River Fowey
Encyclopedia
The River Fowey is a river
in Cornwall
, United Kingdom
.
It rises about 1 miles (1.6 km) north-west of Brown Willy
on Bodmin Moor
, passes Lanhydrock House
, Restormel Castle
and Lostwithiel
, then broadens at Milltown
before joining the English Channel
at Fowey
. It is only navigable by larger craft for the last 7 miles (11.3 km). There is a ferry
between Fowey and Bodinnick
. The first road crossing going upstream is in Lostwithiel
. The river has seven tributaries, the largest being the River Lerryn
. The section of the Fowey Valley between Doublebois
and Bodmin Parkway railway station
is known as the Glynn Valley (from Glynn House, Cardinham). The valley is the route of both the A38 trunk road and the railway line (built by the Cornwall Railway
in 1859). The railway line is carried on eight stone viaducts along this stretch (see Cornwall Railway viaducts
).
The catchment area of the River Fowey covers a total of 169.1 km² (41,785.5 acre; 65.3 sq mi) consisting of kaolinised granite on Bodmin Moor, Devonian slates and grits, and valley gravels. Data collected by the National Water Archive shows that average flow at the Restormel monitoring station is 4.78 cubic m/s and is affected by the reservoirs at Colliford and Sibleyback and by abstraction of water for public supply.
The river runs through two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), one of which is also part of a National Nature Reserve
(NNR). The Upper Fowey SSSI is a floodplain on the southern slopes of Bodmin Moor and is designated for its wet heath
vegetation and herbaceous
valley-floor mire
communities. Lower down the river at Golitha Falls part of the woodland is designated a NNR and is within the Draynes Wood SSSI. At this point the river runs through a gorge and is of particular importance for ″lower plants″ such as liverworts, mosses and lichens. Golitha is derived from the Cornish
word for obstruction. There is a 1-3 miles (4.8 km) riverside walk, from the visitor car park. Golitha Falls is the site of Wheal Victoria copper mine
so many hikers, holidaymakers and tourists visit the places of interest and eat freshly caught fish. The river has very pleasant sites and special paths made for hiking and walking along the banks and in the countryside surrounding the towns.
The River Fowey is famous for its sailing because of its natural harbour. In the past it has been visited by up to 7,000 yachts in one season. Almost all sections of the river have been paddled by kayakers and canoeists: the whitewater
sections high up on the moor, all the way down to the estuary.
Many fish can be caught in the River Fowey so many fishermen come to enjoy the excellent fishing conditions.
Winter service runs 1 October – 30 April leaving Town Quay. Monday – Saturday 0715 hrs until 1900 hrs continuous service. Sundays 1000 hrs until 1700 hrs continuous service. Ferry services are subject to weather conditions.
Fowey to Bodinnick Vehicle Ferry. The summer service operates 1 April – 31 October, starting at 0700 hrs Monday – Saturday and 0800 hrs on Sunday and running until 1900 hrs. The winter service operates 1 November – 31 March , and runs until 2045 hrs or dusk (whichever comes first). The service starts 0700 hrs Monday – Friday, 0800 hrs on Saturday and 0900 hrs on Sunday. N.B. Ferry services are subject to weather conditions.
Fowey to Mevagissey Passenger Ferry is a timetabled summer service between Fowey and Mevagissey leaving Whitehouse Slip. Journey time is around 40 minutes, please see leaflet or notice board for sailings. An alternative route to The Lost Gardens of Heligan
, finishing the journey by foot or taxi. This service is dependent on weather conditions.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
It rises about 1 miles (1.6 km) north-west of Brown Willy
Brown Willy
Brown Willy is a hill in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The summit is the highest point of Bodmin Moor and of Cornwall as a whole....
on Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor is a granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is in size, and originally dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history....
, passes Lanhydrock House
Lanhydrock House
Lanhydrock is a civil parish centred on a country estate and mansion in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The parish lies south of the town of Bodmin and is bounded to the north by Bodmin parish, to the south by Lanlivery parish and to the west by Lanivet parish. The population was 171 in the 2001 census...
, Restormel Castle
Restormel Castle
Restormel Castle is situated on the River Fowey near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is one of the four chief Norman castles of Cornwall, the others being Launceston, Tintagel and Trematon. The castle is notable for its perfectly circular design...
and Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel is a civil parish and small town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom at the head of the estuary of the River Fowey. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,739...
, then broadens at Milltown
Milltown, Cornwall
Milltown is a hamlet in Cornwall, England, UK. It is about a mile south of Lostwithiel....
before joining the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
at Fowey
Fowey
Fowey is a small town, civil parish and cargo port at the mouth of the River Fowey in south Cornwall, United Kingdom. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,273.-Early history:...
. It is only navigable by larger craft for the last 7 miles (11.3 km). There is a ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
between Fowey and Bodinnick
Bodinnick
Bodinnick is a riverside village in south Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It is a fishing village situated on the east bank of the River Fowey opposite the town of Fowey, also on the banks of the Fowey River. The ferry crossing is from Fowey to Bodinnick and the "Old Ferry Inn" is located on its...
. The first road crossing going upstream is in Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel is a civil parish and small town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom at the head of the estuary of the River Fowey. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,739...
. The river has seven tributaries, the largest being the River Lerryn
Lerryn
Lerryn is a village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Lerryn approximately three miles southeast of Lostwithiel....
. The section of the Fowey Valley between Doublebois
Doublebois
Doublebois is a village in south Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is in the civil parish of Dobwalls and Trewidland apprimately three miles west of Liskeard....
and Bodmin Parkway railway station
Bodmin Parkway railway station
Bodmin Parkway railway station is a station on the Cornish Main Line and serves the nearby town of Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom. The station is west of , in the civil parish of St Winnow....
is known as the Glynn Valley (from Glynn House, Cardinham). The valley is the route of both the A38 trunk road and the railway line (built by the Cornwall Railway
Cornwall Railway
The Cornwall Railway was a broad gauge railway from Plymouth in Devon to Falmouth in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The section from Plymouth to Truro opened in 1859, the extension to Falmouth in 1863...
in 1859). The railway line is carried on eight stone viaducts along this stretch (see Cornwall Railway viaducts
Cornwall Railway viaducts
The large number of Cornwall Railway viaducts were necessitated by the topography of Cornwall, United Kingdom, where hills and areas of high ground are separated by deep river valleys that generally run north or south...
).
Geology and hydrology
The upper reaches of the Fowey are mainly moorland giving way to woodland and farmland, predominantly livestock. This means that 63.6% of the catchment is grassland, with a further 18.3% woodland and 10.7% arable land. Of the remaining 7.5%, 2.6% is urban or built-up areas, 2.5% is mountain, heath and bog and the remainder is inland waters.The catchment area of the River Fowey covers a total of 169.1 km² (41,785.5 acre; 65.3 sq mi) consisting of kaolinised granite on Bodmin Moor, Devonian slates and grits, and valley gravels. Data collected by the National Water Archive shows that average flow at the Restormel monitoring station is 4.78 cubic m/s and is affected by the reservoirs at Colliford and Sibleyback and by abstraction of water for public supply.
Wildlife and conservation
National Nature Reserves in England
National Nature Reserves in England are managed by Natural England and are key places for wildlife and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most important areas of habitat and of geological formations...
(NNR). The Upper Fowey SSSI is a floodplain on the southern slopes of Bodmin Moor and is designated for its wet heath
Heath
-Habitats:* Heath or heathland, low-growing woody vegetation, mostly consisting of heathers and related species* Heaths in the British National Vegetation Classification system...
vegetation and herbaceous
Herbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
valley-floor mire
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
communities. Lower down the river at Golitha Falls part of the woodland is designated a NNR and is within the Draynes Wood SSSI. At this point the river runs through a gorge and is of particular importance for ″lower plants″ such as liverworts, mosses and lichens. Golitha is derived from the Cornish
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
word for obstruction. There is a 1-3 miles (4.8 km) riverside walk, from the visitor car park. Golitha Falls is the site of Wheal Victoria copper mine
Recreation
The Fowey valley is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
so many hikers, holidaymakers and tourists visit the places of interest and eat freshly caught fish. The river has very pleasant sites and special paths made for hiking and walking along the banks and in the countryside surrounding the towns.
The River Fowey is famous for its sailing because of its natural harbour. In the past it has been visited by up to 7,000 yachts in one season. Almost all sections of the river have been paddled by kayakers and canoeists: the whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
sections high up on the moor, all the way down to the estuary.
Many fish can be caught in the River Fowey so many fishermen come to enjoy the excellent fishing conditions.
Ferry services
Fowey to Polruan Passenger and Cycle Ferry. The summer service runs 1 May – 30 September from Whitehouse Slip until 1815 hrs. From 1830 hrs the service operates from Town Quay until 2300 hrs. Continuous service from 0715 hrs Monday – Saturday and 0900 hrs on Sunday. Please check notice board for further information during August.Winter service runs 1 October – 30 April leaving Town Quay. Monday – Saturday 0715 hrs until 1900 hrs continuous service. Sundays 1000 hrs until 1700 hrs continuous service. Ferry services are subject to weather conditions.
Fowey to Bodinnick Vehicle Ferry. The summer service operates 1 April – 31 October, starting at 0700 hrs Monday – Saturday and 0800 hrs on Sunday and running until 1900 hrs. The winter service operates 1 November – 31 March , and runs until 2045 hrs or dusk (whichever comes first). The service starts 0700 hrs Monday – Friday, 0800 hrs on Saturday and 0900 hrs on Sunday. N.B. Ferry services are subject to weather conditions.
Fowey to Mevagissey Passenger Ferry is a timetabled summer service between Fowey and Mevagissey leaving Whitehouse Slip. Journey time is around 40 minutes, please see leaflet or notice board for sailings. An alternative route to The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey in Cornwall, are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. The style of the gardens is typical of the nineteenth century Gardenesque style, with areas of different character and in different design styles.The gardens were created by members of...
, finishing the journey by foot or taxi. This service is dependent on weather conditions.