Cornish town wins national recognition

Fowey is very popular with day-trippers

A picturesque Cornish port has been named as one of the best places to live in the country.

Fowey came joint third in a survey by Country Life magazine, which tested aspects such as character, history, scenery and amenities.

The winner was Alnwick in Northumberland, with Midhurst in west Sussex runner-up.

Fowey scored highly for its weather and maze of pretty streets.

Those of us who are lucky enough to live in Fowey know it to be one of the best places in Cornwall, if not the UK

Chris Parsons, estate agent

The survey's findings were welcomed by local residents.

Anne Johnson, who lives and works in the town, said: "Fowey has got a good spirit.

"Everybody is friendly and welcomes the visitors and there is plenty to do in the town and close by, such as sailing and fishing."

Estate agent Chris Parsons said he was not surprised by Fowey's high ranking in the survey.

"Those of us who are lucky enough to live in Fowey know it to be one of the best places in Cornwall, if not the UK."

Eden boost

Linda Strongitharm, who runs a bookshop and stationers in the town, said the quality of life was not adversely affected by the high numbers of day-trippers.

"If it wasn't for the day-trippers we wouldn't be able to have such a variety of shops."

She said the area had received a major boost from the opening of the nearby Eden Project.

"We are doing so much better now and people are very impressed with the quality and style of the shops.

Second homes

"We are able to open all the year round, making it a working community for the people who live here."

But one problem identified by the survey was the number of second home owners, which prices many local people out of the housing market.

Mr Parsons said: "House prices have risen to a level where it is almost impossible for local youngsters trying to get on the housing ladder to find anything in Fowey they can afford."