Useful Information on Fowey for your Stay
Local Shops
Shipmates along Esplanade is the closest shop and provides a good selection of food, wine, spirits and newspapers. It is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm. It is not a supermarket so the range of food products is limited but surprisingly capable of supplying last-minute essentials. There is a Spar supermarket in Fowey along the high street close to Albert Quay. This is again a small supermarket but does provide a good range of items. Kittows is a delicatessen located near the main church in Fowey and this provides fresh meat, seafood, cheese, pasties and a range of fresh vegetables and delicacies!
Main supermarkets can be found in St Austell and Par Market offers a good range of food produce on Wed, Sat and Sunday. Tesco and Waitrose do home deliveries to Fowey.
Richard’s in Par offers an excellent range of vegetables and fruit and has a fresh fish counter.
Meat can be purchased from Kittow’s in Fowey or Kittow’s in St Austell (A different business to the Fowey Kittow’s). Alternatively, there is a very highly recommended butcher in Tywarthdreath Charles Harris. Tel 01726 812393. This is just outside Par so only a 10-minute drive.
Food, Restaurants and Pubs
The area of Fowey offers some great places to eat for all budgets. In the last few years, 4 new restaurants have opened up providing an increasingly sophisticated choice of venues for lunch and dinner. You will not be disappointed by the choice on offer and the quality of the cooking! Some restaurants vary their opening times at different times of the year so please look on their websites or check their doors when wandering through Fowey.
In the high season or on special events it can be difficult to find a restaurant with an available table so please do take time to make some bookings either prior to your visit or as soon as you arrive to avoid disappointment.
In no particular order:
Fowey Harbour Hotel
This is the closest restaurant/bar to Marners Rock No.3 and is within a few minutes’ stroll from the apartment. The view from the bar is nearly as good as the one from the flat. Occasionally the hotel has Happy Hour promotions. A nice place for lunch or dinner but unless you are looking for bar food we would advise booking in advance.
Fowey Hall Hotel
This is located at the top of the town close to the main car park as you enter Fowey. It has recently changed hands and has undergone an extensive refurbishment. Lunch and dinner are normally reservable. The food is delicious, the best fish and chips we have had in Cornwall. It is worth persevering for an evening booking – it all rather depends on how busy the hotel is!
Sam’s
With a very laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, Sam’s offers an excellent range of burgers and fresh fish dishes. Very reasonably priced it is one of the few places in Fowey that is open all day from noon. (01726 832273)
There is also ‘Sam’s on the Beach’ at Polkerris Beach ( 01726 812255) which also offers freshly made pizzas and beach side dining. Booking is advisable at both restaurants.
Sunny Spice
Is a very good Indian restaurant and takeaway located on Fore Street opposite Albert Quay. Open every day from 5 pm to 9.30 pm except Friday and Saturday when it stays open until 10 pm. (01726 833594) and sunnyspice.com.
The Dwelling House
A fairly odd restaurant as the decor of the eating spaces is what you would expect in a normal house e.g. sitting and dining rooms. The food is Asian and English fusion and delicious with a Tapas style (small plates). Well worth a visit.
The Old Quay House
A little more sophisticated – this is a hotel with a restaurant offering a more upmarket menu. This has a lovely terrace right on the water’s edge. Opening hours are a little strange such that all afternoon dining/drinks are not permissible which in our opinion is a desperate waste of a fantastic venue. (01726 833302)
Haveners
A bar and grill offering all-day bistro-type fare and coffees. It is open for breakfast in the summer. (01726 834591)
Brown Sugar
Another good option for breakfast, sandwiches or a lighter lunch when eating in has recommenced.
Fowey Fish and Chips
Standard takeaway fish and chip shop serving the normal items. It is located on Webb Street just off Town Quay. Open every day except Mondays, from Midday to 8 pm.
Fitzroy’s
A fantastic new addition to Fowey this restaurant offers an eclectic menu to test any discerning diner! Opening varies during the season with pop-ups only available in the winter/autumn months. To find out about their various pop-up events please contact them by email at gralefritrestaurant@gmail.com.
North St Kitchen
A recently opened offshoot of Fitzroys at the opposite end of the town in North Street offers a casual but delicious lunchtime menu in an open double garage with communal tables and a bohemian atmosphere. A must for lunchtime! Currently open from 12 to 3 pm. No booking is possible. Primarily fish dishes!
Bufala
A popular pizza restaurant open from Wednesday to Sunday during low/mid season and open every day in high season with a lovely wine list and an open terrace looking over the estuary to the rear – a lovely place to while away the afternoon sipping Italian wines
Pinxo
A small but atmospheric tapas restaurant offering a delicious selection of small bites and outstanding Spanish wines. This place does not offer coffee! To be found in an old garage along the Esplanade – an excellent stopping point after a long walk along the coast. Open Wednesday to Sunday during the low season and every day during the high season. Hours of opening can vary during low season.
The King (was the King Of Prussia)
Located on Town Quay in Fowey. The pub has been converted into a restaurant with a bar and accommodation. The food is very good but a little pricy. The owner – Theresa is a friend of Marners Rock so do mention that you are staying with us.
PUBS
The Ship Inn –Trafalgar Square (bottom of Lostwithiel Street) – The oldest pub in Fowey with a great atmosphere. Quiz night most Sundays at 7 pm.
The Safe Harbour – Lostwithiel Street – head up past the church and you will find the pub halfway up the hill.
The Galleon – Just off Town Quay.
The Lugger – Fowey – Fore Street near Town Quay.
The Lugger – Polruan – Catch the ferry from the Quay to Polruan but be sure to know the time of the last ferry if you go for dinner. Great local seafood, burgers, beer and cider. (01726 870007)
The Royal British Legion – Town Quay. Beer is cheap – £3 a pint. It is members only but at the moment you can pay for a temporary membership as you buy your drinks.
The Crown Inn Lanlivery
This popular foodie pub, serving a range of fresh local produce, is just half a mile from Two Meadows 01726 872707. Seats in the main bars are very narrow.
The Rashleigh Inn – at Polkerris Beach. It has a car park near the beach for customers.
The Strand Bistro – in Tywardreath.
Hailed by many as a “hidden gem” this little restaurant is a true find – good food at very reasonable prices (01726 817360)
The Brittanna Inn & Wave Restaurant – Tregerehan
Popular with visitors to the area and residents alike, this Inn is known for its carvery – you will definitely need to book here! (01726 812889)
THE Longshore – Charlestown
Charlestown, just near Par/St Austell, is worth a journey a very pretty seaside village with several touristy shops and also a very nice industrial-style bistro/wine bar. (01726 68598)
Beaches
Readymoney Beach
This is the closest beach to the apartment, a short stroll along the road. So good for an early morning dip, you can easily come back home for a shower after. This is a small beach with a rather quaint castellated building housing a beach shop offering a small range of beach toys, coffees and ice cream. There is a public WC adjacent to the shop. Dogs are not permitted on the beach between 10 am and 6 pm at certain times of the year – please observe the signs.
There are a few quieter beaches further along the coast if you head up towards St Catherine’s Castle and keep walking. Not for the faint-hearted but a lovely walk and quieter/prettier beaches particularly Polridmouth Beach. This is a larger beach but can only be accessed by foot either from Coombe Farm car park and down the hill or along the coastal path from Readymoney Beach. About 40 mins walk from Readymoney but worth the walk. In high season there is an honesty box/supply of cold drinks and ice cream.
The picture above the bed in the Master Bedroom was painted by a friend and is of Polridmouth Beach.
Polkerris Beach
This beach is a short drive out of Fowey down a very steep and narrow road with a parking area just up the hill from the beach. It is a medium-sized sandy cove with a small village shop, pub and Sam’s Beach bistro. Some equipment rental is available in peak summer months for the more sporty visitors but equally popular with families with young children.
Par Beach
This beach is sandy and safe, as the water is shallow for a long distance. There is parking and public WC’s just beyond the beach, and a shop/café and pub nearby. Par Beach is not lifeguarded, and dogs are permitted on the beach throughout the year.
Porthpean Beach
This beach is sandy with a slipway and is therefore popular with families and people wanting to launch watercraft. The beach has one small car park and WC’s nearby. Dogs again are banned on the beach between Easter Day and 1st October each year.
Lantic Bay
This beach is located on the other side of Polruan. It can be accessed only by foot and we are advised the path is quite steep but worth the visit.
Ferries & Boat Hire
If you are an eager fisherman there is plenty of fish in Fowey Harbour. There are some rules regarding the fishing of sea bass so please google the rules regarding Fowey Harbour. Boat hire is possible from the Town Quay or alternatively and for a better price please call Maurice Hunkin on 01726832001 or 07792289990.
Even if you don’t want to fish, it is lovely to wrap up warm, take a picnic and take the boat upstream to Golant. There is lots to see and there is a nice pub called The Fisherman’s Arms but you need to know the tide times to work out when it is best to try and go upstream. Maurice Hunkin will advise you.
Ferry to Mevagissey and Polruan
Walking into town you will see signs for the ferries. Polruan ferries operate all year round but Mevagissey ferries only operate during high season. Please be aware of the last ferry times if you decide to go over to Polruan as it is a long taxi ride back if you miss the last ferry.
Medical and other useful info
Doctors Surgery
The nearest doctor’s surgery is Rawlings Lane, Fowey PL23 1DT
Tel 0844 499 2767
Veterinary Surgery – Pelyn (nr Lostwithiel)
Tel 01208 872254
Hospital
The nearest hospital is Fowey Hospital, Park Road, Fowey PL23 1EE
The hospital has no A & E and has been downgraded so has very limited facilities.
There is a Small Injuries Clinic in St Austell – 01726 873000
Royal Cornwall Hospital, also known as Treliske Hospital – in Truro is the main hospital in Cornwall with a 24-hour A&E unit, maternity department and paediatric department as well as intensive care provision and operating theatres. Hopefully, you won’t need to visit but if you do the details are as follows: Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ. Tel 01872 2500000
999 is the number for all emergency services, including the coastguard (something to remember if you are by the sea!)
Pharmacy/Chemist
The nearest pharmacy is Boots in the centre of Fowey.
Cash Point
The nearest cash point is at Barclays in the centre of Fowey.
Lostwithiel
A short trip to Lostwithiel is a worthwhile journey if you enjoy browsing antique shops. A number of the items in the flat have been sourced from Lostwithiel. There is a monthly auction also in the town. Best to google for dates of the auctions.
Gin Making
If you fancy a spot of gin-making take a look at greencartfarm.co.uk/gin.distillery. We haven’t experienced it ourselves but it has been highly recommended to attend some of their gin-making masterclasses. Tel 07445932064
Walks
There are many fantastic walks around the coastal paths in and around Fowey and Polruan. The Hall Walk is one of our favourites. We have described a few of the walks on our Local Walks page
Spa
There is a SPA at Fowey Hall Hotel. It is permitted to reserve treatments if you are a non-resident but not to use the pool and hot tub. We would recommend you contact them prior to your visit to reserve any treatments. Tel. 01726 833866
Massage/Reflexology/Reiki
Although we have not tested her out a local lady – Katie Jones offers a mobile massage service. She is local in Fowey and should be contacted, particularly in high season prior to your visit. Mobile is 07779811520 / 01726983284
Adrenalin Quarry
For the more adventurous and those with teenage children, you might wish to take a look at the web site of Adrenalin Quarry (www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk) which is near Liskeard. It is not open every day but best to book in advance by contacting the office direct on 01579 308204.