Our Guide to Feock, South Cornwall
At the head of the Carrick Roads, the pretty waterside village of Feock is calm and peaceful – the perfect spot to relax, unwind and enjoy the stillness of the river. Many visitors arrive at Feock on the King Harry ferry, crossing the water from the Roseland; a picturesque journey which also saves a 30-mile drive around!
Watch out for oyster boats dredging the river bed in winter, and kayaks and small boats pootling along the water in summer.
Points of Interest
Feock is one of those lovely places which remains largely untouched by the course of history. The Church of St Feoca, standing proudly in the middle of the village, has an unusual feature; the church’s tower stands several metres from the church itself. Many people claim that services here are held in Cornish – making St Feoca the only remaining church in the county to do so.
The 15th century, thatched Smuggler’s Cottage (where General Eisenhower once lived) serves light lunches in its riverside garden – and just next door to Smuggler’s Cottage is a fascinating collection of D-Day memorabilia. Across the water, the 17th century Pandora Inn is a lovely place to enjoy lunch or dinner with a view – why not hire a kayak and paddle your way over?
The National Trust-owned Trelissick Estate sits just outside Feock. With a sprawling country estate, beautiful landscaped gardens and grand house hosting occasional exhibitions, Trelissick makes for a lovely day out for all the family.
Feock’s beach (Loe beach) is shingly with pebbles, and offers a great spot from where to launch a sail boat, kayak or paddleboard. The beachside café serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well as ice creams during the summer – and the water sports centre provide tuition as well as equipment hire.
Shopping
Feock parish does not have any shops – part of its appeal, you might argue! The nearest shops are in Carnon Downs, just over 2 miles away - where there is a Spar shop and a garden centre.
The city of Truro, with its many high street names and independent shops, is just over 5 miles from Feock. Here, you will find everything from Marks & Spencer’s to Joules, The White Company to Next, Seasalt and Monsoon – as well as the supermarkets Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Truro is also host to a farmers’ market twice a week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays), where you can buy all sorts of delicious local produce and gifts.
Where to Eat
The pretty, thatched Punchbowl and Ladle, just outside Feock, is a traditional, Cornish inn full of character and charm. Food is served here every day from noon to 9pm, including cream teas and of course, roast dinners on Sundays.
Just across the water, the Pandora Inn is another charming old inn, parts of which date back to the 13th century. The Pandora offers a great place from where to watch the world go by, and is very cosy during the winter when the open fires crackle.
Just off the coastal footpath, The Old Quay Inn at Devoran is an excellent and friendly traditional pub. You can even arrive by boat or kayak, mooring up at Devoran Quay… and for a vast choice of everything from Thai to Italian, American to French, Truro has a restaurant for everyone. Our favourites include Mannings, Gravy Boesti and Hooked! Restaurant & Bar.
Events
Truro is always busy, too, with all sorts of fairs and festivals taking place throughout the year. The Great Cornish Food Festival takes place each September, with live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, produce markets and of course, plenty of entertainment.
Truro’s Lemon Quay is a hub of activity, and the city’s Victoria Gardens are also very busy, with local brass bands and orchestras frequently performing here during the summer months.
ATMs and Banks
There are no banks or ATMs in Feock itself, however the Spar shop at Carnon Downs has a cash machine. The Spar is open every day from 7am to 9pm.
There are a large number of banks and ATMs in Truro.
