Falmouth
Harbour town charm, subtropical gardens and clifftop castles, all on Cornwall's south coast.
Falmouth sits on the edge of one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, and you feel that magic the moment you arrive. Sailing boats crowd the sparkling water and gulls wheel over the rooftops. Down on the high street, independent galleries, seafood spots, and old-fashioned sweet shops jostle for space along a lane that feels like it has barely changed in a century. Taking a coach tour is the easiest way to get here—you can skip the parking headaches and the stress of navigating narrow Cornish lanes, leaving you to simply relax in your seat until you're dropped right in the heart of the action. Whether you're popping in for a day trip or settling in for a longer break, this is a town that truly rewards those who love to wander.
There is so much to see and do. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall tells the county's seafaring story across five floors, while Pendennis Castle stands guard on the headland with sweeping views over Carrick Roads and the Fal estuary. If you fancy a stroll, Gyllyngvase Beach is just a short walk from the centre, offering golden sands, clear water, and a beach café that serves up a proper cream tea. For those who love a garden, Trebah and Glendurgan are must-visits; these subtropical valleys tumble beautifully down to their own private beaches. If you can make it in August, try to catch Falmouth Week, when the harbour fills with racing yachts and the whole town comes alive.
Coach tours visiting Falmouth
Christmas Cornwall Escape
by Shearings
This magical coastal escape to Cornwall combines stunning scenery, historic harbour towns, and a warm festive atmosphere.
Where you’ll stay
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The Esplanade Hotel ★★★★
The 4-star Esplanade Hotel overlooks the famous Fistral Beach in Newquay, featuring comfortable bedrooms, fantastic facilities and tempting dining options. The Cove Restaurant offers a laid-back dining experience in an ocean-facing space, serving carefully curated meals using the fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce, whilst the Elements Cocktail Bar offers a range of hand-picked cocktails in the comfort of a cosy fire. Enjoy a range of leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, or why not indulge at the Fistral Spa – located at the Esplanade’s sister hotel – and take advantage of a 10% discount? With an in-house cinema and a games room, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
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🧳 Arrival
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service and journey to Cornwall. A warm welcome awaits you at the Esplanade Hotel with a glass of fizz or luxurious hot chocolate on arrival.
Relax before dinner, settling into a cosy corner and enjoying fireside drinks in the Elements Bar. For front row seats to the Atlantic, make your way to the ocean-view lounge overlooking Fistral Beach. Here, you can sink into a comfy spot with a book, a coffee or a perfectly poured sundowner, and simply watch the waves.Evening dinner this evening is served in the restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Falmouth
Start Christmas Eve morning in Falmouth with a peaceful stroll along the pretty harbour, just as the town begins to glow with festive lights. Enjoy independent cafés and bakeries opening for seasonal treats, and take in the crisp sea air and coastal views before the Christmas celebrations begin.
We return to the hotel in time for a festive cream tea and time to relax. There will be a glass of mulled wine before dinner this evening followed by live entertainment in the bar. A mince pie and night cap rounds off the day at 10pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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☕ At Leisure
Day at Leisure
Merry Christmas! Unwrap your presents and enjoy a relaxed day at the Esplanade Hotel. There will be a visit from Santa and a traditional Christmas Day lunch. Watch the King's Speech in the Elements Bar followed by a fun festive quiz in the afternoon. This evening, there will be a festive buffet and live music to finish the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Truro
Celebrate Boxing Day with a festive morning visit to the historic city of Truro, where you can enjoy post-Christmas shopping, explore the charming streets and independent boutiques, and soak up the seasonal atmosphere in Cornwall's picturesque county capital.
We return to the hotel for an afternoon tea. Why not take a Boxing Day stroll on Fistral beach and take in the Cornish sea air? Enjoy dinner this evening in the hotel, followed by live entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🏡 Departure
Return home.
Meals: Breakfast
Newquay, Falmouth and the Eden Project
by Shearings
From Newquay, we discover some of Cornwall’s most popular attractions, including the Eden Project – home to plants from all over the world!
Where you’ll stay
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Kilbirnie Hotel ★★★
Escape to the Cornish coast with a stay at the Kilbirnie Hotel in Newquay, a warm and welcoming home-from-home just moments from the sea. Perfectly placed on Narrowcliff, this friendly hotel puts seven stunning beaches right on your doorstep, so you can swim, surf or simply soak up the sunshine. All 66 bedrooms have been beautifully refurbished with modern décor, upgraded bathrooms and thoughtful touches, and you can choose anything from a cosy Standard Room to a spacious Family Room or a breathtaking Sea View Room overlooking the ocean. Dive into the indoor and outdoor pools, unwind on the terrace, or enjoy a relaxing drink in the spacious bar.
When hunger calls, the Sunset View Restaurant serves wonderful homemade food made from locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're travelling solo, with friends or as part of a group, the Kilbirnie Hotel makes the ideal base for exploring everything Newquay has to offer. Book your coach tour today and discover why guests return year after year to this much-loved Cornish gem.
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🧳 Arrival
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then on to Newquay and our hotel for four nights.
Meals: Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Day at leisure or St Ives and Penzance
Enjoy a day at leisure in vibrant Newquay, or why not join our optional excursion to beautiful St Ives and the ancient market town of Penzance? St Ives is one of the most popular resorts in Cornwall, with award-winning beaches, boutiques, art galleries and craft shops, whilst Penzance boasts a rich sea-faring history.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🚌 Travelling
Eden Project
Today we visit the magnificent Eden Project. Experience the sights, smells and scale of the rainforests in the Rainforest Biome, amble amongst the orange and lemon trees in the Mediterranean Biome, and in the 30-acre Outdoor Garden discover a wide variety of plants that flourish in the Cornish sunshine. The vast exhibits and fantastic displays attract visitors from all over the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Falmouth
Jaunt to the popular maritime resort of Falmouth, a bustling seaside town with plenty of attractions and shops to explore.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🏡 Departure
Return home.
Meals: Breakfast
Places of Interest
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Located at Discovery Quay in Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall celebrates the county's connection to the sea. Highlights include the National Small Boat Collection in the towering Boat Hall, underwater windows in the Tidal Zone, and a Lookout Tower with sweeping harbor views. Its interactive galleries make it an ideal destination for families and sailing enthusiasts.
Located on the waterfront at Discovery Quay in Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall honors the county's longstanding bond with the ocean. Opened in 2003 in an impressive building overlooking one of the world's finest natural harbors, it serves as a sister site to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and houses the National Small Boat Collection. Its galleries span five floors, exploring everything from boat design to Cornwall's maritime history.
The highlight is the towering Boat Hall, where a variety of small craft, including Inuit kayaks and racing dinghies, are suspended from the ceiling. Visitors can head up the hundred-foot Lookout Tower for sweeping views of the estuary and harbor, or head down to the Tidal Zone to watch marine life through underwater windows. Between the interactive displays and rotating exhibitions, it's a great spot for families and sailing enthusiasts alike.
Trebah Garden
Trebah is a subtropical ravine garden near Falmouth, Cornwall. This 25-acre site features exotic plants, towering bamboo and tree fern glades that create a jungle-like feel. Visitors can stroll down a steep valley to Polgwidden Cove, where a quiet beach holds a memorial to the American troops who departed from here for the D-Day landings.
Trebah is a stunning subtropical ravine garden nestled on the wooded south bank of the Helford River near Falmouth, Cornwall. Spanning about 25 acres, it was originally designed in the 1800s by Charles Fox, a wealthy Quaker whose original paths and choice of trees still define the landscape. Thanks to a mild, sheltered microclimate, exotic plants from across the globe thrive here in wild abundance.
The garden drops roughly 200 feet down a steep valley toward Polgwidden Cove on the tidal river, taking visitors through a series of striking landscapes. With massive gunnera, towering bamboo, tree fern glades, and vibrant rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and magnolias, Trebah feels almost like a jungle. At the bottom of the ravine is a quiet beach featuring a memorial to the American troops who departed from here for the D-Day landings in 1944. It is truly a magical spot for a relaxed stroll.
Image Attribution
- Falmouth — (Photo by Winston Tjia on Unsplash )
- Truro — (Photo by Winston Tjia on Unsplash )
- Penzance — (Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash )
- Eden Project — (Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash )