Attractions
There are a wide range of things to do in Falmouth and around Cornwall.
Highcliffe, Falmouth is no more than one hour’s drive from most attractions in Cornwall including the National Maritime Museum, Pendennis Castle, Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens and The Eden Project.
Trebah Garden
An old private Manor House sits above a beautiful Cornish valley playing host to a sub tropical garden leading down to a historic private beach: Polgwidden Cove.
Open all year round from 10am, Trebah is one of Falmouth’s most popular attractions. Every season there is a display of interest. During March and April Trebah is a riot of colour with their enormous array of flowering rhododenrons, camellias and magnolias which are over 100 years old. During Summer, giant gunnera is an overwhelming display of green: a prehistoric display of huge proportions. Hydrangea valley shows its blue and white blooms during winter before the Halloween and Christmas activities take on a life of their own. At any time of year, a walk down to the beach at the bottom is idyllic.
Trebah Garden is 5.6 miles or a 16 minute drive from Highcliffe B&B. You can walk to Trebah by picking up the coastal path just opposite Highcliffe B&B. It should take about 2 hours. By bus visit www.firstgroup.com for up to date times. If you use the bus, Trebah give you half price entry with your bus ticket. You must tell the driver to pick you up on your way home.
www.trebahgarden.co.uk 01326 252220 Mawnan Smith TR11 5JZ
Glendurgan Garden
Glendurgan Garden is part of the National Trust and is open all year round. A valley garden, Glendurgan plays host to a vast array of spring wildflowers and tropical specimens.
Famous for its maze planted by the Fox family, Glendurgan also offers a stunning little private beach at the bottom of the valley and a charming village – Durgan, on the edge of the Helford Passage.
Glendurgan Garden is 5.4 miles from Highcliffe B&B or a 16 minute drive. You can walk to Glendurgan by picking up the coastal path just opposite Highcliffe B&B. It should take about 2 hours. By bus visit www.firstgroup.com for up to date times. If you use the bus, please tell your driver you would like to picked up from Glendurgan on the return journey.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan-garden Mawnan Smith TR11 5JZ
Trebah Garden & Glendurgan Garden are located next to each other so definitely visit both on the same day.
AK Wildlife Cruises
Take a trip out with Captain Keith and be absolutely inundated with marine wildlife. You can take a 4 hour wildlife trip, a 7 hour off shore trip or an estuary tour any time of the year on a great boat with a warm cabin.
Take a packed lunch but hot drinks can be purchased on board. What makes AK Tours so special is Captain Keith himself. It’s like touring with David Attinborough. His knowledge of the wildlife he sees along the water is astounding and if you’re not lucky enough to see dolphins (everyone’s priority) then he will still show you some wonderful species.
www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk 01326 753389
Call ahead to book as trips get very busy but make sure you say you are staying at Highcliffe. Because of the planning involved, it is best to organise the trip direct with Captain Keith. They are weather dependent and at least 4 people must occupy the boat.
Kynance Cove
By far our most favourite place in all of Cornwall, Kynance Cove is both breathtakingly beautiful and idyllic.
Situated on the Lizard Peninsula and a National Trust site Kynance is about a 30 minute drive from Highcliffe B&B. Park at the top of the cove and walk about 20 minutes to the bottom. Stand at the top of the cliff overlooking the cove and really test your head for heights. When the tide goes out another cove is revealed. There’s also an eco friendly cafe with great food. You absolutely cannot visit Falmouth without visiting Kynance.
National Maritime Museum Falmouth
The South West’s Visitor Attraction of the Year offers something for everyone.
Open seven days a week 10am – 5pm there are a raft of activities and exhibits to suit all ages. Incredible harbour views from their 29 metre tower, one of the worlds only natural underwater viewing windows, amazing interactive hands-on exhibits and the opportunity to get out on to the water. Currently visitors are able to see ‘Rita’ Ben Ainslie’s Finn winner which helped him win his fourth gold medal.
Open daily 10am till 5pm. Located on Events Square, Famouth. Adults £10.50. Children 6-15 £7.20. Seniors £8.50. Tickets can be used for one year.
Pendennis Castle
Discover the wartime secrets of Cornwall’s greatest fortress.
Pendennis Castle was bult by King Henry VIII along with St Mawes Castle, to defend against a possible attack by Spain and France. Throughout its 450-year history, Pendennis Castle has faced new enemies, right up to the Second World War. Pendennis offers some of the most magnificent views of Falmouth and the Fal Estuary.
Eden Project
Eden is a fun and family friendly day out. Open all year round 1st January – 31st December.
Roughly 45 minutes from Falmouth by road. Dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world” by some, Eden is a dramatic global garden housed in tropical biomes – boasting the worlds largest greenhouse the Humid Tropics Biome – that nestle in a crater the size of 30 football pitches. Not only a mind blowing visitors attraction, Eden is also becoming a unique resource for education and knowledge towards a sustainable future.
There are themed events according to to season, workshops for adults, and children, activity days, music concerts and much more besides. Take a trip up the Rainforest Lookout and get an amazing bird’s eye view of the whole Biome. You’ll be way above the tops of the trees and the crashing waterfall, right up close to the domed roof.
Princess Pavilion
Falmouth’s main venue for year-round live music, drama & entertainment.