Once a refuge for sailors, the present-day incarnation of this whitewashed Victorian building – The Old Quay House Hotel – is a fabulous find for tourists heading to Fowey for sea air, smart dining and a well-curated bar list.

With its yachty vibe and winding narrow streets, the pretty town offers excellent pottering, shopping and strolling opportunities. And, being on the South West Coast Path, a more serious stomp is also in the offing.

However you spend the day, The Old Quay House Hotel’s waterside restaurant provides a delightful dinner destination. Book a table indoors or dine on the alfresco terrace for a sunset supper – it sits directly by the water and provides stunning views across the estuary.

Piscatorial feasting is the done thing in such a location and comes in the form of locally sourced seafood like St Austell Bay mussels, and Cornish crab served with imaginative accompaniments. Diving into a dish of the freshest fish and shellfish isn’t the only option; seafood thrills share menu space with West Country meats, Cornish cheeses and veggies.

Trencherman’s tip

Start your visit at the hotel’s small but elegant Champagne bar, and book a stay in one of the attractive bedrooms at The Old Quay House Hotel to be lulled to sleep by the gentle clinking of boats beyond the window.