Readymoney Beach Fowey: honest guide to the small cove below St Catherine’s Castle

Readymoney Beach in Fowey is a small sandy cove near the mouth of the River Fowey, tucked below St Catherine’s Castle and close enough to town to work neatly into a day on foot. It is sheltered, scenic and practical, with toilets, refreshments and a boat-free swimming area. I would not cross Cornwall for it as a standalone beach day, but if I were already in Fowey, I would happily use it for a short swim, a pause on the sand or a walk up to the castle.

That is the fairest way to judge it. Readymoney Beach, also called Readymoney Cove or Ready Money Cove, is not a wide, wild, dramatic Cornish beach. It is a convenient Fowey cove that does a specific job well.

Readymoney Beach works best as part of a Fowey day, not the whole reason for one.

Quick verdict on Readymoney Beach

Best for:

• A short beach stop while you are already in Fowey
• A sheltered swim when conditions are sensible
• Low-tide rockpooling
• Families who want toilets and refreshments nearby
• A walk to St Catherine’s Castle
• Visitors staying close to Fowey town centre

Less good for:

• Surf
• A full day on a wide sandy beach
• Long beach walks
• Easy parking confidence in peak season
• Dog owners during July and August daytime restrictions
• Anyone wanting lots of space

Where is Readymoney Beach?

Readymoney Beach sits just beyond Fowey’s Esplanade, near the harbour entrance and the mouth of the River Fowey. It looks across the estuary towards Polruan, with cliffs around the cove and St Catherine’s Castle above it.

From Fowey town centre, I would usually walk. The route along the Esplanade is part of the appeal, and it saves you trying to nudge a car through Fowey’s tighter streets. Allow around twenty minutes on foot from the centre of town, depending on where you start.

The nearest parking is Readymoney Car Park, PL23 1JD. The beach itself is generally listed around PL23 1EB. In practice, aim for Readymoney in Fowey rather than relying too heavily on postcode precision.

What is Readymoney Beach like?

Readymoney is a south-east-facing sandy cove rather than a broad Atlantic beach. The cliffs give it shelter, the estuary gives it a softer harbour feel, and the sand makes it more usable than some of the rockier edges around Fowey.

At low tide, the cove is at its best. There is more beach to work with, the rock pools come into play, and it suits children, paddling and a slower pause before or after a walk. On high spring tides, the beach can be heavily reduced or covered, so the tide can shape the visit more than people expect.

This is not a beach for a long wander, a big picnic spread and games on the sand. Readymoney is compact. On a quiet morning, that feels charming. On a busy summer afternoon, it can feel tight.

Can you swim at Readymoney Beach?

Yes, Readymoney Beach is one of the more obvious swimming spots close to Fowey. The cove has a boat-free swimming area, and it is more suitable for a careful dip than the wider harbour or estuary.

There are two points I would not soften. There is no lifeguard cover, so swim with proper judgement. And although bathing water is monitored during the season, water quality can be affected after heavy rain or storms.

My approach would be simple: stay inside the marked swimming area, avoid the wider estuary, and skip the swim if the weather has been rough, the rain has been heavy or the water looks unappealing.

Facilities at Readymoney Beach

For a small cove, Readymoney is fairly practical. That is one of its biggest advantages over prettier but emptier beaches nearby.

You will usually find:

• Public toilets by the beach
• A beach shop/café for drinks, snacks, ice creams and beach supplies
• Nearby seating
• Access to the coast path
• A walking route towards St Catherine’s Castle

That is enough to make it easy for a short family stop, a swim-and-snack visit or a relaxed pause while exploring Fowey.

For a proper meal or pint, I would go back into town. Readymoney is useful for the basics; Fowey is where you settle in.

Parking for Readymoney Beach

Readymoney Car Park is the closest parking option. It is a long-stay car park for cars and motorcycles, close to the beach and coast path, with limited spaces.

By Fowey standards, it is a convenient option. By summer Cornwall standards, I would not build the whole day around parking optimism. If you are already parked in town, I would walk rather than move the car.

From the car park, the beach is roughly a five-minute walk. From Fowey town centre, it is closer to twenty minutes. Access is easier than many Cornish coves, and pushchairs should generally manage, but wheelchair access can depend on the exact route, gradients and conditions underfoot.

If the practical side of the day needs to be effortless, Readymoney is not the safest bet in peak season.

Are dogs allowed on Readymoney Beach?

Dogs are allowed on Readymoney Beach outside the main summer restriction. The restriction runs from 10am to 6pm between 1 July and 31 August.

That makes Readymoney useful for dog walkers outside peak daytime summer hours, and far less useful during the middle of a July or August day. The cove is small, so I would not try to force it as a dog beach when the rule is against you.

St Catherine’s Castle: the best nearby add-on

Readymoney Beach becomes a better outing when you link it with St Catherine’s Castle. The castle sits above the cove and gives the visit a stronger shape: walk from Fowey, pause at the beach, climb up for the views, then head back into town.

The castle is a small Tudor fort built to defend Fowey Harbour. It is not a polished attraction with cafés and facilities, but that is not really the point. The ruins, the harbour views and the short climb make Readymoney feel more worthwhile.

If you are steady on your feet, this is the version of Readymoney I like best. The beach alone is useful. The beach with the castle walk feels like a proper Fowey outing.

Readymoney Beach FAQs

Is Readymoney Beach worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already in or near Fowey. It is a useful small cove for a short stop, sheltered swim, snack or walk towards St Catherine’s Castle. I would not treat it as one of Cornwall’s big destination beach days.

Is Readymoney Beach sandy?

Yes. Readymoney Beach is a sandy cove. At low tide there is more room and more interest around the rocks. On high spring tides, the beach can be much smaller or covered.

Can you swim at Readymoney Beach?

Yes, there is a boat-free swimming area in the cove. I would keep to the designated swimming area and avoid swimming after heavy rain, storms or poor-looking water conditions.

Is there parking at Readymoney Beach?

Yes. The nearest option is Readymoney Car Park, PL23 1JD, close to the beach and coast path. Spaces are limited, so I would not assume parking will be easy during busy periods.

Are there toilets at Readymoney Beach?

Yes, there are public toilets by the beach. There is also a beach shop/café for drinks, snacks, ice creams and basic beach supplies.

Is Readymoney Beach dog friendly?

Readymoney Beach is dog friendly outside the summer restriction. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10am to 6pm between 1 July and 31 August.

Can you walk from Fowey to Readymoney Beach?

Yes. From Fowey town centre, the walk takes around twenty minutes and follows the Esplanade area towards the cove. It is one of the better ways to reach the beach if you are already in town.

My Pasties & Pints take

Readymoney Beach is pleasant, practical and easy to like when you use it properly. I would go for a short beach stop, a sensible swim, an ice cream, a low-tide potter or a walk up to St Catherine’s Castle.

I would not oversell it. It is small, parking is limited, tides matter, and it does not have the scale or drama of Cornwall’s stronger beach-day choices.

Go because it fits naturally into a Fowey day. Used that way, Readymoney does enough.