Fowey Heritage Excursions

Boconnoc House

Boconnoc House and its surrounding estate is one of the most beautiful locations in hidden Cornwall. Located just outside Lostwithiel and only 35 minutes from Fowey. Tours can include the gardens filled with azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons; The restoration of Boconnoc House; 15th Century Church; The Deer Park; view the location of the filming of Poldark, The Three Musketeers and My Cousin Rachel.

approx time from port
30 minutes

Bodmin - County Assize Courts

Visit the County Assize Courts then move onto Bodmin Gaol, built in 1778 it was the first prison to have individual cells, and was the scene of 55 executions mostly in public. It was the site of the last public execution in Britain in 1909. Bodmin was the only Cornish town to be mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086 and the Doomsday book was housed in Bodmin Gaol during the First World War, as were the Crown Jewels.

approx time from port
30 minutes

Caerhays Castle and Gardens

Located between Fowey and Falmouth, this private home welcomes cruise passengers to the Gardens and the Castle. There are many collections on display and displays alter year by year but include Victorian Jugs, the crockery used for running the house (19th Century Houses were very labour intensive), the Bric-a-Brac of an Edwardian Billiard Room and much more.

Goldolphin House & Gardens

Godolphin was considered in the 17th century to be the most fashionable house in Cornwall. Centuries of benign neglect have given the house and garden and surrounding estate buildings an extraordinary haunting air of antiquity and peace. Miraculously the garden has barely changed since the 14th and 16th centuries, with the latest fashions passing it by.

Lanhydrock House

Full of period atmosphere and the trappings of a high Victorian country house, the house also retains the atmosphere of the family home of the Agar-Robartes.  Highlights include the great kitchen, an evocative nursery wing, and 17th century long gallery with plaster ceiling depicting biblical scenes. The garden features a stunning collection of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias, and offers fine colours right through into autumn. More information.

Morwellham Quay

In the heart of the spectacular Tamar Valley, amidst towering cliffs and gently rolling farmland, a lost world lives again. Costumed staff welcome visitors to the bustling 1860s port where history comes alive. Daily demonstrations of forgotten crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, woodland walks and an historic farm combine to make a memorable day out.

Place Manor

Place has been the home of the Treffry family since the 15th century. The house and gardens stand above the port of Fowey like a castle on the Danube, with the town sheltering beneath the towers of Place where a  gang of Bretons were driven from Place by Thomas the Younger's wife Elizabeth Treffry, who is supposed to have poured boiling lead on their heads from the tower.

Prideaux Place

The Prideaux family is an ancient Cornish clan whose origins go back to the 11th century and who descend from such diverse characters as William the Conqueror, William the youngest son is the conqueror’s 26th times great-grandson. Your visit to Prideaux Place, its grounds and many treasures will be accompanied by a member of the family, as this is their home.

Restormel Castle

The castle, originally built by the Normans on a spur, overlooking the river valley, stands proudly one mile upriver from Lostwithiel. You can still make out the ruins of Restormel’s keep, gate and Great Hall, and even the kitchens and private rooms, built around 1100; Restormel is one of the oldest and best preserved Norman motte-and-bailey castles in Cornwall. The Castle still belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall.

St Michael’s Mount

This magical island is the jewel in Cornwall’s crown, a national treasure and a must for every visitor to the far West of England... During its long history, the Mount has been a church, priory, fortress and private home, to the St Aubyn family since 1659. Different parts of the castle vary in date from the twelfth to the nineteenth centuries. More information.

Tintagel Castle

If you want to give your imagination a treat, take it to Tintagel Castle. Tristan and Isolt, King Mark, Uther Pendragon, Merlin the Magician and King Arthur were all here according to legend - and at Tintagel legends have greater potency than facts, for there are few historical certainties here - most remains a mystery.