Walking Around Falmouth
Walk directions
Walk down Webber Street past the Falmouth Art Gallery and to the left of the town hall. Turn right into Market Strand and visit the Prince of Wales Pier, from where you can enjoy estuary and waterfront views. Returning from the pier, turn left along Falmouth’s busy main street, passing the
entrances to other quays on the way and eventually reaching the National Maritime Museum.
Continue past a rather bleak-looking granite obelisk dating from the late 18th century. Go along Grove Place and bear round left along Marine Crescent, which becomes Bar Terrace. Cross over at a junction then, opposite the entrance to Falmouth Docks, bear right and go under a railway bridge. Cross with care at a roundabout, then continue up Castle Hill opposite. Keep right at the top of the rise at a junction with Pendennis Rise and continue along Castle Drive.
Turn right and follow Cliff Road alongside the sea for about 0.5 miles (0.8km). To visit Pendennis Castle, keep straight ahead along Castle Drive from the junction with Cliff Road. Then retrace your steps to follow the walk route along Cliff Road.
Pass a tiny building with a stairwell that leads down to a viewpoint. Just before a little Gothic folly cross the road with care. Go up the left-hand walkway of Gyllyngdune Gardens. In a few paces, go right down some steps and pass through a little sunken grotto, then continue up the steps opposite. (You can also reach this grotto by going through a narrow tunnel at road level, if its gate is unlocked.) Follow the walkway past two shell grottoes and continue ahead to reach a gate into the grounds of the Princess Pavilion.
Leave by the opposite left-hand corner of the Pavilion grounds and then through the Pavilion’s entranceway. Go down the steps between the brick pillars and then go right down Gyllyngvase Terrace to a junction with Melvill Road. Cross the road diagonally right and go down some steps, then turn right along Avenue Road. Follow the road downhill and go beneath a railway bridge, then turn left along the peaceful, tree-lined central parade of Arwenack Avenue.
Walk between the flanking pillars at the end of the avenue, cross Swanpool Street, with care, and keep ahead along Gyllyng Street to its end. Keep up to the left where the street forks, pass the brick-fronted Old Synagogue and keep left at a fork to go along Vernon Place. Bear round to the left by The Jacob’s Ladder Inn, then, just opposite the pub, turn right, brace yourself, and descend the steps of Jacob’s Ladder, carefully, to The Moor.
Additional information
Terrain
- Surfaced walkways and paths; very steep steps descend at end of walk
Landscape
- Townscape and seafront
Dog friendliness
- Dog fouling of streets is prohibited
Parking
- Town Quarry on Quarry Hill; The Moor car park off Killigrew Street
Toilets en route
- Prince of Wales Pier; Arwenack Street; Princess Pavilion
About the walk
Modern Falmouth stands on the wide estuary of Carrick Roads, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. It developed as a port after Henry VIII built a formidable castle on Pendennis Point, at the eastern part of the town, and another castle on the opposite headland at St Mawes. Pendennis Castle... survives as one of the finest examples of Tudor fortifications in Britain. In the late 17th century Falmouth became a postal packet station from where fast brigantines carried mail, first to Spain and then as far as the Americas. Other developments included fishing, and shipbuilding and ship repairing. Today the town has a thriving tourist industry and is a leading educational centre hosting the Combined Universities of Cornwall as well as Falmouth Art College, a Marine School and a School of Mines. Great maritime heritage The walk begins at The Moor, once a tidal creek and now a rather trafficbound focal point of the town’s busy commercial life. A short step takes you to Prince of Wales Pier, ever busy with river ferries. The walk then leads along Falmouth’s main street, which is made up of the linked thoroughfares of Market Street, Church Street and Arwenack Street. The waterfront opens up now and the National Maritime Museum is passed on your left. The second part of the walk leads past Falmouth Docks and then heads along the bayside road of Cliff Walk to reach a little complex of Victorian grottoes and follies. These include the Gyllyngdune Gardens, created in the 1830s as part of the Gyllyngdune estate. Above the gardens is the Princess Pavilion, opened in 1911 and used still for public entertainment. Beyond here a pleasant stroll leads along the tree-lined central parade of Arwenack Avenue and on past Falmouth’s Old Synagogue, which was built in 1808 and served the town’s Jewish community until 1879. A little further on you reach the Jacob’s Ladder Inn. Opposite is the start of ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, whose 111 steep steps take you back to The Moor. It was built by a 19th-century merchant, Jacob Hamblyn, as a link between his house above and his workshop below.
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Walking in Safety
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Cornwall has just about everything – wild moorland landscapes, glorious river valley scenery, picturesque villages and miles of breathtaking coastline. Known for its popular surfing spots, the region provides ample opportunities for water sport enthusiasts, and for those who prefer to stay on land, visitor attractions like the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan offer a lovely day out.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Self-Catering
The Penthouse, Falmouth
★★★★★
"A remarkable top-floor apartment, stylishly decorated and benefiting from great views...."
- Total units: 1
Self-Catering
The Penthouse
★★★★★
"A remarkable top-floor apartment, stylishly decorated and benefiting from great views...."
Nearby places to stay
The Penthouse, Falmouth
Set in Packet Quays, Falmouth, one of the most spectacular waterfront locations in Cornwall, the Penthouse occupies the entire top floor of this elegant building. The 35ft lounge and tw...
★★★★★ Rating
The Penthouse
Set in Packet Quays, Falmouth, one of the most spectacular waterfront locations in Cornwall, the Penthouse occupies the entire top floor of this elegant building. The 35ft lounge and tw...
★★★★★ Rating
St Michael Apartment
Awaiting description...
★★★★ Rating
Harbour's Reach
These six waterfront holiday apartments offer superb views from their 'front-line' harbour location. Situated in a secluded conservation area on a historic quayside, with Falmouth’s cha...
★★★★ Rating
St. Piran Apartment
Awaiting description...
★★★★ Rating
Merchants Manor
Designed in collaboration with award-winning architects, Bert & May, these brand-new luxury apartments offer guests the opportunity to relax in a secluded, spacious retreat that boasts ...
★★★★★ Rating
Merchants Manor
Merchants Manor is a historic country house situated within walking distance of the busy Falmouth town centre and pretty beaches nearby. The manor's beautiful original features have bee...
★★★★ Rating
The Greenbank Hotel
Located by the marina, and with its own private quay dating from the 17th century, The Greenbank Hotel has a strong maritime theme throughout. Set at the water's edge, the lounge, resta...
★★★★ Rating
Places to eat nearby View all
Places to eat nearby
Culture Restaurant
AA Rosette Award
The Greenbank Hotel
AA Rosette Award
Brasserie on the Bay
AA Rosette Award
The Restaurant - The Royal Duchy Hotel
AA Rosette Award
Penmorvah Manor
AA Rosette Award
Hotel Tresanton
AA Rosette Award
The Idle Rocks Restaurant
AA Rosette Award
Trelawne Hotel
AA Rosette Award


