Could there be a better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day than gorgeous Cornwall? If you are planning a Valentine’s Day staycation, you will find nowhere more romantic than charming Fowey, where the architecture is scenic, and the scenery is exquisite. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Fowey is situated at the mouth of the River Fowey, in the middle of some of the most breath-taking beauty in all of Cornwall. To make the most of a romantic getaway in Fowey, book a stay at The Old Quay House Hotel, offering elegant accommodations overlooking the river.
How to Spend Your Time in Fowey, Cornwall
Fowey is a bustling hillside fishing village, but it has a relaxed, friendly, community atmosphere. With a rich history that dates back to the 14th century, this town is the perfect place to meander and explore, full of little passages, winding lanes, and ancient alleyways. You can spend the day wandering through Fowey Historic Old Town, enjoying the eateries, pubs, shops, galleries, and bakeries, soaking in the atmosphere, and this town also has plenty of historic sites, in and around it. How will you while away your time?
- Go for a walk! There are so many places to walk, in the beautiful countryside around Fowey, enjoying the variety of landscapes. The Gribbin Head walk at Fowey Estuary is a circular coastal walk that takes you to beaches, coves, woodland, and wildflower-covered grassland. There is also the Covington Walk, a loop trail from Fowey Harbour, which passes historical sites like St Catherine’s Castle and one of Daphne du Maurier’s houses, as well as woodland, beaches, open fields, and gorgeous views. Along this trail, you will find plenty of places to stop for a picnic in scenic surroundings. These are only two examples of the dozens of gorgeous walks you will find in Fowey.
- Visit St. Catherine’s Castle, built during the time of Henry VIII. Located at Readymoney Cove, it’s free to enter and offers panoramic views and the opportunity to step into a piece of history. After you explore the ruins together, stroll down to the sandy, secluded beach, or enjoy ice cream or Cornish pasties at the little café.
- Take in one of Fowey’s museums. Learn about the vibrant Maritime history of the area at the Fowey museum, for a better understanding of the town. This museum also has a Daphne du Maurier collection, as she was one of the town’s notable residents. If that piques your interest, head to the Du Maurier Literary Centre, a quiet little spot where you can learn more about the author, her love for the Southwest of England, and some of the nearby romantic locations that inspired her.
- Admire the beauty of St Fimbarrus Church. Boasting the second highest bell tower in Cornwall, as well as stunningly beautiful stained glass windows, this ancient church has been destroyed, rebuilt, and restored. There is some confusion over the name, as many believe it to be dedicated to the Irish St Finbarr, who was the first Bishop of Cork. In fact, it was dedicated to St Barry, a saint unique to Fowey and reputed to be buried here. The interior of this church is exquisite, and full of history. Only the font has survived from the 11th century, and the present church was built in the 14th century, but suffered damage from pirates shortly thereafter and had to be restored. The south aisle was enlarged in the 1500s, the tower clock was added in 1620, further improvements took place in the centuries to follow, and all of these layers of restoration and ornamentation give its beauty an amazing depth.
- Immerse yourself in the beauty of the area, appreciating local culture. Simply spending time in Fowey can make you feel engaged and inspired. Perhaps that is why this little town has been home to so many authors and artists. Gaze out on the River Fowey, and imagine The author Kenneth Grahame, in the same spot, dreaming up his famous children’s book, The Wind in the Willows. Walk the windswept coast and think about authors like Daphne du Maurier and Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch being inspired to do great things. The beauty of this area, with the river, its creeks and tributaries, the unspoilt beauty of Polruan, just a ferry ride away, and much more, stirs feelings of all kinds, romantic, creative, and inspirational.
- If you feel like taking a drive, there is plenty to see within 30 minutes of Fowey. Visit the enchanting Lost Gardens of Heligan, a once-lost collection of gorgeous botanical gardens known for their seemingly magical woodland sculptures, for a romantic adventure. There is also the Eden Project, a dramatic global garden with a giant biome hosting a majestic rainforest, and another with Mediterranean fruits and flowers from South Africa and California. Beyond these spectacular sights, you can enjoy landscaped grounds, where you will find tea, lavender, sunflowers, art sculptures, and more. The countryside around Fowey is brimming with beautiful things to see and memories to be made, whether you would like to stroll through a garden, explore some ruins, enjoy a tourist spot, or simply drive through this beautiful region.
Getting Away to the South Coast
For a truly romantic and authentic Cornish experience, why not stay two nights at the seaside and two nights in beautiful Fowey? The Old Quay House and our sister property, The Rosevine, have joined forces to provide the Couple’s South Coast Stay, a short break that is the best of both worlds.
First, you will enjoy the delights of The Rosevine, a charming boutique hotel, located in a beautifully restored Georgian house, just steps from the beach, on the peaceful Roseland Peninsula. Here, you can stroll along a coastal path, stopping for delicious food and drink along the way, enjoy a dip in the heated pool, or even try your hand at water sports, if that is your cup of tea. Speaking of cups of tea, The Rosevine offers traditional afternoon tea in their elegant drawing room, as well as delectable meals in their restaurant.
Next, you will have two nights of romance in Fowey, staying at The Old Quay House, where each room is meticulously crafted from natural materials and in-room amenities include cosy robes, tea and coffee making facilities, still and sparkling water, and premium, handcrafted, natural skincare products from Bloom. Stroll the cobbled streets, enjoying boutique shops and bakeries, or wander a little further afield, enjoying some of the many excursions available in the area.
Come back to dine, though, as the restaurant at The Old Quay House Hotel provides the finest dining experience in Fowey, serving the best quality seafood, West Country meat, Cornish cheese, and locally sourced, fresh, seasonal produce. Chef Richard Massey heads an incredibly talented team in the kitchen, ensuring an unforgettable menu of creative, contemporary dishes. Your stay includes bed and breakfast for two nights at each property, an arrival glass of bubbly, and 15 percent off lunch or dinner in each of the acclaimed on-site restaurants.
An Unforgettable Stay at The Old Quay House
Whether you are spending Valentine’s in Cornwall or planning some other romantic getaway, The Old Quay House Hotel is the perfect place for making memories. Nestled in the heart of Fowey, this riverside boutique hotel offers a modern-day bolthole away from life’s stresses and chores.
Stay in one of our 13 luxurious bedrooms and you will enjoy not only big comfy beds and every amenity you need for a decadent stay, but also five-course meals and exquisite estuary views. Our location is perfect for exploring the quaint, bustling, seaside town of Fowey, enjoying its cafes, boutiques, and galleries, and our restaurant is one of most popular in the area. There, you will enjoy fine dining, with delectable menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon high tea, and dinner, in a gorgeous setting, where you can watch life on the estuary unfold from your vantage point on the terrace.
In a town set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we strive to provide each of our guests with a unique experience. Once a refuge for sailors, The Old Quay House is deeply connected to the area’s history, and the character of each bedroom is meticulously crafted to tell its own story, in keeping with that rich tradition. In our Victorian building, you will find friendly staff ready to make your stay comfortable and memorable.
We cannot accommodate children under the age of 8, and while we welcome well-behaved, friendly dogs (dependant on availability), they are not allowed Couple’s South Coast Stay. For more information about our accommodation, our special offers, or our spectacular restaurant, call +44 0172 683 3302, email info@theoldquayhouse.com, or contact us through our website.
