Falmouth with its bustling harbour has long been a holiday destination whether you're the bucket and spade brigade or someone looking for a foodie break. If you're thinking of heading here for a staycation, here's our pick of where to eat and drink.
Where to stay
Hotel Meudon
A ten-minute taxi drive from Falmouth harbour (or a calorie-burning hour's walk along the headland) is Hotel Meudon. This boutique hotel has 29 bedrooms split between the main house and the more modern garden wing. But the real USP is the hotel's amazing subtropical gardens that lead down to the hotel's own cove - perfect for some wild swimming if you're into that kind of thing.
Five minute's walk through the gardens takes you to the hotel beach and, during high season, there are drinks and coffee available from the hotel's horse box cafe, right next to the South West Coast Path.
The hotel mostly dates back to the 1800s, but some elements are as old as the 17th century and apparently there's a smuggling tunnel somewhere.
Chef David Waters, who runs the restaurant here, is ex-Nathan Outlaw and before that headed up the extremely popular gastropub the Victoria Inn at Perranuthnoe. He's Cornwall-born and bred and describes the menu at Meudon as produce-led. Expect a classic three-course a la carte menu peppered with meat, fish and vegetables from the local area.
Spiced West Country duck with a pulled leg parcel and carrot at Hotel Meudon
Make sure you find Freddie's Bar, the hotel's hidden-away cocktail lounge, for a pre-dinner drink.
Where to eat
Hooked on the Rocks
Swanpool Rd, Falmouth TR11 5BG
A seafood restaurant on the beach at Swanpool just south of the town that, understandably given the freshness of the fish here, allows "the briny delights to speak for themselves". Our hot shellfish platter (£60 for two) attracted envious glances from neighbouring tables as it was brought to our table, heaving with mussels, prawns, scallops and squid with chips and aioli as sides.
Ferryboat Inn
Helford Passage, Falmouth TR11 5LB
Around a 20-minute drive south of Falmouth, you'll find this historic inn perched on the Helford passage. The 300-year-old pub has recently come into new ownership and has had a sympathetic makeover. We ordered lunchtime butties of crab and steak (from nearby butcher Philip Warren) which were fabulous.
Harbour House
Trefusis Road, Flushing TR11 5TY
Not strictly Falmouth, but a short hop across on the ferry to Flushing, and you'll find this new harbourside pub. Run on strictly sustainable principles, chef Jeffrey was an early UK winner of one of Michelin's first green stars. A glance at the bar snacks menu shows you're not in for the usual pub fare with oysters served with preserved blackberry and cold sliced pork with remoulade on offer.
Where to drink
Kernowine
21 Killigrew St, Falmouth TR11 3PN
What a gem of a wine bar this is. Opened by a WSET graduate this is part bar, part shop, part place to learn about wine. We grabbed a stool here on our last night in Falmouth for a few drinks from the sustainably sourced wine list and small plates. It's a lovely, friendly spot - and the cocktails are good too.
The Front
Custom House Quay, Falmouth TR11 3JT
This traditional harbourside pub has a great reputation for its beer, but also runs to the finer things like Camel Valley fizz. The best thing is that you can grab your fish and chips from the Harbour Lights chippy upstairs and have them in the pub or at one of the tables on the huge pub courtyard outside.
The Orgia
43 Church St, Falmouth TR11 3EF
Billed as Cornwall's first restaurant "with a dedicated skin contact wine list" this wine bar and kitchen is a deservedly popular spot in the heart of town. We visited during the oyster festival when they were serving up oysters with nduja as specials.
What to do
Falmouth Oyster Festival
Look out for the annual Falmouth Oyster Festival which runs every year in October. We'd like to say we'd planned our trip here to coincide with its 25th anniversary but it was completely fortuitous. We're delighted we did though, as there are days of tastings, demos and live music in the evening with most of the action focused on the tented festival village on the quayside.
More about Hotel Meudon
Where is it? Maenporth Rd, Mawnan Smith, Maenporth, Falmouth TR11 5HT
How much? Rooms at Hotel Meudon cost from £129 per night on a bed and breakfast basis (based on two people sharing in low season).
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @hotelmeudon
Hot Dinners stayed in Falmouth as guests of Hotel Meudon. Prices correct at time of publication.
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