A brief history
Throughout the 14th Century, Lostwithiel was known as ‘The Port of Fawi’ and was the capital of Cornwall. The river was much deeper in the medieval period and sea-going boats were loaded with tin at the quay before transporting the ore throughout Europe and the middle east.
Trade prospered, and Lostwithiel became the second busiest port in Southern England. The town thrived but ironically the tin trade that Lostwithiel was built upon also ruined the prosperity of the town when rubble from the tin mines on Bodmin Moor caused the river to silt up. It eventually became unnavigable to sea-going ships and Lostwithiel lost its shipping trade to Fowey. Over time, production of tin in the area declined and the miners moved further west. Lostwithiel was forced to find alternative trades in weaving, tanning, pottery and pewter.
