Polruan and Fowey, Cornwall
On New Year’s Day 2026, the family and I headed to Cornwall for a three-day mini break to finish off the Christmas holidays. It’s a truly stunning place, and we’ve visited every year for the past few years. This time, we headed back to one of our favourite spots.
Polruan and Fowey, two classic Cornish towns, are separated by the River Fowey. We even stayed in an old fisherman’s cottage this time, and had a dusting of snow, which is very rare in Cornwall.
Fowey is a small town on the west bank of the river. It’s known for its sailing and bustling harbour. Narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés, and Cornish pasty shops. While visitors enjoy fish and chips by the harbour.
We stayed on the Polruan side, which is quieter and feels more local and less touristy. Its steep, winding lanes, fishermen’s cottages, and working quay reflect its close connection to the river. Together, Polruan and Fowey embody the essence of the Cornish coast: historic yet vibrant, peaceful yet shaped by the tides, and deeply connected to the landscape and the sea that have defined their story for generations.
