Cornwall LivingIssue #125
Destination Falmouth
As well as locals and visitors, this harbour town has a distinct appeal to those hoping to secure their dream home by the sea.
The south coast of Cornwall provides a gentle pace of life that, in recent times, has become increasingly popular, and if any town encapsulates what makes it so special, it has to be Falmouth. A harbour town with centuries of maritime heritage, Falmouth is rooted in the coastal lifestyle. It’s also home to a flourishing culinary scene, providing epicurean treats for all across a heady mix of trendy bars, cafés, delicatessens and restaurants overlooking the marina, which is why foodies love Falmouth.
For those who take joy from the creative expression of others, Falmouth is home to its own university and provides fertile ground for creatives of all disciplines, with some superb galleries and exhibition spaces open to visitors. The Poly is a great example, with a constantly updating schedule of exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances and even a cinema, engaging lovers of the arts across a whole spectrum of mediums. Or perhaps you prefer life on the water? If so, Falmouth Sailing Week really needs no introduction – an annual event that draws visitors in their thousands every year and has its origins as a local regatta dating back at least as far as 1837.
Of course, if a lazy day by the beach is more your thing, then the Falmouth area has some wonderful beaches to add to your itinerary. Gyllyngvase is perhaps the best-known, located just a ten-minute walk from the town centre with a fine crescent of sand. Popular with families and with great amenities, the water here is great for kids (and grown-ups) to keep busy whilst they leave you to sunbathe, and there are plenty of chances to enjoy the water in adventurous ways, be it with a coasteering tour of the coastline, or by hiring a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and exploring it from the water! Afterwards, if you’re among the many hoping to sample the delights of the aforementioned food scene, then you won’t be disappointed. Open in the summer from 9am to 7pm from Monday to Thursday, then until 9pm from Friday to Sunday, Gylly Beach Café has everything you and your crew need to refuel. The ethos here is that ‘Good food takes a little longer’, and rightly so! Open throughout the year, this is the ideal place to enjoy anything from a relaxing coffee with homemade cake, to a tasty lunchtime treat or even an evening dinner with the family. It also has the added benefit of a bakery next door – the Bakery on the Beach.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more relaxing way to spend your time, why not instead book in for the day at St Michaels Cornwall Spa? Home to the largest hydrothermal pool in the south west, with plenty of treatments and experiences available, it’s the perfect venue in which to enjoy some ‘r&r’. And when you’re done, round off the day with a two or three-course meal at Brasserie on the Bay where, by working closely with local producers, farmers and fishermen, the chefs deliver a menu that champions everything grown, reared and hooked in Cornwall.
Put simply, Falmouth is a microcosm of everything that makes Cornwall so attractive to so many, with which Matthew Rowe and Martyn Rohrs, founders of award-winning Cornish estate agents, Rohrs & Rowe, agree. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have seen exceptional demand in recent times in the Falmouth area. “In fact,” says Matthew, “after having recently successfully sold a number of the best properties in Falmouth at record prices for their areas and roads, we are still experiencing excellent demand from motivated buyers. As examples of the homes that Rohrs & Rowe have sold recently, Matthew shows us to Chy Wyn. With great views across Falmouth Bay, this three-bedroom home occupies an enviable spot close to Gyllyngvase beach. Beautifully kept gardens provide space in which to enjoy the sun, as does a broad, first-floor balcony – the perfect spot for a glass of something chilled after a day spent exploring. Recently updated throughout, with a large garage offering the potential for development subject to permissions, it comes as no surprise that Chy Wyn did not remain on the market
for long.
Another example is 13 Stratton Terrace, also a Grade II listed residence but from the Georgian era. Once the residence of a packet ship captain, who is believed to have had it designed to match his cabin, the accommodation today combines immaculate interiors with astonishing water views to create the dream coastal home. It sits in an elevated position, enjoying stunning views across the river to the pretty village of Flushing on the opposite shore, and lies conveniently close to the many facilities for which Falmouth has become so popular. With additional accommodation in the form of a two-bedroom annexe, along with a one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment, there’s plenty of room for a family with guests to spread out.
If you have a property in the Falmouth area and are considering selling, Rohrs & Rowe continue to see exceptional demand for properties there, and as such are always on the lookout for further homes to satisfy this.
Rohrs & Rowe
