Falmouth has a rich and fascinating history that we can't even begin to do justice to on this web site.
From its very beginnings in 1403, to her famous visitors, the first news of the battle of Trafalgar, or the Rolling Stones video, there is something of interest here for everybody. Great Sailing voyages started and finished here, including Sir Robin Knox Johnson and Dame Ellen MacArthur.
The evidence of days gone by is everywhere yet Falmouth is one of the Country's most bustling and vibrant sea-side towns, with plenty to do for anyone.
Here however are a few high points from days gone by to whet your appetite, and give you something to look for when you are walking around the town and Harbour.
| Date | What happened? | |
|---|---|---|
| 1403 | The Killigrew Family acquire the Falmouth Estate. | |
| 1613 | Sir John Killigrew created the town of Falmouth on the site of the old Peny-cwm-cuic (Pennycomequick). | |
| 1545 | Pendennis and St Mawes Castles built on the orders of Henry VIII. | |
| 1646 |
Pendennis Castle withstands a 5 month siege by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War. | |
| 1660 | Falmouth Massachusetts (US) named by Bartholomew Gosnold, a native of Falmouth Cornwall. | |
| 1661 | Falmouth receives its Royal Charter from King Charles II. |
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| 1689 | The Falmouth Packet Service starts, to carry mail to all corners of the British Empire. |
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| 1805 | News of the victory at the Battle Trafalgar, and the death of Nelson reaches Falmouth first, and is taken to London by Stagecoach. |
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| 1835 | King William IV bestows Royal Patronage on the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society - the forerunner of the modern University College. |
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| 1839 | Charles Darwin anchors HMS Beagle at Falmouth at the end of his voyage round the world. |
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| 1863 | The railway reaches Falmouth. | |
| 1858 | Development of Falmouth Docks starts. | |
| 1865 | Falmouth Hotel opens - the largest hotel in the town. | |
| 1866 |
The Falmouth Chamber of Commerce is formed. | |
| 1872 | Royal Cornwall Yacht Club founded in Falmouth. |
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| 1907 | Kenneth Graham writes the first part of the Wind in the Willows in Falmouth's Greenbank Hotel. | |
| 1912 | Queen Mary Gardens created at Gyllyngvase to commemorate the coronation of Queen Mary - wife of George V. |
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| 1940 | Falmouth bombed during WW2, 31 people killed. | |
| 1968 | The Rolling Stones filmed "Beggar's Banquet" in Falmouth. | |
| 1969 | Sir Robin Knox Johnson arrives in Falmouth, the first man to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation. "Where from?" asks the customs man. "Falmouth" was the reply. |
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| 1981 |
MRCC (Marine Rescue Control Centre) Falmouth opens to direct worldwide rescue operations. |
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| 1992 |
Seb Coe former Olympic athlete enters parliament as MP for Falmouth and Camborne. |
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| 2003 | National Maritime Museum completed at Falmouth. | |
| 2003 | The new Tremough Campus of University College Falmouth opens at Penryn. | |
| 2005 | Ellen MacArthur arrives in Falmouth after 71 days at sea, breaking the record for the world's fastest sailing circumnavigation. |
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