Local History
Fowey town and harbour clings to the hillside and waits for you to explore its many narrow streets, restaurants, inns and shops. The two ruined fortifications on opposite sides of the river near the entrance of the harbour were built following a Spanish raid in 1380; St.Catherine’s Castle on the west bank was commissioned by Henry VIII and was built between 1538 and 1542.
On the opposite bank to Fowey is the small town of Polruan, itself built on a steep hillside and reached either by road from Polperro or by the Bodinnick ferry. South of Fowey is Readymoney Cove, where, it is said, smugglers came ashore and sold their goods on the beach for “ready money”! Now you can relax on its golden sand and swim to the diving pontoon.
The Cornish coastal path takes you out to Polkerris via St.Catherine’s Castle and the Gribben Head; or follow the famous Hall Walk from Polruan to Bodinnick; or explore the little villages around Fowey, such as St.Veep, Golant, Lerryn and St.Winnow on both sides of the river either by boat or by car and then walk through the ancient woodland on the Pilgrim’s Trail.
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