Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.polkerrisbeach.com
)
A couple of miles west of Fowey, this is the area's largest and busiest
beach. It's especially popular for watersports: sailing lessons, windsurfing and paddle-
boarding are all on offer.
CHURCH
St Finbarrus Church
In the heart of town is the 15th-century church of St Finbarrus, which marks the southern
end of the Saints' Way, a 26-mile way-marked walking trail running all the way to Pad-
stow.
TRISTAN & ISOLDE
The oft-told legend of
Tristan and Isolde
is one of the oldest of Cornish stories (reimagined by everyone from
Béroul to Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wagner and Kneehigh Theatre), and has its legendary roots around Fowey. Ac-
cording to the story, the beautiful Irish maiden Iseult was betrothed to the Cornish King Mark, but fell in love
with one of his knights, Tristan, with predictably tragic consequences.
Just outside town is the site of the Iron Age hillfort of
Castle Dore
, supposedly the site of King Mark's fort-
ress, although little now remains save for a few raised banks. The
Tristan Stone
is another curiosity: standing by
the main road into Fowey, this granite block is inscribed with the legend
Drustanus Hic Iacit/Filius Cunomorus
(here lies Drustanus, son of Cunomorus), and supposedly marks the site where Tristan's body was buried. Uproar
ensued when the council recently announced plans to move the stone in order to make way for a housing estate.
Activities
It's thought that Kenneth Grahame got the inspiration for
The Wind in the Willows
while
wandering around Fowey's quiet creeks, so messing about on the river is a must. It's ideal
for exploring by kayak, with lots of quiet inlets and plentiful birdlife. One of the loveliest
sections is the area around Pont Pill Creek, where old oaks dangle their branches into the
water, and if you're lucky you might spy herons, cormorants and the odd kingfisher.
Several operators run expeditions.
Encounter Cornwall
( 07976-466123;
www.encountercornwall.com
; Golant; adult/child £25/12.50)
Three-hour trips from
Golant, with a choice of creek or coast.
KAYAKING
Fowey River Expeditions
MAP
KAYAKING
GOOGLE MAP
