Fowey Town Band

The Fowey Town Band has been making a racket in this riverside corner of Cornwall since 1847, which is rather remarkable when you think about it. You'll find them rehearsing and performing around Polruan and the Fowey area - brass and wind instruments, mostly, the sort of thing that gets the whole town out on summer evenings. Catching them at a local gig or parade is the real point here; it's not a museum or visitor attraction with fixed opening hours, but rather a living piece of community life that's been going for nearly two centuries.

What appeals about the band is precisely that it's genuine. You're watching people who actually care about keeping this tradition alive, not a heritage performance for tourists. Local history types will appreciate the continuity - this is proper Cornish culture, the kind that doesn't get packaged up for day-trippers. Families might enjoy it if there's a summer concert on, though young children could find a full band performance a bit much.

Your best bet is asking at the Polruan visitor information when you arrive or checking local noticeboards for upcoming performances. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Par Sands or Tremeer Farm, you're well-placed for the coast anyway. The Fowey riverside itself is the real draw - the band is just the cultural cherry on top. Timing your visit to catch them playing would be lucky, but even without it, you're in one of Cornwall's loveliest corners.