Fowey

Bustling bistros, cobbled streets and sunshine strolls along the harbour-front...

Steeped in history and lined with cobbled streets, Fowey is a charming medieval town that sits aside a spectacular, natural deep-water harbour, providing a nautical gateway to the rest of South Cornwall.

Perched on the western edge of the River Fowey, the port-town has a vibrant maritime history with beautiful Georgian architecture lining the pretty alleyways and boutique bistros. Visitors can stroll hand-in-hand along the harbour front, feasting on the iconic Fowey River Mussels in waterside cafes, before heading on to one of the regions many white sand beaches for an afternoon of sun soaking and splashing in the surf.

Long favoured by the staycation crowd and once home to esteemed English author Daphne du Maurier, Fowey oozes contemporary, coastal chic; where crisp local tipples are sipped to the setting of spectacular Cornish sunsets and bright sunny mornings are spent kayaking upstream to picture-perfect villages for impromptu picnics.

Fowey boasts two small beaches for visitors to enjoy, the larger of which can be found at Readymoney Cove, a 15 minute walk away along the coast. The south-east facing stretch of sand is sheltered by high cliffs and during the summer a small beach shop is available selling cold drinks and other treats for hungry explorers.

For those who enjoy exploring on foot, the south-west coastal path boasts unforgettable views and can be accessed in Polruan (a short hop across the estuary via the foot ferry). Closer to home there is a beautiful circular walk around the inner harbour (locally known as Hall Walk), which takes advantage of both the foot and car ferry (available all year round) and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete - the views are well worth the effort!

Continuing the ferry theme, during the peak season, a daily service from Fowey to Mevagissey provides a lovely, waterfront trip for visitors to the area, with plenty of opportunities to spot the resident wildlife along the way. Once in Mevagissey, wander the scenic streets for local crafts and other goodies, before settling into one of the harbour-front bistros for a steaming bowl of mussels and a crisp local tipple.