Cornish Exploration

Voyage Summary

This five night voyage will give us an opportunity to explore some of the delights of the Cornish coastline. We’ll let the weather dictate our itinerary but with ports such as Falmouth and Penzance and rivers such as Helford and Fowey, there are no shortage of picturesque overnight stops.  The sailing around the south Cornish coast is delightful.  Whatever the weather there are fascinating and stunning places to visit.  Marine wildlife is no stranger to these coasts either and porpoises and dolphins are regular sights.

Sailing Highlights

Starting off from Falmouth, this port lies on the deepest harbour in Western Europe but despite this, it has not succumbed entirely to commercial traffic.  It has a wonderful traditional sailing boat history and oysters may still only be dredged for under sail.  Watching the traditional Falmouth Working Boats racing is a stunning scene with their colourful topsails and graceful lines.

Heading north out of Falmouth and up the harbour, the River Fal winds its way as far as Truro.   Irene would certainly struggle to get all the way there but we can certainly make it half way!  The River Fal is a lovely contrast to the hustle and bustle of Falmouth with it’s wooded banks and wildlife.  It also presents a great option if the weather is not the best.

Just outside Falmouth Harbour is the stunning Helford River.  This is a short sail away and well worth the effort.  This location was the inspiration for Daphne Du Maurier’s book Frenchman’s Creek.  The creek is a real place which we can visit with the RIB.  Du Maurier was so taken with the place that she bought a house here.  Either side of the river are small towns, both with a great pub and restaurant.

A little further away to the east is the Fowey estuary.  This is a delightful place, very popular with visiting yachtsmen.  Don’t let the small size fool you, though.  They accommodate full size cruise ships here!  The rattle of their anchor chains going down is enough to shake your fillings loose, though.  Don’t say you haven’t been warned.  The towns of Fowey and Polruan watch each other from either side of the river and are both worth a visit.

Further up the coast from Fowey are a number of smaller ports.  Not all are accessible at all states of the tides but all can provide a very pleasant afternoon.  Looe and Polperro have interesting histories are are worth a wander around.  Charlestown is a fantastic place for the traditional boat enthusiast!  It has been maintained as a working Georgian port complete with a number of historic ships and a museum.