Glorious Cornwall. One of our favourite places, but it can get very busy at peak times. Some of our favourite spots are outside the big holiday destinations, and Falmouth or St Mawes make a good base for finding some. Set either side of the River Fal, this is a beautiful area, with ferries running between.
Falmouth is much larger and busier than St Mawes. It is a working port, but has 2 beaches, and there are galleries and shops, as well as 16th Century Pendennis castle out on the headland.
Harbourside is the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall, and on the outskirts of town, Marlborough House has been recently restored and is well worth a visit.
St Mawes has a ruined castle, and lovely Lamorran House Gardens, but it is also the gateway to the beautiful Roseland Peninsula.
Around and about
We Love:
Roseland Peninsula: small villages, churches, coves and great walking, including Portloe and Gorran Haven beaches. Caerhays gardens at Porthluney beach are delightful.
Mevagissey: Fishing port with a good museum, Model Railway and Aquarium. Gardens everywhere: Our favourites are Trelissick (NT); Trebah; Glendurgan house and maze (NT); Penjerrick and Lamorran.
Gweek and the Helford river: The wonderful Seal Sanctuary.
Camborne: for a great tour of the King Edward mine.
Truro: Cathedral, Royal Cornwall museum and Skinners Brewery! Nearby is Tregothnan tea plantation - yes, you did read that right. Best to book a tour in advance.
Penryn: Flicka Donkey Sanctuary
For families: Beaches galore, Flambards Adventure park near Helston, and any of the watersports!
Walking and Nature.
So many options. Anywhere on the SW Coastal path is great, but our favourite coastal circular walks are
St. Anthony's Head; Rosemullion Head; Nare Head
Inland, the Fal River creeks offer lovely walking, and there are good walks from Mylor to Flushing, Feock to Devoran and Coombe and Old Kea circulars.
Budock Water, west of Falmouth, can be walked around, but is a bit nettley in summer!
Places to eat and Drink.
Falmouth: The Wheel house - seafood; Daaku - indian; Restaurant Four; Amanzi - African; Esspressini; The Front, and Brothers Pizza are good for drinks and snacks.
Penryn: Muddy Beach Cafe
St Mawes: Victory Inn; St Mawes Bakery; Cafe Chandlers
Roseland: Driftwood - fine dining; Gorran - coast path cafe,
Truro: Grounded - snacks; Rising Sun - pub; Chorleys;
Constantine: Potager Garden - vegetarian cafe and gardens
Take away; Falmouth - Gem Fish and Chips,
Information
Tourist Information in Falmouth and St Mawes.
Parking is never easy, especially in high season and at weekends. Campervans and Motorhomes can struggle in popular areas, and the twisty narrow lanes can be tricky. Falmouth does have a long stay lorry and coach park which campers used to be able to use. Rules are changing all the time, so please check.
We are campervan owners ourselves, and we ask you, please, if you visit the area in a campervan or motorhome, please only dispose of your rubbish, grey waste and toilet waste in proper, designated facilities. Doing anything else gets all campers a bad name, and will only result in it becoming harder for all of us to access lovely places Leave only Footprints!
Have fun. Anne X
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