With so much happening in Falmouth next week during the Tall Ships Race there are some tips on parking, buses and the best ways to get around town. 

Here are some frequently asked questions answered: 

What’s the best way to travel to Falmouth for the event?

By Car

Parking details can be found below. 

By Train

The branch line from Truro offers a journey every 30 minutes into Falmouth throughout the day. Falmouth Docks and Penmere Station are fully operational, with no services stopping at Falmouth Town (The Dell) station as is GWR’s usual operating practise for large events in Falmouth.

The last train from Falmouth Docks will leave at 23.37. For up-to-date timetable information please refer to: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/train-times.

By Bus

Normal scheduled services will operate however there may be some changes due to restrictions and closures. Any changes will be advertised in advance. See https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall/plan-journey/timetables for information.

Will there be parking?

Car parks

All in-town car parks in Falmouth are open as usual except for Church Street Car Park which is being used as an entertainment venue for the event.

For the Parade of Sail viewing day on Friday, August 18, Pendennis Point Car Park will be for Blue Badge holders only and will be marshalled.

There is also disabled parking at the Ships and Castles site from Tuesday to Friday; this needs to be booked in advance and there are limited spaces. To book your parking space please use the following link and use the drop down menu to select the day: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tall-ships-disabled-parking-tickets-685745602557

Park and Ride

There is no event Park and Ride service. However, the Ponsharden site will be used for free public parking throughout the event and link to the existing public bus service into Falmouth. This site will be open at 0800 hours and close late into the evening.

The bus service provision for Ponsharden will be the regular U1/U1A/U2 and U4 services from First and OTS 69/69A which between them provide four double deck and two 20 seaters each hour through the day, stopping on the A39 very close to the Ponsharden entrance.

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Are there road closures and parking restrictions?

The town centre in Falmouth is fully open to pedestrians over this period and the businesses look forward to welcoming you. As with any large event such as Falmouth Week or Sea Shanty Festival, there will be restrictions on traffic movement through the town centre.

The advice is to plan ahead, utilise the town car parks and consider making use of Cornwall’s public transport network.

Parade of Sail Day - Falmouth, August 18

Cliff Road will be restricted from any parking from midnight Thursday, August 17, through to 7.30pm on Friday, August 18. It will also be securely closed from its junction with Castle Drive to the junction with Fenwick Road from 12pm to 7.30pm on Friday.

Vehicular access to Castle Drive will be restricted from 7am to Pendennis Castle/English Heritage pre-booked ticket holders, Pendennis Point Blue Badge pre-booked ticket holders, those using the accessible parking and shuttle bus service, volunteers, and security.

Access will be available for residents through any traffic restrictions along Cliff Road. Organisers ask residents to please be patient if part of the event is ongoing; security staff will help as soon as they are able and if it is safe to do so.

A detailed Frequently Asked Questions document is available via www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships