The town has thrived as a port for hundreds of years, initially as a military town, then as the centre for china clay exports, and today is busy with trawlers and yachts.
Fowey lies at the end of the Saint's Way, and has ferries across the river to Polruan and Bodinnick. There are many historic buildings in the town, including the ruins of St Catherine's Castle, while Readymoney Cave possesses a local beach.