Holiday rentals in Polruan

Polruan is an ancient fishing village in Cornwall built on steep banks where the River Fowey, Pont Creek, and the English Channel meet. The area is best known for wild beauty, the King Arthur legend, and Celtic lore. Mountains surround the estuary on three sides like an enormous amphitheatre, and looking down from Polruan on centre stage is a dramatic sight — white sails glide across clear, blue waters from which fishermen pull up nets filled with the day’s catch.

A tranquil town known for boatbuilding, Polruan has only one road in and out. You’ll find a couple of cafes and pubs to pop into and a market that sells local fruit and vegetables, ales, cured meats, and cheeses. You can even pre-order breakfast — freshly baked bread served with a newspaper. Across the harbour is Fowey, named for the river which the two towns share. A four-minute ferry ride lands you in this larger city of narrow streets with clothing boutiques, bookstores, and art galleries. Restaurants serve fancier fare and local lobster. Kayaks and boat rentals are also available. Less than an hour away from Polruan are gorgeous gardens and estates, such as the Lanhydrock House and Tintagel Castle, the birthplace of King Arthur.

June through September temperatures are warmest and the weather is usually dry. This is the best time to rent Polruan cottages. Summer is the season for live music and food festivals. Outdoor cinemas in the area are popular, too. In October, the annual Heligan Harvest celebrates the bounty of local producers. Also in October is the Falmouth Oyster Festival just over an hour away by car. Winter is cold, but this means ice skating and Christmas markets with Cornish pasties, mince pie, and mulled wine.

Hiking

In Polruan, you’re never far from a great hike. Climb Polruan’s Hill to check out St. Saviour’s Ruin, one of the oldest churches in the area dating back to the eighth century. St. Ruan, for whom the town gets its name, once lived here, and it was used as a lookout point where sounded bells signalled the ships of invaders. Fowey to Polruan Hall Walk is a 4.2-mile loop trail known for its bird-watching and seasonal wildflowers. Less than a mile down the road from Fowey is a castle built in 1536 to protect the harbour from French attack.

Eden Project

A 40-minute drive from Polruan, you’ll find what looks like a futuristic space colony rising from the rustic countryside. The Eden Project consists of huge spherical biodomes that create climates from around the globe where their indigenous plants thrive. The most popular greenhouse contains the largest indoor rainforest in the world.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

This walled garden and woodland walk an hour from Polruan are well worth the drive. Its most famous features are three whimsical sculptures: The Giant’s Head, Mud Maid, and Grey Lady. In October, Heligan estates celebrates all things harvest with events throughout the month, including estate-to-table dinners.