If you want to travel to Falmouth, especially in the summer season, one of the most relaxing ways to do it is by train.
Why would you want the hassle of visiting Falmouth by car?
Getting to Falmouth by road means using the busy A30, much of the town is traffic-free, and parking fees in the limited town car park are around £5 a day.
Travelling by train is a far more pleasant experience.
And with so much to do, Falmouth is definitely on my Adventures by Train list.
Is it worth visiting Falmouth?
YES! We visited for a winter weekend and it wasn’t long enough. However you’re travelling and whoever you’re travelling, with Falmouth has plenty to offer at any time of year.
But it’s especially magical if you arrive by train.
Family activities in Falmouth
For families there are Falmouth’s two beaches, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the fascinating Pendennis Castle. In the summer Falmouth has a whole range of adventure activities and you can also take river trips and harbour cruises.
You might need more than a week!
Adult breaks in Falmouth
Falmouth isn’t just for families. With all the restaurants, pubs and cafes you could ask for, some amazing places to stay and a town centre full of quirky independent shops, it’s a joy to explore and has something for everyone.
I can’t wait to go back!
Ferries from Falmouth
Falmouth is still a bustling port so it’s no surprise it offers so many ferry options. If you want to combine a boat ride with a walk or some sightseeing, Falmouth’s ferries are a great way to do it.
How to plan a walking route with OS Maps.
King Harry Ferry
Philleigh to Trelissick – all year
One of only five chain ferries in England, the King Harry Ferry connects the Roseland peninsula with Truro and Falmouth. Whilst it is a vehicle ferry, it also has spaces for foot passengers and is a useful link if you want to walk or cycle the lanes and footpaths of this hidden section of Cornish coast.
St Mawes Ferry
Falmouth to St Mawes – all year
One of the UK’s most popular ferry rides, the St Mawes Ferry takes visitors, walkers and cyclists from the heart of Falmouth across to pretty St Mawes on traditional wooden ferries.
Place Ferry
St Mawes to Place – closed in winter
If you’re walking the South West Coastal Path, you’ll want to take advantage of this quick hop across St Mawes Harbour to Place. It will save you a whole day’s walking!
Flushing Ferry
Falmouth to Flushing – all year
Flushing is a pretty village with a quaint beach. If you’re combining a train and Flushing ferry trip with some walking, you might want to consider the beautiful walk along the creeks of the Penryn River before catching a train back to Falmouth at Penryn.
Truro High Hide River Cruise
Falmouth to Truro – closed in winter – tide-dependent
This a very special trip. Take the late afternoon boat from Falmouth and cruise upriver right into the heart of Cornwall’s only city, Truro. You can choose to take the boat back as the sun sets or catch the train to your next destination.
When it comes to public transport and sustainable travel, Falmouth’s unique combination of ferry and train routes has plenty to offer walkers, however far they’re travelling.
Falmouth Town or Falmouth Docks station?
Falmouth has two train stations. Falmouth Docks station is at the end of the Maritime Line and closest to Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle.
Trains to Falmouth Town station put you within easy walking distance of Falmouth’s beaches and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
If you have mobility issues, ask for help before you negotiate the gap between the train and the platform at Falmouth Town station.
It’s larger than usual!
How far is Falmouth train station from the town centre?
From Falmouth Town station, it’s just a 20-minute walk to Falmouth’s town centre, which is full of quirky independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
And if it’s a great beach day, it will take you 9 minutes to walk to the sands of Gyllyngvase beach, and 20 minutes to the turquoise waters of Swanpool beach, where you can also explore around the nature reserve.
For a longer walk, how about taking in Gyllyngvase beach then following the South West Coast Path around Pendennis Point? On the way look out for notorious Black Rock with its granite beacon, Little Dennis blockhouse and, over on St Anthony’s Head, the Fraggle Rock (or St Anthony’s) lighthouse.
‘Dance your cares away, worries for another day’. IYKYK
Which London station goes to Falmouth?
If you’ve been wondering where to visit in Cornwall without a car, Falmouth’s train stations and ferries may well have the answer you’re looking for.
If you’re travelling from London to Cornwall by train, you’ll need to get on the Penzance train from Paddington Station. It will take you on a wonderful journey along coasts and over moors to Truro station.
How long is the train journey from London to Falmouth?
Daytime trains between London and Falmouth take just over five hours and most of them have only one change at Truro.
First-class coaches are available (and wonderful) on the GWR mainline section of your journey.
If you fancy taking your time over the trip, London to Cornwall train stops include some beautiful locations (and all of them on the main line).
A particular favourite of mine is the view from Brunel’s Tamar bridge, which takes you across the River Tamar from Devon into Cornwall.
If you stop at Saltash, you could walk over the Tamar road bridge and get an even better view!
On your journey you could also stop off at brand new Marsh Barton station to explore the Exe Estuary, Ivybridge station to wild camp on Dartmoor or, you could stay on until the end of the line to enjoy the delights of Penzance.
From Truro, it’s a short hop down the Maritime Line to Falmouth.
We recommend the daytime views but, for a novel adventure by train, you could try GWR’s Night Riviera Sleeper on the way home.
Wait in comfort in the dedicated lounge at Truro station. Hop on board at bedtime, then settle down in your very own bunk, to wake refreshed at Paddington station where drinks, snacks and a shower await in the First Class Lounge.
With all that train and ferry convenience and a top-notch destination when you arrive, it’s easy to see why a car-free trip to Falmouth is so popular with visitors.
Don’t wait until the summer though.
We visited in December and had a wonderful weekend.