A delightful town has become a magnet for tourists seeking the charm of British life, yet they often stumble over its name. Nestled near Plymouth, surrounded by picturesque towns and villages perfect for day trips, lies the adorable Cornish seaside town of Fowey. In 2023, it made headlines when it hosted a colossal cruise ship, as lengthy as 22 London buses. And last year, it was been hailed as a top destination thanks to its enchanting buildings, winding streets and an array of unique shops and galleries. Fowey is proud of its stunning harbour, which opens out into the English Channel, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush woodlands.
However, visitors frequently mispronounce its name, which locals will quickly correct as 'Foy', rhyming with 'joy', not 'foe'. The area is dotted with properties considered "second homes" for those living elsewhere. The Sunday Times reported that this demand once drove house prices up by more than £100,000 in just a year. In a bid to preserve community spirit, Fowey residents voted in 2020 to restrict new houses from being sold as second homes, ensuring owners use them as their primary residence in a quaint twist of local policy.
One smitten visitor said: "We found this little gem it is so beautiful there, and all the shops, it's much bigger than you think , and can be hard on the walking, but people were lovely. but be careful as cars come up and down a very small street, but if you want to see beauty go their. So glad we did not miss it.". Another tourist was equally effusive, enthusing: "Beautiful place to go and soak up the scenery. There are a few pubs, cafes and bakeries to try and also some great shops to find some unique items with Cornish charm.".
A third chimed in: "There are lovely streets with quaint shops enabling you to just meander down to the estuary. But you just have to buy some delicious Cornish pasties too.". For those travelling from Plymouth, Fowey is easily reachable by train and bus. You can hop on a train from Plymouth Railway Station heading towards Penzance, alight at Par, then take a short four-minute walk to the bus stop at Par Railway Station.
.jpeg?auto=webp&width=800)
