About Fowey

The ancient and beautiful Cornish harbour of Fowey is a busy sheltered deepwater port full of pleasure craft and offering extensive facilities for the visiting yachtsman. It is of considerable antiquity and dates back to the Iron Age with many parts of the town being mediaeval in origin. The two ruined fortifications on opposite sides of the river near the entrance 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. The town clings to the hillside and waits for you to explore its many narrow streets, restaurants, inns and shops.

On the opposite bank to Fowey is the small town of Polruan, 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", but where now you can relax on the golden sands, as at Polridmouth. The Cornish coastal path takes you out to Polkerris via St. Catherine's Castle and 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 ferry and then walk through the ancient woodland on the pilgrims trail.