Falmouth

Falmouth is a famous port town with a dramatic nautical history. As the nearest large harbour to the English Channel, there’s always been a fine presence of ships based here. As well as super yachts, fishing trawlers and sea shanties, contemporary Falmouth has a very visitor-friendly high street, lined with galleries, boutiques, bookshops, bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants. Some of the best places to stay in Falmouth are close to the harbour, overlooking the water, but we have tracked down a few recommendations slightly further afield. Our favourites include a couple of spa hotels, pubs-with-rooms, a restaurant-with-rooms, and a couple of B&Bs.

Falmouth’s centre is charming, with rows of pastel-coloured stucco terraces, traditional granite houses, and more contemporary offerings with plenty of glass. It's a thriving town filled with plenty of things to see and do including spotting dolpins off Pendennis Point or simply enjoying a lazy day on Gyllyngvasse Beach (there are plenty of other lovely ones in the area). The National Maritime Museum is excellent too. But don't forget the watersports, the sheltered harbour here is ideal for honing your paddleboarding skills! The food scene is notable too. There's a wide range of eateries and of course you should expect plenty of freshly landed seafood and locally sourced meat and vegetables.

Don't forget that the peak summer months are incredibly busy in Cornwall. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Falmouth in July or August, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Falmouth

For Sea Views

• The Royal Duchy Hotel is an elegant, four-star hotel, with fabulous sea views and 45 spacious rooms and suites. The décor is contemporary and classic, but nothing too dramatic, allowing the views to speak for themselves. The champagne bar, award-winning fine-dining restaurant, and spa with an indoor pool and sauna, make this a great pick for a romantic weekend away.
• Beautifully positioned overlooking the harbour, The Greenbank is a luxurious choice, with 50 elegant rooms and suites, the best with stunning views. The Water’s Edge restaurant has wonderful sea views too, and 2 AA Rosettes. There’s also a pub onsite, called The Working Boat for relaxed pub grub and local ales.
• The Star & Garter is a rather glossy gastro-pub with rooms and harbour views, occupying a Georgian townhouse right on Falmouth’s high street. The accommodation is in three self-catering apartments and two en-suite rooms, decorated with charmingly up-cycled antiques, and fancy fittings, like Smeg fridges, coffee-machines; cast-iron stoves, pot plants, and persian rugs.
• The Chainlocker is a bar and seafood restaurant-with-six-rooms, in the centre of Falmouth. Each of the rooms and suites has been carefully decorated, with quirky, vintage furniture, and a vague atmosphere of nautical design. Several of the rooms have fantastic views over the harbour, and some are pet friendly too. The bar and restaurant have a lively atmosphere.

For Couples

• Merchants Manor is a luxurious adults only restaurant-with-rooms, positioned close to the water, by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. The restaurant, Rastella, champions local produce and foraged ingredients, has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes. There’s an excellent range of accommodation — rooms, suites, and self-catering cottages with their own hot-tubs. The decor has an industrial edge, and features plenty of wood, patterned floor tiles, and geometric prints. There’s also a spoiling spa with gym and 12m indoor heated pool.
• St Michael's Hotel is a spa hotel, with views over Gyllyngvase Beach and Pendennis Castle and out to sea. Created as a place for indulgent spa breaks you can expect a state-of-the-art spa and gym facilities, contemporary Cornish restaurant and smart contemporary rooms. We love the views, the hydrotherapy pool, the chic bar, and the blue and white nautical colour-scheme.

Best B&Bs

• Chelsea House is a stylish, owner-managed B&B which looks out over Falmouth Bay. The nine rooms are themed around musicians, and styled with plenty of mid century Danish furniture and contemporary art, complemented by white walls and original wooden floors. There’s a large and comfy lounge, a charming terrace, and private outdoor space. Two of the rooms are pet-friendly.
• With seven contemporary, light and airy rooms, and sea views from the best of them, The Sandy Duck represents a top notch style at a very reasonable price. Guests can expect crisp linens and beautiful fabrics, stand-alone baths, objets d’art and original artworks. The feeling is of mid-century, or Scandi-chic with lots of natural light. Well located for the beach, as well as Falmouth’s attractions, and places to eat and drink.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Falmouth?

• The closest airports are Newquay Airport, Exeter Airport, and Bristol Airport. If you’re travelling by rail, and via London, you’ll want to travel from Paddington, via Truro.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Falmouth, like the rest of Cornwall, is busiest during the late spring and summer months – especially during the school holidays when people are naturally drawn towards the coastline. But Falmouth is a harbour town, and a large centre, so there’s more to this destination than the beach, and it’s an enjoyable destination spring, and autumn too. If you’re not restricted by the school holidays the best time to visit Falmouth may be May-June, or September, when the weather is sunny and the days long, but the kids still at school. 

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include our Gurus’ recommendations for all of the best places to stay in Cornwall
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for — the best beach hotels in Cornwall, Cornwall’s most romantic hotels or best hotels in Cornwall for families
• Consider some of Falmouth’s neighbours, St Mawes possibly
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Falmouth