Cornwall


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Popular with students and creatives and their families, Falmouth (or Fal to the locals) has a long-standing maritime history and culture. The town centres around the world&#8217;s third largest natural deep-water harbour and is surrounded by areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as a number of beautiful beaches. Falmouth offers coastal living with the benefit of being in a large (for Cornwall) town with amenities, university and period properties – although, as we mention with most coastal places in Cornwall, the nicest options will cost a packet. Not to be confused with Falmouth&#8217;s history as a Royal Mail packet station, with the packet (mail) ships filling the harbour for over 150 years, as they sailed to and from the rest of the Empire &#8211; marking out Falmouth as a key information hub, second only to London.</p>



<p>Falmouth University is now one of the leading arts universities in the UK and University of Exeter Cornwall campus, both of which are communities that combine to help drive a year round economy in the town, cementing Falmouth as a great place to live, and helping retain the next generation who no longer have to leave the Duchy to seek further education.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat"><strong>EAT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey.jpeg" alt="Kernowine Falmouth Cornwall interior" class="wp-image-25607" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey-720x481.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/Kernowine-Interior-1-credit_-John-Hersey-786x525.jpeg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kernowine</figcaption></figure>



<p>The high street is full of places to drink and eat, including many independent cafes and restaurants. Highlights to look out for include the tiny but delectable<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeafoodBarFalmouth/"> Seafood Bar</a> from Verdant microbrewery (who also make good beer),<a href="https://www.restaurantmine.co.uk/"> Restaurant MINE</a>, the Water’s Edge restaurant and working boat pub at<a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/hotel-review-greenbank-falmouth/"> The Greenbank Hotel</a>, Other foodie finds include<a href="http://www.provedore.co.uk/"> Provedore</a> trattoria and takeaway, which also does pop ups, Muddy Award winning restaurant,<a href="https://themulberryfalmouth.co.uk/"> The Mulberry</a>, just under the High Street, wine bar<a href="https://kernowine.co.uk/"> Kernowine</a>, skin-contact wine-led restaurant<a href="https://www.theorgia.com/"> The Orgia</a>, Muddy Award-winning<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabzideli/"> Sabzi Deli</a> and Hylton Espey&#8217;s<a href="https://culturerestaurant.co.uk/"> Culture</a>, which was awarded a Michelin Green Star 2024. New for 2024 was <a href="https://hevva.uk">Hevva</a> fish and shellfish, serving shell and seafood at neighbourhood prices.</p>



<p>Pub-wise you’ll find everything from student favourites right the way up to gastropub the<a href="http://www.starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk/about"> Star &amp; Garter</a> in the town itself, now under the care of the team from MINE, with great cocktails, food and views.<a href="https://beerwolfbooks.com/"> Beerwolf Books</a> in Bells Court just off Market Street is a quirky shop/pub offering, well, beer and books. Out of town, head south to the Helford where you’ll find the<a href="https://ferryboatcornwall.co.uk/"> Ferryboat Inn</a> at Helford Passage, or over the water to Flushing where you&#8217;ll find great food and drinks at<a href="https://harbourhouseflushing.co.uk/"> Harbour House</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>At nearby Penryn are more cafés, co-working spaces and a wine shop, and if you head the other way out of Falmouth you’ll find the lovely garden restaurant at<a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hotel-meudon-mawnan-smith-falmouth-cornwall/"> Hotel Meudon</a>. In land, we like the<a href="https://www.potagergarden.org/"> Potager</a> garden café where food grown on site is served up in the greenhouse restaurant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="996" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/High-St-Falmouth-.jpg" alt="Falmouth High Street Cornwall UK" class="wp-image-34855" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/High-St-Falmouth-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/High-St-Falmouth--800x531.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/High-St-Falmouth--1000x664.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/High-St-Falmouth--768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Falmouth High Street</figcaption></figure>



<p>Winner of the best Coastal Community at the Great British High Street Awards, Falmouth has over 200 independent outlets within three square miles including <a href="https://finisterre.com/">Finisterre,</a> Willow &amp; Stone, Love &amp; Honor, <a href="https://henrysoffalmouth.com/">Henry&#8217;s of Falmouth</a> for a stylish rural wardrobe, and plenty of vintage and antique shops as well as the usual (Cornish) high street offerings – Seasalt, New Look and more. New on the Killigrew Street is Lowena Flowers, offering seasonal and locally grown blooms. Falmouth also has a good number of supermarkets and amenities, bakeries, grocers and even two Tesco Express, one at each end of the high street (hey, everyone needs a pint of milk now and again?).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="St Michaels Resort Falmouth cornwall hydropool" class="wp-image-29811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/St-Michaels-Resort-Falmouth-March-23-Spa-Spa-Hydro-High-Res-EW-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St Michaels Resort</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/st-michaels-resort-falmouth-cornwall/">St Michaels Resort</a> health club is the largest and best-equipped health club in Cornwall, with the onsite spa offering treatments, the largest hydrotherapy pool in the South West and a Cornish sea salt room, and the health club a state of the art gym, spin room and pool, plus community accessible tennis courts. A popular spot for swimming and paddleboarding, head to Gyllyngvase beach (it&#8217;s a Blue Flag beach), within easy walking of the town.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Born out of the ashes of the negative Cornwall Council decision to close the local leisure centre, <a href="https://pendennisleisure.org">Pendennis Leisure</a>, a CIO, is on a mission to raise the necessary millions to redevelop the site as a stunning new pool and community centre. The space currently houses a host of community yoga and wellbeing classes each week. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sk8fal/?locale=en_GB">Falmouth Skatepark Project</a>, after years of lobbying and fundraising, has now opened for the benefit of the community on Dracaena Avenue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="618" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/453016997_883679947125170_1387077109681837840_n.jpg" alt="Natoinal Maritime Museum Falmouth Cornwall" class="wp-image-34974" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/453016997_883679947125170_1387077109681837840_n.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/453016997_883679947125170_1387077109681837840_n-800x515.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/453016997_883679947125170_1387077109681837840_n-768x494.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> National Maritime Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p>In the town itself you’ll find the Discovery Quay, a new development which is home to the superb<a href="https://nmmc.co.uk/"> National Maritime Museum</a> and guarding the entrance to the harbour is<a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle/"> Pendennis Castle</a> (below). The town beaches of Gylly and Castle are popular &#8211; you’ll find everyone from kids to SUP fans and wild swimmers making the most of the coast here &#8211; and there&#8217;s plenty of others within easy walking distance too, like Swanpool, pictured.</p>



<p>Catch the ferry from Falmouth to the Roseland where you&#8217;ll find St Mawes on the otherside of the harbour, or head south, where there are beaches like Maenporth, and then the Helford &#8211; another area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with plenty of walking and water sports (perfect for a canoe trip). With its oak wooded banks and sub-tropical gardens of<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan-garden"> Glendurgan</a> (not open all year) and<a href="https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/"> Trebah</a> (open all year), there&#8217;s tons to do for all ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.falmouthartgallery.com/Gallery/Home">Falmouth Art Gallery</a> is in the centre of town and has permanent pieces as well as seasonal exhibitions, and we also like the Sailor’s Jail Gallery<em>.</em><a href="https://thepoly.org/"> The Poly</a> is the place to go for theatre, music, comedy and film, and is also in the town centre. Outdoor theatre can be found nearby at Trebah Amphitheatre, and there&#8217;s also<a href="https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/departments/school-of-art"> Falmouth School of Arts</a>, part of<a href="https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/"> Falmouth University</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Terraced properties made up the the most sold properties in Falmouth this last year, costing an average of just under £397,452, with the average property costing £421,181, which is up 8% on 2023. Detached properties on average cost over £500,000 with waterside costing significantly more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/falmouth.jpeg" alt="5 bed house for sale in flamouth x On the market for £1.495m." class="wp-image-34967" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/falmouth.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/falmouth-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/falmouth-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/falmouth-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Over on the Greenbank side of town looking out over the water is this 5-bed Regency townhouse, <a href="https://www.lillicrapchilcott.com/property-details/sales/10174">On the market for £1.495m.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Happy Days is based at Beacon Junior School,<a href="https://www.naturallylearning.co.uk/falmouth"> Naturally Learning Falmouth</a> provides a creative early years’ experience for children aged up to 5 yrs, as well as other nearby pre-schools in Mylor and Penryn.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Most of the local state school primaries are rated &#8216;Good&#8217; by Ofsted. For secondary, there is Falmouth School, that requires improvement, and the &#8216;Good&#8217; rated<a href="http://www.penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk/"> Penryn College</a> &#8211; as well as options in nearby Truro, where the independent offering includes <a href="https://www.truroschool.com/">Truro School</a>, <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/muddy-guide-to-the-best-schools-2-truro-high-school-for-girls/">Truro High School for Girls</a> and preps include <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/truro-prep-school-review/">Truro Prep</a> and<a href="https://www.polwhelehouse.co.uk/"> Polwhele House School</a>, up to Y9. State school-wise in Truro,<a href="http://www.st-marys-truro.cornwall.sch.uk/web"> St Mary’s C of E</a> is an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ primary and <a href="http://www.penair.cornwall.sch.uk/">Penair</a> and <a href="http://www.richardlander.co.uk/">Richard Lander</a>, both secondary, are rated ‘Good’.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Falmouth is the &#8216;events capital of Cornwall&#8217; where &#8216;Fal&#8217; weeks include Falmouth Week, a sailing and land celebration, the International Sea Shanty Festival, and<a href="https://www.falmouthbookfestival.com/"> Falmouth Book Festival</a> in October, as well as a comedy festival, annual beer trail, the award-winning Tall Ships event, various arts festivals and look out for the new oyster weekend in November, hosted by St Michaels Resort to replace the much-loved annual autumn oyster festival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It takes around 30 mins on the train from Falmouth to Truro, where you can pick up a mainline train and be in London Paddington in just over 4hrs 30 mins. Driving to London takes longer as you have to factor in the frankly not very good road up to Truro, but it’s still very accessible to the west and north west of Cornwall.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Falmouth

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