Falmouth’s Royal Duchy Hotel is reporting a record-breaking year in terms of visitor numbers - with an average occupancy rate of 92 per cent achieved throughout the summer months.

The four-star hotel has always been popular but this year’s success is being attributed to a combination of factors including the exposure that a variety of TV series and programmes have brought; the university campus which generates a lot of custom from staff and students; large companies like Pendennis Shipyard; a lower value pound thanks to Brexit and greater awareness of all that Falmouth has to offer as a town.

“It’s been an exceptionally good year for us,” said hotel director Peter Brend. “We’re particularly delighted to be welcoming more guests from Germany and northern Europe – a trend that we expect to see continue into 2017 with the new Newquay to Frankfurt air routes and an attractive exchange rate.

“Brend Hotels bought the Royal Duchy in 1977 and, over most of the last 40 years, Falmouth has been one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. Now it’s very noticeable that the town’s profile has improved. Far more people know about the place and, as a result, it’s become a sought-after destination in its own right. We believe it has tremendous prospects and that certainly makes our job at the Royal Duchy a lot easier.

“Short breaks, often taken several times a year, have replaced longer, once-a-year holidays for most visitors. We’ve also noticed a change in behaviour. Guests are much more likely to want to explore the local area when they stay with us – and that includes eating out at local restaurants. They enjoy experiencing as much of local life as possible whilst here and that’s got be good for the wider local economy.

“Explaining cream teas to overseas visitors can be quite amusing. Using a direct translation of the concept, some of them expect cream in their tea – rather than a full-on feast with scones, jam, cream, sandwiches and cakes.”