Get ready for Tall Ships 2023
1 August 2023
This year will be a busy year for Falmouth with many exciting cultural events ahead, but none more so than the prestigious, breathtaking and monumental Sail Training International Tall Ships Races.
15th - 18th August
After the tremendous success of Tall Ships 2014, Falmouth, with its enduring marine heritage, has the great honour of being the host port again and will oversee a thrilling festival of events and community engagement over four days from 15th-18th August 2023.
Find out more about what is on offer to help make the most of your Tall Ships experience....
On the water
Tall Ships Parade of Sail Spectator Boat and half day sail
Get up close and personal to the magnificent, awe-inspiring ships and follow the parade of sail on a Fal River spectator boat. With more Tall Ships than in 2014 and more larger vessels, this will be a spectacular sight to behold. The immersive half-day sail includes a pasty and a drink. Remember your camera, as there were estimated to be over 2,000 boats on the water for the 2014 Parade of Sail!
Tickets and more info here
Hire a self-drive boat
Get out on the water during the week and explore the beauty of the River Fal with a self-drive boat from Falmouth Boat Hire. Hire times span from just 1 hour to 8-hour hires, giving you time to explore the beautiful scenery of Falmouth, the Carrick Roads and the River Fal. The boats accommodate up to six passengers, and you will receive instructions on operating the wheel-steering motorboats and safety equipment before you go.
Detailed information here
Charter your own private skippered luxury speedboat
If you'd like to escape the crowds and see the stunning Tall Ships from the water, why not charter your own private skippered luxury speed boat with Falmouth Bay Tailored Tours? Your group of up to seven will be picked up from Mylor Yacht Harbour and whisked around the beautiful Carrick Roads into Falmouth Harbour to admire these beautiful boats from up close before heading back out into Falmouth Bay to enjoy a high-speed trip taking in all the stunning scenery and other action taking place out on the water.
To book your one-and-a-half-hour trip for £195, call Giles on 07909 139437.
More information here
Where to Stay
Glasney Rooms and Flats
Glasney Rooms and Glasney Flats, from Cornwall Plus, offer self-catering, low-cost summer accommodation in the tranquil grounds of the University Campus in Penryn. Free parking on campus and free WiFi, conveniently located just minutes from Falmouth and close to public transport links. During your stay, enjoy the excellent facilities available on the modern campus, including a café bar, shop, sports centre and gym. Available for stays from as little as one night, and able to accommodate large groups.
Find out more and book here
Creekside Cottages
Creekside Cottages offers a fine collection of individual waterside, rural and village self-catering holiday cottages in some of the best areas on the South Coast of Cornwall. Many are just yards from the seashore, and most overlook the water, offering a wonderful waterside holiday in Falmouth, Flushing, Restronguet, Mylor Bridge or Malpas.
There's a handful of properties still available for Tall Ships week, and now with a late availability discount!
Find out more and book here
The Valley
The Valley's picturesque community of 5-Star holiday cottages is the perfect place to spend your evenings during Falmouth Tall Ships. The indoor and outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, squash courts and children's activities ensure that your stay in Falmouth is as unforgettable on land as it will be at sea!
Use the code: TallShips10 to get 10% off when staying between the 11th and 21st of August.
Find out more and book here
Forever Cornwall
If you're looking for the perfect Cornish escape to fabulous Falmouth, Forever Cornwall has two great offers!
They offer up to 25% off stays in July and August, so if you're looking for accommodation for some of the fantastic events held throughout the Summer, such as Tall Ships 2023, then look at their website and find your dream holiday retreat.
If being spur of the moment is more your thing, they also have up to 20% off last-minute breaks, so grab a deal on all remaining availability within two weeks of staying.
Find out more and book your deal here
Falmouth Holiday Homes
Falmouth Holiday Homes offer the ultimate self-catering holiday accommodation in and around the picturesque waterside town of Falmouth. Their exclusive hand-picked portfolio offers stylish and contemporary properties – a choice of newly renovated Cornish fisherman's cottages, traditional village houses and luxury waterside villas with amazing views. Now with late availability, you can save up to 20% on July and August bookings!
Find out more and book here
Hotel Meudon
Base yourself at the luxurious Hotel Meudon for the historic Tall Ships race to watch this extraordinary historical moment. Stay at Hotel Meudon, and you can make the most of a prime viewing spot away from the crowds at Bream Cove or any of the scenic spots dotted around the nearby coastline. For a three-night Tall Ships break, rates start from £807 based on two adults sharing a room. This break includes a £30 dining credit per person on two of the evenings, a complimentary rum cocktail and gift from Mainbrace, a full Cornish breakfast each morning, plus a complimentary hot drink and slice of cake from The Bream Box!
Find out more and book here
Penmorvah Manor
Nestled in peaceful woodlands above Cornwall's sub-tropical south coast, Penmorah Manor offer comfortable and attractive accomodation very close to Falmouth. For B&B stays between 11th - 20th August, you can benefit from a 10% discount as well as a compliemntary cream tea (jam first!)
Find out more and book here or call 01326 250277
Places to Eat
The Working Boat
Breathe in the sea breeze, sink a few smooth brews and tuck into proper Cornish pub grub at The Working Boat. Situated beneath The Greenbank, the friendly crew will welcome you for chilled-out dining and local tipples.
Find out more here
Indidog Eatery
Expect uninterrupted waterside views, beautiful interiors, delicious food made with love and impeccable service at Indidog. Sitting on the grade 2 listed harbour wall of Fish Strand Quay, the food is modern British with a strong focus on locally sourced Cornish produce.
Find out more here
RoBo Bar and Canteen
You'll find RoBo close to Falmouth Docks, and it's your go-to place for relaxed dining, rolls and bowls of classic Asian flavours with a Cornish flair. RoBo brings an internationally inspired causal dining concept to Cornwall.
Find out more here
The Pennycomequick
Dating back to the mid 1700's, the Pennycomequick - meaning "head of the creek" - is a cosy, friendly pub with a fantastic range of the finest beers, ciders, spirits, wines and coffee and a menu that changes depending on what produce is sourced form the fields, farms and oceans.
Find out more here
Things to See
Pirates! at Pendennis Castle
Set sail for Pendennis Castle and get ready for a spectacular adventure on the high seas. See some of history's most famous pirates fight it out at close quarters and listen to them tell their tales of booty, bounty and barnacles. With shows, demonstrations and hands-on activities, there'll be plenty of piratical fun for the whole family - whether you're a scallywag, a salty sea dog or a lily-livered landlubber.
15th - 17th August
Find out more and book here
Pirates at the NMMC
This blockbuster major exhibition explores how popular culture has shaped how we think of pirates today and dives beneath the surface to unearth the harsh and terrifying truth.
You can also join the interactive pirate theatre show, where you decide the way the story unfolds! A Pirate's Life for Me! lets the audience decide the outcome, so you're guaranteed to never see the same show twice.
Find out more here