Fowey Estuary Walking Tour

Enjoy a day of walking and discovery in Fowey on our private full-day guided walking tour on and around the River Fowey Estuary.

Along the way, we’ll uncover the rich history, breathtaking scenery, and hidden gems of this iconic Cornish destination. From picturesque coves and ancient castles to charming villages and wooded trails, this tour offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation, showcasing the best of Fowey and its surroundings.

Tour Highlights

Aerial view of stone fort on cliff edge.

St Catherine's Castle

A small artillery fort built by Henry VIII, perched above the Fowey estuary with stunning views of the coastline.

Scenic Cornish coast with beach and buildings

Readymoney Cove

A picturesque sandy cove near Fowey, perfect for a swim or a quiet retreat, surrounded by cliffs and woodland.

Rustic riverside cottages in lush green setting.

Pont Quay

A National Trust hidden gem on the Pont Pill creek, rich in history and natural beauty.

Historic stone building, coastal path, cloudy sky, riverside houses.

Polruan Blockhouse

A medieval "chain tower" guarding the entrance to the estuary, offering a glimpse into Cornwall’s maritime past.

Tour Essentials

Private Tour

Moderate ability guided walk with local guide.

Transport

Licenced Minibus with pick-up & drop-off included

Photos

Free digital photo album download

Food & Drink

Cornish pasty lunch, ice cream & cream tea*

Flexible Route

Adaptable route to suit all abilities

Hidden Gems

Areas of outstanding natural beauty

Prices

  • 8 hours | Private Tour: From £320

    Per group of 2-8 people.

    The price includes your personal tour guide and driver for the day with pick up and drop off from your holiday accommodation in Cornwall.

    *We'll supply water and hot drinks. Additional costs apply for other food & drink. Pay as you go or BYO.

Your Personal Tour Guide

Picture of Nick

Nick

Nick is a local guide with a passion for the paddlesports, photography and all things outdoors. He never gets tired of exploring Cornwall and showing visitors some of the hidden gems that other locals want to keep a secret!

Nick's Tour Notes

This tour is a fabulous day out; we’ll experience truly stunning scenery, fascinating local history, a few Cornish hidden gems and some of Cornwall’s top visitor attractions.

After collecting you from your accommodation we’ll journey by private minibus to Fowey stopping on the way to pick up an award-winning pasty for lunch before catching the ferry on to the village of Bodinnick where we start the walk.

The walk is is approximately 12km in total but can be adapted to suit the needs of the group (anything we don’t see on foot we can get to by minibus).

The moderate circular route follows woodland trails along the creeks of the Fowey Estuary and the South West Coast Path to secluded beaches, dramatic headlands and historic castles.

Along the way, we’ll learn about Cornish maritime heritage we’ll uncover the rich history, breathtaking scenery, and hidden gems of this iconic Cornish destination.

If you need to know more or have any questions about this tour please send me a message.

Tour Itinerary

Pick Up
Caffa Mill
Idyllic riverside with boats and green landscape.

Our walk starts on the North side of Fowey where we cross the river on the Bodinnick Vehicle Ferry - a crossing with over 600 years of history!

Bodinnick
Quaint Cornish village by the riverfront.

We'll visit the picturesque riverside village where Daphne du Maurier wrote her first novel, The Loving Spirit, published in 1931.

Hall Walk
Scenic coastal village with boats and lush greenery.

We follow the route of famous Hall Walk winding its way along a wooded valley high above the Fowey estuary towards Pont Creek.

Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch Memorial
Memorial plaque for Sir Arthur T. Quiller-Couch, Fowey.

At Penleath Point we pass the memorial of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, often referred to as Q, - the great writer and important literary man of Fowey.

Pont Quay
Rustic riverside cottages in lush green setting.

At the top of Pont Pill creek we discover Pont Quay, a National Trust hidden gem. In 1814 a granary, limekilns, malt houses and a warehouse was recorded. It also had a corn mill and sawmill, a beer house and blacksmith shop.

St Wyllow Church
Church altar with stained glass window

The story goes that St Wyllow, a Christian hermit, lived in a cave in Pont around 596. Legend has it, that he was killed by a relative and beheaded.

Lantic Bay
Sunny beach with cliffs and clear blue water.

We join the South West Coast Path above this secluded beach with golden sands and turquoise water. 

Polruan Castle
Historic stone building, coastal path, cloudy sky, riverside houses.

Heading into the village of Polruan we encounter a medieval "chain tower" or blockhouse guarding the entrance to the estuary, offering a glimpse into Cornwall’s maritime past.

Polruan Ferry
Polruan ferry by a picturesque coastal village

At Polruan we cross over the river back to Fowey on the Polruan passenger ferry

Readymoney Cove
Scenic Cornish coast with beach and buildings

Walking out towards the mouth of the estuary we pass a picturesque sandy cove, perfect for a swim on warm days.

St Catherines's Castle
Aerial view of stone fort on cliff edge.

A small artillery fort built by Henry VIII, perched above the Fowey estuary with stunning views of the coastline.

Fowey
Picturesque Fowey town with historic buildings and harbour view.

The historic town of Fowey is our final port of call, for a Cornish Cream Tea and a stroll around the narrow winding streets before heading back to the minibus.

Common Questions

What's included in the tour?

Your tour includes:

  • Luxury private air-conditioned VW 8 seater minibus
  • Accommodation or local station pick up and drop off.
  • All parking and transport charges (including ferries where applicable).
  • Hot & cold drinks throughout the day.
  • A knowledgeable local driver/guide throughout the day.
  • An album of high resolution digital photographs of your day.
  • Additional sightseeing stops en-route (time permitting)
What's not included?

Your tour does not include:

  • Attraction Tickets These can be pre-booked by arrangement if required but are not essential to enjoy this packed itinerary.
  • Travel to and from Cornwall
    Please request if required
  • Additional Food & Drinks
    We supply hot & cold drinks throughout the day. We’ll also stop en-route at one of Cornwall’s best pasty shops so you can buy a packed lunch. Optional stops for coffee and/or Cornish cream tea during the tour.
  • Accommodation
    We are happy to recommend local accommodation.
How many people can I bring?

Our Luxury VW Transporter is licenced to carry 8 passengers.

How long is the tour?

Our one-day tours typically run for 8 hours but may be longer depending on pick-up location and seasonal traffic.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Our walking tours are suitable for children aged 12+ who are happy walking approximately 5-10km in a day. 

We can adapt walks to make them shorter (and allocate more time for visiting areas in the minibus) but whatever the length, you should expect to encounter rough and rocky terrain with some steep hills when walking the Southwest Coast Path and Cornish moors.

What should I bring?

We recommend bringing a raincoat, suitable clothing and footwear for the coast path and a little spending money.

Bring a small rucksack and flask if you have one, othewise you can borrow one of ours.

What if it's raining?

Don’t worry, Cornwall is still beautiful in the rain!

Come prepared for all weather. 

We can adapt the tour to ensure it doesn’t affect your enjoyment of the day.

What if I have limited mobility?

Our walking tours are not suited to guests with limited mobility but our sightseeing tours are. Please take a look or contact us to discuss your options before booking.

Can I bring my dog?

Not all tours would be suitable for dogs. Please contact us to discuss your options before booking.

Can I cancel or change my dates?

Tours can be amended (subject to availability) or cancelled any time up to 14 days before your tour date.

Cancellations after this date are charged at 80% of the full price. We recommend that guests have suitable travel insurance to cover unexpected late cancellations.

What happens if the tour is cancelled?

In the unlikely event that your tour is cancelled by us, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

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