Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FALMOUTH, TRURO & THE ROSELAND
In contrast to the crags and breakers of the Atlantic coast, the area around Falmouth and the
Roseland Peninsula presents a gentler side to the county. Sheltered from the brunt of the
biting Atlantic winds, the coastline benefits from a balmy subtropical climate that allows
exotic plants and trees to flourish along its valleys; it's no wonder that many of Cornwall's
finest garden and country estates are found here. In previous centuries it was an important
maritime area, and the old ports of Falmouth, St Mawes and Mevagissey are all worthy of
investigation.
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Falmouth
POP 20,775
If you're looking for Cornwall's coolest town, then the consensus seems to centre on Fal-
mouth right now. Since the multi-million pound development of Falmouth University on
the outskirts of nearby Penryn over the last decade, this ancient maritime harbour has be-
come one of the county's most creative and quirky towns. From espresso bars to boutique
beer taverns, vintage shops to cutting-edge design agencies, Falmouth seems to be where
it's at these days.
It's all a far cry from the days when Falmouth earned its keep from the sea. Strategically
situated at the end of the River Fal, overlooking the entrance to the Carrick Roads estuary,
the port of Falmouth has been an important maritime hub for more than 500 years. The
town sits at the edge of the world's third-deepest natural harbour, and flourished as a trad-
ing port after the river at Truro silted up. Falmouth's heyday was during the era of the
Packet Service, which carried mail, bullion and supplies between Britain and its overseas
colonies between 1689 and 1850.
The days of the tall ships, tea clippers and naval galleons may be gone, but the town re-
mains an important centre for shipping and repairs - you'll still see big ships moored up
alongside the town docks, undergoing refurbishment and repairs. Since 2003 Falmouth has
also been home to the Cornish outpost of the National Maritime Museum, an impressive
multimedia affair that forms the centrepiece of the heavily redeveloped area around
Discov-
ery Quay
.
