In the early Middle Ages, the River Fowey was an important route for monks and missionaries, who travelled by boat along the coast and ventured inland via the rivers. Between the 12th and 16th centuries, small vessels departed from Fowey for Brittany and France. For many pilgrims, this was the first stage of a long journey to Santiago de Compostela. In this way, Fowey became a true gateway to the continent.
Today, pilgrims following the Cornish Celtic Way still make the short crossing by boat between Polruan and Fowey. The journey may be brief, but its significance endures. Crossing water has always symbolised transition: letting go, trusting yourself to something beyond your control, and stepping into a new phase of the journey.