Things to Do in Falmouth

Whatever the weather, any day can be a beach day. Our very own Bream Cove is just a short (and very scenic) walk away through our gardens. There, you can swim in the sea, soak in the sun, go paddle boarding, or spend an afternoon searching for sea glass and rockpool finds. If you get peckish, The Bream Box serves relaxed food and drink to take away and enjoy al fresco. Alternatively, if you want to head further afield, decamp to Swanpool: a sheltered cove that’s great for swimming, watersports and relaxing on the sand. Falmouth’s other must-visit beach is Gyllyngvase (known locally as Gylly Beach), which looks out to the Lizard Peninsula and Helford estuary.

While you’re in Cornwall, there’s no better place to delve into the history and legends of the sea than the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. You’ll find it on Discovery Quay, right by the water, and it’s a fascinating half-day visit for all ages. During 2022, the museum is staging its wonderfully atmospheric ‘Monsters of the Deep’ exhibition, which explores centuries-old myths of creatures such as mermaids, giant sharks and the kraken.

The mild valleys around Falmouth are rightly famous for their gardens, but there are also lesser-known treasures to be found. Gyllyngdune Gardens are next to the Princess Pavilion (which stages year-round live performances), and feature exotic specimens, a quarry garden, children’s play area, and a historic shell grotto. Better still, the gardens are open all year and free to enter.

You don’t have to be a history fan to visit Pendennis Castle (though if you are, you’re in for a treat). The castle’s location alone – set on a headland with awe-inspiring views out to sea – is well worth coming for, but there’s so much more to discover than this. At Pendennis, you can travel through time from Henry VIII and the Napoleonic Wars to the 1940s, as you look out from turrets, ‘man’ the cannons and soak it all in.

Fun history fact: the castles of Pendennis and St Mawes were actually built as ‘sisters’ to defend both sides of the river from invasion during the 1500s. So, if a trip to Pendennis gets your imagination firing, take the ferry over to St Mawes Castle and continue the adventure. If you’re more interested in sightseeing, the fishing village of St Mawes has excellent restaurants and pubs, as well as shops and galleries.

The Helford estuary is found to the south of Falmouth, and offers fantastic scenic walks along the river, through woodland, and across sandy beaches. It was here that one of Cornwall’s most famous writers, Daphne du Maurier, spent her honeymoon in 1932; becoming so inspired by the setting of Frenchman’s Creek that she wrote her novel of the same name. To see what’s so special about this place, follow the National Trust’s guided circular walk.

Hotel Meudon’s impressive sub-tropical gardens were created by the Backhouse and Fox families, but this wasn’t the only Fox base in the area. Trebah Garden and Glendurgan – both within easy reach of Hotel Meudon – were also created by the Foxes. They’re both child-friendly, but have plenty to appeal to everyone, as well as offering walks down to private beaches.

Gain a completely fresh perspective on the coast by viewing it from the water. There are many companies offering scenic cruises along the River Fal and beyond, including AK Wildlife Cruises, which leave from Falmouth’s Premier Marina, and Enterprise Boats, which runs between Falmouth and Trelissick.

Whether you’re already a confident enthusiast, or have a first-time ‘try it and see’ mindset, Hotel Meudon is a great place to get on the water. We’ve partnered up with local watersports providers to offer tuition and guided tours from our own beach, Bream Cove, and you’ll also find lots of other providers dotted around the local area.

Stretching for miles along Cornwall’s coastline (and running right along the bottom of our garden), the South West Coast Pathis free, dog friendly, and sensational in all seasons. If you’d like help planning a route, you can always ask our team in reception, or the SWCP website has an interactive map that shows easy, moderate and challenging options.

Browse our rooms and suites, with options for couples and families, or check availability for our holiday cottage.