Falmouth & Places to Visit

[Beccatheboo]

We are going to Falmouth soon and wondered if there are any day out recommendations? We don't mind travelling to places of interest. So far we are thinking...
National Maritime Museum
Ferry to St Mawes
Bodmin Jail (want to go back after 'meeting' the smoking ghost on last visit)
Eden Project
Tintagel
Polperro
Land's End

I'm sure there are lots of other places. Ideas would be much appreciated! After a difficult year we are need of a good hol.

Also, any particularly nice beaches not to miss?

Thanks!

Ooh I was just about to start a similar thread - we will be in Mevagissey in a week's time! I have heard that the Eden Project is overrated (and £70 for a family of four! ) and that the Lost Gardens of Heligan are better and much cheaper.

We have stayed near Penzance and on the Lizard in previous years. Land's End is awful, just hideously tatty and touristy. Mousehole is lovely. St Michael's Mount worth a visit. On the Lizard, Kynance Cove and Poldhu Cove both fab beaches.

We went to the beach and museum at porthcurno which were both lovely. Also there is the open air theatre but you need to get there early for that - we were too late at 10 am!

Also marazion was a lovely day out.

The beach at mawgan porth or watergate bay.

All of the places you've mentioned! Falmouth is a great base for that part of Cornwall.

Definitely Kynance Cove on the Lizard! Our favourite beach in the UK, and we've been to many! NT members park free, lovely cafe etc so perfect for a whole day at the beach. Fish and chips in Lizard itself or try the cafe right at the end of the Lizard which offers some lovely food and a sunset view to die for! BYOB though as it doesn't serve alcohol.

Also"

• various tin mines near Land's End
• Marazion and St Michael's Mount is fab (NT). A lovely spot for a walk to the Mount and a scenic picnic on the beach. There's also a great kids' playground near the main car park off the beach area.
• boat trip to Truro (check boat times because of the tides)
• Sennen Cove, also near Land's End
• Seal Sanctuary near Helston. Try and get freebie vouchers from local papers and tourist guides as the full entrance fee can be steep!
• Ferry from Falmouth to Helston and back. You can't stop off but it's a lovely trip all the same.

I could go on!!!

Btw, there's a great swimming pool in Falmouth with a wave machine (oooohhhhh!). However it can get very busy on a wet day so go early. They often have a timed ticket but they guarantee a min of 2 hours in the pool which isn't bad.

Trebah - a lovely tropical garden in a valley, with a beach (and a cafe) at the bottom.

Porthcurno / Minack is great.

Falmouth Art Gallery is good for wet weather, very child friendly.

There's a new aquarium opened on the main st as well, not been there yet.

There are some really good tips here, but I have to agree with MegBusset about Eden. It is pretty overrated, and if you have children, it's fun for about 5 minutes. It also gets packed on rainy days, with midweek being the worst times for crowds.

The Seal Sanctuary is also awful - again, overpriced, but then most tourist things in Cornwall are! It's owned by the same people as Lands End, which tells you everything you need to know.

From Falmouth you can get the water taxi across to Flushing, which is cute and has a nice quiet, sheltered beach, a couple of decent pubs and a restaurant/cafe on the quay.

There are a few ok beaches near Falmouth - Maenporth is my preferred one and it has a cafe. Trebah beach is worth visiting. But the best beaches near Falmouth are on the Lizard - Church Cove is good.

The best restaurant in Falmouth is the Wheelhouse but it gets busy. Olivers is also meant to be very good but I haven't been there yet.

I hope you have a great holiday!