Cornwall


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Exterior_1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Exterior water view of The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33355" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Exterior_1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Exterior_1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Exterior_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Exterior_1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Once a refuge for sailors, the whitewashed Victorian building <a href="https://theoldquayhouse.com/">The Old Quay House Hotel</a> is now a luxury boutique hotel with restaurant in the heart of <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/insider-guide-to-fowey-cornwall/">Fowey</a>. This chic Cornish south coast harbour town is between Looe and St Austell, with winding narrow streets and beautiful sea and river views. <a href="https://theoldquayhouse.com/boutique-hotel-fowey/">13 bedrooms</a>&nbsp;offer a unique bolthole away from the stresses of daily life, with a well-positioned view of the estuary, looking over the quay towards Polruan. Sleep with your window open and you can hear the lapping of the water, the tapping of the breeze on masts, and the call of the gulls. Fowey has a number of literary connections including Daphne du Maurier and Rosumunde Pilcher, that latter&#8217;s German TV adaptations draw many a holiday-maker looking for the filming locations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_LOUNGE_AW23-00012-1000x667.jpg" alt="snug at The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33358" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_LOUNGE_AW23-00012-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_LOUNGE_AW23-00012-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_LOUNGE_AW23-00012-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_LOUNGE_AW23-00012.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Old Quay House Hotel plays on its maritime past and salty shore-side location &#8211; the main spaces including the snug (above) and rooms are decorated in the neutrals and browns associated with old-fashioned sailing vessels, with blue striped accents to match. The location can&#8217;t be faulted either, with the deck right on the water (just the place to sit with a G&amp;T even if the sun isn&#8217;t strictly speaking over the yardarm &#8211; and there&#8217;s a good list to choose from) and the front door on Fowey’s bustling Fore Street, rich with cafés, boutiques and galleries. Visitors might well be in good company too as Gordon Ramsey used to own the house next door &#8211; the week we stayed, Stanley Tucci was there. The beauty of The Old Quay House is the old-fashioned charm &#8211; there&#8217;s even an old room board indicating whether guests are in or out &#8211; and you&#8217;re not limited to booking in week blocks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_RESTAURANT_AW23-00217-1000x667.jpg" alt="water view restaurant at The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33359" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_RESTAURANT_AW23-00217-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_RESTAURANT_AW23-00217-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_RESTAURANT_AW23-00217-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_RESTAURANT_AW23-00217.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The waterside restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating is open to residents and non-residents, serving beautiful fresh seafood and local produce under the care of head chef Richard Massey every evening for dinner from 6pm to 8pm, as well as Sunday lunch. Afternoon tea is also available if you book ahead.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_FOOD_AW23-1651-1000x667.jpg" alt="plates of food at The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33357" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_FOOD_AW23-1651-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_FOOD_AW23-1651-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_FOOD_AW23-1651-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-PH_OQH_FOOD_AW23-1651.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We stayed on a Tuesday which even coming into summer seems to be a night where many restaurants in town are closed &#8211; not so at The Old Quay House which was not only open but fully booked. We sat down at 7pm and the table next to us was occupied by a holidaying German couple finishing their meal, followed by a young local couple on a date (he had lobster, she had mussels, if you wondered!)</p>



<p>Food is carefully thought through, local and seasonal, with producers such as Kittows represented, and various Cornish cheeses. The menu wasn&#8217;t full on fine-dining, which can sometimes present as a little fussy, but it did retain the refinement, and crucially, was delicious. My mackerel followed by hake were both perfectly cooked; the hake was accompanied by a wonderful medley of peas, asparagus and a butter sauce. </p>



<p>My dining companion found his tempura cod with curry mayo to be &#8216;just right&#8217; and his steak also cooked to his specification and extremely enjoyable. The wine list is neither particularly interesting nor extensive, but it&#8217;s worth seeing what they have off-list, as after some discussion with the waiter we landed on an excellent bottle of white Burgundy from the Macon (where we&#8217;d visited last summer) which went well with both fish but stood up well to the steak as well. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-OldQuay-Terrace-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Sea view terrace with a couple enjoying a gin and tonic at The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33356" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-OldQuay-Terrace-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-OldQuay-Terrace-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-OldQuay-Terrace-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-OldQuay-Terrace-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Breakfast the next morning was a leisurely affair served from 8.30am, although the chef will make you a breakfast tray if you want to leave earlier. The continental buffet is help-your-self, and then you can choose from a variety of cooked dishes including full Cornish, eggs and porridge, and you&#8217;re not limited to one either, so fill up. The tables are first come first serve, so be ready to nab the middle table by the doors for the best river view.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<p>Book The Loft, the private suite that overlooks the estuary and surrounding coast for the best views, but all the rooms are comfortable and spacious. We enjoyed our more wallet friendly Superior room with little balcony and partial sea view. 13 rooms in total are available, while some have street views, most look out onto the river.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Deluxe_View_1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Deluxe bedroom view from The Old Quay House Fowey Cornwall" class="wp-image-33354" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Deluxe_View_1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Deluxe_View_1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Deluxe_View_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/The-Old-Quay-House-Fowey-March-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Old-Quay-House_Deluxe_View_1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There is something so peaceful about lying in bed listening to the water lapping at the wall &#8211; quite different to a beach front property and crashing waves. My morning coffee was very restorative as I watched the early morning river activity; the little ferry from Polruan was getting ready for the day ahead, someone was paddle-boarding their commute to work (maybe, or maybe they were just exploring at speed) and the sailing club a few doors down was busy with their dinghies. </p>



<p>Bloom Remedies toiletries were provided, as were white robes, and there&#8217;s an option of a hot water bottle on request from reception too, for chillier autumn and winter evenings. As you&#8217;d also expect, tea, coffee and water were in the room, along with fresh milk, and there was a wall-mounted TV and plenty of hanging space, even if you were making a week of your stay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image-1000x667.jpg" alt="boats on the water at fowey" class="wp-image-31661" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/fowey-boats-on-the-water-through-trees-rb-image.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sheltered in one of Cornwall’s many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the deep water harbour at Fowey on Cornwall’s south coast was once an important trading hub. Fowey now attracts all manner of maritime vessels from cruise ships to visiting yachties (and it is still has a busy commercial port, the main export being China clay from St Austell), and is a proper old fashioned charming Cornish harbour town with winding narrow streets and beautiful views. </p>



<p>Take the little ferry over to explore Polruan, or walk the beautiful four-mile circular Hall Walk. For a beach with more easy access from the town, head down to Readymoney Cove with it&#8217;s lovely Beach Shop and swimming area, and then up through the woodland round the corner to St Catherine’s Castle and on to&nbsp;<a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/readmoney-cove-polridmouth-cove-fowey/">Polridmouth</a>&nbsp;or Gribben Head to the famous daymark.</p>



<p>Shopping highlights include Webb &amp; Co and Shrew Books, or the other way towards the Boddinick ferry where you&#8217;ll find North Street and Salt Society &#8211; a Muddy Awards finalist that stocks both women’s and men’s clothes plus seriously lovely household bits, and kids apparel, plus you can park your other half for a sunny coffee while you browse. Whistlefish is practically next door, and there&#8217;s also one of the original branches of Seasalt, plus a good bottle shop.</p>



<p>Want more &#8211; <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/insider-guide-to-fowey-cornwall/">read my insider guide to Fowey here</a> and you&#8217;re also well placed for a day trip to Looe, Polperro or Charlestown as well as inland to Lostwithiel. Fancy joining them on the water? <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/one-atlantek-rib-charter-cornwall/">One Atlantek rib charters</a> will launch from Fowey, and you&#8217;ll be in Polperro quicker than expected, plus skipper Tim knows all the secret sheltered swim spots as he grew up here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>This is somewhere to enjoy adult company, with only children over eight welcome in the restaurant and rooms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Dogs are welcome in the rooms, but not the restaurant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>Fowey is a charming old harbour town, and The Old Quay House is located right on the water&#8217;s edge, with steps up to the door, and the nearest disabled parking is a few hundred yards away at Albert Quay. All other guests need to drop luggage at the door and then park in the town car parks and walk back (around 10 minutes). All bedrooms are accessed by a main staircase with no lift facility, but the Restaurant, Bar and Lounge are all on one level.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;Couples seeking a peaceful but not over-the-top stay &#8211; The Old Quay House is casual and straightforward, not fussy, but with decent food and a restaurant that is open every evening.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;If you&#8217;ve over 8s but more than one of them, you&#8217;ll need to book two rooms, which means this is really a hotel for the grown-ups. If you like your stay with a pool and spa, there&#8217;s another option in Fowey that probably works better for you.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> From £160 for room only.</p>



<p><em>28 Fore Street, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1AQ</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="481" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river-720x481.jpeg" alt="fowey river" class="wp-image-23935" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river-720x481.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river-786x525.jpeg 786w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/fowey-river.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>


Review: The Old Quay House Hotel, Fowey, Cornwall

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