
The River Fal enters the sea on England's southwest coast about fourteen miles northeast of Lizard Point. It has one of the English Channel’s major ports near its entrance and several miles of sheltered deep waters stretching inland. Within its length is a separate marina, detached river pontoons, pick up moorings and a host of sheltered inlets and creeks where it is possible to anchor afloat or dry out.
The river provides a host of land-locked berthing opportunities where complete protection from all conditions can be found. The entrance and its channels are well marked and deep so it may be safely accessed in all reasonable conditions, at any stage of the tide, night or day.
Keyfacts for The River Fal
Last modified
March 28th 2019 Summary
A completely protected location with safe access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
HM
+44 1872 224231
HM
+44 1872 272130
harbouroffice@carrick.gov.uk
portoftruro.co.uk
Ch.12 [Carrick Tree]
HM
Position and approaches
Expand to new tab or fullscreen
Haven position
This is the position of the visitor pontoon in front of the harbour masters office Truro.
What is the initial fix?
The following Falmouth Harbour Initial Fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in southwestern England’s coastal overview from Start Point to Lizard Point
. The entrance to the River Fal is covered in the Falmouth Harbour
entry.
- The River Fal is best addressed after half flood.
- It is marked all the way to Truro and navigation is simply a matter of following the marks on to the next.
- The limit of low water navigation is just below the confluence with the Truro and Tresillian River at Malpas Point, 2 miles below Truro.
- The last couple of miles to the city of Truro becomes addressable at HW -2.5 hours.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to The River Fal for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Portscatho - 5.6 nautical miles SSE
- Saint Mawes - 6.4 nautical miles SSE
- Falmouth - 6.5 nautical miles S
- Gorran Haven - 10.1 nautical miles E
- Portmellon - 10.2 nautical miles E
- Mevagissey - 10.2 nautical miles E
- Helford River - 10.4 nautical miles SSW
- Gillan Creek - 10.7 nautical miles S
- Charlestown - 11.9 nautical miles ENE
- Par - 14.2 nautical miles ENE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Portscatho - 5.6 miles SSE
- Saint Mawes - 6.4 miles SSE
- Falmouth - 6.5 miles S
- Gorran Haven - 10.1 miles E
- Portmellon - 10.2 miles E
- Mevagissey - 10.2 miles E
- Helford River - 10.4 miles SSW
- Gillan Creek - 10.7 miles S
- Charlestown - 11.9 miles ENE
- Par - 14.2 miles ENE
What's the story here?

Image: Michael Harpur
The River Fal rises at Pentevale on Goss Moor and flows through Cornwall to reach the English Channel at Falmouth. It is navigable to the town and port of Truro located about 7 miles above its most famous anchorage at Carrick Roads, which is situated just inside the entrance. The Fal estuary is a classic ria or drowned river valley which, unlike many rivers, means that the passage to the conjunction with the Truro River is deep all the way. It starts to shallow a mile up the River Truro, with the limit of low water navigation being reached just below the confluence of the Truro and Tresillian Rivers at Malpas Point. Thereafter the channel requires the top third of the tide to proceed the final 2 miles to Truro.
Vessels with draughts of less than 2 metres can reach Truro on the tide and during Springs it can be visited by vessels of less than 3 metres. In that length, the Fal provides excellent shelter and beautiful anchorages, with the addition of several drying creeks for those that can take to the mud.

The authority for the River Fal north of Falmouth, together with Penryn Harbour, is the Port of Truro. They provide four detached visitor pontoons along the river's upper reaches at Turnaware Bar, Ruan Creek, Woodbury and Malpas, as well as berthing facilities alongside the quays in Truro. The midriver pontoons do not provide walk ashore access, electricity or water and boats may have to raft up during high season. Water, however, is available at the central King Harry Ferry pontoon which can only be used for a short stay. There are also a number of designated visitor’s moorings located at Smugglers Cottage and just below Malpas. It is also permissible to anchor in the river but it does attract harbour dues.
Port of Truro may be contacted by

Image: Tim Green
Harbour office staff will be seen out and about on the river during the summer months ensuring byelaws are adhered to and collecting visitor mooring and anchoring fees. The staff on the river launch,


Image: Michael Harpur
Mylor Yacht Harbour is situated on the western shore of the Falmouth Estuary northwest of Carrick Roads and opposite Saint Just. It is a well-appointed marina with 40 pontoon visitor berths and 15 visitors' moorings capable of taking boats of up to 15 metres LOA. The marina and approach fairway are dredged to 2 metres below LAT. The visitor’s pontoon is the clearly signposted 'E' pontoon that surrounds the eastern side of the marina.

Image: Michael Harpur
It is a popular location which makes it advisable to call ahead to make arrangments in advance
Vessels over 4 metres are charged [2019] Marina £3.70/m, Mooring £2.15/m per day. The same applies per week with a 10% discount, or per month with 15% off. Electricity is included in the short stay afloat prices. Short stays of up to 3 hours for vessels up to 7.6 metres (25ft) are £5, and above £7.
Tenders of less than 4 metres LOA can berth in the marina for a daily rate of £7.70 or on the beach £3.45.


Image: Edward Webb via CC BY-SA 2.0
There are anchorages off Saint Just Creek, Restronguet, Channal Creek, Tolcarne Creek, Lamouth Creek, Ruan Creek, Church Creek and pretty much anywhere in the upper reaches above or below the Maggoty Bank buoy. Harbour dues will be collected but they are moderate.
How to get in?

Image: Tim Green
The entrance to the Fal is passable in all reasonable conditions and the river is best addressed after half flood. It has deep waters in the channel all the way to Malpas in the Truro River and navigation is simply a matter of following the lit marker buoys on to the next. Shallow banks flank the channel in Carrick Roads but these are unlikely to present an issue for most leisure craft after half tide and to the largest part it is all soft mud. Only the creeks dry in the upper harbour.
Passing St Anthony Lighthouse and Black Rock at the entrance leads into Carrick Roads, the estuary of the River Fal. The historic anchorage of Carrick Roads reaches depths of up to 34 meters, is nowhere less than a mile wide, and constitutes the third largest natural harbour in the world.

Image: Michael Harpur
Pass St Mawes to starboard and Falmouth and the Docks to port. Continue northward up Carrick Roads following the channel markers to stay in deep water. The deepwater main channel trends towards the low promontory of Penarrow Point. It has a prominent 3-metre high granite pillar close south of the point that corresponds with another on Messack Point, on the opposite shore, to show the historic dividing line between the authorities Port of Truro and Falmouth Harbours. It is best to follow the channel here as the St Mawes Bank, or Flat, borders the eastern side of the roadstead extending nearly a mile northward of St. Mawes Castle. It stretches halfway over Carrick Roads and has a least depth of 1.2 metes at its centre. The northwestern extremity, named the Vilt, is steep-to, and marked by a starboard buoy Vilt, Fl.G.4s.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
Further in, Saint Just Creek dries 300 metres within the entrance and is full of local small craft moorings managed by Pascos Boatyard. The creek has a useful jetty for anchored boats to land by tender. It also provides an idyllic drying location for a boat that can take to the bottom when the tide is away. Being south of the line denoted by the granite pillars, the port authority for this area are the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners who will collect their harbour dues which tend to be significantly more than those upriver.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Tim Green
Likewise, when exiting Mylor, it is important to exit via the dredged channel and then steer east to regain the main channel to head upriver. It is all too tempting to exit and steer directly for Restronguet Creek less than a mile northward. But this would be a mistake for a vessel carrying any draft if the tide is near LW. Beyond the outer moorings at Mylor there is an extensive shallow bank that extends across to the channel with depths as little as 0.3 metres.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
With a couple of hours of flood shoal draft vessels should be able to get up to the Pandora Inn's extensive mooring pontoon. It dries to 0.9 metres but vessels that can take to the bottom can dry out alongside. Vessels anchoring off can land on the pontoon by tender,

Image: Michael Harpur
The wonderful inn with its mooring pontoon, and shower and launderette facilities, is the primary reason boaters visit the creek. Dinner at the historically interesting Pandora Inn is generally considered a must for all visitors to the River Fal. Above it, Restronguet Creek dries entirely and is full of local moorings that should not be used. At the head of the creek, about 1½ miles onwards, the small village of Devoran may be reached by dinghy on the tide. It was a busy port in the 1880s, exporting copper and tin, but is now a quiet village with a post office and general store.
In all cases Restronguet is best addressed from the main channel breaking off to the west about 200 metres south of the 'Carick' starboard buoy, Fl(2)G.10s. Pass south of the Carick Rock, that drys to 0.8 metres and is marked by unlit north and south cardinal posts. As with Mylor, come out the same way when there is sufficient steering for the channel close north or south of the Carick Rock.
The change in the river is dramatic at Turnaware Point about a mile northeastward. The wide expanse of Carrick Roads narrows into an extensively wooded channel. The wind dies, the hills close in and the oaks steal down to the water's edge, as the most attractive part of the river begins.

Image: Ian S via CC BY-SA 2.0
It is essential to pass the 'Turnaware Bar' buoy, Fl.G.5s, on its correct side keeping close to the western shore as the drying shoal, between it and the point called Turnaware Bar, extends northwest from the Point. The narrows and the river bend combine to increase the velocity of the currents here, so during ebb and flood tides, the helm should be prepared to encounter 2-3 knots at springs and rips. It also marks the start of the 8-knot speed limit of the River Fal.

Image: Robert Pittman via CC BY-SA 2.0

Image: Michael Harpur
Freshwater is available here and it is a convenient set down location for the crew to visit the National Trust Tressilick Gardens which, in season, is well worth it. Dinghies may be left on the inside of the pontoon. When the tripper boats have finished for the day the harbourmaster may give permission for an overnight stay but do not berth here without permission.

Image: Robert Ashby via CC BY-SA 2.0
The King Harry chain ferry has priority at all times and above it a number of very large cargo ships may be encountered on fore-and-aft moorings. These large merchant ships, of up to 190 metres LOA & 15,000 tonnes, use the river's protected deepwater as a lay-up location until commercially viable work becomes available. They look entirely out of place sleeping on their moorings amongst the pristine woodlands.

Image: Tim Green

Image: Callum MacLeod via CC BY-SA 2.0
Behind the quay is an Iron Age promontory fort that now hides within the woodland. Yachts carrying deeper drafts can sound-in and anchor outside of the entrance clear of the local moorings. It is advisable to use a trip line in this area owing to the large ship mooring chains.

Image: Tim Green
Both the pretty creeks inside provide some excellent opportunity for dinghy exploration, and perhaps a beautiful berth for the creek crawling bilge-keeler. The foreshores of the peaceful hamlets of Coombe, about halfway up and on the north shore, and Cowlands make for highly attractive destinations for a bilge keeler to dry out.

Image: Tim Green

Image: Tim Green
The river turns north once more ¼ of a mile to the northwest of the jetty changing into the Truro River. The River Fal branches to the northeast rather insignificantly to become the long shallow Ruan Creek that is dry within a ⅓ of a mile.

Image: Tim Green

Image: Tim Green
After rounding Woodbury Point Maggoty Bank, the depths start to fall away. A ⅓ of a mile short of Malpas is Mopus Reach that has a LAT of 0.9 before a deep pool is arrived at fronting the town.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Tim Green
Malpas is the limit of low water navigation which means for those who do not want to dry, this is the last place that a yacht of an average draft can lay afloat at all states of the tide. The walk to Truro is an enjoyable two miles from here or a dingy ride on the tide for a stock up.
The Truro River continues past Malpas to the city which can be reached from HW -2.5 hours. The river first tends southwest, then bends around Victoria Point to make an 'S' curve to Lighterage Quay with its course marked by lighted buoys all the way. The river narrows to about 100 metres off the quay with the best water close to the quay wall.
The 12 metres wide flood gate is generally open but it can be shut if an exceptionally high tide is expected, higher than a 5.6 metres Falmouth datum, with an accompanying tidal surge or heavy river flood water. There is a waiting pontoon just downstream if the gate is closed or if you arrive too early on the tide to make Town Quay. The helm should prepare for some acceleration in the flood gates pinch-point if the tide is in full flow.

Image: Tim Green
The channel to Truro is a little over a ½ mile above the flood gates. It first swings to starboard and then to port back towards the long quay on the western bank as it proceeds northwards. It is marked all the way by unlit red and green posts.

Image: Michael Harpur
At its head Port of Truro had many quays within the city centre, but most have silted up. Three short channels will be seen with harbourmaster's office and berths in the western arm which is the first option to port.
Why visit here?
Although the first records of the River Fal come to us from AD 969 and 1049, the origin and meaning of the name Fal is unknown to this day. Likewise, the whole estuary tends to be referred to as the Fal, but the Fal only comprises a deep water tidal channel, Carrick Roads, and the complete waterway is made up of a series of major creeks or tributaries.These include the Percuil river, with the small port and holiday destination of St Mawes, the Fal and Ruan rivers draining into the estuary from the east, and the Tresillian River. The Truro River with the county capital city of Truro joins from the north, and Restronguet Creek ria and Penryn River and the town of Falmouth draining from the west. The major tributaries typically comprise extensive drying creeks but the central 'ria', the drowned river valley or flooded estuarine valley, is deep providing low tide access for the vast majority of its length.

Image: Tim Green
Immediately inside the entrance is the magnificent Carrick Roads whose name comes from the Cornish Dowr Carrek, meaning ‘rock anchorage’. It is the world's third largest natural harbour and the first or last port for transatlantic shipping. During the 19th-century when Falmouth, Penryn and Truro flourished on the tin trade it was one of the busiest ports outside of London. Although only Falmouth is still functioning as a major port, Carrick Roads is still important as the first and last port of call for large ships approaching or leaving England. It has been a magnet for yachtsmen being the natural jump-off and return point for transatlantic sailors. Robin Knox Johnston completed the first west/east solo nonstop circumnavigation from here in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Ellen MacArthur also returned here from her record-breaking solo circumnavigation.
St Just Creek joins the roadstead in the northwest corner. Overlooked by the pretty Church of St. Just it is said to be one of Cornwall’s most photographed churches. Legend has it that Christ came here as a boy with tin merchant Joseph of Arimathia. Having such a legend attached it is unsurprising that the travelling Irish monks came here to build a Celtic chapel in the 5th-century. The current church replaced this in 1261 with its tower being added in the 15th-century. The creek was used by Nelson, and in the 18th-century there were even plans to build a naval dockyard here, but Devonport was selected in the end. So the creek, with its church and granite gravestones tumbling right down to the water's edge, remains today a perfect pocket of tranquility.

Image: Tim Green
Mylor Churchtown, opposite, was more active in maritime history and warships were built here. The beautiful old Norman Church at the water’s edge is sited where it is believed St. Meliosus was slain and buried in 411 AD. The churchyard is full of Yew trees, the oldest of which is said to be 900 years old, and it possesses the largest Cornish cross in existence. The massive cross was discovered buried head downwards serving as a buttress to support the church wall and it measured over 5 metres high, with almost 3 metres in the ground. The quays seen today were established by the Admiralty in the 19th-century to load stores during the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars. It went on to be used by the Free French during WWII as a base for cross-Channel raids. The Americans also used it for fitting out landing craft in preparation for D-Day.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a visitor perspective, Restronguet Creek's most popular attraction is 'The Pan'. The building is steeped in history with parts of it dating back to the 13th-century farmhouse. The inn was re-named in memory of HMS Pandora, the naval ship sent to Tahiti to capture the mutineers of Captain Bligh’s Bounty. Unfortunately, the Pandora struck the outer part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1791 and sank claiming the lives of 31 crew and 4 of the mutineer prisoners. 16 more were to die after surviving the wreck, many having fallen ill during their sojourn in Jakarta - then Batavia.

Image: Michael Harpur
The captain, Captain Edwards, and his officers were court-martialled on his return to Cornwall where they were entirely exonerated for the loss of the ship. Edwards is reputed to have bought this Inn after the trial to retire and tell his story time and time again. The position of the Pandora was discovered in 1977 and it is today one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in Australian waters. the pretty inn was gutted by a fire in 2011 and was rebuilt with sensitive improvements that the Grade II listed building deserved. Setting aside its excellent landing and shore facilities, that are highly attractive to boaters, its excellent food is more than enough to make it a must for all Fal River visitors.

Image: Robert Pittman via CC BY-SA 2.0
Continuing upriver Turnaware Point was where many Americans left England for D-Day. In the leadup to the invasion, this forested part of the river was used as an assembly point for part of the American fleet of D-Day landing craft. The landing craft used the overhanging trees along the river edge and in the numerous creeks to hide from aerial observation.

fleet
Image: Callum MacLeod via CC-BY-SA 2.0
Specialised beach-landing units awaited the invasion camped in various locations from Boscawen Park down to Turnaware Bar and The Roseland. Remains of some of the D-Day 'hard' flexible concrete matting can be seen on the Turnaware today. Smuggler's Cottage upriver was the place where General Eisenhower stayed whilst inspecting the fleet of landing craft prior to the landings.

Image: Tim Green
After the war was won scores of Royal Navy battleships, carriers, and cruisers came to the river to await sale for scrap. The river’s deep water and protection from the elements has meant this use has continued to this day. During times of reduced global trade, ships are mothballed here sometimes with a skeleton crew for ship maintenance.

Image: Dennis White via CC ASA 4.0
About halfway along the riverine route connecting Truro and Falmouth, is Roundwood Quay. During the 18th-century heyday of Cornwall's tin and copper trade 300-ton ships docked here. But its history runs much deeper as the first use of the location was for an Iron Age fort, dating from 350 BC, and it then became the site of a Roman encampment. Later it was a shipyard and finally, it became the loading point for copper and tin from the mining district of Redruth. The quay's granite walls, quoins and capping stones remain entirely intact from its shipping days. The remains of the old fort grace the woods on the raised ground stepped back from the quay.

Image: Tim Green
Malpas, Norman French for treacherous crossing, acquired its name from having an ancient ford. It was a busy place in times past with ships built in Victorian times from Messrs Scoble's boatyard, and timber was also discharged here. Cargo for Truro was unloaded from ship to barge and then transported to the city on the tide. Victoria Point was named after Queen Victoria moored the Royal Yacht here in 1880. Prince Albert landed and went on into Truro to lay the foundation stone of the fledgeling cathedral.

Image: Tim Green
The cathedral was completed in 1910 and it was the first cathedral built in England since St Paul's, and the last built in England. The three mighty neo-Gothic spires of the cathedral dominate the city of Truro to this day. Truro itself developed as a protected inland port town on a wedge of land separating the Allen and Kenwyn rivers. Its primary trade was the shipment of tin to Europe and copper to Wales. 17th-century silting of the river sent it into decline but prosperity returned when the tin-mining boom of the 1800s was bolstered by the arrival of the railway in 1859. Granted city status in 1877, it took on the role of Cornwall's commercial and administrative centre and it remains today the county's only city.

Image: Michael Harpur
Sailors visiting this region tend to focus on Falmouth, and the River Fal is less well known. This is a major oversight as in all the miles that extend from the river entrance to Truro there is nothing that isn't lovely. The entire area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and all of it is just cries out for exploration which is best done by boat. It is full of hidden nooks and secluded crannies, with plenty of opportunities to pause come ashore on enticing shingle beaches. Most of which is surrounded by ancient woodlands backed by quiet pastoral land and the occasional picture perfect little farm or village. Best of all, you share the verdant tranquility with the finest of company; shoaling fish, kingfishers, curlews and godwits. The river is an absolute gem that is a world away from the buzz of Cornwall's tourist traps.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating point of view, the river has it all; deep waters, a choice of excellent locations to moor in complete security, excellent provisioning, pubs galore, fine country walks, locations of interest or the green loneliness of very special hidden places. This beautiful Cornish river has so much to offer.
What facilities are available?
Water, power and chandlery on the Truro Quay berth, garbage disposal, shower, toilets, chemical toilet disposal, excellent restaurants and cinemas all near to hand. Truro has a Tesco a few steps away from the Harbourmaster's visitor berths on the quay wall, and the city's shopping is a short walk away.Truro Trains and coaches provide connections to everywhere in the country. A local two-carriage train shuttles up and down the west bank of the estuary every 30 minutes between Truro and Falmouth Docks, stopping at Penryn and Falmouth Town (The Dell) on the way.
The four midriver pontoons along the river do not have electricity or water but do offer garbage facilities. Water can be had at a pontoon near King Harry Ferry which can only be used for a short stay.
Restronguet Pandora Inn provides showers, fresh water and a launderette.
Mylor marina has showers, toilets and a laundry facility also gas and water a comprehensive chandlery, slipway and drying out facilities. Diesel and petrol are available from the southern side of the outer pontoon. It has a 35-ton boat lift and hard standing with a full-service boatyard, and comprehensive service facilities for everything a boat owner could need for all-round boat maintenance or repair. The yard has a host of specialist services; engineers, electricians, shipwrights, GRP laminators and finishers. A Post Office will be found nearby and Mylor Yacht Club, on the quay,
welcomes visitors to their the clubhouse and bar. Anything that cannot be catered for will be solved in Falmouth.
Services in the Fal/Falmouth Area
Batteries:
Cornwall batteries P: +44 1872 270P: +44 11
Trago mills P: +44 1326 315738
Builders & repairers
Falmouth boat co. P: +44 1326 374309
Pendennis shipyard P: +44 1326 211344
Chandlers
Bosuns locker P: +44 1326 312212
Mylor chandlery P: +44 1326 375482
Macsalvors @ the boathouse P: +44 1326 377131
Divers
Falmouth divers P: +44 1326 374736
Seawide services P: +44 1326 317517
Sub marine services P: +44 1326 211517
Electricians
Falmouth boat co. P: +44 1326 374309
Marine electrical services P: +44 1326 378497
Marine trak engineering P: +44 1326 376588
Electricians (technical)
Selex communications P: +44 1326 378031
Sim rad P: +44 1326 374411
Riggers
A2 rigging P: +44 1326 312209
Falmouth boat co. P: +44 1326 374309
Mylor rigging P: +44 1326 375482
Stay tensioner services P: +44 1326 373310
The boathouse P: +44 1326 374177
Engineers
Cellar marine (yanmar) P: +44 1326 280214
Challenger marine (volvo penta) P: +44 1326 377222
Coastal diesel & transmission P: +44 1326 313332
Seastart (inboard / outboard) M: +44974 250533
Falmouth boat co P: +44 1326 374309
Kevin Hearn M: +44 767 303286
Marine Trak Engineering (vetus agents) P: +44 1326 376588
Nick Eddy M: +44968 214226
Powerfal (turbo chargers) P: +44 1326 377160
Robin Curnow (outboards) P: +44 1326 373438
Simon Caddy P: +44 1326 372682
General supplies
FWB (screws, bolts etc.) P: +44 1872 243500
Bubbles (laundry services) P: +44 1326 311291
Marineco (clothing) P: +44 1752 816005
Seaware (all boat fittings) P: +44 1326 377998
Trago Mills (various) P: +44 1326 315738
Sailmakers
Penrose Sailmakers P: +44 1326 312705
Sailtech P: +44 1326 376550
SKB Sails P: +44 1326 372107
With thanks to:
eOceanicAbout The River Fal
Although the first records of the River Fal come to us from AD 969 and 1049, the origin and meaning of the name Fal is unknown to this day. Likewise, the whole estuary tends to be referred to as the Fal, but the Fal only comprises a deep water tidal channel, Carrick Roads, and the complete waterway is made up of a series of major creeks or tributaries.
These include the Percuil river, with the small port and holiday destination of St Mawes, the Fal and Ruan rivers draining into the estuary from the east, and the Tresillian River. The Truro River with the county capital city of Truro joins from the north, and Restronguet Creek ria and Penryn River and the town of Falmouth draining from the west. The major tributaries typically comprise extensive drying creeks but the central 'ria', the drowned river valley or flooded estuarine valley, is deep providing low tide access for the vast majority of its length.

Image: Tim Green
Immediately inside the entrance is the magnificent Carrick Roads whose name comes from the Cornish Dowr Carrek, meaning ‘rock anchorage’. It is the world's third largest natural harbour and the first or last port for transatlantic shipping. During the 19th-century when Falmouth, Penryn and Truro flourished on the tin trade it was one of the busiest ports outside of London. Although only Falmouth is still functioning as a major port, Carrick Roads is still important as the first and last port of call for large ships approaching or leaving England. It has been a magnet for yachtsmen being the natural jump-off and return point for transatlantic sailors. Robin Knox Johnston completed the first west/east solo nonstop circumnavigation from here in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Ellen MacArthur also returned here from her record-breaking solo circumnavigation.
St Just Creek joins the roadstead in the northwest corner. Overlooked by the pretty Church of St. Just it is said to be one of Cornwall’s most photographed churches. Legend has it that Christ came here as a boy with tin merchant Joseph of Arimathia. Having such a legend attached it is unsurprising that the travelling Irish monks came here to build a Celtic chapel in the 5th-century. The current church replaced this in 1261 with its tower being added in the 15th-century. The creek was used by Nelson, and in the 18th-century there were even plans to build a naval dockyard here, but Devonport was selected in the end. So the creek, with its church and granite gravestones tumbling right down to the water's edge, remains today a perfect pocket of tranquility.

Image: Tim Green
Mylor Churchtown, opposite, was more active in maritime history and warships were built here. The beautiful old Norman Church at the water’s edge is sited where it is believed St. Meliosus was slain and buried in 411 AD. The churchyard is full of Yew trees, the oldest of which is said to be 900 years old, and it possesses the largest Cornish cross in existence. The massive cross was discovered buried head downwards serving as a buttress to support the church wall and it measured over 5 metres high, with almost 3 metres in the ground. The quays seen today were established by the Admiralty in the 19th-century to load stores during the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars. It went on to be used by the Free French during WWII as a base for cross-Channel raids. The Americans also used it for fitting out landing craft in preparation for D-Day.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a visitor perspective, Restronguet Creek's most popular attraction is 'The Pan'. The building is steeped in history with parts of it dating back to the 13th-century farmhouse. The inn was re-named in memory of HMS Pandora, the naval ship sent to Tahiti to capture the mutineers of Captain Bligh’s Bounty. Unfortunately, the Pandora struck the outer part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1791 and sank claiming the lives of 31 crew and 4 of the mutineer prisoners. 16 more were to die after surviving the wreck, many having fallen ill during their sojourn in Jakarta - then Batavia.

Image: Michael Harpur
The captain, Captain Edwards, and his officers were court-martialled on his return to Cornwall where they were entirely exonerated for the loss of the ship. Edwards is reputed to have bought this Inn after the trial to retire and tell his story time and time again. The position of the Pandora was discovered in 1977 and it is today one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in Australian waters. the pretty inn was gutted by a fire in 2011 and was rebuilt with sensitive improvements that the Grade II listed building deserved. Setting aside its excellent landing and shore facilities, that are highly attractive to boaters, its excellent food is more than enough to make it a must for all Fal River visitors.

Image: Robert Pittman via CC BY-SA 2.0
Continuing upriver Turnaware Point was where many Americans left England for D-Day. In the leadup to the invasion, this forested part of the river was used as an assembly point for part of the American fleet of D-Day landing craft. The landing craft used the overhanging trees along the river edge and in the numerous creeks to hide from aerial observation.

fleet
Image: Callum MacLeod via CC-BY-SA 2.0
Specialised beach-landing units awaited the invasion camped in various locations from Boscawen Park down to Turnaware Bar and The Roseland. Remains of some of the D-Day 'hard' flexible concrete matting can be seen on the Turnaware today. Smuggler's Cottage upriver was the place where General Eisenhower stayed whilst inspecting the fleet of landing craft prior to the landings.

Image: Tim Green
After the war was won scores of Royal Navy battleships, carriers, and cruisers came to the river to await sale for scrap. The river’s deep water and protection from the elements has meant this use has continued to this day. During times of reduced global trade, ships are mothballed here sometimes with a skeleton crew for ship maintenance.

Image: Dennis White via CC ASA 4.0
About halfway along the riverine route connecting Truro and Falmouth, is Roundwood Quay. During the 18th-century heyday of Cornwall's tin and copper trade 300-ton ships docked here. But its history runs much deeper as the first use of the location was for an Iron Age fort, dating from 350 BC, and it then became the site of a Roman encampment. Later it was a shipyard and finally, it became the loading point for copper and tin from the mining district of Redruth. The quay's granite walls, quoins and capping stones remain entirely intact from its shipping days. The remains of the old fort grace the woods on the raised ground stepped back from the quay.

Image: Tim Green
Malpas, Norman French for treacherous crossing, acquired its name from having an ancient ford. It was a busy place in times past with ships built in Victorian times from Messrs Scoble's boatyard, and timber was also discharged here. Cargo for Truro was unloaded from ship to barge and then transported to the city on the tide. Victoria Point was named after Queen Victoria moored the Royal Yacht here in 1880. Prince Albert landed and went on into Truro to lay the foundation stone of the fledgeling cathedral.

Image: Tim Green
The cathedral was completed in 1910 and it was the first cathedral built in England since St Paul's, and the last built in England. The three mighty neo-Gothic spires of the cathedral dominate the city of Truro to this day. Truro itself developed as a protected inland port town on a wedge of land separating the Allen and Kenwyn rivers. Its primary trade was the shipment of tin to Europe and copper to Wales. 17th-century silting of the river sent it into decline but prosperity returned when the tin-mining boom of the 1800s was bolstered by the arrival of the railway in 1859. Granted city status in 1877, it took on the role of Cornwall's commercial and administrative centre and it remains today the county's only city.

Image: Michael Harpur
Sailors visiting this region tend to focus on Falmouth, and the River Fal is less well known. This is a major oversight as in all the miles that extend from the river entrance to Truro there is nothing that isn't lovely. The entire area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and all of it is just cries out for exploration which is best done by boat. It is full of hidden nooks and secluded crannies, with plenty of opportunities to pause come ashore on enticing shingle beaches. Most of which is surrounded by ancient woodlands backed by quiet pastoral land and the occasional picture perfect little farm or village. Best of all, you share the verdant tranquility with the finest of company; shoaling fish, kingfishers, curlews and godwits. The river is an absolute gem that is a world away from the buzz of Cornwall's tourist traps.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating point of view, the river has it all; deep waters, a choice of excellent locations to moor in complete security, excellent provisioning, pubs galore, fine country walks, locations of interest or the green loneliness of very special hidden places. This beautiful Cornish river has so much to offer.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Falmouth - 4.1 miles SHelford River - 6.4 miles SSW
Gillan Creek - 6.6 miles S
Coverack - 9 miles S
Cadgwith - 10.7 miles SSW
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Saint Mawes - 3.9 miles SSEPortscatho - 3.5 miles SSE
Gorran Haven - 6.3 miles E
Portmellon - 6.3 miles E
Mevagissey - 6.3 miles E
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for The River Fal.









































Detail view | Off |
Picture view | On |
Add your review or comment:
Please log in to leave a review of this haven.
Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site. Free to use sea charts courtesy of Navionics.