A weekend travel guide to Fowey, Cornwall

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I feel very lucky that I had the chance to spend time living in Falmouth, Cornwall before having children and whenever I get the chance to visit and explore more of the area, I do. I've travelled across most of the Cornish peninsular, from the small harbour villages and coastal towns to the sleepy countryside hideaways and bustling city of Truro, there is always something to discover and so many reasons to put Cornwall on your UK bucket list.

So why Fowey?

This quaint harbourside village in Southern Cornwall which is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is not only an architectural delight but is packed with history, cafes and small independent shops, with castles on its doorstep to explore, as well as white sanded beaches, coves and views across the River Fowey, to name a few.

It's also popular with the literacy set as it was also home to famed author Daphne du Maurier, with many of her books being set in Cornwall as well as Kenneth Grahame, author of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ holidayed in the town several times and also set many of his stories here. Who knows maybe you will be inspired to write your own novel after visiting Fowey.

However, if books and buildings are not for you, Fowey also offers a range of activities from hiking and cycling to kayaking and watersports as well as being a great base for some inspiring day trips with the Eden Project and The Lost Garden of Heligan close by.

5 Things to do in Fowey

1. Explore the Fowey Old Town and Harbour on foot

Dating back centuries, wandering around the medieval town of Fowey with its cobbled streets and narrow alleyways, packed with hidden gems, quaint cafes, and cute boutique stores, makes for a wonderful place to discover on foot. St Fimbarrus Church in Fowey is a very pretty norman church that is worth a visit and make sure to stay hydrated with a drink at The Ship Inn, Fowey's oldest pub

2. Fowey Museum

Housed in one of Fowey's oldest buildings, in the heart of the old town, this small volunteer-run museum is well worth a visit and gives you an insight into the town's maritime, military and industrial history with an array of regalia, costumes and models and photographs on display. While the museum is small in size it packs a punch when it comes to giving you real insight into the area, educational and fascinating.

3. Fowey Aquarium

Right next door to the Museum you will find the Fowey Aquarium and while small it has a fantastic variety of marine creatures on display and offers a glimpse into the marine life found around the Cornish coast. Children will really enjoy the touch pool where they can pick up shore crabs. This is a great place to visit for an hour or two and suitable for all ages and unlike some of the much larger aquariums, this one is budget friendly with very reasonable entry prices.

4. St Catherines Castle

Only a few minutes' drive from Fowey you will find the small ruined fort of St Catherines Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend Fowey harbour and coastline. The castle is only accessible on foot & is a 2/3 mile walk, you need to park at Readymoney Beach and make your way up through the woodland but the views are well worth the trek to the top. While suitable for adults and children please bear in mind it’s not pram or wheelchair friendly and you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness.

5. Readymoney Cove Beach

Readymonney Cove is a beautiful sheltered cove with a sandy beach that all ages will enjoy and offers stunning views across Fowey Estuary and is within walking distance of Fowey Harbour. There is also a quaint little cafe near the slipway which serves up local ice creams and Cornish pasties. Perfect for swimming (or having a dip) all year round although of course, the sea temperature is rather chilly in the colder months.

As already mentioned there are plenty of things to see and do within close proximity of Fowey and a day trip to The Eden Project or The Lost Gardens of Heligan will be a hit with all ages. You can also take the ferry across to Polruan for the day and I would also recommend visiting the quaint harbour town of Mevagissey

Places to Stay


There are a few different options of places to stay when visiting Fowey, however, when travelling as a family group I would always recommend a self-catering option such as a holiday cottage. Opting for self-catering gives you a lot more freedom as well as space, especially of you decide to visit for longer than just a weekend and I always recommend this option when travelling with kids.

The Shippen

The Shippen, a gorgeous little holiday cottage that sleeps 4, is dog-friendly and is only a 10-minute walk into town or down to Readymoney Cove. This makes the perfect base for exploring the area and coastal paths and best of all is your furry friend can come with


Where to eat

Fowey has an array of Cafes, pubs, bistros and restaurants to stop at, whether you just want a cup of coffee and scones or want to try fresh seafood straight from the Cornish coast, there is something for everyone in Fowey.

 

My personal recommendations are Brown Sugar and Organicafe which both serve fantastic coffee, cakes and delicious lunch options. Both The King of Prussia and The Ship Inn are great places to have a pint after a walk along the harbour and they both serve traditional homemade pub meals, but if you have fine dining in mind then The Old Quay House won't fail to impress.

The thing about Fowey is there is so much to discover and this is just the tip of the iceberg, so why not head down there for a weekend break, you won’t be disappointed.