Culture Trip's Guide to Falmouth

Set on the shores of the gorgeous Gyllyngvase Beach, St Michael’s Resort offers a sanctuary suitable for any retreat. The spa hotel offers a range of room choices, from luxury kings with sundecks to smaller rooms with views of the Cornish coast – which can be reached from the sub-tropical gardens below. From some of the rooms, you can even spot dolphins in Falmouth Bay.

The oldest hotel in Falmouth, dating back to the 1640s, on the pretty harbour, has a stylish, contemporary feel with bright and spacious rooms and huge rain showers. You can while away the hours observing life at sea, with sailboats, circled by oyster dredgers, entering and leaving the harbour below. The four-star property also offers al fresco breakfast.

This retro-chic B&B, in the heart of Falmouth, will appeal to fans of rock’n’roll. Stay in quirky rooms named after, and inspired by, musical legends, including David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Prince. The Jimi Hendrix room has great views of the coastline, and the understated Dusty Springfield room provides a pashmina to wrap up in when the sun goes down. Thanks to this B&B’s convenient location, beaches, shops and gardens are just steps away.

If you’ve always wanted to try surfing, Falmouth is the place to do it. The main beaches are Swanpool, Gyllyngvase and Maenporth, all of which suit every level, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or pro. There are plenty of surf schools where you can take a lesson. Open year-round, most offer one-to-one lessons for beginners, but they also provide intermediate and advanced coaching for those who want to take their surfing game to the next level.

Who doesn’t love a seaside castle? Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII in the 16th century, is a great place to explore and let your imagination run wild, with winding stone staircases, gun rooms and turrets. Climb to the top of the keep and take a moment to enjoy 360-degree views across Falmouth. However, be sure to book your tickets in advance.

Guided Cornwall Lizard tours, which start in Falmouth, are a great way to get outdoors and see attractions such as Pendennis Point, Trebah Garden, Helford Passage Beach and – within an hour’s drive – Lizard Point, the southernmost part of mainland Great Britain. Have your camera at the ready to take some Insta-worthy snaps.

The Gylly Beach Café, on Gyllyngvase Beach and overlooked by Pendennis Castle, has panoramic views of the Lizard Peninsula and the Helford River. By day, it offers breakfast for early birds, including homemade granola and the full Cornish. Lunch starts at noon, with a range of local dishes such as roasted mackerel and squid burger, or whole grilled Cornish sole with caper salsa. In the evening, things get more substantial, with dishes such as confit chicken leg. And the bread is baked in the glass-fronted bakery next door.

A must for seafood lovers, Restaurant Four offers a menu of locally caught fresh seafood and shellfish, plus foraged delicacies and home-grown fruit and vegetables. Order a fillet of fresh fish or a tender cut of locally farmed meat, served with a dedication to detail. Vegetarians are well looked after here, too, and there’s a great selection of drinks including county beers and tantalising cocktails.

If you’re looking for something relaxed and easygoing, this homely pub offers a range of modern European-style dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Sunday lunch is taken very seriously: think sirloin of beef, leg of lamb or roast pork with all the trimmings, supplied by renowned Cornish butcher Phillip Warren. Things get looser on Dirty Mondays, when the food is American-style barbecue, wings, ribs and brews, all chowed down to live music from local bands.