EARLY FALMOUTH

The story of Falmouth begins in the 17th century. Sir John Killigrew created a busy little town and port at Falmouth in 1613. Falmouth grew steadily in the following decades and it soon outgrew much older neighbour Penryn

In the years 1540-1545 Henry VIII built 2 forts to guard the entrance to Carrick Roads, Pendennis Castle and, opposite, St Mawes Castle. During the civil war of 1642-1646 Pendennis Castle was the second to last fort held by Royalists to surrender. Nevertheless, after the Civil War, Falmouth continued to grow.

In 1661 King Charles II gave Falmouth a charter (a document granting the townspeople certain rights). In return a church was built dedicated to his father, King Charles the Martyr. The new church was consecrated in 1665.

From 1688 Falmouth was made the Royal Mail packet station. Ships carried mail all over the world and as a result Falmouth boomed.

In Falmouth fishing was a major industry. Fish Strand Quay was built in 1790. Another important industry in Cornwall in the 18th century and early 19th century was smuggling! The Kings Pipe is a brick chimney, which was used to burn tobacco taken from smugglers.

The Post Office packet ship stopped leaving Falmouth in 1852. This was a blow to the town but it soon recovered.

MODERN FALMOUTH

In 1801 the population of Falmouth was under 5,000 but by the standards of the time it was a fairly large and important town. By the end of the century the population of Falmouth had more than doubled to over 10,000. St Anthony's Lighthouse was built in 1835.

Falmouth Docks Company was founded in 1859. Work on the docks began in 1860 and they were soon very busy. The railway reached Falmouth in 1863. This brought new prosperity to Falmouth as it made it easy for tourists to reach the town. Soon Falmouth was a thriving sea side resort as well as being a busy port.

In 1901 Falmouth had a population of about 10,000. By 1951 it had risen to about 17,000. A new Town Hall was built in Falmouth in 1906. During the Second World War 31 people were killed in Falmouth by German bombing.

Pendennis Shipyard opened in 1989. However the main industry in Falmouth today is tourism. The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth opened in 2002.

Today the population of Falmouth is 20,000.

For more general information on Falmouth and Environs click here

AS A PLACE TO LIVE

The difference between Falmouth and Flushing is similar to that between London's Camden Town and Primrose Hill. One is far superior, but both camps are convinced they're in paradise.

In the 17th century, captains of packet boats would drum their crews across the Penryn river to binge drink in Falmouth while keeping south-facing Flushing for gentler pursuits, such as discussing property prices.

An impossibly pretty fishing village, with real fishermen. The estate agents say it has Britain's mildest climate, but they would, wouldn't they? There is a mad bathtub race at the annual regatta.

Small, debauchery-free, not much bigger than a village.

Relatively little holiday traffic. Five-minute passenger ferry to Falmouth. Truro (and mainline railway) 10 miles away.

Flushing primary school 'very good', says Ofsted. Falmouth School 'unsatisfactory'. Penryn College better.

Some gorgeous 17th- and 18th-century town houses and villas. Lovely two-bed fishermen's cottages, Victorian terraces and semis. Four-bed terraces. The odd one-or two-bedroom flat. Church Street in Falmouth for agents, such as Miller & Co (01326 318181).

St Peter's church is built in a Norman Style but is only around 150 years old. To save the long drive round, Flushing is reachable by ferry from Falmouth.