Making the most of Fowey
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Fowey is a scenic, sheltered anchorage, with the tender journey to Albert Quay in the town centre taking only minutes.
Large ships make a striking sight as they pass through the narrow harbour entrance, turn mid-river and are pulled upstream towards their moorings. A natural bend conceals the commercial jetties.
Larger vessels remain at anchor beyond the estuary.
The anchorage occupies a picture-postcard setting.
Fowey combines strong Celtic links and maritime heritage with many excellent gardens within 30 minutes' drive. The remarkable Eden Project is only 16kms away, while scenery, shopping and numerous excursion choices give the town broad appeal for cruise passengers.
Getting around
Central Fowey is straightforward to explore on foot. Most shops and many town sights line what is essentially a single street running parallel with the River Fowey.
A small ferry runs continuously across the river to Polruan, making it an enjoyable addition to a day in Fowey. Polruan has no single "must-see" attraction, but its lanes are interesting to wander despite several steep hills, and it offers superb views over Fowey and the river and harbour without consuming much time ashore.
Nearby places
Cornwall's Eden Project occupies a former clay mine transformed into a rich international garden, where visitors can discover nature and find inspiration in the world around them.
Food and shopping
Fowey's usual retail hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm, and every shop is within easy walking distance of the tender landing at Albert Quay.
Local purchases and specialities include Cornish pasties, Cornish cream teas, antiques and fresh fish.
Money
The pound (£) is used throughout the UK and may be informally called quid. Scottish banknotes can be frowned upon elsewhere in the UK, so exchange them before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines, or ATMs, are widespread and sometimes called 'holes in the wall'; they generally issue £10 and £20 notes.
Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are taken by most restaurants and shops.
Staying connected
English is used throughout the country, though accents may sometimes be strong.
Most cafés and restaurants provide free WiFi.
For a local emergency, call 999; the EU-wide number 112 is also available.
Opening Hours and
General retail hours are as follows:
Small shops operate 6 or 7 days per week, commonly from 10am - 6pm. Larger stores usually remain open until 9PM, while hypermarkets often trade 24/7.