The Old Ferry Inn an established pub with rooms on the edge of the River Fowey in the village of Bodinnick, overlooking Fowey Harbour and out to the English Channel is ready to welcome summer visitors after completing a refurbishment. The renovations include the addition of an artisanal shop selling made on the premises loaves of bread and locally made provisions. A micro-distillery is located at the rear of the shop and the Old Ferry Inn produces vodka, gin, rum and chilli tequila. A hot tub on the terrace is an innovative and fun new installation and guests can watch the sunset over Fowey Harbour with a cocktail in hand. With Daphne du Maurier’s house mere steps away and the beginning of the famed Hall Wall passing the front door offering spectacular views of nearby Cornish villages and Fowey Harbour. The new refurbishment sees a new chapter for the historic property, which has been welcoming travellers since the 1500s and continues to welcome guests new and returning as well as four-legged friends.

CONTEMPORARY, COMFORTABLE BEDROOMS

The 11 bedrooms, all have cosy beds, goose feather and down duvets, pillows, and ensuite bathrooms. A wicker basket containing homemade hot chocolate, tea, coffee, a variety of milk (including soy, almond, and oat), local biscuits, and utterly moreish salted caramel fudge, made on the premises as well as Cornish dog treats for any canine guests, is in each room. Newly redecorated bedrooms are contemporary, light, and airy, most with picture-postcard views across the harbour or out to sea. Bathrooms are shining examples of sparkling new tiling and are well-stocked with supplies of Bramley luxury toiletries.

DOG AND PETS ARE WELCOME

Dogs will be just as enchanted as their owners by the stunning views from bedrooms overlooking the Bodinnick to Fowey ferry as they sit on their Omlet dog beds and nibble on Cornish dog treats in their pet-friendly rooms. Visitors’ dogs and pets are welcome throughout the historic former coaching inn on the banks of the River Fowey, which features three terraced areas with a sweeping outlook towards Fowey, Polruan, and the English Channel. The resident gentle giant Newfoundland, Archie, will be delighted to make any new dog friend feel right at home.

THE TERRACE AND HOT TUB WITH A VIEW

The upstairs terrace is open in all weathers for boat watching, sipping a refreshing drink, meeting friends, or relaxing in the coastal air. A residents’ hot tub is ready to welcome couples or individuals who want to unwind in the late afternoon sun after a day’s hike or canoeing trip.

DELICIOUS FOOD, SOURCED WITHIN A 20-MILE RADIUS AND THE DINING ROOM

The refurbishment encompasses the striking dining room, with its panoramic harbour views, where guests will want to linger over the excellent food and great service. Visitors can expect the finest local produce sourced within a radius of 20 miles, supporting Cornish fishermen and farmers. Ingredients such as smoked salmon are cured and smoked on-site and fish are brought straight to the Inn from Cornish day boats in the harbour, organic vegetables are delivered from nearby fields, so vegetarians are amply supplied with delicious and creative cuisine.

Slow-roasted pork, lamb, and beef take pride of place on Sunday lunch menus but there is also an all-day grazing menu at the bar featuring house-baked bread and smoked olives or Old Ferry Hogs sausage roll. Superlative, honest cooking made with dedication, finesse, and passion to tempt the palate of the most discerning guest.

ON-SITE ARTISANAL SHOP AND MICRO BREWERY

A micro-distillery on-site supports the Old Ferry Inn’s commitment to home-made excellence, offering a delicious range of spirits arranged on shelves in the Bottle Shop, while buyers enjoy the smell of house-baked bread wafting in from the kitchen.

LITERARY HISTORY, LONG WALKS, AND A COSY BAR

Downstairs is the comfortable bar with its log-burning stove and original features, offering a selection of Cornish real ales and ciders. This favourite hang-out area is a cosy large sitting room that combines classic comfort with modern styling, seating for couples, or larger groups who want to nibble or relax with a tipple while they savour the Fowey Harbour views or stretch out in front of the fire. Here you can wind the clock back through the 400-year history of the Old Ferry Inn and recall the time when the renowned author Daphne du Maurier lived about 20 yards from its front door. The author of Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, My Cousin Rachel, and Frenchman’s Creek may well have been one of the many walkers who strode along the now-famous spectacular Hall Walk, where you can glimpse the still green waters of Pont Pill on a four-mile, circular amble of exceptional beauty through woodland and creek with striking views of Fowey Harbour. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fowey-estuary/trails/fowey-hall-walk

Paul Worswick, director, and owner of The Old Ferry Inn commented: “We are thrilled at our new room décor and upgrades and excited about welcoming guests to the new-look Old Ferry Inn. Buildings that are 400 years old need a restorative facelift every once in a while.

“We’ve kept the parts that make us one of Cornwall’s best-loved hotels, our great local food and drink, and wonderful service, and we look forward to inviting new visitors this year to experience first-hand what makes us so special. The Cornish coast will be here for the next 400 years, and we hope that so, too, will the Old Ferry Inn, still playing its part in offering the best of the south-west.”

The Old Ferry Inn is situated just a short 20-minute drive from Bodmin Parkway train station and has rooms starting from £140, which includes a delicious Cornish breakfast. www.theoldferryinn.co.uk