Falmouth - a popular coastal town


Falmouth, an historic maritime town, is also a leading coastal resort.


The town became a busy port in the 17th century when it was made a Mail Packet Station.


In its heyday, there were around 40 fast packet sailing ships operating out of the port taking mail and bullion to destinations in Europe and the Americas.


The port remained an important centre of communication with the British Empire until the packet


service was moved to Southampton in the 19th century.


The loss of the service was a blow to Falmouth. However, the arrival of the railway in 1863 soon led to the town becoming a popular holiday resort.


Today, one of the major attractions in the town is the National Maritime Museum.


Another prominent building on the waterfront, Pendennis Castle, has been standing for centuries.


Owned by English Heritage, the castle was built by Henry VIII in 1542. The Tudor castle, which is open daily, has a hands-on discovery centre and underground wartime defences.


Special events are staged at the circular castle which was the last Royalist stronghold in the English Civil War before falling to Oliver Cromwell’s forces after a long seige.


Pendennis Castle and its smaller equivalent across the water, St Mawes Castle, were built to guard the Carrick Raods, a huge natural harbour.


Today the harbour provides shelter for ocean-going vessels.


Quays and piers run along Falmouth’s waterfront where small craft and yachts come and go.


Lizard Peninsula - unique and stunningly beautiful


To describe the Lizard Peninsula – the most southerly tip of Cornwall and mainland Britain – as unspoiled would be an understatement.


The Lizard Peninsula is unique. This remote corner of Cornwall is stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, and there is nowhere quite like it in any other part of Britain.


It is for this reason that it has been a continuing source of inspiration for artists and writers over the years.


DH Lawrence was drawn here because, he said: ‘It is not England. It is bare, and elemental.’


Even today, it is still remote, removed from the rest of the country, its people self-sufficient, and proud of their Celtic heritage.


Myths, superstitions and customs survive, which have long been lost to the rest of England.


It is an ancient and mysterious place. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the peninsula stands alone in a very real sense.


In a line from London to Land’s End, the backbone of Cornwall is not a route to somewhere.


The Lizard Peninsula is not a cross-roads, a junction, or a place to drive through, but a destination – a journey’s end.


Open Monday - Saturday, 10am-1pm (1st Dec - 21st Dec, 10am-4pm)


Helston Museum Take a step back in time


FREE ADMISSION FULL DISABLED ACCESS


Tel: 01326 564027 www.cornwall.gov.uk


Standing proud in the sea, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the elements and, yet, paradoxically, the climate is the warmest in Britain.


The air is crisp, clear, and unpolluted by industry. The rocks and cliffs of the coastline offer shelter to tiny fishing villages huddled into their coves, looking much the same today, as they did centuries ago. Small cottages, thatched and whitewashed, cluster around tiny harbours.


16 Cornish Visitor Guide - autumn & winter 2011-2012


Colourful fishing boats, pulled up high on the beach, bear testimony to the fact that these small communities still depend largely on the sea for their livelihood.


Fishing and farming have always been the mainstay of the local economy, and life has always been a struggle.


Winter is a quiet time here. The fishermen’s choirs gather in their local pubs to sing, and between December and January even the smallest harbours are decorated with lights and lanterns, often in amusing and quirky tableaux of local significance.


Inside, huge log fires keep out the chill from the sea, when the evenings draw in, and enormous waves can pound into the coves.


Even in winter, there is always colour in abundance. If Ireland has 100 shades of green, Cornwall is not far behind in blue tones.


It is this, and the outstanding quality of light, which draws so many artists to the Lizard. Many have made the area their permanent home, and their work can be viewed all-year round.


February is spring, on the Lizard Peninsula, and these early portents are


Helford Passage, Lizard Peninsula


soon overtaken by a myriad of other wild flowers, the abundance of which is seldom seen elsewhere.


Along the densely wooded shores of the Helford River, gardens and natural landscape merge to create a horticultural dream.


Much of the area is owned and managed by the National Trust, which ensures that it remains unspoiled.


The South West coastal footpath winds its way around the peninsula, but there are also many circular walks to be found inland, which are less demanding.


Falmouth’s Maritime Museum.


Ferries also operate to various destinations on the estuary, and river cruises and fishing trips can be booked.


Alleyways link the waterfront to the bustling town centre with its shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants.


A short distance away, the town’s docks are located below the high ground of Pendennis Point.


The town’s main beaches, Maenporth, Swanpool, Gyllyngvase and Castle, are to the west of the headland.


Close by are the Princess Pavilion Theatre, Gylly-ngdune ornamental gardens and the Ships and Castles Leisure Pool.


Falmouth Art Gallery celebrates the town’s artistic traditions through paintings while the Falmouth Art Centre stages a wide variety of cultural events.


The town also has a range of sports facilities.


Falmouth is a good base from which to tour and explore the super


countryside and coastal areas on its doorstep.


Interesting villages, such as Mawnan Smith, Helford, Manaccan, St Anthony and Constantine, are worthy of a visit as are the gardens at Trebah.


The Lizard Peninsula boasts a wealth of breathtaking scenery.


www.cornish-visitor.co.uk


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