The area now

The Greenbank area represents a early phase of the development of Falmouth’s suburbs, with residential development along the river bank north of the older areas of the town centre.

Nos 1 and 2 Stratton Place were built in the 1790s, followed from about 1800 by the row of substantial villas known as Dunstanville Terrace. Several of the other residences were built for or occupied by packet commanders and the prosperity of the packet and merchant trades supported much of the building of this period.

The Greenbank area continued to develop as a prestige suburb during the 1810-20s, with additional terraces built on and above the waterfront, including Stratton Terrace, Tehidy Terrace, Harriet Place and Penwerris Terrace, together with a few detached villas, including Erin Lodge on Symonds Hill and the house now occupied by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Stratton Terrace is slightly unusual as although called a terrace, it consists mostly of a series of detached buildings, of very varied styles.

Virtually all these historic properties, many now listed, have remained essentially unchanged, and maintained the historic character of the area, making the the walk to and from the town along the raised footpath along "the Greenbank" one of the most popular gentle walks in Falmouth, for both local residents and visitors. The "Greenbank Gardens", a public amenity space next to the hotel, is also used by many local residents and visitors.

Visitors to the town also see this area from the water on the "Park and float" bus or ferry service on their way to the town centre and the Maritime Museum. This historic portion of the town is very visible in views from outside, particularly from Flushing and Trefusis.

Dunstanville Terrace joins on to Stratton Place, at which point the original buildings start to become more set back from the road, with mature gardens

Gardens at Stratton Place

The existing Greenbank Hotel.

Flushing

The Greenbank area faces across the estuary of the Penryn River to Flushing, a small village with similar, though lower and less developed, waterfront terraces . Although both sides of the river do have more modern buildings interspersed with the older housing, the overall effect remains attractive, harmonious and characterful - one of the reasons local tourists go on pleasure boat trips up and down the river.

Tehidy Terrace and the last house on Stratton Terrace from the seaward side

South of the Greenbank Hotel the waterside character is primarily of stone walls, many of architectural significance in their own right.

North of the hotel the waterside character changes: although there are old stone retaining walls, these walls and the foreshore below are heavily overgrown, presenting a green wooded face to the sea. It is this green bank that many want to save, and not see a modern development of concrete, glass, timber and metal.

The area of foreshore on which the developers plan to build. Although close to a road and housing, the screening of the green bank allows it to be used by wildlife, particularly by birds such as herons, egrets, many types of waders, and even kingfishers.

Photograph
November 2008

The Greenbank

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