Useful Information on Fowey for your Stay
Local Food Shops
‘Shipmates along Esplanade is the closest shop and provides a selection of food, wine, spirits and newspapers. It is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm. It is a small shop so the range of food products is limited but is surprisingly capable of supplying last-minute essentials. There is a Spar minimarket in Fowey along the high street close to Albert Quay. This is not large but does provide a good range of items. Richard’s Green Grocer and Fishmonger 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!
A new Co-op has recently opened on the right of the road just as you drive into Fowey. This is a mid-size supermarket at normal prices.
The main supermarkets can be found in St Austell. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose do home deliveries to Fowey. Also, Par Market offers a good range of food produce on Wed, Sat and Sunday.
Richard’s also has a shop in Par and offers an excellent range of vegetables and fruit and has a fresh fish counter.
Meat can be purchased from Richard’s in Fowey or Kittow’s in St Austell. 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.
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. Located on Fore Street next to Boots the chemist. 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 beachside 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.
Samphire (The Old Quay House Hotel)
A little more sophisticated – this is a new Cornish Coastal Kitchen offering a more upmarket menu. This has a lovely terrace right on the water’s edge. Opening hours are 8am -10.30 am for Breakfast (Mon-Sun). Lunch 12pm-2.30pm (Thurs- Sat). Sun 12pm – 5pm. Dinner 5.30pm-9pm (Thurs – Sat). It is a little strange that all afternoon dining/drinks are not offered, 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 coffee on the Town Quay. It is open for breakfast in the summer. (01726 834591)
Brown Sugar
Another good option for breakfast, sandwiches or a lighter lunch is located in Trafalgar Square opposite Richard’s.
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. (The shop is transferring management, so the opening times may be different)
North St Kitchen
Located at the opposite end of the town in North Street by Albert Quay; offers a casual but delicious lunchtime and evening menu in an open double garage with communal tables and a bohemian atmosphere. A must for lunchtime! Currently open from 12 to 3 pm and 5 to 9 pm. No booking is possible at lunchtime but can be booked for dinner. 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. Situated at the very bottom of Lostwithial Street.
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.
Captain Hanks
A delightful street food offering with a drinks licence located next to the quay at Albert Quay. Delicious crab sandwiches and hallumi fries (other seafood items are available), all served from a VW camper van. Well worth a visit.
Red Rocket
A new addition to Fowey set by the beach and the new seawater paddling pool at Whitehouse Bay off the Esplanade. It is directly under the main Fowey harbour navigation light that looks like a red rocket. – The Polruan ferry (summer only) and Megavissy Ferry leave from this quay – The cafe serves Breakfast rolls, Pasties, Sandwiches and hot and cold drinks. It only opens if weather is clement as all seating is outside and some over the sea! We like it a lot. It is also about the last place in Fowey that gets the late afternoon sun – great fo for an early evening glass of wine.
Nala by Charlie Walters
A recently opened, more expensive restaurant, with an owner/chef who reached the finals of Masterchef – The Professionals, is located on Fore Street opposite Sam’s. The food is very good but do not go if you are hungry.
PUBS
The King of Prussia – Located on Town Quay in Fowey. The restaurant/pub has been converted back into a bar with food and accommodation. The food is very good. The owner, Theresa, is a friend of Marners Rock, so do mention that you are staying with us.
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. Has live music most Saturday nights.
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 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 New Inn – also in Tywardreath – is a great pub that unusually serves Bass
The Fisherman’s Arms – at Golant, right by the waters edge. Charming pub with excellent views across the river and great food. Holds a beer and Gin festival in August. Can be accessed by boat, car or a nice walk from Fowey.
The Ship Inn – Lerryn. Located next to the river and by the bridge, a great location. Can be reached by boat (only for an hour at high tide) or by car.
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, 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
The beach is at the end of the Esplanade/ Tower Park down Readymoney Rd, just a short distance from Marners Rock No.3, and about 15 mins walk from Marners Rock Nos. 1&2. So good for an early morning dip, you can easily come back home for a shower after your swim. 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 on foot, either from Coombe Farm car park and down the hill or along the coastal path from Readymoney Beach. It is about a 40-minute walk from Readymoney but worth the walk. In high season, there is an honesty box – supplying cold drinks and ice cream.
The picture above the bed in the Master Bedroom of Marners Rock No.3 is of Polridmouth Beach and was painted by a friend.
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, The Rashleigh Inn and Sam’s Beach bistro. Some sporting equipment rental (body boards, kayaks) is available in peak summer months for the more sporty visitors but equally popular with families with young children. Sometimes there is a mobile wood-fired sauna.
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 all year round.
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 from Fowey. It can be accessed only on foot and the path is quite steep but worth the visit. There is a car park on the road above the beach.
Ferries & Boat Hire
If you are an eager fisherman, there are plenty of fish in Fowey Harbour. There are some rules regarding the fishing of sea bass, so please Google the rules regarding fishing in 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 or even Lerryn. There is lots to see and there are two nice pubs upriver – The Fisherman’s Arms at Golant and the Ship Inn at Lerryn but you need to know the tide times to work out when it is best to 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. The Polruan Ferry operates from Whitehouse Quay (off the Esplanade and next to the Red Rocket) in the summer months and from the Town Quay during the low 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 Minor Injuries Unit at the St Austell Community Hospital on Porthpean Road, PL26 6AA– 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 cashpoint is in Trafalgar Sq 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 website 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.