Fowey

Cornwall Beaches > South East Cornwall > Cornish towns > Fowey

Fowey is a bustling small port which still has a busy commercial life in addition to providing attractive moorings for leisure boats. Its harbour is flanked by fourteenth century blockhouses, one in Fowey and one on the opposite side of the river in Polruan, from which chains were once suspended to close the harbour mouth.
There are frequent ferries to Polruan and a car ferry across the river to Boddinick. The ferry house here was originally the du Maurier family holiday home and later the home of Angela du Maurier, Daphne’s sister and a lesser known novelist. The views from the top of Polruan Hill are stunning.

During the summer months, Fowey Town Hall houses a museum and a small aquarium. The port has an interesting history and was the major port on the south coast of Cornwall during the fourteenth century. More recently, it was the main centre for the export of china clay from the area. Many properties in Fowey and the surrounding area were owned by the Rashleigh family. The town boasts many craft shops, galleries and restaurants.

Daphne du Maurier is perhaps the most famous former resident of the town and the Du Maurier Festival is now held here each May. Another well-known author from the town was Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch.

Not far from Fowey is the Tristan Stone, a sixth century inscribed monolith believed to be the burial stone of Tristan, son of King Mark of Cornwall. Restormel Castle at Lostwithiel is also worth a visit.

Nearby beaches are Crinnis, Par Sands, Polkerris and many, many more. A ferry can be taken to the nearby fishing town of Mevagissey.

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