Upstream Exploring
Upstream, the waterside village of Golant lies on the western side of the estuary.
Arailway line runs along the embankment in front of the village, this rail link was opened in 1869 to transport china clay from the mines in St Austell to Fowey Docks, it is still used for this purpose to this day.
On the opposite shore lies the tranquil Penpol creek, the woodland surrounding it is a heron nesting site and is thought to be one of the largest heronries in Cornwall.
The river branches at St Winnow Point to Lerryn, the largest tributary of the Fowey.
Dowr Leryon in Cornish, the Lerryn River means ‘river of floods’ which is quite appropriate as parts of the village can flood on a high spring tide. When the tide flows out, it reveals an enchanting series of stepping stones which cross the river.
Beyond the saltmarshes of Shirehall Moor, which is home to a diversity of birdlife, you will find Lostwithiel. During the 12th and 13th Centuries, Lostwithiel was the administrative capital of Cornwall, seat of the Duke of Cornwall and a thriving stannary town. In the 14th Century, Lostwithiel was the main port on the Fowey River, the water was deep enough then to allow ships to travel upstream to load tin. But it was the act of tin streaming on the moor that eventually silted up the riverbed and Lostwithiel’s shipping trade was lost to Fowey.
Today, Lostwithiel is a busy town, popular for its antiques and independent shops and a host of events are held in Parade Gardens with a back drop of the Fowey River. The estuary above Wiseman’s Reach dries at low water and access should be with care, having consulted tide tables, charts and local knowledge. Vessels drawing up to 2m can proceed to Lerryn or Lostwithiel but good local knowledge is required. As a rule of thumb, and for lesser draft vessels, proceeding upriver from Fowey, departure 2 hours before a high water of >4.5m should allow you to reach Lerryn or Lostwithiel before high water.
Enjoy the delights on offer up river but remember to allow enough time to return
downstream to deeper water before the tide leaves you high and dry!
Lostwithiel
Beyond the saltmarshes of Shirehall Moor, which is home to a diversity of birdlife, you will find Lostwithiel.
During the 12th and 13th Centuries, Lostwithiel was the administrative capital of Cornwall, seat of the Duke of Cornwall and a thriving stannary town. In the 14th Century, Lostwithiel was the main port on the Fowey River, the water was deep enough then to allow ships to travel upstream to load tin. But it was the act of tin streaming on the moor that eventually silted up the riverbed and Lostwithiel’s shipping trade was lost to Fowey.
Today, Lostwithiel is a busy town, popular for its antiques and independent shops and a host of events are held in Parade Gardens with a back drop of the Fowey River. The estuary above Wiseman’s Reach dries at low water and access should be with care, having consulted tide tables, charts and local knowledge. Vessels drawing up to 2m can proceed to Lerryn or Lostwithiel but good local knowledge is required. As a rule of thumb, and for lesser draft vessels, proceeding upriver from Fowey, departure 2 hours before a high water of >4.5m should allow you to reach Lerryn or Lostwithiel before high water.