Beaches in Falmouth

If a Cornish stay isn’t complete without a beach day or two, Falmouth is a must-visit with its four beautiful beaches and stunning surrounding coastline.

Gyllyngvase beach – Perhaps Falmouth’s most popular beach, Gylly beach is home to everything you could want from a hazy day in the sand. Consistently flat waters provide the perfect conditions for SUPs while a café and restaurant on the beach offer beachgoers the chance to refresh and refuel without leaving the white gold sands behind.

Castle beach – Just down from Pendennis point you’ll find the aptly named Castle beach, which offers young and intrepid adventurers plenty of rockpools to explore, along with an underwater paradise for keen snorkelers. 

Swanpool beach – More a cove than a beach, Swanpool mixes an idyllic setting with action-packed watersports for a fun-filled beach day whatever your beachy interests. There’s also a great little beachside café for those all-important ice creams.

Maenporth beach – Just on the edge of Falmouth lies another of South Cornwall’s most serene beaches. Flat waters, golden sand, and an award-winning restaurant all add up to an unmissable day amidst sand, sun, and sea in Falmouth.

Things to do in Falmouth

Whether you’re a water baby at heart or a seeker of culture and cuisine, there are plenty of things to add to your holiday itinerary when visiting Falmouth.

Art Galleries

Falmouth is home to an eclectic mix of art galleries, all featuring a wide variety of local and national work. Home to one of the leading art collections in Cornwall, Falmouth Art Gallery is the place to go for a rolling look at Cornish art through the ages or you can head to Beside the Wave for more contemporary exhibitions.

Shopping

After a shopping trip in Falmouth, you’ll want all highstreets to be lined with cobbles and decorated with colourful bunting – it really does set the scene for a vibrant day out! Falmouth’s shops themselves vary from big names like FatFace and Ann’s Cottage to more niche shops from intriguing antiques to everything Cornwall – perfect for your holiday memento. Oh, and if you have a sweet tooth, you’re going to want to check out Roly’s Fudge Pantry – it’s to die for!

History

A holiday in Falmouth wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Pendennis Castle and the National Maritime Museum – two of the town’s top cultural attractions. Both dive into the history of Falmouth and Cornwall with a definite nautical theme, with Pendennis Castle looking more at defence and the museum exploring the wider culture of life by the sea.

Boat Trips

When you get bored of hard ground beneath your feet, set sail up the Fal estuary or along to the Helford river on one of Falmouth’s many fantastic boat trips that vary from party boats to sea safaris to meals on keels (sorry, boat puns are a mandatory here).

Watersports

With South Cornwall’s microclimate and plenty of sheltered bays, the waters around Falmouth are known for being consistently calm, which makes them perfect for mastering your favourite sea-based activity. Try your hand at everything from kayaking to SUPing, swimming to sailing as you swap dry land for the thrill of the Cornish waters.

Walks

River walks, coastal strolls and countryside ambles… there’s no limit to what your feet can discover with the many breath-taking walks in and around Falmouth. Take to the South West Coast Path for unbeatable coastal views (and plenty of opportunities for a cheeky dip in the sea) or take your walk riverside for an idyllic escape to nature. Falmouth’s also home to an impressive collection of gardens, each with their own intriguing collection of paths to explore.

Princess Pavilion

This fantastic theatre complex offers a year-round program of live music, entertainment and theatrical performances. Set in the stunning Gyllyngdune Gardens, you can pop along to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy a drink and some food in the Garden Room Café. Find out more about the pavilion and what’s on here >

Dining Out

Falmouth is quickly becoming one of Cornwall’s ultimate foodie hotspots thanks to a veritable smorgasbord of top eateries and superb pubs and bars, many with incredible sea views and welcoming dogs. Mexican, Texan, African, Cornish, Caribbean, and vegan, it doesn’t matter what kind of cuisine you fancy, Falmouth’s got it all!

Dog-friendly Falmouth

While the four main beaches in Falmouth all operate under seasonal restrictions (dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches 1st May – 30th September, 10am – 6pm), there are plenty of pup-friendly places for you and the dog to get your beach fix near Falmouth.

Dog-friendly beaches

Polgwidden Cove – Accessed through the beautiful Trebah gardens, Polgwidden is a lovely shingle cove that’s dog-friendly throughout the year. If you don’t fancy walking, you can always rent a boat and sail there as many of the boat hires in Falmouth welcome salty sea dogs!

Sunny Cove – Perhaps the closest dog-friendly beach to Falmouth, Sunny Cove provides a perfectly sheltered place for a dog nap in the sand. It’s situated between Swanpool and Maenporth just off the coast path, making it a great destination for a dog walk. It is worth noting that the cove is popular with naturists so swimming costumes are optional!

Dog-friendly pubs and restaurants

Stable Pizza – Combining pizza, cider, and harbour views, Stable in Falmouth is a popular haunt for good reason. Dogs are welcome on the ground floor as well as outside so the whole family can enjoy a meal out together.

Five Degrees West – A pub that specialises in pizza and pints, Five Degrees is always a firm favourite with those who want to dine with their pup in tow. Pop in for a quiet drink or a slap-up meal, the choice is yours!

The Boathouse – Claiming the title of ‘pub with the best sea view in Falmouth’, The Boathouse has been welcoming guests for over 300 years, which is perhaps how they’ve perfected their easy-going offering. The menu might change with the season (and the chef’s fancy), but the friendly, dog-welcoming vibes remain the same.

What's on in Falmouth

The town has a rich tradition of hosting a year-round programme of events, from sailing regattas to live music and an abundance of food and drink festivals. You don’t have to wait for specific seasons either, as Falmouth enjoys plenty of markets and live music throughout the year.

Falmouth Spring Festival

Are you ready to paint the town yellow? Every year, the Falmouth Spring Festival celebrates the start of this blooming wonderful season with a line-up of fantastic events and a tradition that sees the town’s window displays reflect the daffodils that decorate the fields around.

International Sea Shanty Festival

This internationally popular music event brings all the foot-stomping fun of sea shanties to Falmouth as thousands of people descend to share in a festival that would make any pirate proud.

Falmouth Week

Falmouth Week isn’t just a sailing regatta, it’s a ten-day-long, town-wide celebration that features every entertainment imaginable including unmissable live music, maritime marvels, and aerial displays. Lots of the town’s shops and organisations join in, adding their fun-filled activities to the jam-packed roster.

Falmouth Oyster Festival

Bringing live music, fresh food, and a bevy of activities to the streets of Falmouth, this festival has become a tradition we just can’t do without. Celebrity chefs provide demos so you can recreate your favourite dishes at home while plenty of food and drink stalls provide you with everything you need for a true Cornish feast.

Falmouth Book Festival

You’ll want to pull your nose out of your favourite book for this one as much-loved authors, poets, and storytellers flock to Falmouth for a literary celebration like no other. Expect to find a fantastic line-up of events that cater to all tastes and ages as well as brilliant workshops to entertain and inspire.

Getting around

There is possibly no better place for a car-free holiday in Cornwall than Falmouth thanks to the town’s numerous public transport options. Catch the bus or train for connections with the rest of Cornwall or leave dry land behind as you hop aboard a ferry to St Mawes or Truro. Of course, if you fancy visiting via car, you’ll find plenty of parking at one of the town’s many car parks or you can use the park and ride service.