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Castle Bay

Castle Bay

Falmouth beach apartment with sea views

Sleeps up to 4 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Saturday arrival Short breaks available
The Retreat
Castle Bay is a ground-floor beach apartment with sweeping sea views, offering a fantastic base to enjoy a south coast escape for up to four people. It’s ideally situated on Falmouth’s seafront and the creative and thriving town is just a short walk away...
Situated on the ground floor of The Strand, a well-kept, peaceful apartment block on Falmouth’s seafront is Castle Bay, an end apartment sleeping up to four. With direct garden access through its patio doors and a private seating area in front of the sea, you’re just seconds from exploring Falmouth’s sandy beaches, coastal cafes and vibrant surroundings.

Inside

Castle Bay is situated in a premium ocean-facing location in one of Falmouth's exclusive apartment developments. The retreat offers a relaxed and traditional feel within a contemporary apartment setting with and lovely ‘coastal home away from home’ feel. There’s a beautifully appointed open plan living and dining area with smart TV, comfortable sofas and a dining space for all guests. With the horizon as your view, you can enjoy it from inside the apartment, or through the fully glazed double doors leading straight onto the private patio area. Adjacent to the living area is the good-sized contemporary kitchen, which is well equipped with all you need for creating and serving delicious meals on your holiday.

The principle bedroom has a super-king sized bed with sea views, meaning you can wake up and enjoy the sounds and sights of the sea and enjoy the beautiful sunrises Falmouth offers. There is a shower room next door to the principal bedroom, separate from the family bathroom, allowing both bedrooms to have privacy. The second bedroom is along the corridor and has twin beds and a wardrobe.

Outside

This delightful holiday home is on the ground floor and opens through the living area onto a private patio and beyond that, well-tended lawns and gardens are shared with other residents. The outside space faces south so from sunrise to sunset you are bathed in sunlight making al fresco dining and outdoor lounging a joy. You also have a private parking space, well secure within the apartment’s gated perimeter - as well as further parking outside of the apartment block on a quiet road if required. At Castle Bay, you also have private access to the seafront and beaches from a private gate, just a few metres from your patio doors.

Things we love

At Castle Bay, you’re not only spoilt with ever-changing sea views of Falmouth Bay, but also the vibrant town buzzing with maritime heritage and its creative industry is less than a ten-minute stroll away along quiet residential streets. Boasting plenty of local eateries, independent shops and hidden gems, you have some hard decisions to make when deciding where to eat and drink! We of course love the beaches of Falmouth, with calm, crystal seas and golden sand. Castle Beach is just 200m from your gate and perfect for an early morning dip and a coffee… whilst Gyllyngvase Beach is a five-minute walk and offers a stylish beach restaurant, by-the-sand bakery, SUP and kayak rental, and brilliant ice-creams. Falmouth really is is a beach lover’s paradise and Castle Bay is quite literally a stone’s throw from some of the best beaches around! For a perfect day perhaps explore Pendennis castle, or hop on the foot ferry to nearby St Mawes, before returning to your beach-side haven at Castle Bay.
Would definitely stay here again
Just perfect for a relaxing, active or peaceful getaway, with the most utterly gorgeous views. The flat has a very easy layout and was very comfortable. We did not need to use the car as it was very accessible as were the beaches, the castle, and to the centre of town. We particularly enjoyed the ferry to St Mawes. We would definitely stay here again.
Trish
Details

Retreat Details

SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: super king bed
Bedroom two: twin beds
All bed linen provided
BATHROOM
Family bathroom with WC, basin, and shower
Second shower room
All bathroom towels provided (please bring your own beach towels)
LIVING & RELAXING
Open-plan kitchen and dining area
Smart TV
Two sofas
WiFi
COOKING & DINING
70/30 fridge freezer
Dining area seating four
Dishwasher
Electric oven
Hob
Microwave
OUTDOORS
Al fresco dining area seating four
Patio doors to outdoor area
Private gated access to seafront and beaches
BABIES & TODDLERS
Cot and highchair available on request
PETS
Sorry, we cannot accept dogs at this property
UTILITIES & HEATING
Gas central heating
Washer/dryer
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
Check in from 4pm
Check out by 10am
PARKING
Private parking for one car
ACCESSIBILITY
Internal stairs or lift to lower ground floor
One floor retreat
Please contact us for more accessibility information
Location

Falmouth

Falmouth combines a rich maritime history with a lively café culture, independent shops and beautiful beaches. Explore Pendennis Castle, browse galleries, enjoy waterfront restaurants or take a boat trip along the Fal Estuary. With a bustling harbour and easy access to the Helford River and South Cornwall coastline, Falmouth offers something for everyone.

More about this area

The falmouth guide

Maenporth beach near holiday cottages near Falmouth by Forever Cornwall

Sheltered beaches

Falmouth is one of the few places in Cornwall where you can choose a different beach every day of your holiday. Thanks to its sheltered south coast location, the water is generally calmer than the north coast, making it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and families with young children.

Gyllyngvase Beach is the town’s Blue Flag beach, loved for its golden sand, beach café and watersports. Just around the headland, Castle Beach is a favourite for rock pooling and snorkelling, while Swanpool and Maenporth offer relaxed beach cafés, watersports and beautiful coastal walks linking one bay to the next.

One of the joys of staying in Falmouth is stumbling across those quieter stretches of coastline that don’t always make the guidebooks – best discovered at your own pace.

Falmouth high street

Eat, drink and savour

Whether you’re grabbing a coffee before a morning walk along the seafront, enjoying fresh seafood overlooking the harbour or settling in for a memorable evening meal, Falmouth is one of Cornwall’s best foodie destinations. The town is packed with independent cafés, award-winning restaurants, cosy pubs and lively bars, offering everything from relaxed brunches to special occasion dining.

Seafood naturally takes centre stage, with many menus celebrating the day’s local catch, while you’ll also find artisan bakeries, waterfront wine bars and international flavours tucked away along the historic streets. For something a little different, pick up local produce from one of Falmouth’s regular markets or enjoy fish and chips by the harbour as the boats come and go.

Whether you’re dining with family, meeting friends or simply watching the world go by with a coffee in hand, Falmouth’s vibrant food scene is all part of what makes staying here so special.

Dolphins in the south west of Cornwall

On the water

Falmouth’s deep natural harbour has shaped the town for centuries and remains at the heart of life here today. Whether you’re hopping aboard a ferry across the Fal Estuary, hiring a paddleboard, setting sail or simply watching boats drift in and out of the harbour, the water is never far away.

The surrounding coastline is also rich in marine life. Keep an eye out for seals basking on the rocks, pods of dolphins playing offshore and, if you’re lucky, even basking sharks or whales during the warmer months. Wildlife boat trips offer a fantastic way to experience Cornwall’s coastline from a different perspective, while the clear, sheltered waters around Falmouth are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling.

Regular ferries connect Falmouth with St Mawes, Flushing and the Helford River, making it easy to explore South Cornwall by water. Back on dry land, stroll the waterfront to Pendennis Castle, browse independent galleries and shops, or soak up the atmosphere during events such as Falmouth Week and the International Sea Shanty Festival.

Whether you’re drawn to life on the water, incredible coastal scenery or the chance to experience Cornwall’s thriving marine environment, Falmouth offers unforgettable adventures both on and off the sea.

Beaches
Gyllyngvase Beach in the summer

Gyllyngvase

Sheltered from most of the Atlantic swell, Gylly (or Gyllyngvase to give it its full name, meaning ‘shallow inlet’) is a perfect year-round swimming and paddleboard spot, and its rocky reefs on either side are great for snorkeling. Its waters are mostly flat year-round and is lifeguarded in the summer. In 2019 it was awarded Blue Flag status for its clean, safe waters and subsequently awarded a Seaside Award in 2023. This area is perfect for rock pooling; book your very own rock pool safari guide with The Rockpool Project. If you want to venture out on the water, you’ll find paddleboard and Kayak hire on the beach. The award-winning Gylly Beach Café is right on the sand, serving delicious food from its cool, contemporary glass-fronted building. You can pick up a loaf from its bakery next door.

Castle beach in Falmouth

Castle Beach

A slope leads down to a platform lined with colourful beach huts and the Castle Beach Cafe, which sells breakfast and small bites, as well as sourdough toasties, soup and ice cream. The clear waters are great for snorkelling at high tide, when the beach disappears completely; low tide reveals a narrow strip of shingle and sand, and rockpools where children can hunt for crabs. The Gylly Beach Cafe and Bakery is an easy 10-minute stroll away. If you want to try your hand at diving, Dive in Falmouth is a fantastic school and water sports centre based off this beach with a range of courses on offer. 

Swanpool Beach in Falmouth

Swanpool

To the west of Falmouth, but still only a 20-minute walk from the centre, Swanpool is a sand and shingle cove backed by a nature reserve, which is home to 100 different species of bird (pick up some bird seeds at the cafe to feed the swans and ducks). It’s not lifeguarded, but it’s a calm spot for a swim or paddle — there’s kayak and bodyboard hire at the watersports centre by the cafe.  The wonderful Hooked on the Rocks seafood restaurant & bar overlooks the nature reserve and beach, whilst the beach cafe sells teas, snacks and ice cream, including the famous Hedgehog, a decadent cone of ice cream, hazelnuts and clotted cream.

Maenporth beach near holiday cottages near Falmouth by Forever Cornwall

Maenporth

An easy 30-minute walk along the coast path from Swanpool —and just a couple of miles out of Falmouth — Maenporth has glorious views across Falmouth Bay towards Pendennis Castle. Although it isn’t lifeguarded, this beach is a great choice for families with younger children, with its beachside cafe, soft sand, sheltered waters, and stream running down the beach for paddling and dam building. At low tide, the fascinating shipwreck of the trawler Ben Asdale can be seen. There are also caves further along the beach but check out the tide times before you head off to explore. There’s a fabulous seafood restaurant tucked behind the dunes, too.

Food & Drink
Harbour Lights Fish & Chip shop, Falmouth, Forever Cornwall

Fish and seafood

For the best fish and chips in town, head to Harbour Lights, just off the quay. They only source sustainable, MSC fish, with plenty of Cornish options on the menu. In good weather, take your food down to the quay behind and grab a table outside at The Front, a bring-your-own-food pub. Award-winning Indidog is tucked off the main street, its full length balcony over the harbour has brilliant views of the Fal estuary. Expect delicious fish dishes, small seafood plates and wonderful cocktails and mocktails. This quirky Verdant Seafood Bar basement taproom and tapas bar combines delicious small sharing plates (juicy scallops, crispy monkfish scampi crispy and amazing crab fries) with locally brewed craft beer from Verdant’s own brewery just outside Falmouth. Be prepared to queue in peak season.

Cafes

Top on your list should be Stones Bakery, a bakery shop and cafe at the top of town which does amazing salads, pastries, and all manner of delicious baked goods — a perfect place for a laid-back lunch. Hiding amongst Falmouth’s terraces high above the harbour, deli-cum-cafe Provedere is a good bet for a tapas lunch — it also sells an amazing range of Cornish produce, from cheeses and meats to local wine and beer. If you want to warm up after a swim, the award-winning Gylly Beach Cafe with bakery next door is brilliant. Slightly further along, the Castle Beach Cafe is also popular for its homemade cakes and great coffee.

Kernowine

Places to drink

Housed in one of Falmouth’s oldest buildings, the Chain Locker offers stylish and contemporary dining overlooking the bay. Indulge in award-winning beers, Polgoon wines and expertly crafted cocktails. For something more quirkier, head to Beerwolf Books, a pub tucked away off the main drag that combines beer with, er, books! A flurry of wine bars has opened in recent years, including The Orgia Bar & Kitchen, which specialises in natural wines and small plates, and Kernowine, a sustainable wine shop and bar.

Out of town

There are a number of places to eat and drink a little further out that are worth a mention. Just outside Falmouth, the Verdant Brewing Taproom, located next to their brewery in Penryn, serves authentic wood-fired pizzas alongside their delicious Verdant beer. Watch out for their live music events. Don’t miss the award-winning restaurant The Cove in Maenporth, set behind the sandy beach about a 45-minute walk from Falmouth along the coastal path. With its panoramic views across Falmouth Bay and fabulous fish dishes, Hooked on the Rocks on Swanpool beach, just outside the town, is a wonderful spot for seafood and sundowners. No trip to this patch of Cornwall is complete without a trip to the legendary Pandora Inn, a little gem of a place hidden up Restronguet Creek. It’s got its own mooring if you’re arriving by boat.

Falmouth local food guide

Falmouth Local Good Guide

The vibrant university town of Falmouth has a plethora of speciality food outlets, delis, bottles shops and bakeries hidden amongst its winding lanes and pretty terraced streets. There are several out of town breweries and a number of farm shops and markets in the surrounding area, like the brilliant Food Barn at Tregew in nearby Flushing, held every Saturday morning.

Find out more about buying local in with our handy Local Food Guide to Falmouth

Things to do
Bigstock National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum

This multi award-winning visitor centre, housed in a spectacular building on Discovery Quay in the very heart of Falmouth, celebrates the town’s seafaring heritage and is a must for visitors to the area. It’s full of fascinating, interactive displays, from the lofty main hall where a flotilla of full-size boats hang from the ceiling, to the underwater viewing window that looks right into Falmouth’s harbour. Children can sail electric boats in the sail pool, romp around in the soft play, get crafty in the arts area and play with real RNLI equipment. If you buy one ticket, it will be valid for a year, so you can come back again and again!

Pendennis Castle

Pendennis Castle

This impressive Tudor fortress defended Falmouth against invasion for 400 years. It’s a spectacular spot, on a headland at the mouth of the Carrick Roads with stunning views out to sea. Now under the care of English Heritage, visitors can explore the winding stone staircases and gun rooms, and scramble up to the top for panoramic views. Discover underground tunnels where ammunition was stored and experience the castle under attack with an exciting new immersive experience. 

Galleries and arts venues

The award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery is free to enter and has wonderful collections of over 2,000 artworks, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to local Cornish artists. They have an impressive schedule of exhibitions throughout the year, too. The live arts venue The Poly in the heart of the town has an arts cinema, workshops, exhibitions, talks, music, theatre and a makers guild, and there are also numerous galleries, pottery studios and art shops dotted around the town — we love Inspire Makers, which showcases the work of over 50 local artisans and craftspeople. 

boat trips in Falmouth

Boat trips

Without doubt, the best way to explore the Carrick Roads is by water. Water ferries criss cross the river between Falmouth and a host of places including, St Mawes, Flushing, the National Trust’s Trelissick and Truro, so you can hop on and off whenever you want and explore the area in your own time. It’s a great way to get to know the Roseland Peninsula, with its pretty villages, secluded beaches and amazing flora and fauna. The Fal Mussel Visitor Card gives visitors unlimited travel by ferry, bus and boat, including the crossing on the King Harry Ferry.

Falmouth high street

Independent shops and boutiques

If shopping’s on the agenda then Falmouth is definitely the place to go. From clothing boutiques to antiques shops stuffed with intriguing collectables, having a browse in Falmouth’s independent shops will easily absorb an entire day if you let it. Some favourites include: Willow & Stone, which sells beautiful things for the home as well as gifts, stationery, prints and cards; Ludgate Antiques, hidden down a cobbled backstreet; the clothing store Parade selling beautiful clothes; and the Falmouth Bookseller.

Enhance your stay

Affordable private dining

Imagine your own private chef! It’s far more affordable than you think, and it supports local businesses. Discover how to find and book the right chef for you!

Follow this link to read more.

Reviews
  • Everything you need

    Castle Bay, perfect place to stay — walks to beach around Swanpool feeding the ducks and fish. Everything on our doorstep — Falmouth Hotel, Gylly Cafe, The Chain Locker, Pandora & Ferry Boat. Apartment packed with everything you need.

    The Sanders — November 2025
  • Super clean and comfortable

    We loved our stay here. The location was perfect for everything we wanted to do and visit and the flat was super clean and comfortable for our week stay. Thank you very much!

    Lois — October 2025
  • Lovely views

    We enjoyed our time in the flat. It was very comfortable and had lovely views over the garden to the sea from the patio. The town centre was about a 10 minute walk. There was a good parking space for one car.

    Robert — October 2025
  • Lovely

    Lovely view of the sea, not very far from the city centre.

    Selim — August 2025
  • Fabulous

    We have had another amazing week at your fabulous apartment here at Castle Bay. We have been and walked down to the beach, spent lovely times on the patio for breakfast and the evenings.

    Jason — July 2025
  • Great apartment in a fantastic location

    Great apartment in a fantastic location overlooking the sea, beautiful garden outside.

    The Hicks Family – June 2025
  • Would definitely stay here again

    Just perfect for a relaxing, active or peaceful getaway, with the most utterly gorgeous views. The flat has a very easy layout and was very comfortable. We did not need to use the car as it was very accessible as were the beaches, the castle, and to the centre of town. We particularly enjoyed the ferry to St Mawes. We would definitely stay here again.

    Trish — February 2025
  • Another fantastic holiday

    We would like to thank Forever Cornwall for another fantastic holiday here at Castle Bay. We have had a brilliant week in the sun visiting all of our favourite places again. We would fully recommend 'Pennycomequick', we had Sunday lunch here and an evening meal. If you like a view with boats and to just watch the world go, 'Castaways' in Mylor is fabulous. We are just enjoying the last few hours of this lovely apartment before heading back up north. Look forward to booking with you again next year.

    The Brace family — August 2024
  • Lovely apartment

    We've had a wonderful stay. Fab location and amazing food. Lovely apartment, clean and comfy. Great location, can walk everywhere. Thank you!

    Erin & Chris — July 2024
  • Lovely week

    We have spent a lovely week at Castle Bay. The apartment was exactly as described with great views over the bay. We went back to Maenporth beach, visited some 40 years ago with our children. Luckily it hasn't changed. Hope to visit again some day.

    John & Vivien — May 2024

  • The accommodation and location here are both great. So wonderful to be able to walk to so many places rather than use the car. It's so peaceful too and the sunny patio is wonderful. The ferry to St Mawes is always a must for us, a lovely place to wander around or even visit the castle and grounds. Castle Bay has been the best place we have stayed in this area. The apartment had everything we needed and was very comfortable. The views are just outstanding! Thank you for a wonderful two weeks. Here is a poem I wrote:

    The Peacey's — April 2024
  • Immaculate

    It really has been the most amazing week. The place was immaculate upon arrival. Fantastic views and the placement couldn't be better. Castle Bay is well equipped and obviously well looked after. Falmouth centre is only a short walk from here. There are plenty of places to eat out and have a nice relaxing drink. The Chainlocker is the perfect quaint Cornish pub, offering great views of the marina. This place has captured our hearts and we can't wait to spend another week doing all the things we simply didn't have time for this trip.

    Sean & Frankie — March 2024
  • Wonderful

    Celebrated 50 years of visiting Falmouth and Helford river in Castle Bay and it's been the perfect place to celebrate half a century of loving this area. Walks still as beautiful and apartment wonderful to return to. Thank you — so hope to return.

    Richard & Jacquiline — March 2024
  • Loads of space

    We absolutely loved our stay at the apartment on Cliff Road! I couldn't find a single thing wrong with it. It's an easy walk into the centre of town, which is a fantastic seaside town, with restaurants, cafes, pubs, boat trips and shops for all tastes. We were also very handy for visiting our son who is at the university and in accommodation by the port docks. There is so much to see and do straight from the front door. We left our car parked in the designated space all week. The view from the apartment was straight across the ever-changing ocean and allowed easy walking up and down the sea front to Gyllyngvase Beach and Swanpool beyond it, in one direction, and to Pendennis Castle in the other. The apartment had loads of space and looked bigger in real life even than in the photos. We already miss it loads, now we are home. Thank you for such a great place to stay.

    Edmund — November 2023
  • Spacious apartment

    A spacious apartment in a great, quiet location with fantastic views. Loved the garden gate leading straight out onto the seafront and the short walk to Gylly bakery for food and goodies each morning.

    Carol & Jim — October 2023
  • One of the best by far

    A big thank you to Andrew, Emma and the Forever Cornwall team, we have had a fantastic holiday staying in this wonderful apartment. We were absolutely delighted with the whole apartment and stunning views across the bay. Having stayed in and around Falmouth before this has been one of the best by far. We didn't need to bring anything with us as it's already here. Look forward to staying with you again. Will rebook when home.

    Helen & Jason — July 2023
  • Views are spectacular

    We've had a wonderful week in this well equipped beautiful apartment. The views are spectacular and we enjoyed watching all the boats and water-sports going on. We had a wonderful day out to St Michael's Mount which was a great find and again, we saw some beautiful views. We had many coffees, drinks, ice creams etc at the Gylly Beach Cafe (down the road) and would definitely recommend visiting there. We walked up to Pendennis Castle and had a little explore, visiting Castle Beach on the way back. We would really recommend Harbour Lights fish and chip shop, absolutely delicious. We visited Glendurgan National Trust and had fun trying to solve the maze. We really hope to return.

    The Baldwin family — July 2023
  • Beautiful view across the bay

    Arrived on 'Armed Forces Day' and were welcomed by a fantastic air display across the bay which included the Red Arrows and RAF Falcons. What a good start to the holiday. The apartment is so comfortable with so much thought gone into providing everything you might need during your stay. The most impressive thing for us was the beautiful view across the bay from the apartment. Can't be beaten. We stayed very local and enjoyed walks to Gyllyngvase and Swanpool beach. Cafe at Swanpool do amazing hot ciabatta sandwiches. We walked from Pendennis Castle and took the ferry from Prince of Wales pier to St Mawes — a lovely visit. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and wouldn't hesitate to come back. Organisation from Forever Cornwall was spot on and particularly the information provided.

    Trish & Tony — June 2023
  • Veronica & Steve — June 2023
  • Super apartment

    We've had a lovely warm and sunny week in this super apartment. We've visited all of our favourite places and walked some of the coastal paths. Thank you for the welcome pack.

    The Smiths — May 2023
  • Wonderful

    We've had a wonderful week in this 5* apartment and enjoyed visiting several National Trust properties. We also visited Trebah and Glendurgan, just a short distance from each other.

    Gib & Barbara — April 2023
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Good to know

Short breaks are available from October – March excluding school holidays (Saturday or Monday arrivals only, 2 night minimum). If you can't see the dates you would like online please contact the team.