Local Info & Links |
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Local Information | Useful Links Take a look at our What's On Guide - there's always something to see and do in beautiful South East Cornwall. Or visit our community website here> www.polruan.org.uk |
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POLRUAN |
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There is also a fascinating history of seabourne raids into and out from the Harbour going back hundreds of years. Indeed, right up to relatively modern times, raids were mounted across the Channel in the Second World War, mostly at night, by light surface craft. Many men sailed from the Port in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, for some who never returned, it was their last view of England. Both on the Polruan and the Fowey, there are old fortifications to explore, and they include an interesting pair of Chain Forts. During the English Civil War each bank of the River Fowey was held by a different side and King Charles 1, narrowly escaped death from a sniper’s musket shot across the river. Details of these episodes, including smuggling, are to be found in the many books and pamphlets for sale in local shops around the Estuary. |
 Today, Polruan is unsurpassed as a place for a
peaceful self-catering holiday in Cornwall. For those who are after, first
and foremost, somewhere to sail or otherwise ‘mess about in boats’,
Fowey has become one of the West Country’s major sailing centres, with
two active clubs (the Royal Fowey Yacht Club and the Fowey Galants Sailing
Club) and a Harbour Master, himself a keen small- boat sailor, anxious to
welcome yachtsmen and provide the facilities they need, at reasonable
cost. There are good facilities too, for sea-fishing and other water
sports. ‘Land-lubbers’ find that Polruan’s location half-way down
the Cornish peninsula makes it a good base from which to drive on
day-trips to other parts of the county. |
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 FOWEY |
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 The Town has several romantic restaurants often
specialising in fish dishes, three or four interesting Pubs, including the
Lugger, the King of Prussia, and the Ship. You may still see a medieval
house along Fore St. close to the Quay, with the constant coming and going
of boats and yachts. Several times week you may see ships going up river to
load China Clay, a principle export of Cornwall to all parts of the world. |
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In all a wonderful place to spend a relaxing time, with plenty to do and see, whatever your age. If you come in the third week of August (usually) you will find the Fowey Regatta in full swing, with a week of celebrations, races, and fun for all, then there is the Carnival, Daphne du Maurier Festival and the amazing Eden Project. |
The Fowey Estuary has been
the sometime home to Daphne Du Maurier,
Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, Leo Walmsley and Mabel Lucie Atwell, and many local
features and characters appear in their books. "Wind in the Willows"
for example, was based on the Fowey River and the creeks up around Lerryn.
Walkers are in their element here, with a wonderful stretch
of Heritage coast, cared for by the National Trust and traversed by the Coastal
Footpath, running six miles eastward from Polruan to Polperro. The hinterland of
south-east Cornwall, between the Fowey and Tamar Rivers, is surprisingly
unfrequented country of great beauty – rich in lovely old churches dedicated
to obscure Celtic saints, with deep wooded valleys running down to the sea. To
the north-east of Fowey Harbour is the high moorland of Cornwall between Bodmin
and Launceston, with limitless views, lakes and remote villages hidden among the
heathery tors – all within half-an-hour’s drive of the summer bustle on the
coast. For artists and photographers the Fowey River and its estuary afford an
enviable choice of scenes; while for botanists the leafy lanes of Lanteglos
parish (in which Polruan lies) abound with wild flowers. The primroses
hereabouts in early spring have to be seen to be believed, and the pink campion
is seldom out of flower whatever the season.
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