June in the west country

[ashtead]

Venues to eat on nights out is an important part of passage planning so all suggestions welcome . I wonder if OpenTable works down there otherwise it turns out likeLymington on a summer Saturday night ending up at the Mayflower pub.

 

[KevO]

The Old Ferry Inn at Bodinnick (by the ferry) used to be good along with the Lugger Inn in Fore Street.
The Fishermans Arms up the river at Golant has been on my 'visit' list for years. One day ...

The fish pie in the Lugger is ‘ansum’.

 

[doug748]

If you use the anchorage at Cawsand the Rising Sun does a good fish chowder, however it is quite a small pub and often packed.

The Canteen at Maker Heights is unusual and totally unknown to most visitors, shown in the top centre here:





Easiest route is to take the Earl's Drive and hang a left, though there are many footpaths and the views are excellent. Steep, don't take a bike.

It serves food in the modern style with a proper chef - usually pretty good and not expensive. Quirky site in an old army hut and former battery, not posh.
Lunches only but they do breakfasts in season but ring first.

.

 

[Moonbeam]

The Canteen at Maker Heights is unusual and totally unknown to most visitors, shown in the top centre here:

In a similar way... Angies cafe at St Winnow on the River Fowey used to do excellent farm fresh grub in a remote and beautiful setting... access at HW with a tender (although we used to walk round from Lerryn - a beautiful walk).

Sadly, I've just looked it up and she's let it go. It's now a 'Tex-mex' Tex-Mex Maid which might also be a good option if you are based at Fowey for a while. Something a bit different.

 

[Sandy]

A visit to South Devon Chilli Farm is always great and just might be doable by dinghy.

 

[Boathook]

A big problem with all the recommendations, including mine; is the place still good. A lot of changes can take place over the winter.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

A big problem with all the recommendations, including mine; is the place still good. A lot of changes can take place over the winter.

That is so true and I sort of pointed that out when I mentioned Sam's in Fowey. When we first started going there what must be nearly 25 years ago it was excellent but became a little variable although still good but not as good as when we first discovered it, I wonder what it's like now?

 

[[2574]]

That is so true and I sort of pointed that out when I mentioned Sam's in Fowey. When we first started going there what must be nearly 25 years ago it was excellent but became a little variable although still good but not as good as when we first discovered it, I wonder what it's like now?

We were last in Fowey in 2016. Sam's was always rammed, as was the town generally, making it a less than enjoyable place to be. Hence we always sought the sanctity of FGSC. As it happens I sit here in Scotland wearing my FGSC tee shirt, now sadly relegated to "mucky jobs" duty.

 

[zoidberg]

If I think back to my favourite places in the West Country, top spot must go to the moorings off the town in Fowey. A fine evening there watching the sun go down or the evening dinghy racing with Troys, or listening to the fine bell-ringing from the town, while eating or drinking local produce and one's favourite tipple takes some beating. There are inconveniences of course, such as having to dinghy ashore to shop or shower, unless you are made of money and use the taxi, and the area can be untenable in a SW blow, but there is nowhere like it. It is also a convenient setting-off place for the Eden Project or Heligan gardens.

doug748:

Booking is not a way of life in the West Country although corporate marinas in the big ports may well do it. OTOH you probably don't want to go on holiday and be stuck permanently in a marina much like the one at home. Most of the best places don't have a true marina or booking of any sort: Salcombe, Yealm, Fowey, St Mawes, Helford etc.
You might consider taking a week in Plymouth were there is loads to do in poor weather, easy crew changes and excellent day sailing. For the rest I would wing it.

For getting away from it, there is little to beat the upper reaches of the Fal where there are loads of anchorages, moorings, deep water,floating pontoons and perfect shelter.

Sssssh! Don't give away ALL the secrets - like Polperro....

And there's rail-station access at Falmouth, Truro and Penzance, besides Plymouth.

 

[[2574]]

Sssssh! Don't give away ALL the secrets - like Polperro....

And there's rail-station access at Falmouth, Truro and Penzance, besides Plymouth.

And Fowey, short bus trip to Par station.

 

[FWB]

If you are in the Carrick Roads in an Easterly then St Just Pool is an ideal anchorage. You can get in quite close. Nice walk to St Mawes and the other way to the stunning church and pleasant cafe just beyond. Mylor just across the way for westerlies.

 

[[2574]]

If you are in the Carrick Roads in an Easterly then St Just Pool is an ideal anchorage. You can get in quite close. Nice walk to St Mawes and the other way to the stunning church and pleasant View attachment 154951cafe just beyond. Mylor just across the way for westerlies.

Pleased to see an anchor ball and a red duster, proper job!

 

[PhillM]

I enjoy a stay in Torquay. You have the marina with good facilities or HM pontoon with basic.

 

[lustyd]

I recommend the Sandridge Barton vineyard if you anchor just east of Stoke Gabriel. Tides are a faff for landing but if you plan the day it’s great food and wine and a smashing anchorage.
Disagree that taxis are needed for Mayflower. We walked and it’s a bit of a trek but not so much that I wouldn’t do it again.

 

[FWB]

Disagree that taxis are needed for Mayflower. We walked and it’s a bit of a trek but not so much that I wouldn’t do it again.

Last time I was there it had been arranged for you to take your tender across.. Was a while ago though.

 

[clyst]

Any of Plymouths Marinas are reasonable for access but some like PYH and Mayflower will require car transport or taxi to get to from the city. Others like QAB, Sutton Harbour are easily accessible from the centre but car parking could be a problem for joining crew.

Fowey has mooring buoys and pontoons but no long term shore access for the boat other than tender but there is ample space for tenders, Salcombe is similar, car parking again in both is restricted and out of the town for crew change.

Falmouth all 3 marinas are readily accessible by foot from the town and railway station.

After Falmouth there is Penzance which is locked access from memory +/- 3hrs HW facilities minimal but easy access to the town.

Newlyn has some pontoon access but is a fishing harbour principally facilities are limited.

All the main towns with marina or significant moorings have good yacht clubs with the usual access for showers and food etc if the marina facilities are limited.

There are many many small harbours with some limitations, usually tidal like the Yealm estuary and Looe. Enough information for entry can be found in almanacks or cruising guide and pilots.

Other than those there is plenty of scope for anchoring in many places including Plymouth and its rivers and bays and onwards westwards.

Enjoy your cruise.

There is a water taxi from mountbatten ( pyh ) to the Barbican .

 

[clyst]

If you want peace and quiet and cheap visitors mooring Google Cargreen yacht club ..

 

[Fr J Hackett]

There is a water taxi from mountbatten ( pyh ) to the Barbican .

Yes I know but a crew exchange with gear and shopping it's not quite so convenient as a car or a taxi from the station.

 

[Lightwave395]

If you are in the Carrick Roads in an Easterly then St Just Pool is an ideal anchorage. You can get in quite close. Nice walk to St Mawes and the other way to the stunning church and pleasant View attachment 154951cafe just beyond. Mylor just across the way for westerlies.

I spent the summer of 2021 on a swinging mooring at St Just, beautiful place to hang around in any light wind or Easterly and lovely friendly yard. Unfortunately in any kind of brisk south westerly it was the most uncomfortable place that cou;d be imagined,..

 

[[2574]]

I spent the summer of 2021 on a swinging mooring at St Just, beautiful place to hang around in any light wind or Easterly and lovely friendly yard. Unfortunately in any kind of brisk south westerly it was the most uncomfortable place that cou;d be imagined,..

View attachment 154968

Exactly the same could be said of the lower reaches of the Fowey yet people’s determination to stick it out always amazed me, I used to clear off up to Wiseman’s reach where one could very comfortably sit out a SW storm.