Holiday rentals and lettings in Fowey

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Fowey?
• Holiday rentals in Fowey: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Fowey: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Fowey?

• Cosy coastal cottages: Most Fowey holiday rentals are charming self-catering cottages near the estuary, with plenty of choices for families, couples and groups.
• Where to stay: Base yourself around the Esplanade, Polruan or nearby Polperro for harbour views, walking trails and easy access to the South West Coast Path.
• Highly rated by guests: Fowey properties are praised for their estuary views, comfort and welcoming hosts.
• Best time to visit: Summer brings yachts and warm seas, whilst spring and autumn offer quieter trails and lower rates.
• Things to do: Walk the coast path, ride the Polruan ferry, explore St Catherine's Castle and discover Daphne du Maurier's literary connections.

Fowey's holiday rentals are mostly delightful self-catering cottages tucked into the steep streets above the estuary, with snug boltholes for couples and roomier homes for families. You will find traditional holiday cottages in Fowey with private gardens, spacious holiday homes in Fowey for larger groups, and plenty of dog-friendly cottages in Fowey so the whole family can come along. Most properties come well equipped with sought-after comforts.

• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Private gardens and sunny balconies
• Pet-friendly options
• Fully-equipped kitchens
• Parking or nearby car parks

These thoughtful touches make a Fowey holiday let feel like a genuine home from home.

What are the best areas to stay in Fowey?

The best place to stay is around Fowey's Esplanade, where narrow streets and estuary views put you within easy reach of the harbour and the coast path. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Fowey consistently earns glowing feedback from holidaymakers, who rave about the estuary views, the comfortable, well-kept cottages and the warm welcome from local hosts, as well as the easy access to beaches, the harbour and the coast path right from the doorstep.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Cottage for 5 people, with yard - 10.0: A spacious cottage in Polperro, sleeping five and complete with its own yard. Guests praise the comfortable rooms, peaceful setting and easy reach of the harbour.
2. Cottage for 4 people, with yard, with pets - 10.0: A welcoming pet-friendly cottage near the Fowey estuary with a private yard, ideal for families travelling with dogs who want comfort close to the coast path.
3. Holiday apartment for 4 people, with balcony - 9.9+: A stylish apartment near Fowey with a balcony over the water, praised for its light-filled rooms, central location and superb estuary views.

Fowey is a historic harbour town on the south coast of Cornwall, set on the western bank of the Fowey Estuary where the River Fowey, rising on Bodmin Moor, finally meets the English Channel.

✈️What is the best way to get to Fowey?

Fowey sits in a fairly remote corner of south Cornwall, so most visitors arrive by car or take the train to a nearby station. Here are the most common ways to get to the town:

• Car: The most flexible option is to drive. From the M5 motorway near Exeter, join the A30 across Cornwall, then follow the A390 and B3269 down towards Fowey. The town's narrow streets have very limited parking, so most visitors leave the car at the main car park at the top of the town and walk down. Allow around two hours from Exeter.
• Train: The nearest railway stations are Par and Lostwithiel, both a short taxi or bus ride from Fowey, on the main line between London Paddington and Penzance. From Par, a branch line also runs towards Newquay. Travelling by train from London takes roughly four to five hours, with a change typically at Plymouth or Par.
• Coach: National Express coaches serve St Austell, around eight miles away, from many UK cities. From there, a local bus or short taxi ride completes the journey into Fowey.

🥗Where to eat in Fowey?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Fitzroy is among the best-rated restaurants in Fowey. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated places hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Lucy and Sam recommend the Lifebuoy Café in Fowey: a friendly, family-run spot near the quay serving generous breakfasts and proper Cornish cream teas, perfect after an early-morning walk along the Esplanade.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Fowey is from late May to September, when the estuary fills with yachts, the sea is warm enough for swimming and the coastal trails are at their finest. For quieter walks and lower rates, the spring and autumn shoulder seasons are ideal, whilst winter brings a dramatic, blustery charm all of its own.

Summer

• Best for: Sailing, swimming and the lively Fowey Royal Regatta in August.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with long days and sea temperatures at their most inviting.
• Atmosphere: Buzzing and busy, with the harbour full of yachts and the town at its liveliest.

Spring

• Best for: Coastal walks, gardens in bloom and peaceful days on the trails.
• Weather: Mild and fresh, with wildflowers lining the South West Coast Path.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and uncrowded, ideal for a quieter escape before the summer rush.

Autumn

• Best for: Walking, photography and cosy evenings by the fire.
• Weather: Cooler and changeable, with golden light and dramatic skies over the estuary.
• Atmosphere: Calm and atmospheric, with lower prices and the trails largely to yourself.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Fowey local experts, the team behind Cottage for 4 people, with yard, recommend walking up to St Catherine's Castle at golden hour for sweeping views across the harbour mouth, then hopping on the Polruan ferry for fish and chips on the far bank. You can read more local tips on their page.

1. Walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path
2. Relax on Polkerris Beach
3. Explore St Catherine's Castle
4. Step into Daphne du Maurier's Fowey at the museum
5. Ride the Polruan ferry across the estuary

1. Walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path

   No visit to Fowey is complete without setting out on the South West Coast Path, the national trail that hugs the cliffs of England's south-west peninsula. From the town you can stroll west to Readymoney Cove and Gribbin Head, or catch the ferry to Polruan and walk the wilder eastern shore. The trail offers sweeping sea views, hidden coves and clifftop wildflowers.

2. Relax on Polkerris Beach

   A ten-minute drive from Fowey, Polkerris Beach sits in a sheltered bay closed off by an old stone breakwater. The water quality is rated excellent, making it a favourite with families who come to swim, rock pool and build sandcastles. There is a watersports centre offering sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking, plus a welcoming beachside pub for a lazy lunch.

3. Explore St Catherine's Castle

   Perched on the cliffs at the mouth of the harbour, St Catherine's Castle is a small artillery fort built around 1540 on the orders of Henry VIII to defend Fowey against invasion from France. The short uphill walk from Readymoney Cove is well worth it for the commanding views over the estuary and out to sea. Entry is free.

4. Step into Daphne du Maurier's Fowey at the museum

   Housed in a 15th-century building on Trafalgar Square, the Fowey Museum is packed with model ships, shipyard tools and maritime photographs that tell the story of this seafaring town. It also celebrates famous locals, above all the author Daphne du Maurier, who set much of her work along this coast. Fowey hosts an annual festival in her honour each May.

5. Ride the Polruan ferry across the estuary

   Running every day except Christmas Day, the Polruan ferry is a much-loved part of Fowey life and even forms part of the coast path itself. The short crossing takes you from Town Quay or Whitehouse Quay over to the quieter village of Polruan, with its steep lanes, harbour and clifftop walks. Boats run every ten to fifteen minutes until the evening.