As the weather heats up, the roads have a tendency of getting a little busier in Cornwall as tourists and locals head for the beach in droves for a few minutes of sun! If you’re looking for an easier way to get around in Cornwall, avoiding all of the summer rush, then taking the local ferries in the Truro and Falmouth area can be a great way to navigate your way around during the busier seasons. Here are some of the most popular trips:
St Mawes Ferry
Connecting the quaint fishing village of St Mawes, situated on the Roseland Peninsula, with Falmouth’s port, this is one of the most popular boat trips in Cornwall, with over 162,000 visitors making the trip each year.
Driving from Falmouth to St Mawes is around a 29-mile trip, yet the journey by boat provides a shortcut, at only a 2.8-mile journey! The boats run at least hourly year round. In the summer months, three ferry trips will run each hour, proving its popularity with tourists and locals alike.
This isn’t just a way to get from A to B though, as this ferry trip has some truly stunning sights to see. Along the route, you will spot the striking Pendennis Castle and remarkable St Mawes Castle, as well as a range of impressive ships around the docks. Nature lovers may also be in for a treat, as seals, dolphins and basking sharks are also often spotted in these areas while out in a boat!
Place Ferry
Running every day over the summer months (1 April- 29 October), the Place Ferry connects Place Creek with St Mawes. Place sits opposite St Mawes on the Roseland Peninsula, and only take ten minutes to reach via boat. The ferry drops you off onto the South West Coast Path, meaning that there are plenty of walking routes to explore, including the ‘Roseland Ramble’. Head to St. Anthony’s Lighthouse, built in 1835, for some impressive views of Falmouth harbour. The walks are perfect for dogs too, and the ferry is dog-friendly, making it easier for any dog-walkers looking for a fun day out that the pups can join in with!
Also in the area are the beaches of Little and Great Molunan, where you will find perfect white sand and crystal clear waves, making for what feels like an idyllic island getaway!
King Harry Floating Bridge
This isn’t just any ferry, as the King Harry Floating Bridge has played a part in Cornish life and history since 1888 when it was first established. The Roseland Peninsula is divided by the River Fal, making it a tricky place to drive around. This is where the King Harry ferry comes into play, cutting the 29-mile drive down into a 5-minute journey!
The ferry can hold up to 34 cars, dropping passengers to and from Feock and Roseland. Because of this, the ferry is responsible for saving 5 million car miles each year! The ferry leaves Feock, on the Truro side, every 20 minutes; on the hour, twenty past, and twenty to. The ferry departing from Roseland, leaves at ten past, half past, and ten to. The current boat has been running for ten years, and has done enough trips that it has travelled 54,000 miles; the equivalent of travelling once around the world!
If you’d like to experience the wonders the river, sea and surrounding villages and towns have to offer, then why not come and join us here at The Valley in one of our luxury Cornish cottages!?