Dictionary of Meaning

<<Back
Please select a letter:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9

Falmouth, Cornwall

*** Shopping-Tip: Falmouth, Cornwall
{{GBmap|Falmouth - Cornwall|SW810325}} Image:Falmouth Cornwall.jpg thumb|Falmouth from the seaside Image:Falmouth Cornwall Harbour.jpg thumb|Falmouth: Harbour, National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Pendennis Castle '''Falmouth''' (Cornish language Cornish: ''Aberfal'') is a seaport on the south coast of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. It has a population of 20,775 (2001 census). It was originally called Peny-cwm-cuic, which became 'Pennycomequick'. Falmouth is famous for its harbour. Together with Carrick Roads, it forms the third largest Natural harbor natural harbour in the world. It is also famous for being the start or finish point of various round-the-world record breaking voyages, such as those of Sir Francis Chichester and Dame Ellen MacArthur.

History
Sir John Killigrew created the town of Falmouth in 1613, and in about 1540 Henry VIII of England Henry VIII built Pendennis Castle to defend Carrick Roads. During the English Civil War civil war, Pendennis Castle was the second to last fort to surrender to the Parliamentarians. In the late sixteenth century, under threat from the Spanish Armada, the defenses at Pendennis were strengthened by the building of angled ramparts. It is a favorite trick for locals, who know the walls, to scale them in summer to avoid paying the entrance fee. The news of Britain's victory (and Admiral Nelson's Death) at Trafalgar was landed here from the schooner Pickle and taken up to London by stagecoach.

Arrival of the Railways
The Cornwall Railway reached Falmouth on 24 August 1863. The railway brought new prosperity to Falmouth, as it made it easy for tourists to reach the town. It also allowed the swift transport of the goods recently disembarked from the ships in the port. The town now has three railway stations. Falmouth Docks railway station is the original terminus and is close to Pendennis castle and Gyllyngvase beach. Falmouth Town railway station was opened on 7 December 1970 and is convenient for the National Maritime Museum, the waterfront, and town centre. Penmere railway station opened on 1 July 1925 towards the north of Falmouth and within easy walking distance of the top of The Moor. All three stations are served by regular trains from Truro on the Maritime Line.

Current Economy
Whilst Falmouth's maritime activity is much declined from its heyday, the docks are still a major contributor to the towns economy. The bunkering of vessels, and the transfers of cargoes, also keep the ports facilities busy. Further up the sheltered reaches of the Fal there are several ships laid up, awaiting sailing orders and/or new owners/charterers. With its fine Georgian town houses converted into guest houses and small hotels, often overlooking one of the beaches, Falmouth has proven a popular holiday destination and it is now primarily a tourist resort. The five main beaches starting next to Pendennis Castle and moving along the coast towards the Helford river are Castle, Tunnel, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth beach. The National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum Cornwall opened in February 2003.

University College Falmouth
Formerly Falmouth College of Arts, University_College_Falmouth University College Falmouth has two campuses in the Falmouth area; the original town site, Wood Lane, and the other in the Combined Universities in Cornwall campus at Tremough, Penryn. The College offers courses chiefly in the fields of Art and Media Studies.

Miscellanea
There is a year-round ferry service to St Mawes, on the other side of Carrick Roads. During the holiday season several other ferry services operate, mainly site seeing cruises up the Fal. These vessels are also available for hire. During the Second World War, 31 people were killed in Falmouth by German bombing. It was also the launching point for the famous Commando raid on St Nazaire.

Notable Residents
*Richard Thomas, Civil Engineer. In 1815, he produced a survey of the navigation of the River Severn. *Steve McFadden, Actor. Plays Phil Mitchell in popular UK soap opera Eastenders

See Also
*Cornish Cornish Links

External links

- National Maritime Museum Cornwall
- Photos of Falmouth from Views Of Cornwall
- Photos of Falmouth from Cornwall 365
- Falmouth (cornwall-online) Category:Ports and harbours of England Category:Towns in Cornwall de:Falmouth (Cornwall) kw:Aberfal no:Falmouth, Cornwall fi:Falmouth

*** Shopping-Tip: Falmouth, Cornwall