Recently voted as the best place to live by The Sunday Times, The Sybarite investigates the perfection of Falmouth – the UK’s number one seaside town. Situated in a relatively sheltered bay on the south coast of Cornwall, Falmouth is all about the water. Take a look at our best picks below…
Stay:
The Royal Duchy Hotel
The Royal Duchy was one of the first hotels set up in Falmouth over a hundred years ago. Today, it has a reputation as one of the top luxury hotels in Cornwall. Right by the sea, it has all the facilities you could want, including a heated indoor pool, spa treatments and a superb restaurant serving AA Rosette winning cuisine including day caught local seafood. The Royal Duchy Hotel has 45 luxury hotel rooms, some with spectacular sea views across Falmouth Bay.
www.royalduchy.co.uk
The Greenbank Hotel
Nestled on Falmouth harbour, The Greenbank Hotel blends the best of coastal Cornish living with the finest in contemporary comfort, so you can experience life – on the water’s edge. Stylish, contemporary and fresh – when it comes to comfort and character, The Greenbank’s rooms have it all; from views to stop you in your tracks, to wide-headed showers that you won’t want to leave
www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk
Eat:
The Cove
Nestled on the shoreline of Maenporth Beach, The Cove offers uninterrupted views across Falmouth Bay. A sanctuary from the bustle of reality, where you can enjoy lunch al fresco on the elevated terrace or wind down the day with the full dining experience. The Cove is an oasis of taste and visual beauty, easily one of the most picturesque spots to enjoy the real flavour of Cornish ingredients.
www.thecovemaenporth.co.uk
Oliver’s
Oliver’s is a Falmouth-based restaurant that excels in two areas: high-quality seasonal menus using the finest local produce and first-rate service. Ken Symons creates exquisite food with trademark imagination and flair, ranging from off-the-pier-fresh fish and seafood to hand-cut prime Cornish steaks and a variety of other mouthwatering dishes.
www.oliversfalmouth.com
See:
Pendennis Castle
Positioned on a long high headland is Pendennis Castle. Built by Henry VIII to defend this important harbour, the castle is one of a pair, the other being St Mawes Castle. Both are of a similar style featuring a wide round tower along with additional quarters all of which are open to the public. Maintained by English Heritage Pendennis Castle also features several reconstructions showing life in the castle over the ages. The site was also of some importance during both World Wars and there are exhibits to reflect this.
www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/pendennis-castle.htm
National Maritime Museum
Set in a swanky new building right on the dock side is the National Maritime Museum. With twelve galleries set over three floors and an extensive library, there is a serious amount of stuff to see. Exhibitions cover all things nautical including the history of the boat, the port’s history, weather, wildlife and a number of more interactive displays like the boating pool with its fans to provide all the wind needed to sail model boats. Other great features are the Look Out tower and the two large underwater windows.
www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/national-maritime-museum.htm
Festivals
Falmouth is home to a growing number of annual festivals with roots in the town’s maritime heritage. Perhaps the biggest of these is the Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week in August centred around what is the largest sailing regatta in the South West. Along with all things yacht-y there is a host of other activities around the town and harbour. Other festivals celebrate the produce of the sea, the most notable being Falmouth Oyster Festival in October – a 3-day showcase of Cornish seafood. A couple of weeks later is the Beer Festival. There is also a Fish Festival in May. June sees the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival featuring singing groups from around the world. This is a festival of maritime music, both promoting heritage and raising money for the RNLI.
www.cornwalls.co.uk/events
