Ever since I was a kid, the excitement of a trip into town has never left me. The thrill of the surprise of what you might find is one reason I love vintage, but today’s high street homogeneity can mean you know exactly what to expect before you visit.
Fresh from a few days in Cornwall, I am pleased to report that Falmouth, with its independent shops, offers a pleasingly unpredictable jaunt into town. Clean, minimalist vintage or chintz if you are looking for that. I couldn’t resist including this Chintz Symposium sign, which is actually a bar nestled in a courtyard alongside a repair shop I wanted to visit.
Part of the fun of exploring Falmouth is making your own discoveries with pop-ups and other places that catch your eye. These are the ones that caught mine.
Favourite shops in Falmouth for vintage and antiques
Kitty Gubbins High Street Bazaar
7 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AB
Kitty Gubbins will be right up your street if, like me, you appreciate wearable antique fashion. You will also find precious occasion clothes like an Edwardian lace blouse that I tried on and other period pieces, some of which were on loan for the carnival as I visited during Falmouth Week.
They also have menswear, childrenswear and homeware. I was tempted by this sunshine yellow eiderdown, but I left with a 1940s cardigan for my little niece.
Explore Kitty Gubbins High Street Bazaar
Retro Falmouth – supporting Cornwall Hospice
36-37 Church St, Falmouth TR11 3EF
These Retro concept stores, a format unique to the charity, also found in St Ives and Launceston, take the legwork out of hunting for vintage. Eclectic displays of vintage fashion, textiles, antique interiors, curiosities and traditional toys add to the feel-good factor of shopping here. Ironically, I didn’t have to hunt for this Akubra bush hat, given that Cornwall was experiencing temperatures more typical of Australia and I needed something to protect my head.
To be my vintage hunting hat from now on though…
Retro Falmouth pictured left, and on the right, resting my hat at a pop-up taproom by Falmouth Brewery in what was the Wheelhouse (discovered thanks to the next antiques shop on my list)
Falmouth Antiques with Marmalade Antiques & Vintage
Upton Slip, Falmouth TR11 3DQ
A secretive stairway down to the natural harbour, by way of a prettily packed antiques shop with walls and surfaces layered with finds from the two dealers who share the space, fulfilled the thrill promised by signage like this.
Wonderful for kitchenalia, country house furniture (in dimensions to suit city living too), art, maritime and garden antiques.
Explore Falmouth Antiques & Marmalade Antiques & Vintage
Curate
5 The Moor, Falmouth TR11 3QA
Having discovered my taste for 90s skatewear on a recent trip to Santa Cruz (more about that here), I was excited to explore Curate’s pre-loved or reworked streetwear and vintage tees, which they stock alongside a collection of new pieces. Evidently, this leopard hasn’t changed its vintage spots, as I gravitated straight to the designer accessories, and very nearly left with a pair of vintage Dior shades.
Explore Curate
Sounds OK
43 Arwenack St, Falmouth TR11 3JH
Your stop for vinyl, CDs and music memorabilia. From rare to pre-owned records, you can also chat to them if you are selling records, CDs and DVDs, or looking to source something special.
Explore Sounds OK
Bolt Vintage
19B Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3JA
Walking in here takes me back to the kind of fashion I went into town to find as a teen in the noughties. Here you can expect rugby shirts, embroidered gypsy tops, denim jackets, and streetwear.
Explore Bolt Vintage
Ludgate House Antiques
51a High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AF
I interviewed Nicki Retallack, one of the owners of Ludgate House Antiques about miximalism before they exhibited at Bath Decorative Antiques Fair a few years back. She recommended the enduring appeal of Georgian furniture, so it was lovely to see pieces dating back to that period alongside other antiques and vintage lighting, mirrors, home accessories and statuary, as well as her own collection of pottery. Nicki and her partner Ralph also run the biannual Enys House Antiques and Decorative Fair in Penryn, which might help guide your dates to visit Cornwall.
Explore Ludgate House Antiques
The Old Town Hall Gallery
3 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AB
This is a curious place to visit, with art, ceramics, rugs, and antiquities, some of which you can shop, and some are exhibits just for display. The friendly resident artist, Peter Chapman, produces daring contemporary expressionistic paintings in the studio at the back.
Explore The Old Town Hall Gallery
Beyond Repair
Outer Space Studios, 15-17 High Street (in Old Brewery Yard), Falmouth TR11 2BY
Sometimes you need skilled repair work for your vintage fashion finds, and to extend the life of your clothes. This repair shop offers invisible or discreet mending, as well as creative, statement-making visible repairs. If you’re nearby or planning a holiday, you can get a repair quote in advance or drop in on Tuesdays and Fridays (but double-check the opening times before you visit). When I stopped by, they had a fashion pop-up with Ringrose Fabric, featuring vintage and handcrafted clothes made from deadstock textiles.
Explore Beyond Repair
Antics of Falmouth
6 Webber Street, Falmouth TR11 3AU
This antiques shop was closed when I visited, but I’m adding it to the list because I enjoyed peering through the window. I’m currently on the lookout for vintage lamps and loved these pressed flower shades. Let me know what you think if you visit.
© Photographs Reclaimed Woman