Looe and Polperro - Day trips from Plymouth
Looe is divided into West and East Looe and joined by a nineteenth century bridge that has seven arches. Both settlements have wonderfully narrow streets and share a medieval guildhall which is now Looe Museum and also the largest of Cornwall’s current fishing fleets.
At one time, in the 18th century, Looe was known for its pilchards and for exporting the copper that was mined on Bodmin Moor near Caradon Hill. Where the copper was stored before shipment is now Buller Quay car park overlooking the beach. Looe is perfect for family holidays as the beach is sandy with plenty of fascinating rock pools. From Looe harbour wall, children often cast lines with bits of rotting bacon for lots of fun catching crabs.
In the back streets of Looe are beautifully quaint shops and art galleries, a very popular ice cream parlour, seafood restaurants and cafés serving clotted cream teas.
About four miles from Looe is Polperro which is a wonderful mix of lanes and dark alleys and beautiful, whitewashed cottages. All the streets lead down to the harbour which is unbelievably picturesque and is still a working fishing port with the nets and pots adding to the unspoilt picture postcard.
Cars are prohibited from entering the narrow streets which are resplendent with smugglers’ inns and charming places to eat. The streets are so narrow they are closed to motor vehicles. A delight to explore, Polperro is renowned throughout Cornwall for its fishermen's choir which performs regularly in the open air during the summer concert season.
Looe and Polperro are two of southern Cornwall’s greatest gems and are wonderful to visit on a day trip or to stay for a family holiday.
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