Maps dated 1613 show the area now known as Market Strand was a narrow beach (or "strand") in the hamlet of "Smithick" (from Smith's Creek). In 1652 Peter Killigrew was granted the right to hold a market and the first market house was built in the location of today's Market Strand. A popular and busy port at the mouth of the river Fal, Smithick eventually became Falmouth when incorporated in 1661.

Over the years the small hamlet grew into a town and port, with direct mail/road links with London, and, later, a railway line.

The photograph on the left is probably the oldest recorded photograph of Falmouth (taken in 1863) and shows the last ever stagecoach to leave Falmouth, having been superseded by the railway.

The then Prince of Wales is pictured behind the front pair of horses.

Today, Falmouth is a centre for maritime activities and is the home of the National Maritime Museum. From 10th - 13th September 2008, Falmouth will be the host port for the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta. This special Tall Ships Race is the centre-piece marking the 500th anniversary of the founding of the port of Funchal in Madeira.

The maritime theme continues with many restaurants focusing on local, fresh caught produce such as the Sticky Prawn and Mylor Sea Food Restaurant. Other notable places to eat out include the historic Pandora Inn - accessible by foot, bicycle or boat!

And, of course, Falmouth is home to a wide selection of public houses!

Apart from being a local shopping centre, Falmouth is home to the internationally renowned Falmouth College of Arts, Pendennis Castle, the Princess Pavilion, Ships and Castles Leisure Centre, Ocean Bowl bowling alley and much, much more.

Not to mention art galleries, antique shops, nightclubs, live bands, plays, and even more places to eat! A complete, cosmopolitan experience.

In short, something for everyone.

To see a few more photos of Falmouth CLICK HERE.

With a history stretching back millennia, the Duchy of Cornwall (Cornwall has never been a shire county of England) has it's own Patron Saint (St. Piran), it's own flag (see image on the left), it's own bird (the Chough, a relative of the Jackdaw) and it's own language, Kernewek (Cornish).

The crest of Cornwall County Council includes a shield with fifteen gold balls, which represent the ransom raised for the Duke of Cornwall, captured by the Saracens during the Crusades. Every Cornish man and woman contributed to the ransom, and this led to the Cornish Motto "Onan Hag Oll" ("One And All") being created.

To either side of the shield are a fisherman and a miner reflecting what, until recently, were the major industries of the Duchy. Though fishing quotas have decimated the Cornish fishing fleet you can still visit a restaurant and eat a fish that was caught that morning! The Cornish "Hard Rock" miner is still held in great esteem worldwide as the aristocracy of an elite profession, and have been mining copper and tin in Cornwall since pre-Roman times.

The Cornish coast is blessed with some of the best beaches in Britain and is a mecca for surfers from the four corners of the globe. Apart from surfing there are many miles of sandy beaches ideal for just basking in the sunshine, building sand castles or exploring rock pools teeming with wildlife.

Surrounded almost completely by the sea it is no surprise that Cornwall has a maritime tradition almost second to none (a major proportion of the crews who fought the Spanish Armada were Cornish). Today that tradition continues with many sailing and boating events, and ports such as Falmouth are awash with craft of all types from every sea faring nation.

Legend has it that Cornwall was the home of Camelot and the court of King Arthur (Tintagel), and Lyonesse is featured in Arthurian legends as the mystic land, eventually lost to the sea, where Arthur's body was laid to rest. Cornwall is also home to much folklore, such as piskies, fairies, knockers, mermaids, standing stones and more.

A naturalist's heaven, Cornwall has abundant wildlife.

It is not uncommon to see badgers, foxes and hedgehogs foraging in our gardens, peregrine falcons soaring overhead, and seals, sharks, dolphins, porpoises and even whales visiting our shores.

And "exotic" plants such palm trees are almost as common as dandelions!

Visit our links page for a variety of places to visit and things to do when in Cornwall.