Falmouth Town

Although primarily a tourist resort, Falmouth has invested in its future and is rapidly developing an international reputation as one of the great sailing and water sports centres of the world, indeed Falmouth has become famous as the start or finish point for many round-the-world record voyages, most notably those of Dame Ellen McArthur and the AZAB (Azores and Back) international race. Falmouth has hosted the Tall Ships Race twice in the last 10 years, in 1998 when approximately 260,000 visitors were calculated to contribute almost £25 million to the local economy, and again in 2008 when a sunny day made conditions ideal for spectators along the Falmouth coastline or to view from their boats the Tall Ships event.

The town of Falmouth is vibrant with individual boutiques, restaurants, inns of great antiquity and many regarded eating places. Combine this with a cultural selection of film, theatre, live music and art galleries to choose from making Falmouth one of the South West's favoured areas to holiday and reside.

As the third deepest natural port in the world, the town provides high quality marina facilities and docking for visiting cruise liners and is always popular for those seeking interest and spectacle.

History

The Fal estuary's deep water and sheltered anchorage have been of strategic importance since Norman times. Henry VIII built Pendennis and St Mawes Castles on either side of the esturary to protect the safe anchorage and guard Cornwall from invasion.

The Falmouth Packet Service operated from Falmouth to the rest of the world and the Packet Ships were the forerunner of our Royal Mail service. The relocation of the Maritime Museum underpins the founding of maritime history, housed in an award winning building on the Falmouth harbour-side, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall transports you into the world of small boats and maritime history.