Ferry Boat Inn

Arrive by ferry if you want to get into the swing of things at this renowned nautical watering hole overlooking the Helford Passage. Following a change of ownership, the Ferryboat is now run by the husband and wife team Zander and Sarah Towill.

The revamped interior boasts an open granite fireplace, beams and a slate floor, with the old food servery now doing duty as an oyster bar. Bivalves from the Duchy Oyster Farm on the Helford River are star turns, salmon is kiln-smoked on the premises, and fish from the Cornish day boats finds its way into pies and eclectic dishes such as crispy mackerel with Thai vegetable and peanut salad.

Meat eaters and veggies also get their fill, while puds offer the likes of chocolate delice with orange compote. St Austell ales and quaffable wines complete the package.

Cornwall isn’t short of beautiful backdrops, but Ferry Boat Inn is home to perhaps on the area’s most idyllic landscapes, boasting beautiful views across the Helford Passage. Dating back 300 years, the pub sits in an unspoilt cove with direct access to the beach and water, while there are many picturesque walks to take advantage of nearby too, including the Trebah Garden.

Owned and operated by husband and wife team Zander and Sarah Towill (who first took over the reins back in 2017), The Ferry Boat Inn is a welcoming and cosy space, featuring traditional panelling and a hand crafted oak bar, while the framed photographs of vintage sailboats lining the walls are a subtle nod to the venue’s nautical history. Sun seekers will also be glad to know that Ferry Boat Inn is home to an outdoor terrace which overlooks those enviable aforementioned views, and provides plenty of opportuning for lazy lunches and long dinners on sunny days and warm evenings. During the colder months meanwhile, you can retreat inside and warm yourself up with something strong from the bar, or get cosy by the open fire.

While the location will be what first draws you to Ferry Boat Inn, you will want to stay once you discover the menu. Operating with a ‘farm to table’ philosophy, the Inn serves all of the much-loved pub classics such as fish and chips and hearty Sunday roasts, alongside some more unexpected signature dishes that are inspired by the global larder - think mackerel tacos and chicken schnitzel. There are also vegetarian and vegan options to choose from, including sourdough pizzas topped with roasted vegetables and vegan cheese.

If you were worried that food has taken precedence over Ferry Boat Inn’s pub roots, there is no need to fear because here you can be guaranteed of a ‘proper’ pint, as well as a considerable list of wines, spirits and other beverages.