The Lark is a lively two-person racing dinghy, loved for close tactical sailing and sociable competition. With a strong championship fleet gathering in Fowey, the week should bring both serious racing and extra visitors to town, as sailors, families and supporters come ashore to eat, drink, shop and explore.

If you're wondering where to watch, the racing itself will take place outside the harbour, so anyone hoping to see the boats once they are on the racecourse should look towards Alldays Fields, one of Fowey’s most special viewpoints and a place that is often missed by visitors who stay close to the quay and town centre. From there, the sight should be all movement and energy: colourful sails, quick manoeuvres and the drama of championship racing set against open water.

A lovely way to reach it is to make a small outing of the walk: head towards Readymoney, pause there for a cold drink or an ice cream, then continue up towards St Catherine’s Castle and on to Alldays Fields for the open view towards The Gribbin and St Austell Bay. It is a route that turns spectating into part of the pleasure of the day, with beach, shade, sea air and one of Fowey’s great panoramas along the way.

Within the harbour, the atmosphere will be different but no less engaging. Around Caffa Mill, Town Quay, Whitehouse Quay and the Esplanade, residents and visitors should be able to see the dinghies as they head out and return, with crews moving between boat park, slipway and sailing area.

For Fowey, this is a town with wind in its sails, and the championships are not just something happening offshore. They are a chance to welcome a national event into the town, bringing sailors, families and supporters who may be returning to Fowey or discovering it for the first time. From the early-morning preparations at Caffa Mill to the post-race drift into pubs, restaurants, galleries and shops, the week should bring a few new faces to Fowey.

Organisers will begin the shoreside operation from around 7am, managing parking, launching and retrieval for the dinghies. It is a considerable logistical exercise, and one that relies on clear access around the boat park and slipway. Nearby homes and holiday lets around Caffa Mill car park are being leafleted individually, with the aim of helping everyone plan ahead while the town enjoys the extra energy and visitors the championships will bring.

A helpful note on parking: during the championships, a section of Caffa Mill car park will be closed off to the public under licence with Cornwall Council. Drivers are asked not to park in the areas marked out for the event while the restriction is in place, as this space is needed by organisers to prepare the boats and get them ready to launch safely and efficiently. Unauthorised parking in the marked event area may result in a £70 fine, so it is well worth planning ahead, choosing one of Fowey’s other parking options, and saving the day’s budget for something more enjoyable.

With Fowey expected to be busy, visitors are encouraged to allow extra time and consider alternatives to Caffa Mill car park. The town’s Main car park on Hanson Drive is a long-stay option, while Readymoney car park serves the beach and coastal path. Station Yard car park, on Station Road beside Caffa Mill, is another nearby option. During the school holidays, Fowey River Academy also offers visitor parking outside school hours through its ANPR and PayByPhone system. It can be a useful choice for those happy to leave the car outside the narrowest streets and enjoy the walk down into town.