Looe & Polperro: Things to Do & Coast Walk
Two classic south-east Cornwall harbours a few miles apart: bustling Looe with its beach and boat trips, and tiny Polperro, a car-free fishing village tucked into a narrow valley.
Looe
A river splits the town into East and West Looe, joined by an old bridge. East Looe Beach, by the Banjo Pier, is sandy and family-friendly, while the harbour is full of working fishing boats and pleasure trips.
- Visit Looe Island, a nature reserve offshore. Boat trips run in season, depending on the weather and tide.
- Take a boat or fishing trip from the harbour, or go crabbing off the quay.
- Ride the Looe Valley Line branch train from Liskeard, a scenic ride alongside the river.
Polperro
Polperro's centre is closed to most cars, so park at the village car park at the top and walk about ten minutes down the valley. It's a maze of whitewashed cottages, tiny lanes and a harbour sheltered behind stone walls. Smuggling was once a way of life here, and the village's Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing tells the story.
The coast path from Looe to Polperro
The walk between them is about five miles of up-and-down clifftop with great views. Allow three hours or so. Walk one way and take a bus or taxi back, or start early and do the return. See our coast path walking tips.
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