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  • A white tower building with windows and a wooden door under a clear blue sky at The Observatory Tower in Falmouth
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The Observatory Tower

(Ref. 1168031)

Falmouth, Cornwall Show on map

Customer rating 4.5

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Sykes rating

  • 4 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets: No

Features

  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Seaside
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • property (2)
  • stay (2)
  • stairs (2)
  • views (2)
  • steep (2)
  • levels (2)

3 Customer Reviews

  • Verified booking

    "We stayed here once before in 2015 and were excited to return."

    It is a special place to stay. All the accommodation is a high standard, but if you are after lazy luxury it’s probably not the place for you because of the steep stairs. The top viewing deck can be a bit warm in the sunshine, and understandably the windows don’t open far, so if we came again I would bring a fan. (The other levels all get a good breeze through the windows). Parking not always easy, but we always found a space eventually - having a small car is an advantage.

    Hello Rebecca Linda and I are so pleased you enjoyed your stay in Falmouth and the Observatory Tower. It is lovely to have guests returning and exploring what Cornwall has to offer. The windows on the observation deck have restrictors which limit their opening. These can be bypassed so that windows can be fully opened, to purge the air and allow the breeze to flow through the space. When opened like this, it feels as if you are outside in a flying gazebo. We will look to provide instructions for future guests. Apologies for not making this clearer for your stay. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future. No need to bring a fan. Thanks Alen and Linda Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rebecca5.0Sep 2025

  • Verified booking

    "Alert - THEY EXPECT YOU TO CLEAN the Property at end of stay."

    5 levels of steep stairs so not recommended for anyone with knee problems! Great views and quirky, but a few issues that need dealing with (No bins/containers for Recycling, Nowhere to hang out/dry Wetsuits, info file in drawer is out of date so you have to search emails for WIFI password etc).

    Thank you for your feedback following your recent stay. We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the property's views and quirky charm, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We’re sorry to hear you felt you had to clean the property before departure. To clarify, we do not expect guests to carry out a full clean, but as stated in our booking terms and conditions for all properties 7.3.7 you will keep the Property and all furniture, utensils, equipment, fixtures and fittings in or on the Property in the same state of repair and condition as at the start of the Holiday Period and you will ensure that at the end of your Holiday Period the Property is left in the same state of order and cleanliness in which it was found. We also appreciate your comments regarding the recycling facilities and the welcome information. As for recycling, this is managed under business waste, where rubbish and recycling are separated at the factory. We’ve passed this feedback on to the owner and will be reviewing the welcome pack to ensure key details like the Wi-Fi password are easier to access. Thank you again for your helpful feedback — it’s important to us and helps improve the experience for future guests. Warm regards, The Cornish Cottage Holidays Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sue3.0Aug 2025

  • Verified booking

    "Fantastic views from this unique property."

    The sunsets and sunrises were stunning viewed from the top floor. Perfect base for a break away in Falmouth. We really loved our time at The Observatory and would definitely return.

    Reviewed by Catherine5.0Apr 2025

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This property is part of the Cornish Cottage Holidays collection.
Over 800 carefully selected and perfectly located Cornwall and Devon properties, helping you create your perfect holiday.

Summary

  • Over five floors
  • Reverse-level
  • Ground floor - 1 x double bedroom with TV and en-suite wetroom with shower, basin and WC, Utility room with washer/dryer, iron and ironing board
  • First floor - Sitting room/bedroom with pull-down double bed and en-suite with bath, shower-over, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Second floor - Kitchen/diner with electric oven, induction hob, microwave, instant boiling water tap, fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher
  • Third floor - Lounge with TV and iPod docking station
  • Fourth floor - Observation Deck with bar area and wine chiller
  • Underfloor heating
  • WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Roadside parking
  • Enclosed rear courtyard with bike storage
  • Sorry, no pets and no smoking
  • Shop 0.3 miles, pub 0.2 miles, coast and beach 0.7 miles
  • Note: Complimentary welcome pack provided on arrival
  • Note: This property is not suitable for children under 12 years old due to the open-plan nature of this five-storey home
  • NOTE: For parties of only two people, please let the owners know a few days before your stay
  • If you would like the pull down double bed in the first floor Sitting room /bedroom made up for your stay
  • Otherwise, only the bed in the Ground Floor double bedroom will be made up

The property

In a prime elevated position in Falmouth, and boasting far-reaching 360-degree views across the Fal Estuary, Harbour, marina and town, sits The Observatory Tower.

This stunning, sympathetically renovated observation tower is tucked away on a quiet street and makes a superbly unique, wow-factor holiday retreat for up to four guests seeking an escape to Cornwall.

Built in 1868 as a meteorological observatory, the five-storey tower originally featured a parapet wall.

Over the years, it fell into disrepair and was sold at auction in 2009.

The new owners fully renovated it, preserving its heritage while modernising it into a wonderful holiday home with all contemporary amenities.

Couples, friends and small families will enjoy this two-bedroom abode, with an open-plan interior spread over five floors, as you wind up the spiral staircase to each level.

Enter the ground floor and you will discover a hallway and a stylish double bedroom, with a pristine en-suite shower room.

The ground floor is also home to a handy utility room with a washer/dryer.

A welcoming sitting room/bedroom greets you on the first floor, with a pull-down double bed/sofa providing a flexible sleeping arrangement, plus a bathroom with a double bath.

The second floor boasts a well-equipped kitchen with an induction hob, dishwasher, microwave and boiling water tap, and a dining area for four with an ocean backdrop.

The third-floor sitting room hosts a bespoke sofa and 42" plasma TV, a place to relax and unwind after a day exploring the glorious countryside and coastline.

Finally, continue up to the top floor Observation Deck, a magnificent octagonal space boasting 360-degree views showcasing Falmouth’s harbour, river, town and seascape.

Fitted with bespoke bench seating and a bar area with a small fridge, blackout blinds and a camera obscura, where better to enjoy a chilled tipple from the top of the tower, weather-watching by day and star gazing as the night draws in.

Take advantage of your central position within easy walking distance of Falmouth's many shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries.

Visit the National Maritime Museum, set beside the colourful harbour.

The Blue Flag award-winning sands at Gyllyngvase Beach are a short walk away, perfect for kayaking, swimming and paddling, with an oceanfront café for refreshment.

Don't forget to check out the fantastic Swanpool Beach too!

Board the passenger ferry to picturesque St Mawes or discover Trellissick Gardens.

If your taste for nature still isn't satisfied, then make sure to visit Glendurgan Gardens and Trebah Gardens in Mawnan Smith.

There are fabulous restaurants, cafes and traditional inns to meet all tastebuds, serving local freshly caught produce, cream teas and pasties!

Parking is available on the quiet residential streets near the Tower.

Alternatively, with excellent road, rail, and sea links to Truro and the surrounding area, you might choose to leave the car behind!

Make wonderful memories at The Observatory Tower, a wow factor Cornish escape.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250.

Where you’ll be staying

View on map

FALMOUTH

Penryn 2 miles; Mabe 3 miles; Truro 11 miles.

Falmouth, with its magnificent natural harbour (the third largest in the world), winding streets and beaches, will keep you occupied for hours. The town's old harbour-side pubs, excellent shopping, art gallery and stunning National Maritime Museum simply complete the picture. Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII, is Falmouth's most popular attraction, sited on its own peninsula with superb panoramic sea views. Across from Falmouth harbour is the beautiful town of St Mawes, surrounded by the rocky coves, sandy beaches and lush green countryside of the Roseland Peninsula. Go there by car (15 miles) or take the passenger ferry from Falmouth (15 minutes). For nature lovers there is the Swanpool Nature Reserve, a lagoon and site of special scientific interest teeming with a variety of wildlife. There is also a golf course. Falmouth offers such a rich variety of landscape and attractions for people of all ages, it is sure to tempt you back time and again.

View more holiday cottages in Falmouth

NOTE: For parties of only two people, please let the owners know a few days before your stay. If you would like the pull down double bed in the first floor Sitting room /bedroom made up for your stay. Otherwise, only the bed in the Ground Floor double bedroom will be made up.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas