Fowey Estuary

The Fowey Estuary countryside is the National Trust's patchwork of farmland, woods, creeks and coves around the working harbour of Fowey, a landscape tied to Daphne du Maurier, who lived at Readymoney Cove in 1942 and 1943. From the car park at Coombe Farm, Allday's Fields slope gently towards Covington Woods with wide views over the bay, and paths drop to the quiet coves of Coombe Haven and Polridmouth. Above them rises the red and white Gribbin Daymark, built by Trinity House in 1832 so that sailors would not mistake St Austell Bay for Falmouth harbour. Nearby stands St Catherine's Castle, Henry VIII's artillery fort, cared for by English Heritage. Across the river lie the quiet creek of Pont Pill and the Ethy Woods above Lerryn. Reviewers single out the views from the coastal walks. The four-mile Gribbin Head walk loops from Coombe car park to the daymark. Dogs are welcome across the area on a short lead. The only toilets are at Readymoney Cove.