Things to Do in Falmouth, Cornwall - Falmouth Attractions
Things to Do in Falmouth
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What travelers are saying
- KH199210 contributionsWonderful day out on a sunny day in August this year. The gardens were so beautiful. Had lunch there and the food was delicious! Fresh and a great variety. Fantastic day outWritten November 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 243Charlie243Cornwall, UK9 contributionsThere’s certainly plenty to see!
A large site that spans different eras of history. All staff were very friendly and helpful.
I would like to make a special shout out to Corporal Tim; he went above and beyond giving a (FREE) guided tour in Royal Artillery uniform which really brings it all to life. I especially enjoyed going into the magazine where there was lights going on and off and the sound of the guns being fired- very exciting. There was even an old bakelite phone that rang (a call from the Sergeant) which was excellent! (If a bit spooky! Haha).
Beautiful views of the sea and Falmouth!
Highly recommend, even on a cold and blustery day you just need to wrap up warm and you’ll have a fun time. Oh and pop into the cafe! Food was delicious and the staff were so kind and helpful.Written December 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Fiona D1 contributionFirst time we have visited for many years. So impressed. The donkeys are obviously happy and well cared for. The staff and volunteers were so friendly. Lovely selection of things to buy in the gift shop and the cake in the vegan cafe was delicious. Visiting again next week for the Carol Service. Cannot wait. Perfect day out for anyone who loves donkeys like we do.Written December 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ElsaNewton Abbot, UK6 contributionsWow - it's breathtaking! We came on a wet, miserable day and I still loved it.
The way the gardens lead out to the beach is charming :)Written November 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - History O2 contributionsGreat place to go on a rainy Sunday! There were some extra exhibitions when we went about the history of Tatoos and pirates. Permanent exhibitions about the history of Falmouth, seafaring, fishing etc. I'm interested in history so i enjoyed it. There are play areas for children and things to keep them amused too. The cafe was disappointing as they had run out of half of the fillings for Baguettes or baked potatoes by 1.30pm so after choosing from what was still available and paying I was told they had actually run out of baguettes. They did make us some sandwiches but I wish I hadn't bothered as overpriced for what we got. Entrance price allows you to return for a year and there are food outlets in the square outside of the museum so on reflection we should have left to eat elsewhere then returned to finish looking around the museum.Written September 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Paul FChesterfield, UK2,462 contributionsWith a bit of strenuous exercise in parts...also slippy when wet so wear appropriate footwear
The trail leads you across the cliff edge with stunning vistas North and South. Coves cab be accessed of this walk but the paths are steep, narrow and involve scrambling up and down very steep sections.....Best to lounge in Maenporth or Swanpool.Written August 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - 1949etwallAshbourne, UK1,654 contributionsNot just a beach- but an excellent one.
Rock pools - it has them.
Golden sand- it has it
Good swimming facility- it is.
Surfing - this too.
Good water quality- it is.
Facilities nearby- car parking, cafe and convenience store.Written October 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - acs1984Cockermouth, UK1,509 contributionsWe had a lovely walk along the promenade. The promenade is nice and flat and there are plenty of benches along the way. The area is well landscaped with seaside plants and shrubs which provide alot of colour. The area is very well kept and clean. You can look out to sea over the beaches and over to the castle.Written October 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Carol BBirmingham, UK6,039 contributionsThursday 24th August 2023, My husband and I drove to Falmouth, to go to visit the King Arthur Exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery. We parked our car in the car park at the top of the hill and walked down Warren Hill, a 1/20 hill, it was fine going down, but coming back was a nightmare. We were both out of breath.
The Legend of King Arthur Exhibition is a Pre-Raphaelite Love Story, which has been touring around the country first in London, the Cumbria and concluding in Falmouth in Cornwall. The exhibition depicted the triangular interdependency that exists between Arthurian legend, Pre-Raphaelite artists and locations linked to the Arthurian legend, with a focus on Cornwall. The exhibition introduced people to the story of King Arthur and combined arts and heritage to increase the rich cultural heritage of Cornwall locally, nationally and internationally.
The exhibition brought together over 60 iconic works of art and major loans from public and private collections of Pre-Raphaelite art both in the UK and overseas. All the artworks selected were specific to the King Arthur story as told by Thomas Malory in ‘Le Morte d’Arthur’, and Tennyson’s ‘The Lady of Shalott’ both of which inspired the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood and their followers as source material for their paintings.
This incredible line-up of Pre-Raphaelite artists includes: Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, Edward Burne-Jones, William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Emma Sandys and Elizabeth Siddal.
The exhibition provided an opportunity to bring together large, ornately framed, oil paintings, sketches and oil studies, illustrated books, sketchbooks and etchings which all explore some aspect of the King Arthur legend through the reactionary lens of the Pre-Raphaelite artists and their followers who from 1848 onwards banded together to challenge what they saw as dull history painting exhibited annually at the Royal Academy.
The art gallery had John William Waterhouse’s, ‘The Lady of Shalott’ – from the poem by Tennyson, oil on canvas. This had been presented to the Corporation of Falmouth in 1923 by Alfred A. de Pass, in memory of his sons.
William Morris and subsequently Sir Edward Coley Burne Jones had a mutual obsession with the King Arthur legend. The latter wrote Nothing was ever like Morte d’Arthur – I don’t mean any book or any one poem – something that can never be written, I mean, and can never go out of the heart. This romantic sincerity of vision was also reflected by many other Pre- Raphaelite artists.
The curator of the Falmouth art gallery even managed to secure the entire ‘Lady of Shalott’ series of paintings by John William Waterhouse painted over a twenty year period. These have never been exhibited together in the UK and provided a unique opportunity to see a great artist re-interpreting a popular theme
A fully illustrated book of essays by internationally recognised Arthurian specialists exploring the legend and its influence on the Victorian period accompanied the exhibition. My husband and I purchased a copy of the book as we are both Pre-Raphaelite fans.
We spent nearly all the day in Falmouth Art Gallery as it was wonderful and so inspiring. There were even two of ‘The Grail Tapestry’s’ from Birmingham Art Gallery there. my husbandand I took lots of photos of the wonderful artwork. I found it so inspiring that I wrote two poems whilst I was here called ‘Transcendence’ and ‘Entanglement’.
If you are a Pre-Raphaelite Fan Then Visit Here While You Have The Chance.Written September 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Plattypuss52Sevenoaks864 contributionsHad a private tour of the station and the lifeboat. Very interesting and learned so much from Chris. The ideas and innovations on the boat to make it safe for everyone were good to see. Thanks to all RNLI crews and volunteers everywhere.Written June 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- acs1984Cockermouth, UK1,509 contributionsWe had a nice walk through the gardens. There was a variety of flowers, scrubs and palm trees. The area looked clean and well maintained.Written October 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- IAN SBristol, UK48 contributionsSwanpool has a lot to offer the visitor as a destination in the colder months. There is a café which has sheltered outdoor seats and good public toilets. There is a good pay and display car park which I used for a 3 hours stay and a bus service. We enjoyed a coffee at the beach café on a blustery day where the smoked- glass screens kept our hats in place on a very windy day!
As well as the beautiful, unspoilt beach there is a lagoon which is accessible via the car park and had swans during our time there.Written October 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Carol BBirmingham, UK6,039 contributionsSaturday 26th August 2023, My husband and Iwere not ready to leave Cornwall yet, so my husband and I decided to go to Constantine to visit The Potager Garden.
In 2009, Mark and Saffa took over the Potager garden and quietly nurtured the grounds – providing a place for people to connect, create and rejuvenate.
The Potager Garden now is an organic garden that has emerged from an old nursery near the Helford Estuary. The garden provides a relaxed environment with an informal mix of herbaceous planting, accentuated with vegetables and fruit. There are homemade food and cakes in the glasshouse cafe and hammocks, games and modern sculptures in the gardens to help you feel relaxed and at home.
We all spent the morning here wandering round in this peaceful retreat sunbathing in deckchairs and listening to breezes in the trees. We also had refreshments in the Glasshouse Cafe, My husband had a Americano coffee and I had a latte coffee. I found inspiration here and I wrote a poem called ‘Peaceful Potager’.
Sadly, we had to leave and start our journey home.Written October 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Gail E1 contributionWhat an amazing little place. I could have spent all day there studying the contents of the Museum. If you are interested in Witchcraft and Folklore then this is definitely a place to visit.
I met Steve, the Curator, and Haije, who minds the Museum for him at times. They are both so friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
The entry fee is very reasonable and well worth it. Plus you can buy some mementoes of your visit.
There is a little library section too, where you can sit and study, or read the books that they have.
If I lived nearer, I would be in there all the time!Written October 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Hannah MFalmouth, UK47 contributionsBeautiful gardens, so much to see and do and we especially loved the fairy trail.
I do feel the tea room lets Enys down a lot, I only packed some snacks for my children, hoping to get a light lunch when we were there. But only mugs of tea, coffee, and a few different cakes were available. Apparently the freezer had broken too, so there were no ice creams available either.
The gardens is really great value for money, and it wasn’t too busy today, the play area was brilliant for the children and I think you could spend most of the day there. So many beautiful things to look at, and such stunning scenery.Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Falmouth
- The top attractions to visit in Falmouth are:
- Pendennis Castle
- Glendurgan Garden
- Gyllyngvase Beach
- National Maritime Museum Cornwall
- Falmouth Seafront Promenade
- The best outdoor activities in Falmouth according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- The Flicka Foundation - Donkey Sanctuary
- Trebah Garden
- Gyllyngvase Beach
- Glendurgan Garden
- Swanpool Beach
- The most popular things to do in Falmouth with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- The Flicka Foundation - Donkey Sanctuary
- Trebah Garden
- Maenporth to Swanpool Path Walk
- Pendennis Castle
- Gyllyngvase Beach
Falmouth Attractions Information
Attractions | 183 |
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Attraction Reviews | 16,070 |
Attraction Photos | 9,981 |
Local Time | Sunday 10:55 AM |