© Falmouth Days 2008

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When Henry VIII built the castle on Pendennis Point, Falmouth never existed is was then known as called Penny Come Quick. As a town it was founded in 1613 by Sir John Killigrew. Pendennis Castle saw a heroic defence during the Civil war and was one the last Royalist strongholds to surrender. After the Restoration the Town obtained its charter from Charles II and memory of its loyalty to the Crown the Parish Church of King Charles the Martyr was built.

The Town flourished with the introduction of the Packet Service which operated out of the port from the late 17th century to the middle of the 18th. These fast lightly armed ships carried the mail to the expanding British Empire. As you enter Falmouth along the river side you can see the elegant Georgian houses built by the Packet Captains in the Greenbank area of the town. During this time Falmouth was one of the most important ports in all the empire. The picture on the right is of the memorial to the Packet Service situated on the Moor. Such notable events as the news of Nelson death at Trafalgar was first heard in Falmouth.

With the advent of more modern transport the importance of the service declined and Falmouth importance with it. However the founding of Falmouth docks and the rail link to Falmouth in the mid 19th century gave the Town new boost. Tourism became popular and the Docks is still operating today.

During the last century the Docks was the major employer in the town and during the Second World War was a major base of military action. The heroic raid on the dry docks at St.Naziare left from Falmouth. This raid is the third mostly highly decorated action in British military history, with 5 VC’s being won along with a host of other awards. The memorial to these brave men has recently been enhanced and moved and to the Prince of Wales Pier. Prince Charles recently attended the re-dedication ceremony.

From the end of the Second World War until now has seen a decline in the importance of Ship repair in the Docks, which has now a popular stop of for Cruise Ships. These always add colour to an already vibrant water scene

Falmouth’s place in history mainly revolves around its maritime past, but it was also the birth place of the ever popular children’s classic, Wind In the Willow’s. The author Winston Graham first conceived of the story during a stay at the Greenbank Hotel.

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