Literary Cornwall - 1 - Fowey - mostly Daphne du Maurier

Fowey is best known for its connection with Daphne du Maurier. In 1926 her parents bought 'Ferryside' at Bodinnick and she fell in love with it and Fowey. In 1932 she married Boy Browning at Lanteglos church. They lived in London but in 1943, with Boy away at war, Daphne rented a house at Readymoney Cove south of Fowey. She then persuaded local landowners, the Rashleighs (builders of Charlestown harbour), to rent her Menabilly, a mile west. Menabilly was the model for 'Manderley' in Rebecca. When her lease expired in 1969 she moved to another Rashleigh home, Kilmarth, where she died in 1989. There is a du Maurier Literary Centre shop at 5 South Street in Fowey and each May a Literary Festival honours her. Other du Maurier locations are Frenchman's Creek on the Helford River and Jamaica Inn at Bolventor. Before du Maurier, Q - Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch - was the literary lion of Fowey. Born in Bodmin and, although Professor of Literature at Jesus College Cambridge, he lived most of his life at The Haven on The Esplanade, where a plaque commemorates him; his memorial stands high on Hall Walk across the river. One of his friends and visitors was Kenneth Graham, author of Wind in the Willows; Graham was inspired by the Fowey River and Q himself - who loved 'simply messing about in boats' - is believed to have been the model for Ratty.

View across the Fowey to Ferryside, Bodinnick