visitbytrain.info

      a station-by-station guide for tourist attractions

Falmouth Docks
Falmouth Town
Penmere

National Rail codes: Falmouth Docks FAL | Falmouth Town FMT | Penmere PNM

Cornwall Offers & Links

Public transport in Cornwall: www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

The maritime town of Falmouth grew up by the large natural harbour and its docks remain important today. It developed as a holiday resort following the arrival of the Great Western Railway. Falmouth PlusBus tickets are valid within the local urban area but NOT to Glendurgan and Trebah Gardens.

TI 11 Market Strand, Prince of Wales Pier. Tel. 01326 741194.

www.falmouth.co.uk | www.falriver.co.uk

Cornwall holidaycottages.co.uk Cornwall National Trust Holidays

Falmouth and Penmere map

National Maritime Museum Cornwall ¼ mile from Falmouth Docks station

Britain's maritime history. Topics featured include smuggling and search & rescue. Look Out tower with views over the harbour, docks and estuary. Tidal zone with underwater views. Pontoon directly in front of the building. Café.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.nmmc.co.uk

Pendennis Castle EH ½ mile from Falmouth Docks station

One of the finest fortresses built by Henry VIII to counter a threat from France and Spain. Pendennis Castle has seen action in many conflicts, including the Second World War. Tearoom.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, SSu (& WThF in Mar) 1000-1600. The castle may close early on Saturday and for an hour at other times if an event is booked, please check the website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Lifeboat Station Tinners Walk, ¼ mile from Falmouth Docks station

Free guided tours of the lifeboats.
Open Apr-Oct, M-S, see website for times.
www.falmouthlifeboat.co.uk

Falmouth Art Gallery above Library, The Moor, ¾ mile from each station

One of the leading art collections in Cornwall with works by old masters, major Victorian artists, British Impressionists, marine artists and contemporary painters and printmakers. Exhibitions programme.
Open M-S 1000-1600.
www.falmouthartgallery.com

Swanpool Local Nature Reserve ¾ mile from Falmouth Town and Penmere stations

Swanpool is a brackish lake, a rare habitat in Britain. As well as ducks, swans, coots and abundant wetland plants, it is also home to trembling sea mat which looks like an underwater plant but is in fact a primitive animal.
Open at all times.
www.swanpool.org.uk

Rural Retreats
Rural Retreats
Rural Retreats

Glendurgan Garden NT by bus

Created by the Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox as a 'small peace (sic) of heaven on earth', this valley garden runs down to Durgan beach on the Helford River. Camellias, magnolias and primroses bloom in early spring, followed by rhododendrons and bluebells. Dramatic colour in autumn. Maze. Tea-house.
Open mid Feb-Oct, TWThFSSu & BH (Daily in Aug) 1030-1700 (closes dusk if earlier).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan
Bus 35 & 63 from The Moor Bus Station (¾ mile from Penmere and Falmouth Town stations) to entrance on the left shortly after Mawnan Smith, watch for the NT sign. Bus 35 also from Kimberley Park Road (½ mile from Penmere station). About 20 minutes journey, M-S both routes 2-hourly. For bus times see Transport for Cornwall.

The National Trust has many holiday cottages in Cornwall, including some at Durgan Beach.

Trebah Garden by bus

A sub-tropical valley garden running down to a secluded beach on the Helford River. Exotic blooms, rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias. Hydrangea Valley. Adventure play areas. Cafés.
Open MTWSSu 1000-1630.
www.trebah-garden.co.uk
Bus as for Glendurgan Garden above, to entrance on the left shortly after Glendurgan Garden.

National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays

St Mawes Castle EH, St Mawes by ferry

The partner of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, St Mawes Castle is the most elaborately decorated of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses. It is built in a clover-leaf shape and was designed to mount heavy 'ship-sinking' guns.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, SSu (& WThF in Mar) 1000-1600. The castle may be closed on Saturday if an event is booked, please check the website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Ferry: from Prince of Wales Pier (¾ mile from Penmere station) to St Mawes Quay, then ½ mile walk to Castle. For ferry times please see www.falriver.co.uk.

Lamorran House Gardens, St Mawes by ferry

A Mediterranean style garden with the sea as a backdrop and running water in the many pools and streams. Rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. Palms and tree ferns.
Open Apr-Sep, WThF 1000-1600.
www.lamorrangarden.co.uk
Ferry: as for St Mawes Castle above but ¾ mile walk to Gardens from St Mawes Quay.

St Mawes map