Within the programme, you’ll also find an array of river cruises, all at varying times of day and taking in different routes and stops around the river. My favourite, and the cruise that I booked onto, was the ‘Celebration of the Truro River Cruise, which meanders down the river and takes in the beautiful creeks of Cowlands and Coombe and includes, not only an incredible pasty, but enough Skinners ale to sink the proverbial ship!
This cruise took the jolly party the full length and breadth of the river in two of Falmouth’s finest Enterprise Leisure boats, heading firstly to the harbour, where we managed to witness some of the incredible super-yachts that were docked for maintenance. Surely a sign that the services and facilities in Falmouth rate amongst the best in the world? Then across in the general direction of St Mawes, where those of a certain age can enjoy a prime view of the beautiful cove and also, the lighthouse that featured in the opening credits of (the original) Fraggle Rock. A highlight for me, at least.
After a fresh stint on the water and plenty of Skinners ale being enjoyed, we pulled up against the jetty that leads directly into Trelissick Gardens, where the party continued with hot pasties, live music and a spot of archery within the Victorian brick-walled garden in the grounds.
Trelissick Gardens are, in themselves, reason enough to venture to this part of the UK. A hidden woodland garden, Trelissick enjoys far-reaching views across the water and offers canopies of Beech, sweet Chestnut, and specimen conifers, which date roughly from 1870. The main plant collections found in this stunning location range from Magnolias, Camellias, Rhododendrons to Hydrangeas with formal lawns sweeping to the unique estuary views.
The bulk of the plant collection dates from the 1930’s to the present day so it maintains a relatively modern atmosphere with references to the past reflected in the fabric of the garden. Current landowners, the National Trust have added to the impressive collection, making the gardens a rich, fascinating and essential place to explore.
Other Festival activities that we enjoyed during our week-long stay, largely centered around the children. Aged 8 months and 7 years, we took full advantage of the programme, which was packed with activities for the little ones.
The National Maritime museum certainly featured heavily in the listings, offering a wealth of fun and interactive events through the week, including ‘Thorsday’, which extended beyond the River Fal Festival programme, taking place on each and every Thursday of the school holidays and offering a chance for little (and big) people to explore the Norse men and women from the Viking Voyagers exhibition and to experience living history with Morvleydh, the Sea Wolves.
Even with our visit taking place through a week of early summertime, there’s just so much to do in and around Falmouth. Even outside from the busy timetable of events laid on by the Festival organisers, there are the incredible beaches, Pendennis Castle, which has a heritage of some 450 years, stretching from its origins as one of Henry Vlll’s coastal strongholds to its last military role as a secret Second World War base.
You have the Cornish Diving School, golf clubs, art galleries, the Ships & Castles swimming pool (adjacent to Pendennis), bowling, watersports, cinema, sailing, and live music to name a few… There’s simply too much to enjoy in a single week and so many reasons to visit Falmouth at any time of year.
We will be back!
