Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Falmouth
Wondering what to do in Falmouth? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
🎟️ This weekend near Falmouth
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 12:00
Truro Audio Tour: A Historic and Cultural Audio Odyssey
Old County Hall, Truro, Truro · 7.4 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Sat 14 Nov · 12:00
Truro Audio Tour: A Historic and Cultural Audio Odyssey
Old County Hall, Truro, Truro · 7.4 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Sun 15 Nov · 12:00
Truro Audio Tour: A Historic and Cultural Audio Odyssey
Old County Hall, Truro, Truro · 7.4 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Aquariums
18 mi from Falmouth
Blue Reef Aquarium
Blue Reef Aquarium sits right on Towan Promenade in Newquay, overlooking the beach, and offers an indoor undersea adventure through more than 40 naturally-themed displays, from roc...
✓
✓
✓
✓
Museums & Galleries
0.2 mi from Falmouth
Gwithti an Pyrst A Cabinet of Folklore and Magic
0.4 mi from Falmouth
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
The National Maritime Museum, Cornwall (NMMC) is located in a harbourside building at Falmouth in Cornwall, England. The building was designed by architect M. J. Long, following an... — Wikipedia
1.1 mi from Falmouth
Pendennis Castle Museum
Device Fort on the west side of the estuary of the River Fal, near Falmouth in Cornwall, England, UK
1.8 mi from Falmouth
Penryn Museum
Penryn Museum sits on the ground floor of the town hall, right in the centre of this historic market port in Falmouth, Cornwall. It's free to enter and tells the story of Penryn th...
2.5 mi from Falmouth
Enys Gardens
Enys Gardens, near Ponsanooth in Cornwall, are believed to be the oldest gardens in the county. Set amid woodland, they're maintained in a natural, enchanting style, offering a pea...
✓
✓
5.3 mi from Falmouth
Constantine Museum and Archive
Constantine Museum and Archive tells the story of this large Cornish parish, from mining and granite quarrying to farming, local trades and community life. You'll find long term di...
7.5 mi from Falmouth
Royal Cornwall Museum
Royal Cornwall Museum sits in the heart of Truro, just off the main high street, and brings together Cornish art, history and culture under one roof. You can explore the Mineral Ga...
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
9.7 mi from Falmouth
King Edward Mine
King Edward Mine is a former working tin mine turned museum in Camborne, Cornwall, where volunteer guides lead you through a historic Cornish tin mill and explain working equipment...
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
9.8 mi from Falmouth
Helston Museum
Museum of Cornish Life is a museum situated in the former market town of Helston, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is located immediately behind Helston Guildhall. — Wikipedia
10 mi from Falmouth
Michell's Engine House
Michell's Engine House sits at Carn Brea, Cornwall, within the East Pool Mine site, and is home to the last whim engine built in Cornwall, once used to raise ore and lower miners i...
10 mi from Falmouth
East Pool Mine
East Pool mine, was a metalliferous mine in the Camborne and Redruth mining area, just east of the village of Pool in Cornwall. Worked from the early 18th century until 1945, first... — Wikipedia
10.2 mi from Falmouth
Redruth Old Cornwall Society Museum
Run by the Redruth Old Cornwall Society, founded in 1922, this small museum sits within Tolgus Tin, one of Cornwall's most important industrial heritage sites. Inside you'll find e...
✓
12.2 mi from Falmouth
Marconi Centre
Museum of Guglielmo Marconi's wireless telegraphy and centre for the local amateur radio group
14.9 mi from Falmouth
Mevagissey Museum
Mevagissey Museum is a small charity-run museum in Mevagissey, Cornwall, spread across three floors of fascinating and diverse exhibits. There's a kids trail to keep younger visito...
Theme Parks
23.9 mi from Falmouth
Camel Creek Adventure Park
Camel Creek Adventure Park is a family theme park in St. Issey, Cornwall, offering thrilling rides, energetic outdoor fun, all-weather indoor play and animal zones to explore. Ther...
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Zoos & Wildlife
17.7 mi from Falmouth
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is a 13-acre wildlife and botanical garden attraction in the heart of Newquay, Cornwall, first opened in 1969. You can wander through lush gardens, watch keeper talks a...
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
+1
Where to stay near Falmouth
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Falmouth
Itineraries
- A weekend in Falmouth: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Falmouth with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Falmouth · 2 days
Haunted Britain
From the blog
Falmouth makes a good base for days out in Cornwall. Within easy reach of the town you'll find castles, mining heritage, gardens, wildlife and a few proper crowd-pleasers for children. Below, the options are sorted by type, with suggestions for grouping them into sensible days and turning them into a short break.
For families
If you're travelling with children, start with the big-ticket fun. Kernow Adventure Park in Falmouth is a water park, so pack swimwear and towels. Flambards is a theme park and an easy whole-day choice. Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre combines fun-park activities with ponies, which suits younger children.
Animal lovers have plenty of choice:
- Screech Owl Sanctuary, for a close look at birds of prey
- The Monkey Sanctuary, listed under Looe
- Greeb Farm, listed under Penzance
For rainy days
Cornish weather can turn quickly, so it helps to have a museum or two in reserve. Many of the region's museums and galleries are listed under Penzance, which makes it easy to fill a wet day without much planning. Penlee House, Gallery & Museum and Tate St Ives are good picks for art. The End to End Story, Coast The Exhibition and Air Sea Rescue offer something a little different. Smaller local collections include St Ives Museum and Marizion Museum.
Two more options are listed under St Austell. Shipwreck Treasure Museum tends to appeal to all ages, and Mevagissey Museum covers local history.
For the outdoors
The region's gardens are a highlight when the sun is out. Trelissick Garden and Glendurgan Garden are both gardens and arboretums, so they suit an unhurried morning or afternoon of walking. Carn Brea Castle adds a heritage angle to a day outdoors. Wildlife spots such as Screech Owl Sanctuary and Greeb Farm also work well on a dry day.
For heritage
History fans have two strong themes to follow: coastal defence and mining.
- Castles and defence: Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle pair naturally. Predannick Anti-Aircraft Battery, listed under Falmouth, brings the story into the twentieth century.
- Mining: King Edward Mine and Michell's Engine House are both listed under Falmouth. East Pool Mine is a National Trust property, and Levant Mine and Beam Engine is listed under Penzance.
Four of the region's listed landmarks are National Trust properties, including East Pool Mine and The Stables. If you're a member, check what's covered before you set off.
Grouping attractions into a day
The simplest approach is to group attractions by the town they're listed under, so you spend less time in the car. Here are a few combinations that work:
- Falmouth heritage day: Pendennis Castle in the morning, then Predannick Anti-Aircraft Battery, King Edward Mine or Michell's Engine House after lunch.
- Penzance art and museums day: Penlee House, Gallery & Museum, then The End to End Story or Coast The Exhibition. Add Tate St Ives if you have the energy.
- Mining day: East Pool Mine paired with Levant Mine and Beam Engine.
- Family day: Flambards or Kernow Adventure Park on its own. Both are easily a full day, so don't overload it.
- St Austell day: Shipwreck Treasure Museum and Mevagissey Museum together.
Where to eat
All of the following have 5-star food hygiene ratings:
- Victoria Inn and Try Dowr, both pubs and inns, for a sit-down meal after a day out
- Bread & Butter, a tea room for a lighter lunch or afternoon break
- Kellaway's Fish and Chips, the obvious choice if you want fish and chips
Making it a short break
There are 322 places to stay on BritStays in the Falmouth region, so you have plenty of choice. A three-night stay lets you cover the main themes without rushing:
- Day one: castles and local heritage around Falmouth
- Day two: a garden or a family attraction
- Day three: held in reserve for museums if the weather turns, or for wildlife if it doesn't
Practical tips
- Check opening times and prices directly with each attraction before you travel, as these can change with the season.
- Keep at least one museum day flexible so you can swap it in when it rains.
- For water parks and theme parks, bring a change of clothes and plan to stay most of the day.
- If you hold National Trust membership, bring your card.
- Book popular pubs ahead if you're eating as a group.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Falmouth with children?
Families can head to Kernow Adventure Park, a water park in Falmouth. Other options include Flambards and Spingfields Fun Park and Pony Centre, or wildlife spots such as Screech Owl Sanctuary, The Monkey Sanctuary and Greeb Farm.
What can I do in the Falmouth area on a rainy day?
Museums and galleries are the best bet. Choices include Penlee House, Gallery & Museum, Tate St Ives, The End to End Story, Coast The Exhibition and Air Sea Rescue. Shipwreck Treasure Museum and Mevagissey Museum are listed under St Austell.
Which castles can I visit near Falmouth?
Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle are both castle and heritage landmarks in the region. Carn Brea Castle is another option.
Are there National Trust properties in the Falmouth region?
Yes. Four of the listed landmarks are National Trust properties, including East Pool Mine and The Stables.
Where can I learn about Cornish mining near Falmouth?
King Edward Mine and Michell's Engine House are listed under Falmouth. East Pool Mine is a National Trust property, and Levant Mine and Beam Engine is listed under Penzance.
Where can I eat with a 5-star hygiene rating in the Falmouth area?
Victoria Inn and Try Dowr are pubs and inns, Bread & Butter is a tea room, and Kellaway's Fish and Chips serves fish and chips. All have 5-star hygiene ratings.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Falmouth.