Fowey
OS Grid ref:- SX126516
The town of Fowey, pronounced 'Foy', lies on the Cornish Riviera between Looe and Mevagissey and occupies a hillside above the Fowey estuary. The Elizabethan sea-dogs, Drake, Frobisher and Sir Walter Raleigh once sailed from its characterful old harbour.
The Fowey estuary is designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, much of the surrounding woodland and countryside is owned by the National Trust.
The town has a superb sandy beach at Readymoney Cove, with ample parking and lifeguards in season. Dogs are allowed only from Easter- October. St. Catherine's Castle, which is in walking distance of the cove, was constructed by 'England's Bluebeard' King Henry VIII to defend Fowey harbour. The castle is now owned by English Heritage, entrance is free.
For details of canoeing, cycling and walking trips from Fowey and Lerryn throughout the year see Encounter Cornwall
Fowey offers a wide range of accomodation to suit all budgets, restaurants, cafes, shops and art galleries. Place House, a 13th century manor house in the town has for centuries been in the possession of the Treffry family.The Fowey Museum in the oldest part of the town, hosts displays on Fowey's maritime history.
At either side of the harbour entrance are the ruins of the 13th century blockhouses, built as a defence to bar entry to the harbour via a chain.
The Fowey to Mevagissey Ferry links the two ports between May and September inclusive. This offers a fun, fast sea crossing for passengers only and a chance to enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of Cornwall's coastline from the water at a modest cost.
St. Fimbarrus Church, which dates back to medieval times is dedicated to the sixth century St. Fimbarr, who stayed in Fowey in the sixth century while on pilgrimage to Rome,
Next to the church stands the Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre, containing information on the author and her connections to Fowey. Open daily.
An interesting Iron Age Fort Castle Dore, lies nearby. The earthwork has twin defences, each consists of a bank about 8 feet high with a deep outer ditch. Excavations have revealed a stone guard house by the inner entrance.
A mile and a half from Castle Dore, the fortress of King Mark of Cornwall, stands a stone pillar on which is carved the Latin inscription 'Drustans Hic lacit/Cunomori Filius' (Here lies Drustan son of Commorus) Commorus has been identified as Mark of Cornwall and Drustan as the Tristram of in Arthurian legend. The stone did not always stand in its present position but lay nearby, the exact position has unfortunately gone unrecorded.
Walks from Fowey
The Saint's Way
An ancient 26 mile (42km) track across Cornwall, known as the Saint's Way, commences at Padstow harbour and continues to Fowey. The track was originally used by Bronze and Iron Age traders. In the centuries which followed, Celtic Christians traversed the path, erecting granite crosses along the route.