Explore Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall


Boast in a harbour outside a coastal town in Cornwall.

If you’re planning to visit Cornwall this spring, take some time to explore Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall and discover the locations that inspired her bestselling books.

Daphne du Maurier and Cornwall

Daphne du Maurier is one of the best-known authors associated with Cornwall. Her attachment to the county began when the du Maurier family bought a holiday home in Cornwall – Ferryside, at Bodinnick – in the 1920s. The house quickly became one of her favourite places. It was here she began to concentrate on her fiction in earnest. She quickly achieved success with the publication of her first novel, The Loving Spirit, in 1931.

Daphne du Maurier continued writing after her marriage to Frederick Browning in 1932, managing to combine writing with family life. They moved to Menabilly, just outside Fowey, where they lived for 25 years. She had a writing hut on the grounds – a private retreat where she could immerse herself in her work.

Explore Cornwall's wooded paths and follow in Daphne du Maurier's footsteps
Find creative inspiration in the woods

Several of her novels have been successfully adapted into films, including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman’s Creek and My Cousin Rachel. Her short story, The Birds, was made famous when it was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock. There have also been many theatre productions of her work, including the acclaimed adaptation of Rebecca by Cornwall-based theatre company Kneehigh in 2015.

Many of Daphne du Maurier's best-loved novels were set in Cornwall
Follow in Daphne du Maurier’s footsteps and discover hidden creeks and secret coves

Explore Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall

If you’d like to explore the area that inspired one of the UK’s best-loved authors, here are a few suggestions:

The Hall Walk

This is a spectacular coastal walk with breathtaking views across Pont Pill creek and Fowey Harbour. The circular walk includes two ferry rides, from Fowey to Bodinnick and then from Polruan to Fowey. It’s a moderate 4 mile (6.4km) walk, which would easily fit into a morning or afternoon, although you may prefer to linger with a picnic or stop for a cream tea and enjoy the views.

Explore Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall and enjoy beautiful views of the Fowey River

Frenchman’s Creek

Frenchman’s Creek is a delightful area for walking. This easy three mile (4.8km) walk will take you through woodland and farmland above a pretty creek on the southern side of the Helford River. It’s not hard to imagine pirates and smugglers operating out of this tucked-away corner of Cornwall.

Frenchman's Creek was made famous by Daphne du Maurier's novel

Jamaica Inn

Jamaica Inn is high up on Bodmin Moor, just off the A30 between Launceston and Bodmin. It’s Cornwall’s most famous smugglers’ inn, and was the setting for Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name.

Short breaks in Cornwall in April and May

If you fancy a weekend getaway in Cornwall this spring, take a look at our availability, or give us a call on 01726 72128.

Why not tie your holiday in with the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature? It takes place in early May each year, and includes a range of events and workshops, plus exhibitions, concerts, guided walks, and an art trail.

Where’s your favourite literary haunt in Cornwall? We’d love to hear your suggestions. Leave a message below, post on our Facebook page or tweet @Bosinver.

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