Interesting things to do in Fowey

Coastal, Days out, Destinations

Posted by Clare Willcocks on 3rd February 2025

Colourful houses beside the harbour in sunny Fowey, with boats tethered to yellow buoys in the harbour.

A quick search engine sweep will find you plenty of things to do in Fowey, in Cornwall, but where does a deep dive take you? You know about the castle, the aquarium and the picturesque harbour (though we’ll include those too, of course). But what you’re looking for is something a bit different … an adventure.

Not everyone knows about the best attractions in Fowey. The little coastal town harbours secrets (one-time resident Daphne Du Maurier would be proud). It’s up to you to uncover them, and down to us to point you in the right direction.

Top tip: we’ve saved the most off-the-beaten-track things to do in Fowey until last. Only the most committed will reach them. And when you do, the following link will come in handy to find the perfect holiday cottage base from which to explore.

Fowey holiday cottages


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Fowey Harbour

Glittering Fowey Harbour with its bobbing boats and constant maritime activity is the reason Fowey exists.

The natural harbour is a flooded valley, created by a rise in sea levels following the last ice age. Ships still export China clay from here. Fisherfolk still fish. They share the waterway with the occasional cruise liner, and over 7,000 visiting yachts.

If you want to get an authentic feel for Fowey, you need to experience the estuary. Hop on a boat trip to learn all about its history and favourite resident author. Voyage under your own steam by hiring a boat or kayak. Take a walk to admire the awe-inspiring vistas.

Things to do in Fowey Harbour


The red and orange Bodinnick Car Ferry crossing the river, and a man in shorts and t-shirts waiting for the passenger ferry.

Bodinnick and Polruan ferries

At some point in your trip to Fowey, you’ll want to answer the call of the sea. The best way to get out into the estuary is on board one of the ferries.

The car ferry to Bodinnick carries up to 15 vehicles and departs every 10–15 minutes during its hours of operation. Floating across the river makes a novel start to any day trip.

A little further towards the mouth of the river, the Polruan Passenger Ferry operates a handy cross-river service for walkers striking out along the South West Coast Path.

Good to know

Bodinnick Car Ferry

Polruan Passenger Ferry


Looking down on St Catherine's Castle and the water surrounding the rocks.

St Catherine’s Castle

Reaching St Catherine’s Castle after a 0.75-mile walk from the car park, you’ll appreciate why it was sited in this location. It clings to the top of a rocky outcrop, in a prime position to defend Fowey Harbour.

The small artillery fort is one of a pair built by Henry VIII in 1530, and saw action again in the Crimean War, and World War II. The ruins are owned by English Heritage, and you can explore, for free, at your leisure.

What was once an excellent spot for a castle is now a breathtaking viewpoint.

Good to know


A Conger eel and a guppy.

Fowey Aquarium

It’s a well-known fact that aquariums keep little children captivated, and Fowey Aquarium is no exception. They can dip their fingers in the touch pool to stroke a crab or be tickled by a prawn.

Whether you’ve got youngsters in tow or not, the array of sea creatures in this fascinating little aquarium is impressive. Come nose to nose with fishy friends from tiny gobies to scary Conger eels. The aquarium sits in town, amidst lots of pubs and cafés, perfect for grabbing a bite to eat afterwards.

Good to know


A street in Fowey, lined with shops and frontages with beautiful hanging baskets.

Fowey shops

Shop-till-you-droppers rejoice! Fowey has a cornucopia of shops tucked away in its cobbled streets and narrow lanes. Duck into galleries and fall in love with a piece of art as a memento. Stock your picnic basket with locally sourced produce. Guarantee delighted reactions back home when you return with thoughtful Cornish souvenirs.

There are inviting bookshops in which you can browse for a holiday read, clothing brands to pick up the latest in nautical (and non-nautical) fashion, and antiques and charity shops choc-full of treasures. Have a wander and see which shops tempt you in.

Top places for shopping in Fowey


An aerial perspective of Readymoney Cove in the sunshine, and another angle from down on the beach with clear water.

Readymoney Cove

When you close your eyes and picture a Cornish holiday, the chances are you’re sat on a charming little beach, surrounded by beautiful scenery. If you want to make that vision a reality, head for Readymoney Cove to the south of Fowey.

Sheltered by cliffs, Readymoney Cove is overlooked by St Catherine’s Castle. Just a short stroll from the town centre, it is a little sandy haven. The small café and shop are open year-round – perfect for cooling off in summer and thawing out in winter!

Good to know


Two children poring over books in a library.

Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature

If your visit coincides with the annual Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature, you’re in for a treat. The festival puts on over a week of organised arts events, including talks by authors, music performances, workshops, guided walks, an art trail, open gardens and plenty more.

You’ll find the town alive with visitors and visiting authors, and the added buzz that comes with bringing the arts to the people.

Good to know


The red and white tower of Gribbin Daymark, and the lush green coast near Fowey, with the Gribbin Daymark in the distance.

Gribbin Daymark and Gribbin Head Walk

Here’s where our things to do in Fowey move beyond the usual visitor hotspots.

Standing at a towering 26 metres, the Gribbin Daymark looks like a lighthouse, minus the light. It was built to help mariners distinguish Gribbin Head from Dodman Point and St Anthony’s Head in Falmouth.

It is now owned, along with the headland, by the National Trust. It is sometimes open to the public – anyone who’s brave, and nimble, enough to take on the 85 slate steps followed by a short ladder to the top!

Gribbin Daymark is one of the highlights of the Gribbin Daymark and Gribbin Head Walk which takes in a variety of coastal scenery, much of which was inspiration for Daphne Du Maurier.

Good to know


A barn owl flying against a dark background.

Bird Lady of Fowey

Getting up close and personal with birds of prey is one of the more unusual things to do in Fowey. Book on to one of Sarah Worne’s handling and flying experience sessions for a memorable couple of hours in the presence of these majestic birds.

Her menagerie of feathered friends includes eight owls and two hawks. The experiences take place on Lescrow Farm, just to the north of Fowey.

Good to know

  • Location: Lescrow Farm, Passage Lane, Fowey PL23 1JS
  • Booking: At least 24 hours in advance via the Bird Lady of Fowey website
  • Price: Experiences start from £60 for two people

A child smiling as he swims in shallow water, and Whitehouse Pool in Fowey, full of sea water.

Whitehouse Pool

One of Fowey’s best kept secrets … It’s a long, hot summer day, you’re feeling the heat, and the only thing that will satiate you is a refreshing dip. Take a gentle stroll down the Esplanade, turn towards the estuary as if heading for the ferry to Polruan, glance right and an oasis will come into view.

Whitehouse Pool is a well-kept sea pool. Free to enter, it is refreshed at high tide and accessible only when the tide recedes. It’s a hit with families, as the water is shallow, there’s Red Rocket Café for refreshments, and benches to admire the view (and supervise the kids).

Good to know


A family running through an autumnal woodland.

Station Woods

Little known to visitors, Station Woods is a tranquil, green idyll – a sanctuary away from the buzz of the town. It sprawls just beyond the Fowey slipway for the Bodinnick ferry – 30 acres of meadow and woodland offering a peaceful escape just a short hop, skip and jump from the town centre.

It provides a cool sanctuary on a summer day, with views of the river and a variety of flora and fauna to spot.

Good to know


Cider being poured into a glass with apples in the background, and the ruins of a block house tower in Fowey, at the foot of the steep valley covered in houses.

Lesser-known attractions in Fowey

If you really want to stray off the beaten track, the following things to do in Fowey are discovered only by the wiliest of visitors.

More things to do in Fowey

  • Fowey Valley Cidery – take a tour, book a cider making course, or stock up on supplies of the liquid gold
  • The Block House – one of a pair of towers either side of the river, which would have raised defensive chains to block ships
  • Whitehouse Beach – a sheltered beach, easily accessible from town, off the Esplanade
  • Coombe Hawne Beach – a small, dog-friendly, shingle beach, accessible at low tide via a 1-mile coast-path walk from Fowey
  • Fowey Old Grammar School Garden – a pretty, planted garden open to the public along Fowey’s Esplanade, with arguably the best estuary view in town
  • Children’s play area – an outdoor public playground at the edge of Squire’s Field
  • Heather Hunt Pottery – a gallery which offers pottery lessons
  • Fowey Royal Regatta – an annual sailing event in the third week of August
  • Woody’s Bike Park – downhill and freeride bike trails
  • Castle Dore – the remains of an Iron Age hill fort with links to the legend of Tristan and Iseult

Stay with us in Fowey

Fowey is one of the best places to stay in Cornwall if you’re looking for that heady blend of salty sea air, majestic views, laid-back living and Cornish coastal charm.

Our cute and quirky or sleek and salubrious cottages in Fowey put you at the heart of the action (or inaction, if you prefer). Discover our collection of Fowey cottages below.

Fowey holiday cottages

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.