence of Cornwall in watercolour, oil, and acrylic.
Alongside Sophi’s paintings, the gallery houses works by other artists, ceramicists, and jewellers too, with pieces to suit all budgets and tastes. Head over during select open hours throughout the week and get in touch for bespoke commissions of your favourite Cornish coastal scenes.
Sailors Jail Gallery
Best for: Alternative art gallery
4 Quay Street, Falmouth, TR11 3HH
Based in, you guessed it, Falmouth’s old sailors' jail, Sailors Jail Gallery dates back to 1666 and promises a fascinating backdrop to a catalogue of exhibitions.
Housing works by upcoming local artists, university students, and alumni, the focus is on new talent and bespoke, affordable artwork, including original paintings, drawings, sculpture, and jewellery. Making art accessible to everyone, the aim is to make it easier to purchase artwork, promising a little capture of Cornwall to take away with you.
Run by two artists, the space hosts a range of workshops, including children’s classes and printmaking. You’ll also want to check out the gallery’s print collection, which is full of bold and unusual creations.
John Dyer Gallery
Best for: Colourful, joyful prints and paintings
Melvill Road, Falmouth, TR11 4AS
A short walk from the main high street, John Dyer Gallery includes artwork from a family of artists who bring joy and colour to everyday life. Many of the pieces are John Dyer’s own creations, which are celebrated for their expressive nature, capturing the life, colour, and energy of Cornwall and beyond.
Joanne Short also brings a whimsical element to her paintings, with bright block colour and botanical elements, which has earned her membership to the Newlyn Society of Artists. Ted Dyer brings a more traditional approach through his impressionist oil paintings, which capture the timeless beauty and atmosphere of the British coast and countryside.
Take a look at the gallery's wonderful work online, or book a private appointment to view or purchase original paintings.
North55gallery
Best for: Abstract artworks
42 Arwenack Street, Falmouth, TR11 3JH
Championing originality, North55gallery shares art that provokes thought, emotion, and imagination. Most of the gallery’s collection is abstract oil on canvas paintings, all of which are original. You won’t find anything mass-produced here, making it the perfect place to find a piece of art no one’s ever seen before.
While many of the paintings are inspired by the Cornish coast, they offer a distinctly different interpretation of local landscapes, full of movement, texture, and bold colours. This has earned owner, Jack Hayes, the reputation as an ‘emerging master of abstract art’.
Beside the Wave
Best for: Contemporary art
8-10 Arwenack Street, Falmouth, TR11 3JA
With everything from fine art to hand-thrown ceramics, family-owned gallery Beside the Wave has been showcasing works inspired by the Cornish landscape for over 30 years.
One of Cornwall’s best-known contemporary art galleries, it also showcases prints and jewellery, as well as hosting a range of fantastic exhibitions celebrating the beauty of Cornwall and beyond.
Venture over to browse the collections and keep an eye on its cultural calendar, as the gallery hosts events every three weeks to celebrate creativity and bring people together. Particularly anticipated is the gallery's sizzling summer show, Season of Art, featuring seven artists and seven collections over seven weeks.
The Poly at Falmouth
Best for: Community gallery space
24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG
One of Falmouth’s most important creative spaces, The Poly has been a hub of Cornish culture and innovation since the 19th century. Today, the charity promotes engagement in the arts, sciences, and Cornish history through live events, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops.
Regular rotating exhibitions fill its multiple gallery spaces, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, while its guild shop champions the work of the local creative community. The Poly is also home to one of the best pottery studios in Cornwall, with regular courses available.
The Old Town Hall Gallery
Best for: Eclectic exhibitions
3 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AB
If you’re looking to browse a wide variety of art and find something unusual or intriguing, The Old Town Hall Gallery houses an excellent collection of works from around the world, from the ancient to the modern. A large proportion of items hail from Africa, and there are also plenty of curious abstract contemporary British paintings. These include works by Peter Chapman, whose studio is at the back of the gallery.
With a focus on works that are heavily intertwined with culture and time, this is the place to find something completely unique. There is also a range of cards, prints, and booklets on offer, proceeds from which go into restoration and upkeep of the Grade I listed building.
Cor
Best for: Fine art, ceramics, and sculpture
23 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AB
Founded by Emily Dymond in 2020, Cor brings together fine art, ceramics, and sculpture with a contemporary feel. White walls and white-washed floorboards create a light and airy environment, allowing the colours of the artworks to sing.
Blending creations from local and international artists, collections feature large-scale pictures alongside smaller pieces, and even a range of unique furniture. The gift collection features handmade items and high-quality souvenirs.
Keep an eye out for exhibitions, which centre around enriching the relationship between artists and the public.
Whistlefish Falmouth
Best for: Affordable art
29b Church Street, Falmouth, TR11 3EQ
If you’re looking for a feel-good piece of art to take home with you, Whistlefish has plenty of prints on offer, most of them with a coastal theme.
Starring designs by their in-house studio team and talented local artists, you’ll discover a range of styles both in print and on canvas. One of the most popular collections belongs to Hannah Cole, who captures the timeless essence of beachside holidays and often features dogs in her paintings!
The gallery also has an unbeatable range of greetings cards, making it easy to share the gallery's prints with friends and family.
Looking for somewhere to stay in between discovering the town’s culture and heritage? Browse our holiday cottages in Falmouth for an unforgettable arty escape.