Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Overview
Fowey has earned its living from the sea for over a thousand years. On this self guided audio tour, you’ll discover how this Cornish harbour town prospered through trade, survived brutal attacks, and developed a talent for brandy smuggling. The tour starts at the Bodinnick Ferry near Caffa Mill Car Park, where China clay was loaded onto ships bound for the world. You’ll walk along Fore Street’s historic merchant quarter, and along the Town Quay where deep water still allows cruise ships to anchor. Along the way, you’ll find out how the River Fowey connected inland Cornwall to global trade routes, and why controlling this waterway meant controlling wealth and power. The tour ends at St Catherine’s Castle, a fortress built by Henry VIII to ensure this strategic harbour would never fall again.
What's included
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
App for Android and iOS
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
What to expect
Pass by
Begin at Cornwall Seafari near the Bodinnick Ferry, where the historic Caffa Mill once stood loading China clay onto ships. This deep-water harbour connected inland Cornwall to global trade routes for centuries.
Rnli Fowey Lifeboat Station
Pass by
Pass the RNLI Fowey Lifeboat Station, home to volunteer crews who respond to emergencies in these challenging waters. Hear how these lifesavers navigate the deceptive currents and rocks that have claimed countless vessels.
St Fimbarrus Church
Pass by
Admire the medieval St Fimbarrus Church with its distinctive tower that once guided sailors safely home. Explore this historic parish church where generations of seafarers and merchants worshipped.
Pass by
Stroll along Fowey Town Quay, where deep water still allows modern cruise ships to anchor in the harbour. Walk the same waterfront where medieval merchants loaded wool and tin onto vessels bound for Europe.
Pass by
Walk past Albert Quay, the site where Crown authority and customs control shaped the town's maritime commerce. Discover how this strategic location gave the government power over Fowey's lucrative trade routes.
Pass by
Reach Whitehouse Quay, where river crossings connected communities and where soldiers prepared for war. Learn how American forces gathered here during secret D-Day preparations in World War II.
Readymoney Cove
Pass by
Explore Readymoney Cove, the sheltered beach where writer Daphne du Maurier lived during the Second World War. Enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery that inspired her stories and novels about Cornwall.
St Catherine's Castle
Pass by
Conclude at St Catherine's Castle, the fortress built by Henry VIII after the devastating 1457 French raid. Marvel at this strategic Tudor fortification designed to ensure Fowey's harbour would never fall to invaders again.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
This tour starts at Cornwall Seafari. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
End point
This tour ends at St Catherines Castle
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
