Dawn French lives in a village called Fowey (rhymes with “boy”, which is adorable). She’s been there since around 2014, after she split from her ex-husband, Lenny Henry.
Fowey is a ridiculously pretty fishing port on Cornwall’s south coast. Think narrow, cobbled streets, pastel-colored houses, and a river that glitters like it’s been Photoshopped. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to buy a boat you can’t afford.
But here’s the fun bit: she didn’t move there by accident. Dawn has family roots in Cornwall—her dad was from here. So she’s not just a tourist in a raincoat; she’s practically a local.
What Does Her House Look Like? (Spoiler: It’s Not a Castle)
Look, I’m not going to give you her postcode—that would be creepy and rude. But from the photos she’s shared on social media, it’s a stunning old stone house overlooking the Fowey estuary.
Imagine a place where the windows are tiny and crooked. Where the garden is a jungle of hydrangeas and lavender. And where, I bet, there’s a secret nook for reading Agatha Christie novels. (Christie herself used to holiday nearby, so the vibe fits.)
Is it a mansion? No. Is it absurdly charming? Yes. It’s the sort of house that makes you say, “I’d happily get lost there for a week.”
Why Fowey? (Because You’re Nosy, and So Am I)
Dawn once said she moved to Cornwall because she wanted “a simpler life.” No more London traffic, no more paparazzi. She wanted to be able to buy a pasty without being photographed chewing.
And Fowey is perfect for that. It’s small enough that locals actually wave at each other. It’s artsy—tons of galleries and bookshops. Plus, there’s a famous ferry that takes you across the river to the even smaller village of Polruan.
The Trouble with Maggie Cole star Dawn French reveals why she moved to
Can you picture her on that ferry? Standing at the front, wind in her hair, probably making a joke with the skipper. I can. It’s almost too wholesome to handle.
But Wait—She’s Spotted Everywhere in Cornwall
Here’s the thing about Dawn French: she’s not a recluse. She doesn’t hide behind high walls and security gates. Locals routinely spot her at the Co-op in Fowey, buying cheese and wine.
One time, a fan wrote on Twitter that they saw her at the Eden Project. She was just wandering around, looking at giant tropical plants like the rest of us. Another time, she was at a tiny theater in St. Ives, laughing loudly at a play.
She doesn’t do meet-and-greets, but she’ll smile if you catch her eye. That’s the Cornish way—friendly but not pushy.
The “Fowey Factor” (or, Why We All Want to Move There)
Let’s be honest: Fowey has become a tiny bit of a celebrity magnet. Not just Dawn French. Joanna Lumley has a place nearby. Propellerhead types, Trustafarians, and even the occasional royal pop up.
But Dawn is the queen of the town. She’s been seen at the Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature, chatting to writers. She’s even taken part in the town’s reading group—yes, the actual one you can join.
So if you visit Fowey and see a woman in a colorful scarf, laughing too loud at a seagull, that’s probably her. Don’t stare. Just nod.
