The Best Historical Sites To Visit Near Falmouth
When you think of Cornwall, you might first think of the beautiful beaches or fabulous foodie scene, but we also get an impressive glimpse back in time to the heritage and history of the county. From prehistoric stone circles and Tudor castles to the thriving mining industry and reminders of World War Two, there is a huge amount to discover. Here are just a few recommendations which are within ‘day trip’ distance of our holiday cottages…
Pendennis Castle
In Falmouth itself, we have the striking silhouette of Pendennis Castle on the headland, or ‘the point’ as it’s called locally. You can actually see two parts to the castle from the seafront – the 1545 fortification with its circular keep and panoramic views, as well as the Edwardian Royal Artillery Barrack.
Once inside the site, you can visit the Tudor Artillery Fort (a circular four-storey tower), the Field Train Shed and the One Gun Battery as well as exploring through the rock-cut tunnel to the Half Moon Battery from WW2. Signage guides you through the multiple layers of history, so you can really imagine the importance of this strategic location across the centuries. The whole site is enclosed by a (now dry) moat which means you enter across a striking stone bridge with a twin-towered gatehouse.
The site is managed by English Heritage, but you can also get Cornwall Heritage Trust membership from £15 a year, which includes free access to sites in Cornwall!
St Mawes Castle
Spoilt for choice when it comes to castles, we also have St Mawes Castle which is visible across the water from Pendennis Point. This smaller fortress was also built under the orders of Henry VIII to protect against naval threats at the entrance to the important Falmouth Harbour.
With a small museum, this site is a lovely one to visit in combination with a wander along the beautiful St Mawes beaches and perhaps a bite to eat in the village. We recommend making a day of it by travelling by scenic foot ferry from Falmouth, but you can also drive round via Truro or taking the short King Harry Ferry.
Bodmin Moor
Although not especially near Falmouth, most of our guests drive right past Bodmin on their journey to and from Cornwall, so we wanted to include it for its impressive array of ancient settlements, stone circles, a famous jail, and the notorious Jamaica Inn.
The Hurlers are a set of three stone circles on Bodmin Moor itself, believed to date back to the Bronze Age. The legend goes that they were once men, turned to stone for playing the local game of hurling on a Sunday…
For the brave-hearted, the Bodmin Jail attraction describes itself as a ‘rich and darkly fascinating legacy of Georgian and Victorian crime and punishment’ with an immersive (yet family friendly) experience.
Similarly ominous, Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name, was built in 1750 as a rest for weary travellers. It now includes a restaurant, museum, and its own residential paranormal team! A good place to stop on route if you’re curious…
Truro Cathedral
Situated right in the heart of the city, the impressive building was started (perhaps later than anticipated) in the 1880s and is regarded as a triumph of Gothic Revival Architecture. The cathedral is open to all, and regularly hosts cultural events alongside worship.
Heritage Mining Sites
Across the landscape you will see the remains of old mining Engine Houses, and East Pool Mine and Wheal Coates are two National Trust locations where you can learn a bit more and soak up some history.
Just 30 minutes from Falmouth on the North coast near St Agnes, Wheal Coates is a popular location for a coast walk past Towanroath engine house to Chapel Porth beach. There isn’t a lot of signage and ‘museum’ paraphernalia here, as the structure itself does all the talking! This is one of the most photographed sights in Cornwall!
At East Pool Mine, the setup is much more of a museum experience, open from Sundays through to Thursdays for pre-booked tours which last about an hour. You can see two great beam engines, the brick flue tunnel, abandoned mining machinery and an example of the cages that miners descended in. A short film also displays archive footage and expert interviews.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
In much more recent history, the gardens at Heligan is best known for its striking story from the second world war. When many of the young men working on the estate left to fight, the gardens became abandoned and overgrown, only to be rediscovered in the 1990s.
However, the records of an initial Heligan Manor date from the 1200’s, with the house being rebuilt many times since, and the addition of the gardens in the 1700’s. During The Great War, Heligan House was used as Convalescence Hospital for Officers, and during the Second World War, American troops used it as a base. Perhaps most emotive are the signatures of gardeners-come-soldiers on the walls of the Thunderbox Room, which the Imperial War Museum recognised as a ‘Living Memorial’ to ‘The Gardeners of Heligan’ in 2013. A plaque, a Cornish shovel and a WW1 helmet now marks the spot.
Visitors today can enjoy the pleasure gardens and array of plants, whilst paying respect to the war heroes whose stories are displayed on plaques around the estate.
Of course, Cornwall’s history is dotted throughout many towns and villages as well as these specific historic locations. Keep your eyes peeled for plaques and stories, proudly displayed in many places. To learn more about the specific history of Falmouth, we must recommend the National Maritime Museum. Although not a historic site itself, it sits in the heart of the town and houses a wealth of knowledge about Falmouth past and present. Exhibitions include The Boat Hall, The Cornwall Galleries and The Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library.
Happy historical exploring, and do let us know if you find anywhere we should add to this list!
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