The Observatory

The Observatory is a five-storey tower in Falmouth, Cornwall, England, built in the 19th century to track the weather and now known for its sweeping views over the water.

About The Observatory

The tower was built in 1868 as a meteorological observatory, retaining its original parapet wall, and stands as a distinctive landmark on the Falmouth skyline.

History

A related building on the site, The Observatory Guest House, had its foundation stone laid on 12 August 1884 by Lord Mount Edgcumbe, then President of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. The tower itself was sold at auction in 2009 and has since been renovated and converted into holiday accommodation.

Location & getting there

The Observatory stands in Falmouth, Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, with views across the Fal Estuary and Falmouth Harbour from its upper floors.

Visiting The Observatory

The building now operates as holiday accommodation, so visiting means booking a stay; check current listings and availability online before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

A tower built to watch the sky for weather is just as good a place to look for a single star among the rest. If you've named a star, its RA/Dec can be found from coastal vantage points like this one - browse the catalogue.