Visiting anywhere with children can seem challenging, this page aims to answer some of the questions you may have regarding a trip to the area.
Whether you choose a meal out, a trip to the beach or crabbing on the quay, the area is fun and accessible for all.
Please also visit our Accessibility page for extra information that may help with buggies and prams.
Getting Around Fowey
Fowey is built on a hillside and access to the town centre can be steep and include steps.
Look out for alternative routes without steps designed for prams.
For instance:
On entering Fowey follow signs to Caffa Mill car park for a reasonably flat walk into the town.
You will also find a longer scenic walk into the town marked from the Main car park.
The roads are very narrow in Fowey and pavements are limited.
Please be aware that traffic including large delivery lorries use the roads.
Public Toilets and Baby Changing
Readymoney Beach - baby changing in the ladies toilets (summer only).
Main Car Park Fowey - baby changing in the disabled toilets.
Town Quay Fowey - baby changing in the disabled toilets.
Caffa Mill - baby changing facilities in the disabled toilets
Eating Out
Most restaurants, pubs and cafes in Fowey are welcoming to families.
The majority have high chairs and offer either a children’s menu or child size portions.
Some also offer baby changing facilities.
If you want to eat a specific restaurant it is advisable to ring ahead before your visit to ensure they have the facilities suited to your party.
See our Eating Out page for further information on local restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Accommodation
Many accommodation providers in this area welcome children and have family rooms.
Use our Accommodation section to view listings of local establishments.
Those which take children will have Children Taken listed in the facilities.
For serviced accommodation such as B&B’s you will also find the room types listed.
Self catering listings may offer details of additional facilities such as cots.
If you have any further queries please contact the accommodation provider direct.
The Fowey Hall Hotel is a family hotel that has extensive facilities for families including a kids club with qualified child care providers, a children’s restaurant and much more. You will find details in our Where to Stay section.
The Beach
Visit our guide to local Beaches for details of beaches and the facilities available.
Always check the tide times before visiting the beaches to ensure that there is some sand!
The best beach for swimming is Readymoney with a swimming area and moored platform.
Watch out for weaver fish, a spiny fish that hides under the wet sand during the summer months, extremely painful if stood on, best avoided by wearing cheap beach shoes.
Crabbing
Good spots for catching crabs are Albert Quay Steps pontoon, the slipway on Passage Street and the riverfront at Caffa Mill, or the Quay in Polruan.
Crab lines and buckets and bait are available from several retailers.
Please be aware of boats landing and please return the crabs when you have finished.
The Aquarium
Open between Easter and the end of September and situated on Town Quay.
All fish are caught in local waters and are returned to the sea in the autumn.
See eels, bass, turbot, mullet, octopus, lobsters, crabs and much more.
Friendly fish and a touch pool to get close up.
The Library
Situated just past Caffa Mill car park it has a childrens book area.
Opening hours are 9.30 - 5.30 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Story time on Tuesdays 1415-1445hrs and musical story time the first Tuesday of the month.
Walk to Readymoney Cove
Readymoney is a safe sandy cove with toilets and a shop in the summer.
From the town centre, head up Lostwithiel Street and turn left along the Esplanade.
Walk for about 15 minutes with great views down to the harbour, boats and blockhouses.
A relatively flat walk on a not too busy road suitable for buggies, there is not always pavement.
Once there you can take the footpath or cross the beach and take the wooden steps leading to St Catherines Castle, a ruined castle, free and open to the public.
Boat Trips
During the summer months take a 45 minute boat trip around the harbour.
From Town Quay you will go up river beyond the docks and then out to the harbour mouth.
Lots to see in safe, stable cruisers, booking and departures are from the Town Quay.
Alternatively you can hire boats from the town quay or by booking with other hire businesses.
All will offer life jackets and brief instruction on driving and safety.
Our Directory contains an On the Water page with details of boat hire and other water activities.
Playgrounds
There is a recreation ground and play park situated at Squires Field.
Squires Field is situated in grid reference H4 on our town map.
In Polruan you will find the playground at the top of the hill by St Saviours Car Park.
Fowey Town Tours
A land train running most days through the summer from Town Quay - look out for the boards.
No booking required and there is storage for buggies.
Approximately a 25 minute tour of Fowey with commentary you can “discover Fowey’s rich and varied history from Celtic and Medieval times to the present day with tales of smuggling, battles and giant pandas.”
Other Activities
There are many more activities to do and places to visit if you wish to travel outside of Fowey. You may like to hire bikes with baby carriers, visit a leisure centre, some of which run children’s activities during the holidays, or visit one of Cornwall’s numerous attractions.
For full details and contacts please visit our Activities and Attractions pages.
And Finally
Look in the local papers for money off vouchers to local attractions and the cinema guide.
Be aware of safety around the water - the harbour is very deep and tidal.
Please do not feed the seagulls as they can be very aggressive and will swoop towards you.
Please have a good look around our site for more useful information and ideas.
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