Bring part of the Olympics to Falmouth

©supply imaging limited

Falmouth is famous for its harbour. Together with Carrick Roads, it forms the third deepest natural harbour in the world, & the deepest in Western Europe. 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. Triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie, who learned to sail in and around Carrick Roads.

1969 Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became an international hero when he sailed his beloved 32ft ketch ‘Suhaili’ into Falmouth, becoming the first person to sail round the globe, single-handed and non-stop.

In about 1540 Henry VIII built Pendennis Castle to defend Carrick Roads, and Sir John Killigrew created the town of Falmouth in 1613.

The Falmouth Packet Service began operating from Falmouth in 1689 and this continued until 1850. In their time the ships carried mail between all corners of the British Empire.

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 received Royal Charter in 1661, so will celebrate it’s 350th Birthday in 2011. www.falmouth350.com