Secret Season: Falmouth
For our second Secret Season location of 2025, we head to Falmouth: a creative, community-focused town on the south Cornish coast. Visiting Falmouth feels like a hug: it’s vibrant streets are filled with is friendly locals, university students and visitors alike, all enjoying the marina, beaches and range of food, drink and shopping.
It’s a town which feels full of life all year round, with plenty to enjoy even on a winter’s day. We were lucky enough to time our visit with a much-needed bit of January sun, which cast a golden glow on this already warm and friendly town.
Discover
- Sunrises, wild swimming and breakfast at Gyllyngvase Beach
- An eclectic mix of restaurants and bars
- Independent shops and galleries, from antiques and pottery painting to Cornish outdoorsy clothing and more
- The ferry across the Fal River to St Mawes
- The National Maritime Museum
- Swanpool, with its beach, cafe and nature reserve
Sunrise and a sea dip
Begin your day at Gyllyngvase Beach, where the soft sand welcomes a community of dedicated cold-water swimmers. All throughout the morning you’ll see people of all ages start their day with a fix of icy water.
If you’re not keen on getting in yourself, there’s plenty of beach-goers who prefer to stay dry and can be seen reading a book on the sand, tucking into a sea-view breakfast at Gylly Beach Cafe or enjoying a coffee from their takeaway hatch next door.
Down on Gylly you’ll also come across Kiln Sauna, a glass-fronted sauna right on the sand. Open all day Thursday to Monday, seek rejuvenation in the sauna, watch the glittering reflections on the water, before running into the sea to cool off mid-session.
Falmouth makes for a great soft travel destination – with an emphasis on mindful, nourishing and sustainable activities such as sea swimming, seashell collecting and saunas.
Exploring the town
Food and drink
Stroll along the marina, where everything from navy vessels to small fishing boats bob in the water. Falmouth’s lively town centre, which overlooks the Fal River, offers an inspiring mix of excellent food and drink, shops, galleries and so much more.
Take your pick from a variety of independent restaurants and cafes offering a mix of global cuisine and fresh Cornish seafood.
Places to try:
Amanzi: African-inspired dishes
Cribbs Caribbean: A taste of the tropics
Fuel Café: Casual dining with a great brunch menu
Harbour Lights Fish and Chips: Its proud claim to be the UK’s best fish and chips is painted in sunny yellow on the side of the cheery blue building
Bodega 18: A Spanish tapas bar with wines from small boutique wineries
Don’t forget to veer down the side streets to find tucked-away spots such as Wilder for authentic thalis, Verdant Seafood Bar for fresh seafood plates and Beerwolf Books, a unique bar inside a bookshop with a great selection of paperbacks for purchase, retro arcade games and a fireplace.
At Discovery Quay, overlooking the marina, you’ll find even more options, including Kona, an ‘apres surf’ bar and restaurant bringing a tropical feel to the coldest days, Hubbox for burgers, Pysk, where you can pick up local seafood to cook back at your retreat, and much, much more. In Falmouth, you’re truly spoilt for choice, and you’ll be wanting to stay for longer just to try more of the food.
Shopping
Falmouth’s shops are as diverse as its flavours. Browse sophisticated, scandi-style décor at The Painted Bird or trendy outdoor gear at Finisterre.
Further up the high street you’ll find unique spots such as the Old Brewery Yard, the chance to paint pottery over a cup of tea at Star Glazers, plants and pretty home decor at Ondine Ash, and local art from Cor Gallery.
If you’re a contemporary art fan, pop your head in Falmouth Art Gallery and Sailor’s Jail, where you can view and shop art by talented locals including Steve Camps’ popular whale paintings.
Ferry to St Mawes
If you’re in Falmouth for a few days, catching the ferry to St Mawes is well worth your time. Hop on at Prince of Wales Pier and purchase your ticket on board.
As you cross the Fal River, spot Pendennis Castle, St Mawes Castle and the lighthouse perched on the clifftops. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins.
Once you dock in St Mawes, discover a peaceful Cornish village with a small beach dotted with shells and sea glass, Da Barra bakery serving warm pasties and sandwiches, and a selection of cosy pubs with outdoor seating for those sunny winter days.
More to Discover
Swanpool Beach
Swanpool Beach is just around the corner from Gyllyngavase and benefits from the same calm water, making it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking. There’s also a crazy golf course, food and coffee from Swanpool Beach Café, and a chance to feed the ducks, birds and swans at Swanpool Nature Reserve.
Stay at Swell, our Swanpool retreat seconds from the sand
Maritime Museum
Though currently closed for repairs until February 15, The National Maritime Museum is a must visit for families or those who want to find out more about Cornwall’s seafaring history and traditions.
From sunlit beach mornings to ferry rides and delicious meals, Falmouth shines just as brightly in the winter months. Discover Falmouth from a coastal retreat overlooking Gylly Beach this Secret Season, where you’re staying in the perfect spot for the above activities.
Stay for two free nights
Take advantage of our two free nights offer—book three or five nights in selected retreats and enjoy two extra nights free. Take it slow, stay for longer and travel soft in Falmouth this Secret Season…
