Polruan

Polruan faces Fowey across the mouth of the River Fowey on south Cornwall’s coast. A year-round passenger ferry crosses the estuary between the two in about 5 minutes, running every few minutes during the day. The village climbs steeply from the waterfront up narrow lanes, and many properties have direct views over the harbour and out to sea. The 15th-century blockhouse at the harbour entrance was built as part of a chain defence with its counterpart on the Fowey side.

The village has a general store, the Lugger pub on the quay, and the Russell Inn higher up the hill. A small boatyard operates on the waterfront. The National Trust’s Hall Walk, a 4-mile circular route, starts from the Bodinnick ferry (1 mile north) and follows the estuary through woodland with views over Fowey and the harbour. Lantic Bay, a remote sandy beach reached by a steep footpath, lies about a mile to the east along the coast path.

Polruan tends to be less crowded and less expensive than Fowey while offering the same views and easy ferry access to Fowey’s restaurants, shops, and literary festivals. The Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre is across the water. Parking in Polruan is at the hilltop car park, from which the village is a steep walk down. Looe is about 10 miles west along the coast.