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In and around Fowey
Things to do during your stay
It's worth spending at least a day in Fowey, whether wandering around the ancient streets and exploring the shops, restaurants or pubs, taking a walk to Readymoney beach, St. Catherine's castle & further along the coastline, or catching the ferries to Polruan or Boddinnick so you can gaze at the beauty of Fowey from another angle. However it is also a good base for exploring other local areas in South Cornwall.
Regular events
Check out our regular rum & gin offers.
Bands on certain Fridays check our Facebook for more details.
Coming up..
31st May - VrV from 9.30ish - late
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with our planned events, and current offers and promotions.
Cornwall is famous for its rugged coastlines, sheltered coves and bleak misty moors, the muse for many a classic author such as Daphne DuMaurier. But that is only scratching the surface, from the world famous Eden Project to stately homes such as Lanhydrock, Cornwall has much to offer, and lots within easy reach of Fowey.
Below are just a few of our favourite days out, for more ideas please see the Visit Cornwall website.
Welcome to Fowey
When visiting Fowey, you are surrounded by a host of attractions to expand your knowledge and keep you entertained.
Right here in town, there is the aquarium, museum and St Catherine's Castle, whilst not far away there is a host of gardens, stately homes and other varied attractions for people of all ages.
Below are just a few of our favourite things to do in the area, for more ideas please see the Fowey Tourist Information website.
Useful Links
Fowey Harbour - Tide Times and Harbour Safety
Fowey Tourist Information
Weather Forecast
The Eden Project
The internationally renowned Eden Project is about 10 miles away, and can be easily reached by car within around 20 minutes.
Situated in an old China Clay pit, the enormous "Biomes" themselves are a wondrous sight, and the collections of plants from every corner of the World enable the visitor to experience life in the rain forests and the Mediterranean in the space of a few hours.
Truro
Truro's heritage is evident in historic architecture, delightful parks and public spaces but at the same time is contemporary, quirky and unique - always welcoming and often surprising. Here vibrant, local independent shops and market traders rub shoulders with the usual national retailers in an ecletic mix with a creative vibe. Truro has a criss-cross of cobbled roads, browsable streets and magical mews, always rewarding for the curious and quiet joy for the unhurried.
The hugely engaging museum is but a stone's throw from the Hall for Cornwall - the county's entertainment hub.
As well as a much loved independent four screen cinema and a growing band of art galleries, rising above it all, is the iconic architecture of our cathedral's three spires.
Truro regularly comes near the top of the UK's most desirable places to live and that makes it a brilliant place to visit too. Like others who "never knew it was there" you will be surprised and delighted and like all the rest you'll want to stay longer.
St Austell
This ancient market town is only a 20 minutes drive from The Galleon Inn. St Austell itself is a meeting point of old and new Cornwall, of ancient, narrow streets and smart pedestrian precincts with fine shops.
Taste the fine local beers produced at the St Austell Brewery on one of their special tours.
Venture out into the crazy lunar-style landscape of the China Clay works behind the town and picture James Bond and Dr Who's appearances here. Find out more about it at the fascinating Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum.
St Michael’s Mount
Open the doors to an ancient castle and a much loved family home. Together, the St Aubyn family and the National Trust care for the Mount's rich historic legacy and ensure it is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
An ancient castle fortress, sloping subtropical gardens, sweeping lawns, and a harbour village. What will you discover first?
Our gardens, castle, lawns and village all provide perfect scope for the imagination – shaped and weathered over centuries, this extraordinary place is waiting to be explored.
A little further afield at over an hour's drive, this is one for a day trip out to fully appreciate everything the estate has to offer.
Newquay
The fashionable resort of Newquay, with its fantastic beaches and bustling nightlife, can be reached in under an hour by car.
From the Aquarium and zoo to exciting adventure playgrounds, Newquay boasts a world of family attractions away from its beaches. There is plenty of other family fun when you've had enough of sandcastles and ice cream.
Come face to face with reef sharks in the underwater tunnel at the Blue Reef Aquarium, make a splash in the tropics of The Oasis Fun Pool or Waterworld at Trenance Leisure Park.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan at Pentewan near the picturesque fishing port of Mevagissey are approximately 14 miles from the Galleon and can be reached easily by car in approximately 30 minutes. We would recommend that you allow at least half a day for your visit.
Rediscovered in 1990 after slumbering for over 70 years, Heligan has been restored to its former glory and is now one of Cornwall's best gardens.
Other gardens in the area:
Pine Lodge Gardens, St Austell
Marsh Villa Gardens, Par
Trewithien Gardens, Truro
Hidden Valley Gardens, Tresmill, Par
Fowey Valley
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when we make our wonderful Fowey Valley products?
If you'd like an insight into how we make everything, here's your chance to find out!
Join us at our Lostwithiel Cidery and Distillery for a free one hour morning guided tour, led by our very own master cider maker Barrie, and his assistant Sarah.
The tour will finish up with tastings of our products, a Q&A, and the opportunity to purchase anything from Fowey Valley at a discounted price.
If you can't find a time that suits you, please visit the shop and we'll see if someone is available to let you have a glimpse behind the scenes.
The Spa at the Fowey Hall Hotel
Immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings of the spa and enjoy a relaxing treatment.
Bring harmony to your mind and body and stimulate your senses. It's the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and indulge your mind, body and soul. Spa treatments are available Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
Fowey Aquarium
The Aquarium is situated on the historic Fowey Town Quay and gives a fascinating glimpse into the marine life found around the Cornish coast.
Although the aquarium is small in size, our visitors are constantly amazed by the variety of marine creatures on display.
In addition to a wide range of fish from the tiny gobies and shannies from the shallows up to Conger eels which inhabit deep wrecks, there are various types of crabs and lobsters lurking in the corners!
Children will especially enjoy the touch pool where they can pick up a shore crab or have their fingers tickled by prawns.
St Catherine's Castle
St Catherine's Castle is one of a pair of small artillery forts built by Henry VIII in the 1530s to defend Fowey Harbour. It was modified in the 19th century during the Crimean War and again during the Second World War, when it became home to an anti-aircraft gun and an ammunition store.
St Catherine’s Castle takes its name from the rocky headland on which it stands. Its position, high above the entrance to the Fowey estuary, is spectacular: from the terrace there are superb views across the attractive town and harbour.
The fort consists of a single D-shaped tower looking south-east from the tip of the headland, from which two sections of curtain wall, pierced by musketry slits, extend downslope to the north-east and south-west.
A bastion projects outwards from the north-east stretch of wall and there is a wide gateway near its north-east end. Both stretches of wall terminate in precipitous cliffs, cutting off a near semicircular area at the end of the headland.
The tower is two storeys high, with walls up to 4 feet 6 inches (1.35 metres) thick. There are two rows of gunports, which cover both the approaches to the estuary and the harbour itself. These gunports have been modified over the years but were originally intended for cannon mounted on flat boards, rather than on wheels.
On the ground floor there are three gunports and a tall, narrow fireplace. At first-floor level there are five narrow windows, which would have been useful as lookout and small arms positions. The one above the entrance is largely blocked, and has a brick oven built into it, now also blocked. There are two gunports at this level, one now blocked.
In one corner of the tower are the remains of a spiral staircase that gave access to the upper floor and roof, which was probably finished off by a parapet. There are no domestic quarters and it is unlikely that there was ever a permanent garrison stationed here.
Boat Trips
Cornwall's favourite south coast ferry journey
Combine a visit to two of Cornwall’s most picturesque and contrasting ports with a return ferry trip across St Austell Bay between Fowey and Mevagissey.