About Falmouth, UK

Falmouth is a town located on the estuary of the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, UK.

Falmouth is widely known as the The name Falmouth comes from the river Fal; the origin of the river name is unknown. Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which passes close to the neighbouring town of Penryn.
Recreation
With its proximity to sheltered and unsheltered waters, Falmouth has long been a popular boating and water sports location. Solo yachtsman Robert Manry crossed the Atlantic from Falmouth, Massachusetts to Falmouth, Cornwall from June-August 1965 in the thirteen and a half foot Tinkerbelle - this was the smallest boat to make the crossing at the time. The town was the location for the 1998 Tall Ships' Race in which approximately ninety Tall Ships set sail for Lisbon, Portugal. It also saw total coverage of the total eclipse of the sun at 11:11am on 11 August 1999 where the eclipse lasted just over two minutes — the longest duration in the UK. Built on a magnificent natural harbour at the mouth of the Fal estuary, Falmouth has a deserved reputation as a popular seaside resort and international boating centre. Much of the architecture is late 18th and early 19th century, though the popularity of Falmouth among the sailing fraternity has led to a plethora of new building. The foremost attraction, aside from the sandy beaches that surround the town, is Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII on a headland outside the town. Pendennis faces St. Mawes Castle across the Fal. Both were built as party of Henry's extensive plans to defend the south coast against perceived threats from France and Spain. Within the town the most interesting building is probably the King's Pipe, used to burn smuggled tobacco in the days when illicit goods smuggling flourished in Cornwall. The Cornwall Maritime Museum traces the proud seafaring history of the region, and visitors can take pleasure boat cruises around the Fal estuary and up the river. The Falmouth area is blessed with a mild climate all year round, making the area ideal for growing a wide variety of tender plants, including varieties rarely seen in Britain. Fox Rosehill Gardens, for example, features banana trees, growing healthily in open air! There are four major gardens in Falmouth itself (Gyllyndune, Kimberley Park, Fox Rosehill and Queen Mary), as well as three near the town (Trelissick, Glendurgan and Trebah).