Holiday rentals and lettings in Falmouth (Cornwall)

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday home in Falmouth?
• Holiday rentals in Falmouth: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Falmouth: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Falmouth?

• Rentals for every trip: Falmouth has a wide range of self-catering properties for couples, families and groups, most with fast Wi-Fi throughout.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in the lively town centre for the harbour and high street, near Gyllyngvase Beach for sand and sea, or out by the Helford for peace and scenery.
• Glowing guest reviews: Falmouth rentals score consistently high marks thanks to their spotless interiors and close proximity to the best beaches and harbour walks.
• Best time to visit: Late May to September brings the warmest sea and liveliest harbour, whilst spring and autumn offer colourful gardens, quiet coast paths and lower rates.
• Things to do: Explore Pendennis Castle, the National Maritime Museum and subtropical gardens, relax on Gyllyngvase Beach, or hop on a ferry across the beautiful Fal estuary.

Falmouth's holiday rentals suit every kind of trip. Go for a stylish seafront flat or stretch out in spacious cottages with gardens and sea views. Self-catering holiday apartments sit within easy reach of the harbour, and traditional Cornish holiday homes are ideal for longer stays. Whichever you choose, the most popular comforts make a Cornish base feel effortlessly easy:

• Fast Wi-Fi
• A garden or terrace
• A balcony with harbour or ocean views
• Cosy fireplaces

A number of dog-friendly cottages in Falmouth are available if you simply can't leave Fido at home.

What are the best areas to stay in Falmouth?

The liveliest base is right in Falmouth town centre, moments from the harbour, the high street and Gyllyngvase Beach. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Falmouth rentals earn consistently glowing reviews for the warm welcomes from local hosts, the spotless interiors and the great locations, close to the best beaches and harbours. Ratings here use a ten-point scale.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Gylly Beach Falmouth - sleeps 2 with parking and only 2 minutes walk to the beach - 10.0: A spotless bolthole for two, praised for its parking, easy beach access and the two-minute stroll down to Gyllyngvase sands.
2. Roland Cottage - 10.0: A cosy cottage for four, loved by guests for its homely feel, central setting and the warm welcome from the host.
3. The Old English Rooms - 10.0: A charming apartment for four with a sunny yard, singled out for its spotless interiors and handy walk-everywhere location.

Falmouth sits on the south coast of Cornwall, in the far south-west of England, where the River Fal meets the sea to form one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

✈️What is the best way to get to Falmouth?

Getting to Falmouth is straightforward, with options by rail, road and air. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Train: Falmouth has its own branch line with three stations, including Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks. Travel to Truro on the main Great Western Railway route from London Paddington, Bristol and Exeter, then change onto the scenic Maritime Line, which runs alongside the water.
• Car: From the rest of England, follow the M5 motorway to Exeter, then continue on the A30 across Cornwall before turning off for the A39 towards Truro and Falmouth. The journey rewards you with sweeping moorland views, though roads can be busy at the height of summer.
• Air: Cornwall Airport Newquay is around an hour away by car and has seasonal flights from several UK cities, making it the quickest option if you are travelling a long way. From the airport, a hire car is the easiest way to get around.

🥗Where to eat in Falmouth?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Wheelhouse is the best-rated restaurant in Falmouth. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Sophie and Adam recommend Provedore in Falmouth: a relaxed neighbourhood spot for brunch and stone-baked pizzas, a short stroll from the centre and always buzzing at the weekend.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Falmouth is from late May to September, when the beaches are at their finest and the sea is just about warm enough for a swim. For quieter lanes and lower rates, the shoulder months of April, May and October are lovely, whilst the town stays cheerful right through the festive season.

Summer

• Best for: Beach days, sailing and harbour festivals
• Weather: Warm and bright, with long evenings and sea temperatures at their highest
• Atmosphere: Lively and sociable, with regattas, busy beaches and a full events programme

Autumn

• Best for: Coastal walks, gardens and quieter beaches
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with crisp, clear spells ideal for the coast path
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and calm, with cosy pubs and golden light over the harbour

Spring

• Best for: Garden lovers and walkers
• Weather: Fresh and increasingly sunny, with the subtropical gardens bursting into colour
• Atmosphere: Calm and unhurried, before the summer crowds arrive

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Falmouth local expert, Charlotte of Seabien, recommends spending a morning at Pendennis Castle before strolling back along the seafront for a leisurely lunch. You can read more about local tips on Charlotte's page.

1. Explore Pendennis Castle
2. Dive into the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
3. Unwind on Gyllyngvase Beach
4. Wander the subtropical gardens
5. Hop on a ferry across the Fal

1. Explore Pendennis Castle

   Built by Henry VIII in the 1540s, this clifftop fortress guards the mouth of the Fal alongside its sister castle at St Mawes. Take the immersive tour of the Tudor keep, get hands-on with the guns of the Half Moon Battery and soak up sweeping views across the harbour. Cornish refreshments at the castle café round off the visit.

2. Dive into the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

   Down on Discovery Quay, this superb museum spreads 12 galleries across three floors. Sail model boats on the interactive pool, climb the Look Out tower for harbour views and peer through two underwater windows at life beneath the surface.

3. Unwind on Gyllyngvase Beach

   Falmouth's favourite beach, Gyllyngvase (Gylly to locals) is a gentle crescent of white sand and clear water just a short stroll from the town centre. It is well equipped for a full day by the sea, with a smart beach café for coffee and lunch. From here a coastal path leads round to the quieter Swanpool Beach and the adjoining Queen Mary Gardens.

4. Wander the subtropical gardens

   Falmouth's mild climate lets exotic planting flourish. Wander Fox Rosehill Gardens, where banana plants and palms grow among the eucalyptus, then head out to the lush valley gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan tumbling down towards the Helford River. Spring and early summer are especially colourful, with camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons in full show.

5. Hop on a ferry across the Fal

   One of the loveliest ways to see the area is from the water. Hop on a short ferry to St Mawes or St Anthony, both dotted with quiet beaches and National Trust trails, or take the seasonal boat up the wooded creeks of the Helford River.