Compare Falmouth car hire

Set on the south coast of Cornwall and with five beaches to its name – not to mention the fact that it has one of the largest natural harbours in the UK – Falmouth is a classic Cornish seaside town with lots to keep you entertained.

It’s also an excellent base for a road trip – especially in summer – with gems like the Lizard peninsula, the Eden Project and Bodmin Moor within easy reach by hire car. Find yours by using the search tool above to bag a cheap deal.

There are several car hire companies close to Falmouth, including Enterprise Car & Van Hire in neighbouring Penryn, which is about five miles from Falmouth station, and in Truro, which is about 11 miles away (just under half an hour by car). Here your options include Hertz, Thrifty and Europcar.

Further out but still within reasonable reach is local provider Cornwall Car Hire in Newquay – which can deliver cars to other locations depending on the length of hire – and big-name providers at Cornwall Airport Newquay (home to Hertz and Europcar).

Once you have your wheels, you're ready to start your Cornwall road trip. First stop: Pendennis Point, just past the castle. To find it, follow the signs for the “scenic route” from Falmouth town centre. You'll get a beautiful view of Falmouth Harbour and across the sea, maybe even spotting some seals or dolphins. Take a photo, then hop back in your hire car to continue to Gyllyngvase, a family-friendly sandy beach.

Cornwall has many more scenic drives and beaches, too. From Falmouth, drive up to Tregony via the Roseland Heritage Coast for some fantastic views. You’ll need the A39, A390 and the A3078. If you feel confident on small roads, keep going to St Mawes. Then nip around the coast to St Anthony Head for views of Falmouth from across the water before you drive back.

And speaking of smaller roads, motorways are non-existent around Falmouth and throughout Cornwall – so be prepared for often narrow A and B roads, potentially with blind spots. Drive carefully and leave plenty of time for your journey, especially during the warm summer months when there are markedly more tourists around and slower traffic, too.

Those crowds are often here to experience many of the gorgeous beaches in this scenic area of England. The four closest to Falmouth are Castle Beach, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth. You’re also within an hour’s drive from Porthtowan Beach or Great Western Beach in Newquay - both great for families and surfers.