Fowey (10mi/16km west of Polperro; pop. 2,150) was once a considerable seaport, home port of the notorious "Fowey Gallants", ships of war and privateers much feared in medieval times. With its many old houses it remains a picture postcard town with popular guided town walks available.
The 15th century St Nicholas' Church, dedicated to the
patron saint of seafarers, has a fine Norman font. It is built on a site previously occupied by two much earlier churches, St Goran's (seventh century) and St Finnbarus', which latter was destroyed. Noah's Ark, an Elizabethan half timbered house, contains a small local museum.