Gribbin Daymark, Gribbin Head: is this Fowey walk worth doing?

Gribbin Daymark is the red-and-white tower on Gribbin Head, west of Fowey, and it is one of the more recognisable landmarks on this stretch of the south Cornwall coast. My honest judgement is that I’d recommend Gribbin Daymark if it suits your plans — especially if you are already near Fowey, Readymoney Cove, Polkerris or walking part of the South West Coast Path.

This is not a big attraction with everything laid on. It is a coastal walk with a strong landmark at the heart of it. Get that right, and Gribbin Head makes far more sense.

The tower is the hook, but the walk is the point.

Quick guide to Gribbin Daymark

Location: Gribbin Head, west of Fowey
Best for: coastal walking, views, photography and maritime Cornwall
Main start point: National Trust car park at Coombe Farm
Walk distance: around 4 miles / 6.4km
Typical time: around 1 hour 30 minutes, longer if you stop properly
Difficulty: moderate
Toilets: public toilets at Readymoney Cove only
Access: uneven ground, slopes and steps; not advised for wheelchair users
Dogs: welcome under close control, especially near livestock and other people

The main Gribbin Head walk is a moderate circular route from Coombe Farm, with uneven ground, slopes and steps throughout. The route is listed at 4 miles / 6.4km and around 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is Gribbin Daymark?

Gribbin Daymark is often mistaken for a lighthouse, but it is a daymark, not a lighthouse. It was built in 1832 by Trinity House as a navigation aid, helping mariners distinguish this part of the coast and avoid mistaking the shallow waters of St Austell Bay for the deeper waters of Falmouth Harbour. The tower stands 84ft / 25.6m high.

That gives it more substance than a random scenic tower. Cornwall has plenty of viewpoints, but the stronger places usually have a reason behind them. Gribbin belongs to the working coast. It was built to be seen, recognised and used.

The Gribbin Head walk from Coombe Farm

The best way to visit Gribbin Daymark is on the circular Gribbin Head walk from Coombe Farm. The route starts and ends at the National Trust car park and takes in a varied piece of Fowey-side coast rather than sending you straight to the tower and back.

You can expect a mix of:

• open fields
• woodland edges
• coastal path
• coves
• boardwalk sections
• steps, slopes and uneven ground
• views around Fowey, Polridmouth and Gribbin Head

The trail passes near Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle, continues through Coombe Haven and Polridmouth, then climbs towards the Daymark before looping back to Coombe Farm.

That variety is what makes it work. The Daymark is the obvious focal point, but the walk has enough shape before and after it to feel like a proper outing.

Who Gribbin Daymark suits

Gribbin Head is best for people who like a walk with a destination. Some coastal paths are all mood and no clear payoff. This one gives you something bold to aim for.

It suits:

• walkers who want a moderate coastal route without losing the whole day
• photographers, especially when the sky is doing something dramatic
• Fowey visitors who want more than the harbour, shops and lunch
• people interested in Cornwall’s maritime side
• anyone linking it with Readymoney Cove, Polkerris or the South West Coast Path

I would not choose it for someone who needs a gentle, easy-access stroll. I also would not send someone here if their day depends on smooth paths, close facilities or a café beside the main viewpoint.

Parking, toilets and access

The usual parking for the Gribbin Head walk is the National Trust car park at Coombe Farm. The road approach is via smaller Cornish lanes, so this is not the sort of place I would arrive at in a rush. The listed address for the walk is Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1HW.

Parking: Coombe Farm car park is the main start point.
Toilets: public toilets are at Readymoney Cove only, not beside the Daymark.
Access: uneven ground, slopes and steps make this unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Dogs: dogs are welcome, but close control is needed near livestock and other walkers.
Public transport: Par railway station is around 3.5 miles / 5.6km away, and the St Austell to Fowey bus route is listed for this area. Timings can change, so I would only build a public-transport day around it if you are happy confirming the current service before travelling.

The practical point is simple: plan it as a countryside and coast walk, not as a serviced visitor attraction.

Can you climb Gribbin Daymark?

I would not plan the day around climbing the tower. The Daymark has had summer Sunday openings in the past, but access has changed around repair work, and tower openings are not something I would treat as guaranteed.

For most visits, Gribbin Daymark works perfectly well as something to walk to, photograph and enjoy from the outside.

What to see nearby

Gribbin Daymark fits best into a wider Fowey day.

A strong plan would be to walk the Gribbin Head route from Coombe Farm, include Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle, then head into Fowey or towards Polkerris for food and drink afterwards.

St Catherine’s Castle adds a useful bit of context without taking over the day. It was built between 1538 and 1542 by Henry VIII as a small artillery fort to protect Fowey harbour.

The wider Fowey Estuary area has more depth than a simple beauty spot: coast path, creeks, harbour, woodland, coves and working port history all sit close together here.

Final Pasties & Pints judgement

Gribbin Daymark is not a universal must-do, and that is fine. Cornwall does not need every place sold as essential.

If you are already near Fowey and fancy a moderate coastal walk with a proper landmark, I’d give it a go. If you want easy access, close facilities or a quick low-effort stop, I would choose somewhere else.

Go for the route, not just the photograph. That is when Gribbin Head makes sense.

FAQs about Gribbin Daymark and Gribbin Head

Is Gribbin Daymark a lighthouse?

No. Gribbin Daymark is a navigation daymark, not a lighthouse. It was built to help mariners recognise this part of the coast from the sea.

Where do you park for Gribbin Daymark?

For the main circular walk, park at the National Trust car park at Coombe Farm, which is both the start and end point of the route.

How long is the Gribbin Head walk?

The main circular Gribbin Head walk is around 4 miles / 6.4km and is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes. I would allow longer if you want to stop at Readymoney Cove, St Catherine’s Castle, Polridmouth or the Daymark itself.

Is the Gribbin Head walk difficult?

It is a moderate walk rather than a flat stroll. Expect uneven ground, slopes and steps throughout the route.

Are there toilets at Gribbin Daymark?

No toilets are listed beside Gribbin Daymark. Public toilets are at Readymoney Cove only.

Can dogs go on the Gribbin Head walk?

Yes, dogs are welcome, but they need to be kept under close control, especially near livestock and other people.

Can you climb Gribbin Daymark?

Do not rely on being able to climb it. There have been summer openings in the past, but access can change, so I would treat the tower mainly as an outside landmark unless an open day is confirmed locally.