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Falmouth beach apartment by the beach with sea views

Castle Bay

Falmouth beach apartment with sea views

Sleeps up to 4 in 2 bedrooms Saturday arrival Sorry no pets
Check rates and dates
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.

The views are just outstanding!
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.
The Peacey's — April 2024
Features

Retreat Features

  • Seconds from the beach
  • Sea views across Falmouth Bay
  • Walking distance to town
  • Private off-road parking
  • Cosy interiors
  • Perfect for couples
SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: super king bed
Bedroom two: twin beds
All bed linen and bath towels provided
COOKING & DINING
Fully equipped kitchen
Dishwasher
NEFF appliances
Dining area seating four
LIVING & RELAXING
Open plan living and dining area
Two sofas
Smart TV
BATHROOM
Family bathroom with shower, basin and WC
Second shower room
HEATING
Gas central heating
PARKING
Private parking for one car
BABIES & TODDLERS
High chair and cot available on request
PETS
Sorry no pets
UTILITIES
Washer/dryer
OUTDOORS
Patio doors to patio area
Al-fresco dining area seating four
Private gated access to seafront and beaches
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
Saturday changeovers
Check in after 4pm
Check out before 10am
ACCESSIBILITY
Internal stairs or lift to lower ground floor
Wheelchair friendly
Location

Falmouth

Falmouth is a beautiful, vibrant town just 10 miles from the city of Truro. It’s known for its deep natural harbour on the Fal Estuary, historic town, sandy beaches like Swanpool and Gyllyngvase as well its creative community.

More about this area

Travel times

  • Castle Bay is a 5-minute walk from the main Falmouth Town train station; which is a branch line off the mainline to Penzance (change at Truro). Regular and convenient services run from all over the UK.
  • Falmouth is about 11 miles from the city of Truro. Driving time from London is around five hours in normal traffic, while Exeter is around two hours away.

Things we love

  • Seconds from the sandy beaches of Falmouth
  • Beautiful views of Falmouth Bay
  • Walking distance from Falmouth town
  • Perfect for couples
  • Private parking

The falmouth guide

Beach near holiday cottages near Falmouth by Forever Cornwall

Sheltered beaches

Cornwall’s south coast is known for its calm waters and sheltered beaches, and Falmouth has some of our favourite coves in the area. Gyllyngvase Beach is a Blue Flag beach and lifeguarded in summer, whilst Castle Beach, slightly further along, is brilliant for snorkelling at high tide when the beach disappears completely. Swanpool and Maenporth, both an easy stroll from the centre, offer plenty of space. All beaches have their individual perks, from Gylly’s popular beach cafe with relaxed decking to Swanpool’s cracking lunchtime cafe with their indulgent ‘hedgehog’ ice creams.

For coastal adventures, take to the seas in a kayak or paddleboard to discover one of the many hidden coves in the area — some totally inaccessible by land so you are likely to find a beach to yourself. When staying in one of our Falmouth holiday cottages, if you’re up for exploring, head along the coastal footpath from Swanpool towards Maenporth and seek out Sunny Cove — a sheltered, sandy beach that often goes undiscovered by both visitors and residents.

A foodie hub

Falmouth is one of Cornwall’s top culinary hubs, its cobbled lanes, bustling high street and waterside terraces packed full of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars. Not surprisingly for a town with a still-vibrant fishing industry, fish and seafood features heavily on local menus. Head to Harbour Lights in the heart of town for the tastiest fish and chips on the go, sample delicious small plates at the tiny Verdant Seafood Bar, run by a local microbrewery, or head to Indidog for seafood and cocktails on the balcony jutting out over the harbour.

A flurry of wine bars has opened in recent years, including The Orgia Bar & Kitchen, which specialises in natural wines and small plates, and sustainable wine shop and bar, Kernowine. If you’re travelling further afield, don’t miss the award-winning restaurant The Cove in Maenporth with its panoramic views across Falmouth Bay, fabulous seafood at Hooked on the Rocks in Swanpool, or the legendary Pandora Inn, a little gem of a place hidden up Restronguet Creek.

Falmouth working boat, Forever Cornwall

A maritime mecca

Falmouth is steeped in a rich seafaring history. It’s home to the world’s third largest natural harbour, and remains a significant player on the international maritime scene. You can delve into the area’s seafaring past at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, which hosts different exhibits along with permanent favourites — visitors can climb into lifeboats, marvel at the flotilla of boats suspended in the main hall, or head down below sea level to the Tidal Zone where can look out underwater in the harbour.

The town’s maritime past is celebrated with a number of festivals held throughout the year. During the summer, the International Sea Shanty Festival brings together almost 70 sea shanty groups from across the world, whilst the Falmouth Classics, also held in June, is a three-day regatta of racing, parades and events onshore. Falmouth Week plays host to numerous sailing events over a week in August, and, in October, the start of the oyster dredging season is heralded at the Falmouth Oyster Festival. Falmouth’s Tall Ships Race, in which magnificent Class A tall ships race from Falmouth to Spain, returned to Falmouth in the summer of 2023.

Beaches
Bigstock Gyllyngvase Beach In The Summe 1834320

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

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 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.

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, 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.

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 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 44646640

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

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

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.

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.

Guests Say
  • 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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Please note, we only release dates 11 months ahead, so please check back or enquire for more availability.