Things To Do In Fowey, Cornwall & Is It Worth Visiting?

Fowey offers lots of fun things to do. Popular attractions include Readymoney Cove beach and the nearby hiking trails. The town sits on Cornwall’s southeast coast and has a harbour on the River Fowey.

The town dates back long before the Norman Invasion. For example, a church has been in the town since the 7^th century. It is a popular holiday destination for families and watersports enthusiasts, particularly sailors. It is also popular with day trip visitors staying elsewhere in Cornwall.

Things to Do in Fowey

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The Beach at Readymoney Cove

Hang out and relax at Readymoney Cove, a sandy beach to the south of the town. Cliffs shelter the cove from the sea. The beach is near the river mouth, with St Catherine’s Castle above it. It also has a dedicated swimming area.

It has all the typical beachside trimmings, including beach shops, restaurants, and ice-cream parlours. A pleasant garden with a castle-like wall sits above the beach. The beach is a great launchpad for walks along the coast, past the castle and through the shade of the small forest above the cove.

Watersports, Including Paddleboarding or Sailing

The town is a popular spot for watersports enthusiasts, including those who enjoy sailing or paddleboarding. Companies such as Fowey River Hire rent out paddleboards to visitors for half a day to a full week. Visitors can also spend the day on a kayak tour. The town is also a great place to watch others enjoying the water; just grab a bench on the seafront.

Walk to St Catherine’s Castle

Walking through woodland, the cliffs from Moneypenny Cove lead you to St Catherine’s Castle. St Catherine’s Castle is a Henrician castle overlooking the river mouth towards Polruan Castle.

Thomas Treffry built the castle between approximately 1538 and 1540. The original purpose was in response to fears of an invasion of England by France and the Holy Roman Empire.

St Catherine’s is nowadays a preserved ruin that is free to enter. It is set over many levels, which nature has reclaimed. It is nonetheless fascinating to see, and the views here are pretty special.

Fowey Parish Church

The Fowey Parish Church is a Grade I-listed building dedicated to Saint Finbarr. They built Fowey Church in the early 14th century and rededicated it in 1336, replacing an ancient Norman church.

The church has a nave and two aisles with a clerestory, and the aisles are unusually wide, making this unique. The roof is an outstanding example of a finely carved 15th-century wagon roof.

The church is open for visitors to look around or pray quietly during the day. It is a wonderful place to reflect or admire the history contained within it. As with most churches, it’s also a nice place to cool off on a hot day.

Ferry Ride to Polruan

A short ferry trip takes you to the nearby village of Polruan on the other bank of the River Fowey. The boat trip offers amazing views of the estuary and coastline. It is a short, sweet trip, and cheap, too. The village also has a few places of interest, including delightful walks, a castle, and a swimmable beach.

Coastal Walks

This part of Cornwall offers plenty of routes for a good hike, including many coastal ones.

The Saints’ Way Walk

A famous pilgrimage walk in Cornwall is called the Saints’ Way. It starts in Padstow in the county’s north. The trail heads south via various places, finishing in Fowey. This trail is 27 miles long and takes about 3 days to complete.

The Saints’ Way follows the probable route of early Christian pilgrims coming from Ireland and Wales. The ultimate destination is a boat ride to Brittany or onwards to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

Hike part of the South-West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is England’s longest long-distance footpath and a national trail. This walking trail stretches 630 miles, running from Minehead in Somerset and passing through Fowey. The walking route follows the coast of Devon and Cornwall, ending at Poole Harbour in Dorset.

This is a fantastic route that walkers can easily do in small sections or over multiple weeks. The sections of the trail I have explored have all been stunning in their own way.

Sea Life at The Aquarium

For visitors with a passing interest in nature, Fowey Aquarium is a great tourist attraction. They are home to many fish and other marine species for you to observe. They aim to showcase all the marine life that calls the Cornish coast home. More fascinating creatures include conger eels, crabs, and lobsters. The aquarium is nearly 70 years old; it was founded in 1952; however, it still keeps some original tanks.

River Gallery

River Gallery showcases a range of art from a variety of artists. They host many exhibitions throughout the year, many with local themes. This art gallery is in a lovely Georgian building, a magnificent home. They show the artwork on the building’s first floor. However, on the lower floor, they stock a range of quality bags, jewellery, gifts and greeting cards.

Fowey Museum

Fowey Museum is a small place. However, it has many interesting historical artefacts from the local area. The museum is a great place to spend an hour learning about the area’s history and seeing artefacts from this part of Cornwall. The museum is housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings, dating back to the 15th century.

Eating Out

There are many options to eat out throughout the town centre. I enjoyed a delightful meal at The Galleon Inn and a few beers out when exploring. The Galleon Inn was a nice place to eat and drink, with indoor and outdoor seating. They had a great selection of Cornish beers and excellent food.

Personally, for lunch here, I enjoyed a seafood platter with tempura prawns, whitebait, and scampi. This was a splendid meal.

Shops & Shopping

The town has many independent shops and national chains. Throughout the central areas, there are lots of seaside shops selling gifts and local crafts. We also saw a few independent art galleries. As a bonus, we enjoyed various places for ice cream and fudge.

Getting to Fowey

Personally, I arrived by ferry from Polruan, a tiny fishing village across the river. I arrived by bus at Polruan. These buses come from or connect to Polperro, Looe and Plymouth.

If arriving by train, the closest train station is St Austell; then use local bus services to reach Fowey. Long-distance ferry trips run along the stunning coastline, including to Mevagissey and Looe.

Where to Stay in Fowey?

The town has many self-catering holiday homes and hotels. Personally, I camped a few miles down the coast. There were many camping options nearby, too; however, they tend to book up quickly during peak season. You can find all sorts of accommodation, including hotels and guest houses, on the Booking.com website.

Is Fowey Worth Visiting?

Fowey is well worth visiting if you are in southeast Cornwall for a day trip or for a longer holiday by the sea. The area offers nice beaches, interesting attractions, and plenty of hiking options. For foodies, the local seafood restaurants are top-drawer, making it a fantastic place to visit.