In recent years, Falmouth has been featured on the list of one of the best places to live in the U.K. Well, I don’t know about living there, but it certainly is a great place to visit!
Until now I had somehow managed to overlook Falmouth on my previous visits to Cornwall. So booking a break at The Greenbank Hotel at Falmouth 200 miles away was a leap of faith, on the basis of my partner’s recollection of a family holiday there as a child.
Sceptical as I was of the reliability of rose-tinted childhood memories, I quickly recognised the charms of both The Greenbank and Falmouth
The Greenbank Hotel
What a lovely setting for a hotel, being on the riverbank looking out to all the boats lazing around the vast expanse of the river! It’s hard to believe that the hotel dated back to the 1600’s: the historic building blends so harmoniously with the contemporary designs with modern comfort!
Falmouth 
Falmouth
Water’s Edge Restaurant
The view from the restaurant must be one of the most attractive features of the hotel. It’s wrapped around by large picture windows on the waterfront side!
Water’s Edge Restaurant at dawn 
Water’s Edge Restaurant at dusk
The glorious sunrise
Views from Water’s Edge Restaurant at daybreak is nothing short of spectacular!
On a fine morning, the fast changing vibrant colours of the sky just before and after sunrise would rival an artist’s palette!
Falmouth Harbour at 7.56 
Falmouth Harbour at 7.58
And the moody and atmospheric sky on a cloudy morning would test the skill of a Master!
For the rest of the day the views from around the hotel are relaxing and soothing.
There’re a lot of interesting eateries in Falmouth. However, at this time of social distancing, we chose to dine at Water’s Edge where the seats were set comfortably apart, the service was great and the food absolutely delicious!
Water’s Edge Restaurant 
Water’s Edge Restaurant
The traditional English breakfast was a treat. But the dinner was the real star! Seafood dishes were our favourites for both starters and main courses.
Falmouth town away from the waterfront
A short walk up the hill from The Greenbank, there’s an impressive archway leading to the town centre
Despite it being mid October, buntings still donned the town centre at every turn giving it a festive feel
Falmouth town centre 
Falmouth town centre
The Moor Piazza where the market is held every Thursday
The Moor Piazza at Falmouth on a non market day
The elevated pavement across the road from The Greenbank affords a good view of the harbour.
There’re steps leading to the upper terraces where the panoramic views are even more inviting
These views are echoed by these 2 colourful murals tucked away on a side street in the town centre. Actually there’re 3, but there’s a car parked right in front of the middle one!
There’re much more to Falmouth than just the waterfront. I would have liked to take one of the many boat trips advertised at the pier. The idea had to be abandoned as the water was too choppy. We had more luck with the weather, though, when we visited Trebah Gardens and Trelissick nearby (see separate articles)
So is Falmouth one of the best places to live? It’s difficult to judge in a few days but it has a lot going for it. I was so delighted with what I saw that before we left I booked for a longer break at The Greenbank next April!
