Ferries to Fowey

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A favourite "day out" for visitors staying in Looe is to visit Fowey, which is an interesting small town on the west side of the Fowey estuary. The Fowey estuary is full of interest, with craft of every size from rowing boats to global freighters. On the eastern side of the Fowey estuary is a village called Polruan which has beautiful views and interesting pubs and is connected to Fowey by a pedestrian only ferry. From a smaller village called Bodinnick, slightly further up the estuary, there is a vehicle ferry to Fowey. (Adjacent to the slipway to the ferry is a wonderfully situated house called "Ferryside" - not open to the public - where the famous author Daphne du Maurier once lived).

From Looe, if you are fit and enthusiastic enough, you can walk* via the South West Coastal Path from Looe (West Looe - Hannafore - Talland Bay - Polperro, to Polruan. This is a superb but long walk - 12 miles - beautiful coastal scenery - return by bus or taxi)

Most will choose to go by car to Polruan, and park in a large-ish car park above the village of Polruan (well signposted). After enjoying the delights of Polruan you can walk down to the quayside and take the pedestrian ferry across to Fowey - but don't forget to make the return crossing before the ferry stops for the day! (And if you are returning by bus, be sure of the bus times!)

In summer, Headland garden in Polruan is open to the public in aid of the RNLI on one afternoon each week. This garden, which overlooks the mouth of the Fowey estuary, has a magnificent location and is one of the most memorable gardens in Britain - don't miss it!

If you actually want to take your car across to Fowey, take the A387 towards Polperro. After approximately 2 miles turn right on the B3359, go through Pelynt and about 1 mile further on look for a sign-post (left) to Bodinnick. This is a pleasant drive in itself and is also a good way to get to Par, St. Austell and other places to the west, such as the Eden Project, as it is in the order of 12 miles shorter than the alternative route via Lostwithiel. The ferry crossing, though short (about 5 minutes) is always interesting, but in high season you must expect queues.

* Normally - but at present the Coastal Path is closed due to Foot & Mouth Disease Restrictions as it crosses farm land grazed by livestock.

Polruan Pedestrian Ferry
1st October to 30 April
Monday to Friday	First ferry 0715	Last ferry from Polruan 1855
		Last ferry from Fowey 1900
Saturday	First ferry 0730	last ferries as above
Sunday	First ferry 1000	last ferries as above
1st May to 30 September
Monday to Saturday	First ferry 0715	Last ferry from Polruan 2255
		Last ferry from Fowey 2300
Sunday	First ferry 1000	last ferries as above
		last ferries as above
The cost is 70p per person (50p for under 13s)