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A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
is a captivating harbour town stacked above a deep, wooded estuary on Cornwall's south coast. A working china-clay port that doubles as a sailing haven, it's also Daphne du Maurier country, where narrow streets, waterside pubs and little ferries to Polruan and Bodinnick give it an irresistible, timeless charm.
Harbour guide
A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.
Fowey has the kind of harbour character we love: practical, weathered, and full of small details that reward a slower look.
Harbour strolls, seafood, families, boat watching and coastal photos.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Arrive early in peak season where possible, and leave time for parking, slopes and narrow streets.
A good family read before a visit: talk about boats, tides, old buildings and how harbour life works.
Check tides, parking and opening times if you are visiting for food, boat trips or a family wander.
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Fowey is situated on the west side of the beautiful Fowey Estuary. With stunning scenery and lovely atmosphere this is a great location for anybody.
As well as being a commercial port for the nearby china clay industry, the estuary is also used by fishing boats and also by local and visiting yachtsmen as the natural harbour provides a safe haven.
The river is tidal and can also get busy with commercial craft so care should always be taken when planning water activities.
Fowey has several quays from where ferries across to Bodinnick and Polruan operate and also the water taxi that runs yachtsmen to their boats.
Fowey Regatta week takes place in August and is extremely popular. The photo top right shows one of the working boat races that take place. All sorts of other festivities usually take place including a carnival and a show by the Red Arrows.
Polruan
Polruan is opposite Fowey on the East side of the river Fowey. It is tucked inside the entrance to the river and its fortification once helped protect the Estuary.
Polruan has its own harbour area for boats that provides lovely safe moorings that are completely sheltered from the prevailing southwesterly winds.
Bodinnick
Bodinnick is a village situated on the East side of the Fowey Estuary. The ferry that travels back and forth from Fowey operates from the quay here, giving the pub its name of the 'Old Ferry Inn'. The ferry slipway is a popular fishing spot.
Sea Fishing in the Fowey area
The entrance to the river is a great place to fish and fishing from the rocks on either the east or west side should produce mackerel, bass, dogfish and flatfish.
Some decent sized mullet can be caught around here, especially in the river. You could also catch yourself a conger.
If you prefer river fishing to sea angling then the Fowey river has plenty of salmon and trout too but make sure you have an appropriate licence.
Fowey RNLI
The Lifeboats
Maurice and Joyce Hardy - Trent Class Lifeboat
Olive Two - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Situated in the attractive Fowey estuary, the lifeboat station has been operating for over 160 years and the crews have been presented with 14 awards for gallantry. Today’s station has an all-weather Trent class lifeboat and an inshore D class lifeboat.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Support Fowey Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
Fowey RNLI
The Lifeboats
Maurice and Joyce Hardy - Trent Class Lifeboat
Olive Two - D Class Lifeboat
The Lifeboat Station
Situated in the attractive Fowey estuary, the lifeboat station has been operating for over 160 years and the crews have been presented with 14 awards for gallantry. Today’s station has an all-weather Trent class lifeboat and an inshore D class lifeboat.
Support Fowey Lifeboat...
With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use their images and information
