Custom House Quay perhaps more than any other harbour entity defines our island nation.
Between 1688 and 1855 Custom House quay Falmouth was the only UK port designated to handle the mail - hence the Falmouth Packet boats, built for speed they provided the only means of global communication for most of those years until the advent of faster steamships. At the time, they helped make Falmouth the most important harbour outside London.
During the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival the atmosphere outside the old Customs House and Harbour Master's office during the sea shanty festival feeds off those thousands of sailors, slavers, merchants, pirates, smugglers, adventurers, fishermen and passengers who have felt the granite cobbled quay under their feet.
Thanks to the Pirates of St Piran for the rumbustious soundtrack.
