Fowey Cruise Port

Port summary

Fowey (say 'Foy') has been a busy port since the Middle Ages, when its ships raided the French coast, and today it still exports china clay from the jetties upriver. The old town tumbles down a steep hillside to the water, with narrow lanes of pastel houses, galleries and pubs. Daphne du Maurier lived across the river and set several novels here, and a literary festival is held in her honour every May. Small and mid-size cruise ships (up to about 250 m) come into the harbour and moor mid-river; larger ships anchor outside the estuary. Either way, tenders bring passengers to Albert Quay, beside the Harbour Office in the centre of town, where taxis also pick up. There is no terminal, and the town has few public toilets, so plan ahead. Fowey itself fills a relaxed half day. Wander Fore Street and the Town Quay, visit the medieval St Fimbarrus Church and the small town museum, and walk out along the Esplanade to Readymoney Cove and the ruins of Henry VIII's St Catherine's Castle. The little foot ferry crosses to Polruan in a few minutes, and the car ferry to Bodinnick starts the 4-mile Hall Walk loop, one of the finest short walks in Cornwall. In summer, boat trips run up the river and a seasonal ferry goes to Mevagissey. Further afield, the Eden Project's giant biomes are about 20 minutes by taxi, Charlestown's Georgian harbour (a Poldark filming location) about 20 minutes, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mevagissey about 35 minutes. Restormel Castle near Lostwithiel is about 20 minutes inland. Buses 24 and 25 run to Par station and St Austell, but they are slow for a port day, so taxis are the practical choice; pre-book on busy cruise days. Tender operations depend on the weather, and the anchorage outside the harbour is exposed to southerly winds, so allow a generous buffer for the last tender.

Getting to Fowey

From the cruise terminal to the city centre

Things to do