Guided Walking at Fowey
Holiday Overview
Fowey is a picturesque little town set on an ancient natural deep water harbour and has been an active port dating back to the 5th century used by missionary saints and seagoing traders to travel the world. Fishing has always been an important industry but in the past smugglers and pirates boosted the local economy too. Away from the River Fowey the coast path opens out to provide stunning walks with dramatic sea cliffs, amazing beaches and hidden coves where smugglers would land their booty.
Fowey also has a rich literary history being the home to Daphne Du Maurier famed for “Jamaica Inn” and “Rebecca” and of course Kenneth Graham who spent so much time here “messing around in boats” used it as his inspiration for “Wind in the Willows”. In more recent times the Fowey area also featured in the hit TV series Poldark.
Our guided walks at Fowey have been carefully developed to capture all these evocative themes, smugglers coves, rugged coastal cliffs, harbourside pubs and ancient churches. Walking at a relaxed pace we can explore all the rich character Fowey offers and enjoy discovery off the beaten track.
Package Highlights
- Variety of stunning walks with a knowledgeable guide
- Grand country house hotel with pool & spa
- Superb locally sourced food
- Pretty harbour town with narrow lanes to explore
Walks Information
Our guided walks are the perfect way to discover the charm of Fowey and the surrounding area. We walk at a pace around 2.5 mph but there is no pressure to keep up when we come to steep climbs so everyone can take it at their own pace and rest at the top.
Our guide will point out historical points of interest and has a good knowledge of the local flora and fauna. The social history of Cornwall is also a fascinating topic that will be covered, simple architectural features reveal intriguing stories of cunning or even misdemeanour.
Readymoney Cove, Gribbin Head and Polkerris
We walk from Fowey out towards the estuary mouth passing Readymoney Cove and then up to the Tudor St Catherine’s Castle built to guard Fowey from invasion affording great views of the harbour and out to sea. The coast path then takes us to stunning Polridmouth Cove and then up to the towering day mark at Gribbin Head. Great views of St Austell Bay as we continue the coast path and you may even catch a glimpse of Ross Poldark’s ship leaving Charlestown Harbour. Descending into Polkerris we arrive at this charming harbour with a cosy pub the Rashleigh Inn beckoning us for lunch. The climb back up from Polkerris will get your heart racing as we begin the more gentle return to Fowey following the Saint’s Way used in ancient times to avoid the treacherous sea passage around Land’s End.
Polruan, Lantic Bay, Pont Pill and Bodinnick
We begin with a ferry ride across the harbour to Polruan then squeeze through narrow lanes of fisherman's cottages to the blockhouse and then out to the coast where the remains of a 16th century gun battery stands looking out to sea. We follow the coast path up to a Coastwatch station and ruins of St Saviour's Chapel originally built in the 8th century. The coast path on this stunning section of coast line can be a little demanding but the views are worth the effort. Lantic Bay lies deep below the cliffs and is an isolated strip of white sandy beach where it was reported that so much brandy was being smuggled that the local tin miners were too drunk to work. We may drop down to the white sandy Lantic Bay to soak in the atmosphere but you will have to bring your own brandy these days. From here we head inland to the charming secluded church dedicated to St Wyllow. We descend to the head of Pont Pill creek and cross the tide mill bridge to take us along the Hall Walk with more great views of the Fowey River arriving at Bodinnick where we can enjoy a late lunch at the Old Ferry Inn before taking another ferry back to Fowey and conclude with a stroll along the quaint streets past old sail lofts and landing stages.
Lerryn, Ethy Wood and Toad Hall
We begin with a short drive and river crossing to arrive at the creekside village of Lerryn with its medieval bridge still allowing us safe passage. Alongside the river there are remains of a silver works used to crush and smelt silver ore mined in this valley. We walk along the banks of the creek into Ethy wood thought to be the Wild Woods in Wind in the Willows. At Ethy Creek we are at the spot that a cache of 1000 Roman coins were discovered in 2000. We leave Ethy to pass through Middle Wood, Great Wood where the Lerryn joins the Fowey river and upstream we arrive at St Winnow church first recorded in the 7th century the current Tudor church boast some original stained glass windows. We head away from the river across fields to find Ethy Mill where a mill has stood since at least 1340. Next we enter the former park land of Ethy Manor said to be Toad Hall before returning to the village and a visit to the Ship Inn for Lunch. After lunch we may choose to explore the south side of the creek and walk to the Church of St Veep or perhaps return to Fowey to amble around the craft shops or relax at the Hotel Spa.
Accommodation
The Fowey Hall Hotel is a quintessentially English Victorian country house built in the late 1800s by Charles Hanson, a local man who had found fortune in the Canadian lumber business. Set high up overlooking the harbour and with magnificent views out to sea, no wonder he chose to call this commanding spot home.
Comfortable elegance welcomes in the reception rooms, with plump sofas around roaring fires and with practised discreet service staff so you can drift into your own Victorian fantasy after a day walking in the fresh sea air.
At the Spa Centre is a heated indoor swimming pool and outdoor hot tub with great views over the water. There are treatments available including massages to soothe away the day.
This unique Hotel chooses not to be officially rated but, we describe the Hotel as easily comparable with 4 stars if not higher.
Rooms
Deluxe Rooms in this grand house look out into the gardens with the Fowey river estuary as a backdrop. With a sumptuous king-size bed, seating and expansive bathrooms these offer a very high level of comfort. Equally well appointed, the Standard Rooms are located at the rear of the main building in the old stables and look out onto a sheltered walled courtyard.
Each room is well equipped with a TV, DVD player and Wifi, also a hairdryer, iron and facilities to make hot drinks. The Hotel has a guest laundry service each day.
Food
Fowey Hall has a 2 AA Rosette Award and the chefs work with local producers to source the very best Cornish ingredients. Breakfast is included in our package and you can enjoy a wide selection of tasty cooked options and fruit, cereals etc served in the bright elegant morning room.
Dinner (2 courses) is also included and dining in the Hotel Restaurant is a real treat, delicious dishes including fresh local fish and shellfish are prepared creatively.
For lunch we may stop at a pub or there is an excellent deli in Fowey where you can pick up superb freshly baked Cornish pasties, local cured meats and cheese to take along.
Location & Travel
Fowey on the South Cornish Coast is an ancient port on the side of a stunning natural river harbour opposite the fishing village of Polruan. The town was home to Daphne Du Maurier whose famous book Jamaica Inn is a tale of smuggling in Cornwall and a great read for visitors. There are numerous craft shops to browse and riverside cafes and pubs where you can watch the action on the river.
Travelling by Car
Leave the M5 at Exit 31 taking the A30 until Bodmin then A38, B3268 and B3269 toward Lostwithiel, turning right toward Fowey onto A390 then left on B3269 to Fowey . Exeter 1hr 20mins, Bristol Airport 2hrs 35mins, London Heathrow 4hrs.
Travelling by Train
Par is the nearest rail station with frequent trains from London, Exeter, Plymouth, Truro and Penzance, from here you can continue by bus and on foot 30mins or taxi 15mins. Exeter 2hrs, London Heathrow 5hrs.
Travelling by Air
Cornwall Newquay Airport has connecting flights from London Gatwick 1hr 5mins and London Stansted 1hr 15mins (spring/summer) then by taxi 40mins. From London Heathrow continue by train to Par and then bus or taxi.
For more information and assistance planning your travel please contact us as we will be happy to help.
Prices & Dates
Our 4 Night guided walking holiday at Fowey includes accomodation with breakfast and 2 course dinners at the sumptuous Fowey Hall Hotel with group walks each day accompanied by a guide. Read about the hotel
£590 per person sharing a double or twin Standard Room.
£795 for one person staying in a double Standard Room.
£650 per person sharing a double or twin Deluxe View Room.
2021 Dates
Others dates may be arranged for groups of 4 or more people. contact us for details
Fowey Walking Brochure
