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Falmouth is one of Cornwall’s larger towns, and like many of the county’s most significant settlements is a town built on the waters that surround Cornwall. In Falmouth’s case, it sits on the south coast towards the bottom of the county alongside the River Fal, from which it derives its name. Falmouth is a deepwater harbour, and is in fact one of the deepest natural harbours in the world. It was a significant medieval port area, highlighted during the Tudor era, when Pendennis Castle was built. Pendennis Castle was constructed under the orders of Henry VIII as part of his reinforcements of the southern coast, which was vulnerable to foreign attack. It faces St Mawes Castle on the opposite bank of the Fal. Pendennis Castle was also famously a Royalist base during the English Civil War, and now it is a heritage site.
Falmouth was partly known for its status as a postal port. It was responsible for the shipping and receiving of parcels across the world. The harbour also saw the momentous return of the HMS Beagle in 1836 from a worldwide tour. What made its journey particularly famous was that it carried Charles Darwin, who had made numerous notes and discoveries during the trip that would later be shaped into his groundbreaking theory of evolution. The railways reached Falmouth in the mid-1800s, meaning that cargo could be transported inland much more easily. At the same time, as with much of Cornwall, trains brought tourists.
The docks are still important to the town, but tourism has taken over as the dominant industry. Falmouth is also an academic town, home to a university college. It is justifiably popular as a visitor destination, with the harbour offering commercial, leisure and sailing opportunities. It has a warm climate, and there are numerous beaches in the surrounding area. Further inland up the river sits the pretty harbour town of Penryn, which is a very historic medieval port. On the opposite side of the river to Falmouth lies St Mawes and the Roseland peninsula, which is appealingly scenic.
Falmouth was partly known for its status as a postal port. It was responsible for the shipping and receiving of parcels across the world. The harbour also saw the momentous return of the HMS Beagle in 1836 from a worldwide tour. What made its journey particularly famous was that it carried Charles Darwin, who had made numerous notes and discoveries during the trip that would later be shaped into his groundbreaking theory of evolution. The railways reached Falmouth in the mid-1800s, meaning that cargo could be transported inland much more easily. At the same time, as with much of Cornwall, trains brought tourists.
The docks are still important to the town, but tourism has taken over as the dominant industry. Falmouth is also an academic town, home to a university college. It is justifiably popular as a visitor destination, with the harbour offering commercial, leisure and sailing opportunities. It has a warm climate, and there are numerous beaches in the surrounding area. Further inland up the river sits the pretty harbour town of Penryn, which is a very historic medieval port. On the opposite side of the river to Falmouth lies St Mawes and the Roseland peninsula, which is appealingly scenic.